Do you remember a time when you discovered something new that you can't imagine having ever lived without? For starters there's indoor plumbing, refrigerators, cell phones, massages... you know the Must Haves. In knitting it first showed itself in the form of cabling without a cable needle then learning how to knit continental. I thought I knew it all, until now. I have just recently discovered the magic, the convenience, the necessity of Blocking Wires!
How on earth did I block out lace before them? I haven't the slightest clue.
These wires made the act of blocking like alchemy. Turning a pretty organized mess into a divine piece of beauty.
Pattern: Icarus Shawl by Miram Felton in the Summer 06 IK
Yarn: Lornas Laces Helen's Lace in Cranberry
Needles: Addi Lace Turbos US3
Raveled Here
This shawl began in March and was destined to be a present for my Principal who's birthday was yesterday. March to June, PLENTY of time to finish a shawl, right?
Well, I started it strong and then got side tracked by things like cardigans, bucket hats, and a clapotis. But Icarus just kept quietly growing and growing and to my surprise I was at the start of the charts! And what charts! There were four of them! With each chart done I kept salivating at the thought of finishing it and on time! Well, it seems my former boyfriend had to do something so life changing to make me one day late of presenting the shawl to the birthday girl.
He proposed.
A week of whirlwind excitement, dinners with parents and friends and planning, I had to put the near completed shawl down. It waited while I drank numerous bottles of champagne and toured reception halls only to be picked up here and there and finally finished a day late. The birthday girl waiting patiently not knowing what I was up to. And did she care about the lateness?
If wearing the shawl all day at work in the 90 degree weather in a non-air conditioned school is a sign then I would say she positively Loved It.
I truly loved making it too and having it be a part of a turning point in my life. I was in the middle of a row when my fiance(!) called me into to the kitchen needing me to help him "open something." It's amazing how something can change so much in one moment.
Like the shawl, my life went from being a beautiful tangle of stitches to a stunning masterpiece transformed by something I cannot imagine my life without - him.
Margaux, when I was your age there was no such thing as: the Internet,cell phones, home computer games like Guitar Hero and I remember we all got along swell without them. But when I was about your age John proposed to me and being married to him is the thing I could never imagine being without.
Plus I started the icarus shawl last night for a present for Nancy, and her birthday is July 25, think I'll be done?
Posted by: Denise | June 27, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Congratulations!!! Don't get too caught up in the whirlwind to savor this heady time!
Posted by: Jen | June 27, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Of course you already know how completely stoked I am for you two. And I absolutely love that we get to share this exciting time in our lives together. Yay, yay, yay! Oh, and - Icarus is gorgeous! Congrats again, chica! *mwah!* xo-S.
Posted by: Nonnahs | June 27, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Whoa! Congratulations! The only thing missing from my engagement story was knitting! How smart of him to make sure you were working on a project when he called you :) He is certainly a keeper.
That shawl is sooo beautiful. I was all ready to add it to my queue until you mentioned the four charts, lol.
Posted by: Wanett | June 27, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Congrats on your engagement.
The last sentance in your post gave me goosebumps, you have a beautiful way of expressing yourself.
Posted by: nestra | June 27, 2008 at 08:54 PM
What a beautiful story that is knit into the stitches of that shawl - it's amazing the parallel metaphors you find in life and knitting. And the shawl? Unbelievably beautiful.
Congratulations!!
Posted by: jessie | June 27, 2008 at 09:07 PM
That was such a lovely post! Congratulations! And the shawl is beautiful, one day I'll get up the nerve to make one myself.
Posted by: Mackenzie | June 27, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Congrats!! Beautiful post.
Posted by: christine | June 27, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Congratulations, girl! I remember the glee so, so well, you must be on top of the world! This Sunday it will be exactly 1 year since my husband proposed, we'll have a toast for you and your fiance at dinner :).
Posted by: grumperina | June 27, 2008 at 09:31 PM
That second picture says more than 1,000 words. So many congrats to you and your fiance.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Posted by: Cathi | June 27, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Love the airy feeling of lace. You chose a great colour.
Congratulations for your new life!
Posted by: lucy | June 27, 2008 at 09:58 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Posted by: Kirsten | June 27, 2008 at 10:09 PM
congratulations on your engagement!!!
and the shawl looks stunning. i love the colour.
Posted by: chris | June 27, 2008 at 10:15 PM
the shawl is gorgeous!
congrats and enjoy this time as much as you can! it's such a fun thing to go through.
Posted by: meg | June 27, 2008 at 10:38 PM
HOW WONDERFUL!!! Congratulations! Best wishes with all your upcoming planning and so much happiness!
Posted by: Allegra | June 28, 2008 at 01:56 AM
This is beautiful!
All at home love this!
Posted by: Ginger aka Beethoven | June 28, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Congratulations, Margaux!!! And your shawl is absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 28, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Yeah... now everyone knows (in the blogging world)... Your Icarus Shawl has become, yet another, favorite for me. I'll be in to get my yarn soon! It's GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Nurse Jackie | June 28, 2008 at 08:15 AM
congratulations!!
Posted by: stinkerbell | June 28, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Oh, Margaux! As if finishing a shawl that beautiful only to give it away weren't an accomplishment in and of itself, but the FO shot with the ring . . . congrats to you both (although I know you are supposed to wish the groom-to-be "good luck"). What a wonderful way to start this weekend. You'll have to cast on another Icarus of your own . . . maybe this time to go with your wedding dress. Congrats again!
Posted by: Ava | June 28, 2008 at 08:41 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so happy for you-
(the shawl is beautiful, too!)
Posted by: Rene' | June 28, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Beautiful! Love the color. It's a lovely gift. Congratulations to you!!
Posted by: margene | June 28, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Wow - what a wonderful story. Congrats!!!
And Icarus is stunning!
Posted by: jillian | June 28, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Congratulations! I normally just admire your knitting, but today's post is quite special. You never forget the special moment when your life changes forever.
Posted by: kendyl | June 28, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Awwww, that's fantastic news! Congratulations. And the shawl? Wowee. Stunning.
Posted by: regina | June 28, 2008 at 10:19 AM