The time has come to knit some lace. In my quest for lovely lace patterns, I came upon this incredible source for all things vintage, Vintage Home Arts. If you haven’t found them yet, do check out this understated gem.
Egged on by Laura’s photos of her beautiful Haruni shawl, determined to vanquish my own fears over the last lace disaster and as an homage to spring, I’ve decided to embark on a lace project. (Besides, I still owe Mumsie a fabulous Christmas gift). Somehow, my project list has gotten over-run with stockinette stitch. I’m reading here and there on the web about adventurous knitters taking on all kinds of new material and I refuse to be left behind. Over at Knitting to Stay Sane, Glenna wrote that, no matter how mired she becomes in design, she’s always sure to have something on the needles that is not the product of her own brain. Here are some of the contenders.
I must have this yarn. I’m a little disappointed that it does not come in variegated colors (I wanted the subtle shadings that I see in Laura’s shawl) but I am in love with the texture of this yarn. My LYS stocks this yarn in only a few colors, but a quick online search yielded this enticing celery color. It’s perfect for knitting during the spring/summer but would also be a welcome pop of color for wearing during the fall/winter which, let’s face it, is when it would likely be finished.
This is the current front runner, the “Holden Shawlette”, which ripples with a wave-like motif. 
It has a sort of Moorish or Islamic architectural feel that I really like. I am committed to adding beads as Laura did; I like the way the added weight affects the hand of the fabric. I can see adding beads at the edges of each ‘wave’ and perhaps just above the crochet cast-off.
Tied for first is the fabulous “Haruni Shawl” by Emily Ross. I actually prefer the shawl with Laura’s modifications, but doubt I could keep up with them. (The ends with the extra clusters are magnificent!) I could outline the petals in beads and run a row over the top of the floral border.
I absolutely love this one, “Ethereal” by Lakshmi Juneja, but it does not have a chart 🙁 That means I’d have to make a chart from the written instructions….Hmmmmm…..Wait a minute….there’s an idea! I’ve been wanting to improve my charting skills and to try out some of the new charting software that’s out there. Maybe this is my chance!
What do we think?
[polldaddy poll=6131403]
loavesandstitches
I am partial to the Haruni since I have it on my queue as well. Maybe yours will inspire me to start mine:) Btw, I love the header photo! I never knew Cary Grant was a knitter, or was this just a shot from a movie?
Pearls-Toronto
Well, not really… but he did knit for the war effort in the movie “Mr. Lucky”. There is a page on my blog dedicated to classic films with knitting in them. I have a list of titles to add but…
Laura
Oh, the Ethereal shawl is lovely. (And my Rav queue grows again…)
I would be happy to share my Haruni mods with you. They weren’t that hard!
And I love that celery color. So fresh and springy!
Cindy
Yes! I like what the masses like!
Anyway, you are one heck’of’a knitter.
I wish you all the best on your endeavour this time round. And that celery colour is so great.
Pearls-Toronto
That’s a pretty name! Well, Isabella, it’s a pleasure to know you!
The Modern Home Economist
I think they are all beautiful. I personally like the Ethereal the best, but it may not be a bad idea to start on something a little simpler, since it is a bit new to you. Ps I loved your post on your lace disaster. So funny and shame it didn’t work out – the colour was magnificent!
Pearls-Toronto
MHE, you are such a good, sweet voice of reason 🙂 I wish I knew your name…it isn’t anywhere on your lovely blog!
The Modern Home Economist
Hahaha. Its Isabella 🙂 I have little hints of it in some places, but its never spelled out clearly 🙂
Ellen
I knit Holden as one of my first projects and it was wonderfully easy so I’d definitely recommend it if you need to get your confidence back. I made mine in MCN lace and it blocked out to a small shawlette size. If you use sock yarn it will probably be a better size.
Haruni is on my list of things to knit but I never seem to get around to doing it and I feel that there is an Ethereal in my future now that I’ve seen that picture.
Pearls-Toronto
Well, Ellen, perhaps we can console each other along the way. (Don’t be surprised when that industrial-sized bottle of Advil arrives by the post) 😉