Sunday, September 14, 2014

FO: Highgarden

The rain has stopped and it warmed up a touch (though it's still cool) so Mom and I took advantage of the sun to do a little photoshoot of the Solo Cat shawl.

I'm now pleased to properly introduce you to... Highgarden
Highgarden is named for one of the estates in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire Series (or Game of Thrones, as it's better known by, thanks to HBO). Highgarden is a land of plenty, and the shawl draws on that through it's botanical motifs, starting with flower buds, moving on to leaves, leaves and more leaves.
It's going to be part of an e-book I'm releasing in the spring (sorry... you'll have to wait that long for the pattern)

As you can see, it's a nice wide, asymmetrical crescent shaped shawl. I discovered the technique when I knit Auburn Wave early this summer. I liked the construction so much, I wanted to see how it would look with a more complicated lace pattern. I had the Solo Cat (in Gilded Rose) sitting there... and it all just came together.
The construction makes it sit quite nicely when it's wrapped. And the eleventy billion beads that I used help with the drape and weight to keep it in place.
Finished size is about 60 inches wide and 20 inches deep - so not huge, but not small either. A nice size to wrap comfortably around you shoulders on a cool evening. 
I'm so pleased with how the knit on edges turned out. They made such a difference to the final product.
As mentioned in a previous post, once I got the edges done, The cast on edge looked a little odd. But some i-cord ending in a few little leaves solved that problem nicely.
I think it adds a nice little bit of whimsy to a very romantic look shawl.
Now I just need to talk my prince into taking my somewhere fancy....

11 comments:

Araignee said...

I LOVE it. The shape is brilliant!

Minding My Own Stitches said...

Eleventy billion beads huh? It's gorgeous but I don't think I'd ever have the patience. And the colour is pretty gorgeous too!

WildflowerWool said...

Beautiful!!

Monika said...

It's beautiful!

kathy b said...

YOu will be the Belle of the Ball!

Unknown said...

Oh my, this shawl is STUNNING! Love the lacy pattern and the gazillion beads. Each and every picture is very nice and shows off the shawl so beautifully!! It looks fantastic on you, and I agree that your knight in shining armor must sweep you off your feet and escort you to a fine ball...or evening out on the town!

elns said...

It's beautiful. The beads are so beyond me, but the shape, the lace pattern? Lovely. The icord leaves really give it a unique/special quality on top of it all.

Unknown said...

How dare you withhold it!!! I want it now!!!! Gorgeous. I was searching madly for it last night to no avail. Now I know why. LOL

Rachelle said...

Can't wait!

elns said...

I just wanted to come back and tell you, this is so impressive. Such a cool design! The spring debut will be awesome. I love the photo shoot you did for this, you really show it off in all it's wonderful styles, angles. (Also, I love the background with you etc. It's very Highgarden) And one last gush. I love that you love Game of Thrones. heh.

pdxknitterati/MicheleLB said...

This is really lovely!