For my first shawl project, I turned to Kim Hargreaves, my favorite knitting designer, trusting that she would write clear instructions that would lead me through the shawl maze. I was surprised and delighted by how easy the pattern, Opal, from Winter Blooms, is to follow. It is a simple garter stitch shawl, made diaphanous by the use of size 13 (9mm) needles, and nothing could have been more straightforward than her system of increases from the tiny point to the wide expanse at the top of the shawl.
This pattern took only 3 balls of kidsilk aura, in this mysterious smoky charcoal kidsilk aura, which was discontinued by Rowan last year.
I think this color goes with almost anything, but I acquired it with a specific ambition in mind, perhaps too large of an ambition--I am dying to recreate this fabulous charcoal wrap devised by Alexander Wang:
8 months later, I am still puzzling over how to structure a neck piece that would begin to live up to his elegant design. In the meantime, I found myself teetering on the edge of an enormous knitting challenge: I had to knit the first shawl I had ever made in my life, and I had to knit it fast—in exactly one week. Why would I take on such an absurd challenge, you might ask?
Last week, my husband and I ran away to Paris. It was a mad, romantic, unprecedented dash into adventure. Paris continues to be my favorite city, but sadly, the opportunities to visit have been few and far between. My husband and I honeymooned there ten years ago, but then the challenges of life, financial realities and illnesses intervened. Finally, this year, we decided we’d move heaven and earth to go to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. That was until I injured my foot and we had to give up on our dream again. But one can only defer one’s dreams for so long. Look at the husband and wife in the Pixar movie Up who devote their entire lives to the fantasy of exploring Paradise Falls together, waiting so long that the husband is left to pursue the dream alone. Determined not to let this happen to us, my husband and I threw ourselves onto a plane, bad ankle, work deadlines and all and many wheelchair rides and several raspberry macarons later, we have rolled back home, considerably heavier in pounds and richer in experience.
Not surprisingly, my knitting adventures in Paris were the most delightful of all. In the photo above, you can see the gathering of the knitters of Tricot Opera in the serene gardens on the Palais Royal. It was the alluring invitation of Tricot Opera which led me, post haste, to plunge into my first experience knitting a shawl. This delightful group of creative knitters was generous enough to extend an invitation to me to join them for their fashion catwalk on the seventh of May. Several months ago, the group resolved on a marvelous challenge: Every one of them would knit a shawl by May 7th, and then they would meet in the lovely sheltered garden of the Palais Royale for a fashion parade! Many thanks to Tima for setting this marvelous challenge
and thank you, Sabine, for making me feel so welcome to the group!
I still wouldn't have managed to get there if it had not been for the unfailing kindness of Sophie, who did so much to make my visit to Paris magical. To anyone not blessed with a foot injury, the challenge of getting into the Park Royale to meet a group of knitters wouldn't cross your mind. But as I can't climb any stairs and can only walk a few blocks at a time, getting around in Paris was an enormous challenge. It turned out there was only one way to get into the park without stairs, which I would never have been able to find on my own. I don't consider myself lacking in resourcefulness, but my foot gives out after a few minutes of walking, leaving me stranded, especially when I'm in an unfamiliar setting with no transport of my own. But Sophie, the soul of generosity, was there at my side, and we enjoyed a wonderful time in the beauties of the park by the fountain, flanked by ancient buildings and statues on all sides, before the Tricot opera group started up their fun.
Here are just a few photos of the marvelous knitted creations that were on display:
The lace creations were breathtaking, and my pictures do them little justice. To see the full photos and slideshow of the numerous pieces on display, visit the group Tricot Opera on Ravelry.
For me, personally, the shawl parade was one of the most enjoyable knitting events I have ever attended! Everyone in the group was so welcoming, and showered me and my friend Sophie with delicious home-cooked meringues, cookies and muffins. Imagine the festive display with the backdrop of magnificent ancient buildings and sculptures in the background. It was an experience I will never forget!