Not one person said anything to me about my shawl at the wedding, but WHO CARES!!! YOU GUYS ROCK! Way to inflate an ego. The next time my husband tells me I’m pretty I’m going to tell him he better repeat that like ninety times or else I’m coming here! Although, honestly, I hope I don’t disappoint anyone at Maryland when I show up in my stained jeans (the only pair that fits) and a t-shirt and Merrells. I’ll try to put gel in my hair, but I’m not promising anything. 😉 Seriously, thank you all so much for your comments on the shawl and on me. Truly appreciated – I was feeling all warm and fuzzy everytime I checked my email.
So, my hair looked GREAT. Really great. Thanks Jen for telling me not to cut it. And my dress looked good. The two pieces of cherry pie I had for breakfast really helped it cling. The shawl was gorgeous, natch. And the shoes crippled me. Hopefully not permanently. Who knew you had to stand so long at a Greek wedding? By the time the ceremony was done I was a mess. Hobbled. Limping is being generous. I calculated the exact amount of time I’d have to be standing – maybe 15 minutes at the Church – half an hour at the cocktail part and then I get my seat at the table and I never have to get up until it’s time to leave. Nope. I stood for an hour at the wedding alone and that was it. I keep getting shooting pains up my leg and occassionally my pinkie on my right foot spasms. But I looked GOOD! That’s all that matters, right?
It was a nice wedding, as far as these things go. G was feeling bad for me because no one said anything about my shawl. He’s so sweet. When I got out of the shower and was getting dressed I told him that I’d had this fantasy that I left the shawl at the table while I was dancing and someone STOLE IT! Georgie – you don’t think anyone will steal my shawl do you? Thank god he loves me because the look I got had divorce lawyer written all over it. At one point during the wedding he was talking with a friend and I got up to go to the bathroom and I gave him my purse and threw the shawl over his shoulder. When I got back and wrapped it around myself he told his friend that I had made the shawl and his friend was appropriate in his response, even if it did look like he was on round 42 of 100 Bottles of Beer On The Wall when he said it. My Georgie! He tries.
On the drive home I was just sad that I have no where fancy to wear the shawl again and G said it would look great with a pair of jeans. So maybe next time we go out to dinner. Thanks again for all your beautiful comments!
On Sunday I did a lot of stuff. Knitting wise. I finally re-tackled the collar on Short Rows and I’ve got it where I want it. Now all I have to do is sew the seams. And fix a couple of holes that appeared at the seams of the sleeves when I was ripping and re-ripping out the collar. I have no idea what happened – a couple of stitches on the edges became INCREDIBLY huge and loose. As far as I can tell the stitches aren’t dropped or anything just gaping. So I’m going to twist the back and tack them down. Luckily it’s the navy blue part so no one will be the wiser – and it’s on the seam. To say I’m sick of this sweater is being kind. I hope to have it finished by the end of the week, but it’s taking all the energy I have to sew a sleeve up, so I’m not making any promises.
I’ve been incredibly inspired by all of you! Here’s a pair of socks I’ve started – I think I like it the best of the four socks I have currently on the needles:
I first saw this sock over at Susan’s (April 6th entry) – I’m calling it the January Sock because it’s taken from the January 15th stitch pattern in the 365 Stitch Pattern Calendar. The yarn is STR Spinel in lightweight. I started these socks on Addi 1s (2.5mm) but switched to 0s (2.0mm) and I like them so much better. On the 1s the stitch pattern was getting lost – not enough stretch, but 0s should work great. I’ve decided that 1s are my favorite sock knitting needle size. They feel just right in my hands. My 2s feel clumsy and dull on the edges and the 0s I feel like I’m going to break and they keep bending. Oh well.
Another project I’m really excited about was completely inspired by MJ and Lauren! I bought a bunch of chocolate brown Rowan Calmer ages ago with the express intention of making a long-sleeve v-neck sweater – something casual and comfortable in stockinette. I also have some purple Calmer for trim and maybe some strategically placed stripes.
Both MJ and Lauren used Barbara Walker’s directions for top down set in sleeves. I’ve had this book on my shelf forever and I’ve tried to read it a number of times and even though she says in the intro that she’s going to use plain English and there’s not a lot of math, I still get really jumbled up when reading it. But I’m giving it a go and both MJ and Lauren have both offered their assistance. I swatched the Calmer on size 8s and I like how it came out, so I’m going to take measurements today. We’ll see what happens, but I think this whole top down sweater thing could be a revelation in my sweater making.
Thank you again for being so sweet! Happy MAY Day!!
So glad you loved wearing your shawl. I just saw a pattern at the new MagKnits that might work with your Calmer as well. It’s by Anna Bell but it’s probably knit in pieces (I forgot to check that). It’s really great anyway though!
Man, I can’t stand heels (pun intended). I once wore gladiator sandals to a wedding. I wish I could have seen you, though. I would have stolen your shawl.
That sock looks terrific, such a beautiful blue. I’m starting a pair for Miss B in summer colors.
If you want to try top down sweaters Knitting Pure & Simple has tons! I love their patterns because they’re so easy to follow and they look good on. I got some light mossy green Calmer on sale and am itching to knit it up. Just have to finish the other sweater first! Actually, it’s a Knitting Pure & Simple hoodie. I hope I finish it before the weather gets too warm…
Another place for top-down sweaters is Cabin Fever. I had avoided top-down for a long time b/c I thought it would be too hard but once I did it the first time I now find myself avoiding patterns that need to be sewn-up. I hate seaming with a passion and top-down has been a lifesaver.
Ohh – I’m using that book also for a top down raglan! Top down is all the rage right now!
I’m sorry no one noticed the shawl. But you have to expect that from muggles, you know. At least you and Georgie knew it was crafted by your own two hands. And I think you should definitely wear it with jeans or whatever. Just throw it on and act all casual about it. It will be fabulous!
i can’t believe no one told you how beautiful that shawl is!!!!
i’m with carole on the muggle thing. “they” don’t know any better. my joe always tells people that i made something. my joe and your georgie are good that way.
You looked fabulous and there’s no accounting for people who don’t appreciate the wonder of a handknit beaded shawl BUT then I’m mainly surprised you didn’t have someone say ‘where’d you BUY that gorgeous shawl?’ Your husband probably secretly enjoyed having it draped on his shoulder. Isn’t it wonderful to have pictures taken of you that you really LOVE! I don’t comment here often but I love your blog and visit frequently!!
Aw, I wish someone would have said something! They were all probably jealous… ; ) G is so sweet.
dang that swatch is pretty lookin.
I remember when you bought some Calmer last summer during Vicki’s trip! I’m thinking maybe you should call me because the directions would just take a few minutes to explain verbally.
You know, pie was originally created to be a breakfast food so farmers could take last night’s leftovers into the field.
I bet you looked great because you felt great – it’s all about confidence, right?
All sorts of fun knitting going on. You do a lot of picot hems on socks, right? I’ve only done it once and it made me nervous because the hem flared a little bit while knitting, but it seemed fine on the foot. Is that your experience? Kind of looks like it from the photo.
Well I think you should take every opportunity to wear such a gorgeous shawl. And I can totally picture it with jeans, I bet it will look great!
Wear the shawl with anything! It’ll dress up any outfit.
We don’t care what you wear to MD (anyway, I’m thinking the Sheep & Wool Fest isn’t a dressy place)!
I’m glad no-one stole your shawl. 🙂
Aw-you keep hold of that Georgie, he has the significant-other-of-a-knitter-thing DOWN!
I would definately wear the shawl with everything! A white T and black skirt-fantastic!
Also, (and I hope this isn’t too creepy) I’m getting a haircut this week and have been looking everywhere for a picture to give the hairdresser of how I want my hair, because I have this idea but can’t find any pictures of it and well, I want YOUR hair. I think my hair is probably thinner and wimpier than yours, so it won’t necessarily do the same thing…but I really like the cut.
Is that weird, that I’m getting my hairstyle idea from knitting blogs?
Women often won’t compliment someone else when they are dressed to the nines. It’s the ‘all about me’ syndrome. Men are clueless so to get any thing from G’s friend was a big bonus. I wore a shawl to the tea with jeans. Shawls are perfect to dress up anything…you know…the shabby chick thing?
Did you throw the shoes away? They deserve it.
I’m planning some fishtail lace socks too. I have a feeling it’ll do something Jaywalkery with variegated yarn.
Definitely wear the shawl with your jeans. Wear it anywhere you want. Wear it to Maryland. There are no rules about this kind of thing. 🙂
I should warn you that if you wear your shawl to Maryland, I may try to steal it. bwaahaahaahaaa…
(sigh. ok. I won’t actually steal it. i may ask to hold it and pet it a while though. or try it on.)
Hi Cara! I saw you wearing a beautiful shawl at the wedding on the weekend. I just wanted to say how much I admired it. All that work! It looked like you spent a lot of time on it. I was too, uh, intimidated by your obvious talent to approach you at the wedding.
Seriously, that shawl is gorgeous. You should wear it as often as possible. A friend of mind made a Clapotis for herself and she rarely takes it off. Who says you can’t wear that shawl everywhere? Are there shawl police?
OK, I’m late to the party, but you do look fantastic in those photos. And, not to freak you out, but in the second one, especially, you look exactly like my mother. Not my mother now, but my mother when she was a beautiful young mom in NYC in the 60’s. Every time I look at that picture, I have to do a double take. Maybe we’re related.
It is good to branch out in the sock department. May you enjoy your new sock pattern (I’m knitting my first Jaywalker right now, so the universe is still in balance.)
That DFS makes me want to frog the teeny bit of my DFS (in Fleece Artist sock yarn, autumn reddy-orangey variegated) I’ve done so far, and make a black one. It’s so unbelievably gorgeous. You managed to work a miracle–a black, goes-with-everything, beaded lace shawl which DOES NOT look like a mourning Spanish (or Shetland) widow should be wrapped in it. The first time I wore my Birch, I felt the same way. I must have asked my husband 10 times if anyone else was looking at it. I couldn’t believe no one said anything. Maybe that shows how crazy and separate this blogger universe is!
now, if you had gone nakid under that shawl people would have said something! Hey, I received a personal email telling me how gorgeous your shawl is! I mean really, isn’t it enough that you get more hits than I do? must I now receive personal emails about your knitting???
I know, nobody said a darn thing about my Peacock shawl when I wore that to a wedding last August, either. But ultimately *I* knew it looked fabulous, and what else mattered??
You could totally rock that gorgeous shawl with some jeans!
Oh, who needs those wedding-goers. CLEARLY, they were just too intimidated by you and your shawl that they didn’t want to approach the subject! 😉
I can’t believe no one said anything about the shawl. My heavens, it’s absolutely divine!!! OK, you’ve just GOT to change crowd…. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief!!! I wore Birch, BIRCH no less, nothing like your amazing shawl, to spouse’s office gathering and kept on being stopped by women commenting on it. No, you definitely MUST change crowd…. You looked absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! (probably better than the bride!!)
just wanted to say your shawl is gorgeous! i couldn’t stop looking at the photos. it’s obvious that there was noone at the wedding with as good taste as you hence the lack of comments! x
My dear Cara, haven’t you been paying attention to Oprah with regard to shoes???? There are shoes that make you look good and wear when there is alot of sitting and then there are the ones that stop you from crippling yourself. I bet you were a “looker” though. Shame on all of them for not noticing your elegant shawl. There is no accounting for taste. Wear it proudly with everything!!
Cara!!! OMG! I didn’t check your blog and HELLO Beautiful – your shawl is just breathtaking… i’m sure everyone has said everything – but wow. it’s beautiful. (So are YOU by the way!) i’m currently in a conference in boston so i didn’t have time to check blogs – so happy i did tonight!!!! BEAUTIFUL!
Throw that shawl over your t-shirt at MDS&W. Seriously. If I wasn’t such a lame ass and had finished Hyrna in time, I totally would.
I used Walker’s instructions for the DH’s sweater that I did top- down set-in sleeves, and if I could muddle through the math, you can too. It wasn’t too bad when I worked through it on paper. Let me know if you need help.
Wear that gorgeous shawl at MD and no one, guaranteed, will notice any stains on your pants!
I will admit I stopped reading (because I’m under a terrible deadline, so don’t be mad at me!) at the line where G said the shawl will look great with jeans. A) that’s true, but B) it’s funny, because I remember something from some fashion magazine years ago about polls about what men love to see on women, and it’s juxtaposed casual with dressy — pearl earrings and necklace with jeans, or beaded shawl with jeans….like that. Isn’t that a hoot? I like it, too, actually. So tell Georgie he has his finger on the pulse of fashion!!
Are you the same girl that was calling herself fat a few days ago?! Do you not OWN a mirror?! You are beautiful, and the shawl is stunning! Obviously a bunch of non-knitters at the wedding, because a knitter would have noticed right away. Stunning, I tell you!
I guess there were no knitters at the wedding. Or were there lots of dogs there? Looking at the pictures of you all dressed up, it’s actually very understated beautiful rather than look at me beautiful. Perfect for the wedding and you look rather fabulous.
I might try the pomoatomomous sock but maybe I should do a jaywalker first. I hear STR is coming to the UK. Did I say that already? Anyway, if you have influence, try to get them to send it in July because I leave in August and I fancy some as travelling knitting.
xxxxxxx
The pie made it cling…you crack me up! 🙂 I would have definately stolen your shawl. Without a thought…lovely!!
This may sound weird (or someone may have already said it) but I am going to guess that no one asked about the shawl because it was TOO PERFECT for a non-knitter to even IMAGINE it could have been made my hand. I only get asked if I knit something if I happen to be be wearing my old lumpy $3 sweater from Old Navy. So I think it’s a compliment, of sorts, that no one asked…
And, I am taking your ‘four socks on the needles’ as permission to cast on for more. I only have two right now. 🙂
No comments, actually I’m not surprised. When I saw the pictures I was blown away but the frst thing that came to mind was that it was so amazing that nobody was going to think it was hand made, nobody. Cara, it is a work of art and I think you should wear it more and wait for those to ask you where you bought it and for how much!!!!!! Really beautiful and you were stunning! With envy-Kaci
Can’t believe that people didn’t comment on the shawl! It’s a frickin’ work of art, it took my breath away when I saw it!
Top down–fabulous! I’m glad someone else is trying it. It’s such a great technique, in particular the sleeves. I was just blown away by how easy it was. I’ll be cheering from the sidelines while you knit, Cara!