June 30, 2010

Upstairs

You know what this means?

Posted by Stephanie at June 30, 2010 6:58 PM
Comments

ah, victory! blocking lace never ever gets old. congratulations!

Posted by: bekala at June 30, 2010 7:05 PM

You did it!!!!

Posted by: Casey at June 30, 2010 7:05 PM

It means someone needs to buy you some blocking wires, maybe?

Way pretty.

Posted by: Lorilee at June 30, 2010 7:05 PM

Congrats! It absolutely looks beautiful, and I think the edge work was worth it!

Posted by: Meghan at June 30, 2010 7:05 PM

Nevermind, I see the wires.

Posted by: Lorilee at June 30, 2010 7:06 PM

Congratulations on your successful navigation and exit of the black hole!

Posted by: Kimberlyn at June 30, 2010 7:11 PM

yay! beautiful!

Posted by: Cecilia at June 30, 2010 7:12 PM

There is hope...

Posted by: Andiknits at June 30, 2010 7:12 PM

It means someone has to sleep on the floor tonight until that shawl dries?

Posted by: Michelle at June 30, 2010 7:13 PM

Whoohooo! Success! Congratulations. I hope that the person who receives it appreciates the 3 trillion stitches you made.

Posted by: ann of Coral Gables at June 30, 2010 7:13 PM

Stash diving for another shawl project?

Posted by: Dawn at June 30, 2010 7:13 PM

June 5th 2006


I have four rows to go on Summer in Kansas before I can start the edging, and I've promised myself I will get this off needles before I start something new, but I'm getting seriously twitchy. (I think it's the colour.)

Posted by: Kris at June 30, 2010 7:16 PM

wow!
gorgeous!
i love lace
(whatever that is)
it almost makes me what to knit it.
almost.

Posted by: Steven A. at June 30, 2010 7:17 PM

You don't have a place to sleep, the bed's covered in shawl. I love taking out the pins and admiring it's flatness!

Posted by: tina at June 30, 2010 7:21 PM

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Posted by: TimWarp at June 30, 2010 7:22 PM

Fantastic ! it was well worth all the time and endless effort. It never ceases to amaze me what truly beautiful Lace can be"conjured" from 2 sticks and some yarn, it is magical.
I have just started the baby surprise jacket as a "run through" for the adult size, I am having fun, what a clever design,am up to the first decreases and can't wait to get my hands on it every day after work.This sort of fun is what it is all about.

Posted by: Margaret at June 30, 2010 7:24 PM

I'm so glad you knit this so I don't have to. Fabulous! Congratulations. Forever isn't as long as I expected

Posted by: Laura in Hawaii at June 30, 2010 7:25 PM

Stunningly beautiful! Congrats!

Posted by: Stephanie in Calif. at June 30, 2010 7:26 PM

Yay!!! Out of the black hole and onto something else. Maybe I should get to work on my own black hole - damned lace shawl edges!

Posted by: beckyb at June 30, 2010 7:27 PM

Congratulations.

Posted by: Carmen at June 30, 2010 7:28 PM

<3

Posted by: pattiblaine at June 30, 2010 7:28 PM

GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!!!

Posted by: marilyn at June 30, 2010 7:33 PM

It means YOU WIN!!!! and your prize is that you can now take up a new project in the smug and well-earned pride of having completed the shawl :^)

Posted by: Asterias at June 30, 2010 7:37 PM

Oh my... it is beautiful! I know it's a lot to ask, but as a wanna be Canadian - are you posting your list tomorrow?

List or not, have a Happy Canada Day!

Posted by: Jeanne at June 30, 2010 7:40 PM

It's so beautiful! Thanks for the gorgeous photos.

Posted by: Susan at June 30, 2010 7:42 PM

Yay! And once you wrap it around you for the first time, you'll remember why navigating the black hole was worth it!

Posted by: Stefka at June 30, 2010 7:44 PM

I'm having to adjust my definition of "infinite." It's gorgeous ... hope it dries in time to allow you to have a good night of sleep in that bed.

Posted by: Denise L. at June 30, 2010 7:45 PM

You're sleeping on the floor tonight? Congratulations! It's amazing!

Posted by: Maria at June 30, 2010 7:48 PM

A trip to buy more pins, and turning a fan on the bed so it dries before you try marital olympics in it? :)

Posted by: Lea at June 30, 2010 7:48 PM

Beautiful! Looking forward to your Canada post tomorrow!

Posted by: Katie at June 30, 2010 7:49 PM

What great photos.

Posted by: Winnie at June 30, 2010 7:51 PM

apparently, endless doesn't mean what I think it means. good for you.

Posted by: Laurel at June 30, 2010 7:51 PM

Ah, has infinity passed already? Excellent. It looks lovely!

Posted by: ccr in MA at June 30, 2010 7:52 PM

you achieved infinity?? awesome!!

Posted by: lynne at June 30, 2010 7:54 PM

Gorgeous. You make blocking look like a beautiful fun experience! (Typically all those pins would make my back hurt just thinking about it!) So beautiful.

Posted by: Christina at June 30, 2010 7:55 PM

STUNNING! The intricate details are so beautiful, it makes me want to cry! Congratulations. I'm going to Toronto tomorrow to celebrate Canada Day. If you happen to be wearing that gorgeous shawl, and if a 40ish woman just slightly shorter than you with hair like yours tries to touch the shawl, please don't call the cops on me! :D

Happy Canada Day, eh?

Posted by: Rose at June 30, 2010 7:57 PM

even I know what it means; congratulations!!!

Posted by: Jean S at June 30, 2010 7:58 PM

It means that I am inspired to be masochistic enough to try this gorgeous pattern. Beautifully made. And it will be for ME! I too await your inspirational words that always remind me why I love my country.

Posted by: Linda at June 30, 2010 7:58 PM

HOORAY! Will you bring it along to show off next weekend?

Posted by: Diane at June 30, 2010 7:59 PM

You're free to finish Joe's gansey now?

;-)

(Oh, and very pretty, by the way. :)

Posted by: Lissa at June 30, 2010 8:00 PM

Lovely! Who is going to get it? You aren't a blue person. It would make a beautiful Christmas gift for someone with whom you share DNA. What's next?

Posted by: Hazel Smith at June 30, 2010 8:05 PM

Ohhhh! That's lovely! I just absolutely love how the strange pile of tangled string you've just knit up suddenly becomes gorgeous lace after you give it a bit of a soak, stretch it flat and pin it's hide to the wall/bed/floor/blocking board. Good job!

Posted by: Sharon in Michigan at June 30, 2010 8:05 PM

Wow! Good work!

Posted by: Gail at June 30, 2010 8:09 PM

Congratulations! So what's next on the needles--more WIPS or something completely new?

Posted by: Bev at June 30, 2010 8:09 PM

It means,
a) your done
b) its ready to give to someone
c) you need another lace project
d) you need to go to Lettuce Knits or The Naked Sheep to buy more lace weight
e) to tackle something that will challenge your skills
f) or finish Joe's sweater.

Posted by: Kelly Magill at June 30, 2010 8:11 PM

stunning! You deserve some kind of an award.

Posted by: eva at June 30, 2010 8:11 PM

Woo hoo!! I really was beginning to believe it would NEVER be finished. Well done!

Posted by: Shelley in SC at June 30, 2010 8:13 PM

Steph, that is magnificent.

Posted by: Marina Stern at June 30, 2010 8:15 PM

It's a reminder to me to finish the shawl I have on the needles before I start my second pair of socks?

Fifty-five years of knitting and I finally discovered socks. Melissa Morgan-Oakes' and Wendy Johnson's books pushed me over the edge, but you, dear Harlot, kindled the first little glow of interest when I saw you on Knitty Gritty a while back.

Posted by: Mary the Digital Knitter at June 30, 2010 8:16 PM

Yay Steph! We knew you could do it! Looks fantastic :D

Posted by: Alynxia at June 30, 2010 8:17 PM

It means you WIN.

Posted by: Sally at June 30, 2010 8:17 PM

Congratulations! Go show it off and don't forget to tell everyone how hard it was, so they appreciate it even more! (and also appreciate that you are among the goddesses of knitters who can do such amazing work)

Posted by: Knitiot at June 30, 2010 8:17 PM

Congratulations!

Posted by: Kathleen at June 30, 2010 8:18 PM

Oh my! Absolutely beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing the pix.

Posted by: JRtheKnitter at June 30, 2010 8:21 PM

AWESOME!

Posted by: Beverly (db81971) at June 30, 2010 8:22 PM

Wow! 8 days and a few zillion stitches later and voila! A completed shawl! So does that get you over your lace attack?

Posted by: Valerie in albuquerque at June 30, 2010 8:26 PM

It doesn't feel like infinity yet....

Posted by: becky at June 30, 2010 8:26 PM

It's beautiful Stephanie! Now, go upstairs, pet it lovingly, and tell it that although you thought it WAS possible, it didn't beat you, and TAKE THAT #$&%#!!! Feels good, doesn't it?

Posted by: Bryan at June 30, 2010 8:28 PM

...this just proves...there is an end to everything!

Posted by: Barbara R. at June 30, 2010 8:30 PM

Ha! FINALLY it's autumn in Kansas...

Posted by: amy at June 30, 2010 8:31 PM

Kansas wheat never looked so lovely...congratulations on completing this beautiful masterpiece! And I bet you didn't even have to suffer through 98 degrees F (37 degrees C) combined w/98 percent humidity for your Summer in Kansas!

Posted by: Tami at June 30, 2010 8:32 PM

Coming from a Kansas born and raised girl, that shawl is AWESOME!!!!!!

Posted by: Robin at June 30, 2010 8:32 PM

Gawd! It is too beautiful for words.

Posted by: Loani Prior at June 30, 2010 8:39 PM

Time for more green leafy things!!

Posted by: Andrea in Kansas at June 30, 2010 8:42 PM

It means you need to find another project!

Posted by: Laura at June 30, 2010 8:46 PM

and you thought it was going to take all summer! :)

Posted by: heather at June 30, 2010 8:49 PM

Woo Hoo, congrats.

Posted by: JeriGrey at June 30, 2010 8:51 PM

Y'know, Steph, if you are so sick of that shawl that you now feel it's your enemy and you'll never again be able to wear it or even look at it, I am willing to do you a big favor. You can UPS that bad boy to me here in Montana and I will take it off your hands. I will offer you in exchange whatever you want for editing or website favors.

Just a thought. It appears that you have pinned it into submission now, but if you hate the shawl, I'm serious, I'll adopt it for you and you'll never have to look at it again.

Just sayin'

k.

Posted by: Montana at June 30, 2010 8:54 PM

Beautiful! and great photos too. Wish I could take them like that. Happy Canada Day tomorrow!
PS and how many stitches was it?

Posted by: Carrie in northern NY at June 30, 2010 8:54 PM

The really scary thing for me is - I remember when you were knitting this shawl, and reading about, and looking at the pattern link - FOUR YEARS AGO.

This means that I've been reading your blog for over four years. Back then I lived in England - just outside of London, and we were renovating our house.

Since then, we've emigrated to Canada, spent two years in B.C., and then moved to Toronto. Now, we're off to Milton, ON, so not far away.

And the consistent threads throughout all of this wandering existence is knitting, and your blog.

Thank you.

Posted by: Andrea at June 30, 2010 9:03 PM

Stick a fork in it?

Posted by: Katie K at June 30, 2010 9:08 PM

It means someone is sleeping in an alternate bed, that is what that means to me! At least that was the case in my house recently. I picked a night to block Daybreak when DH was out of town, and DD was having a sleep over. So I could sleep in her bed and let the shawl dry properly. One must have priorities straight!

Posted by: Liisa at June 30, 2010 9:10 PM

I hope you have enough pins to block the "bad boy".

Posted by: Joanne Snyder at June 30, 2010 9:12 PM

WOW!

Posted by: Suzanne at June 30, 2010 9:14 PM

It means you're having a beer??

Posted by: Bonnie H. at June 30, 2010 9:15 PM

Congratulations! Now, that wasn't *so* bad, was it? Looks beautiful. Maybe it's time to get my Zephyr out of the stash and start something. Or get some more when I get to Bath tomorrow (and Halcyon Yarn).

Posted by: Kathleen at June 30, 2010 9:15 PM

It means you're sleeping downstairs! It's beautiful.

Posted by: Gretchen at June 30, 2010 9:20 PM

That was way quicker than I expected after your last two posts!

Posted by: Chancy at June 30, 2010 9:25 PM

How can you be sure you get all the pins out of the bed?

Leslie

Posted by: leslie at June 30, 2010 9:27 PM

Pins in the arse when you go to bed?

Really looking forward to the finished shawl pictures this is beautiful.

Posted by: Senja at June 30, 2010 9:32 PM

Am admiring. So worth the delay in process. You can be so pleased with the real beauty, not just exhausted from completing the whole, wonderful job.

Posted by: Margo K of Va at June 30, 2010 9:32 PM

This means my stock in beaded straight pins went up.

Posted by: Annette at June 30, 2010 9:32 PM

It's so sweet of you to be blogging regularly for us again. I hope you blocked the crap out of that lace!

Posted by: LoriAngela at June 30, 2010 9:38 PM

I do, I do!!! It means somebody has a day job that actually allows time for knitting!!! (yes, the green monster is rearing its ugly head!)

Well done. Gorgeousness!

Posted by: Stephanie at June 30, 2010 9:41 PM

Time to buy more straight pins! Lovely.

Posted by: MicheleinMaine at June 30, 2010 9:42 PM

That the cat is locked in the bathroom?

Posted by: Heather at June 30, 2010 9:43 PM

It looks lovely! Congrats on finishing it.

Posted by: Meg at June 30, 2010 9:56 PM

Oh that is just stunning! Really, really beautiful and impressive even for you! My utmost congratulations. May you wear it in good health!

Posted by: lunarawe at June 30, 2010 10:01 PM

It means you blew off your appts & other tasks today to finish? You must wear that to celebrate Canada Day-just stay away from the grill.

Posted by: Leta at June 30, 2010 10:08 PM

Stunning. I hope we will get modeled pictures. And, thanks for the close-ups of a bit of your blocking technique. It's always interesting to see how you do things!

Posted by: tree at June 30, 2010 10:08 PM

Yippee!
(Also: Gorgeous!)

Posted by: P J Evans at June 30, 2010 10:13 PM

Bonne fête du Canada from Montreal ;-) What a great way to celebrate, that is, blocking this "eternal" project ;-)

Posted by: Maryse at June 30, 2010 10:14 PM

... You're out of pins?

Posted by: Karen at June 30, 2010 10:34 PM

Gorgeous! I want one!

Posted by: Eli at June 30, 2010 10:35 PM

Oooooh! Aaahhhhh!

PS. My daughter had to get a last minute passport to come visit me in the US so I sent her your post from earlier this year on the topic. It really helped her keep her cool in the Passport Office in Montreal. Presto, change-o! 5 working days!

Posted by: helena at June 30, 2010 10:36 PM

yay You made it through. Did you get a new camera - these photos are very nice!

Posted by: Lisa at June 30, 2010 10:37 PM

It was finite?

Posted by: Riin at June 30, 2010 10:37 PM

I look so young on this end of eternity too! Thanks for warping the space/time continuum once again. I finished my sock too. I know, not even close, but I'm a slow and awkward knitter, not a fast and graceful one like you. You have motivated me to agree to a KAL with a friend to knit our first lace-ish shawl. With worsted, we're not masochists.

I never knew Kansas was so beautiful. Nice!

Posted by: Barbara at June 30, 2010 10:38 PM

Nnnnnnnniiiiiice!!!!!

Posted by: AlisonH at June 30, 2010 10:40 PM

YAY! It's finally DONE!!! So happy for you!

Posted by: Kelly at June 30, 2010 10:50 PM

It means you're done!! (And/or that you're going to sit on a pin when you go to bed tonight.)

Posted by: Jocelyn at June 30, 2010 10:55 PM

Stunning beauty? Joy forever? There is an end to endless projects?

Happy Canada from another "wanna be."

Posted by: NNYDonna at June 30, 2010 11:01 PM

Happy Canada Day^^

Posted by: NNYDonna at June 30, 2010 11:01 PM

Oh, happy day, you're DONE!!! :)

Posted by: Martha S at June 30, 2010 11:06 PM

other than you did it? My guess is that now you have to finish the tank top..

Gorgeous! You are in your Zen!

Posted by: Marilyn Wilber at June 30, 2010 11:09 PM

that is ABSOLUTELY beautiful!

Posted by: Cecelia Dunlap at June 30, 2010 11:10 PM

You're going to roll over in the middle of the night and scream because you missed a pin?

Oh, wait. No, that's why I don't block things on the bed anymore.

The lace looks fabulous!

Posted by: Ivy at June 30, 2010 11:11 PM

That is a lot of stitiches but it's beautiful! I love the color too!

Posted by: Beth at June 30, 2010 11:13 PM

Hurrah!

Posted by: Joanne at June 30, 2010 11:16 PM

It's gorgeous!!! Congratulations!!!
Hoping for a photo of it "in use"

Posted by: Martha at June 30, 2010 11:27 PM

It means you're done-done, and you can start thinking of a new project, or maybe six.

Beautiful; just beautiful.

Posted by: GeniaKnitz at June 30, 2010 11:35 PM

Congrats on being done with the shawl! It is simply beautiful! Hope you enjoy it!!

Posted by: Liz at June 30, 2010 11:43 PM

Yay for blocking!!! You're done knitting Summer in Kansas :)

I'm going to be starting my first lace blocking attempt in the near future...I am slightly nervous (am knitting "Icarus" now)

Posted by: MelissaW at June 30, 2010 11:58 PM

Those are some of the sexiest pictures of knitting that I have ever seen.

Posted by: Natasha at July 1, 2010 12:06 AM

oh the anticipation! so that gives me two reasons to check in tomorrow... assuming you will run your annual list of why canada is great/interesting/quirky/fun/all of the above? :)

Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at July 1, 2010 12:10 AM

It means you want to borrow a magnet to get all those pins off the bed? :)

Seriously, gorgeous shawl.

Posted by: Juti at July 1, 2010 12:14 AM

What an amazing piece of true fiber art! That is just so beautiful. Congratulations on your perserverance!

Posted by: Buckshot at July 1, 2010 12:22 AM

Awesomesauce!!!

Posted by: Alyson at July 1, 2010 12:31 AM

Wow. Seriously. Wow!

Posted by: Anne Berk at July 1, 2010 12:35 AM

Hooray! Can't wait to see the FO pics!

Posted by: kelly at July 1, 2010 1:00 AM

It looks worth every frustrating second. I think it's magnificent, and I admire your persistence!!

Posted by: Anna at July 1, 2010 1:00 AM

Means "forever" = less than a week, you big fibber.

Posted by: Susan at July 1, 2010 1:06 AM

Uuuuuuh, it looks so pretty! Well done!

Posted by: Julia at July 1, 2010 1:39 AM

I gasped...how utterly lovely. The yarn/thread is so pretty.

Posted by: cecelia at July 1, 2010 1:48 AM

Done-a-licious!

Posted by: sioux b at July 1, 2010 2:03 AM

Well, I was off by several hours from the look of it, but I did say Wednesday. It is a very lovely shawl.

Posted by: PICAdrienne at July 1, 2010 2:07 AM

That you won't be able to sleep in your bed tonight? It looks absolutely beautiful.

Posted by: shelley at July 1, 2010 2:07 AM

I can't wait to see it in all its glory! And I just love the colour.

Posted by: Emma at July 1, 2010 2:17 AM

Totally beautiful!

Posted by: Thale at July 1, 2010 2:36 AM

What was it that Buzz Lightyear said? Oh yes, "To infinity and beyond!" Now we all know what's beyond infinity - perfection!

Posted by: EllaB at July 1, 2010 2:49 AM

oooooooooooooh, and I vote for more WIPs

you're doing so well, imagine getting to the end of Summer with a clean slate... no guilt about starting twenty new projects at once...

Posted by: noonie at July 1, 2010 2:59 AM

Oh, blocking lace--such of frisson of nerd-joy! Lovely!

Inspires me to get on with the crazytown of beaded lace I've been neglecting...

Posted by: Julia at July 1, 2010 4:06 AM

Heaven!

Posted by: Leonie at July 1, 2010 4:31 AM

great photos! i like the artistically scattered pins... what kind of camera do you use?

Posted by: julie at July 1, 2010 4:46 AM

Congratulations - I hope you are spending the entire drying time doing a happy dance and having a beer!

Posted by: Carie at July 1, 2010 4:47 AM

Hurray! It's finished! Ooooh and it looks gorgeous.

Posted by: Liz of Wool Boutique at July 1, 2010 5:25 AM

Yes I do. It means you're every bit as good at taking pictures as you are at knitting. Those look positively scumptious!

Posted by: Jeannine at July 1, 2010 6:05 AM

I told you it would be worth the wait! Awesome!

Posted by: Isobel Thomas at July 1, 2010 6:20 AM

It means you've decided to join the just-one-thing-on-the-needles-at-a-time OCD club?

Posted by: eclair at July 1, 2010 6:27 AM

Yeah, NO ONE sleeps on the bed--not even the cat--until you deem the project is ready to be unpinned.
;)

~Sewbeads

Posted by: Michelle at July 1, 2010 6:54 AM

This means beautiful!

Posted by: Carolyn at July 1, 2010 7:04 AM

This means you can celebrate Canada Day without this shawl on your mind. Onto the next project! Congratulations and have several beers to celebrate.

Posted by: Maureen at July 1, 2010 7:17 AM

Holey moley, You're done! This is where I would make a very precise wiggley edge! I would want to send it out to be done. However,I have a lace project I want to send out to be finished also, it's so frustrating and fraught with errors. I'm not sure you can ad lib that much with lace. I sort of thought you could! Can't you?

Posted by: mary erdman at July 1, 2010 7:30 AM

Oooooh it's so pretty! I can't wait to see the whole thing! Congratulations!

Posted by: Dyepotgirl at July 1, 2010 7:37 AM

Nice blocking. Thanks for showing. You do make it look too easy! (I'm thinking of my own blocking gymnastics with my first lace scarf.) LOL!

Posted by: KatherineR at July 1, 2010 7:46 AM

I guess it means you're not in Kansas anymore!!

Posted by: Kat at July 1, 2010 7:58 AM

It means forever is only two days!

That is one lovely shawl. I have that pattern but after seeing how much work it took, I may never cast on for it :)

Posted by: AngelD at July 1, 2010 8:00 AM

:D

Posted by: Ruth F in Pgh at July 1, 2010 8:08 AM

oh my goodness, it's beautiful. i don't know one ever gets the skills to knit something so complicated!

Posted by: SHirley at July 1, 2010 8:16 AM

Absolutely beautiful!

No time to say more- have to get back to my edging. 90 repeats down, 50 to go!

Posted by: soo at July 1, 2010 8:19 AM

It means that I've found a new BFF who can come for a visit to block all the shawls I've been ignoring. I have beer. And cool spinning and knitting friends...what else can I tempt you with??

Posted by: Lisa at July 1, 2010 8:27 AM

As someone who is currently living through a Summer in Kansas (non-lace and HOT) I must say that your shawl is so beautiful that I still might wear it, even in this heat! Happy Canada Day!

Posted by: Pat V at July 1, 2010 8:46 AM

... that you or Joe will accidentally be a stainless-steel pin stabbing victim later in the day? (Somehow, I always lose track of at least one pin and "find" it later.)

Seriously, though, it looks lovely!!

Posted by: CraftyGryphon at July 1, 2010 8:49 AM

It looks beautiful! Congratulations, you did it!!

Posted by: Laura H at July 1, 2010 8:49 AM

Beautiful. What a sense of accomplishment. I love knitted lace. It's so amazing.

Posted by: Pamela at July 1, 2010 8:55 AM

I think it means you now have to decide what to do about that tank top!

It's really, really gorgeous. Congrats! (And here's hoping no one gets a pin in the bum tonight!)

Posted by: maggie at July 1, 2010 9:05 AM

Woo-HOO!

Posted by: Amy at July 1, 2010 9:07 AM

LOVELY! might have been just what I need to block - my considerably less- stole.

Posted by: Heather at July 1, 2010 9:15 AM

Yes, it's Done and it's Art, it's a masterpiece..it is amazing...want my address so you can ship it down here to me????? Love your work, books, blog...

Posted by: Maggie Gean at July 1, 2010 9:19 AM

Woohoo! Congratulations! I'm glad to see you've navigated your way out of the black hole.

And I'd like to wish you a very happy Canada Day! Are you going to do a Canada Day post? I always look forward to those! My family came from Scotland to Canada before settling down in New England, and I always look forward to a chance to learn more about the place we bounced. :-)

Posted by: Heather W. at July 1, 2010 9:22 AM

Yay! Congrats :) It looks beautiful!

Posted by: Angie at July 1, 2010 9:22 AM

Stephanie,
WOW!! That's all there is to say about that!! & Happy Canada Day, enjoying your quotes on twitter, the attic one was great! Rebecca

Posted by: Rebecca at July 1, 2010 9:23 AM

it means your bed is slightly damp.

Posted by: marie in florida at July 1, 2010 9:29 AM

It means you have conquered infinity.

Also, it's gorgeous, but you knew that.

Also, happy Canada Day! If you post some more less-than-prescient remarks re Canada from our founding fathers I will laugh at them, both the remarks and the fathers. Laughter is the perfect antidote to hagiography.

Posted by: Lucia at July 1, 2010 9:30 AM

infinitely beautiful!

Posted by: woolcat at July 1, 2010 9:30 AM

hey Stephanie, congrats on a job well done! told you that you were fast!

Posted by: adele at July 1, 2010 9:35 AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You are a knitting GODDESS!!!! It looks fantastic. Can't wait to hear the details of your hard fought and richly deserved victory!

Posted by: Liz at July 1, 2010 9:39 AM

Yummy

Posted by: Diane in IN at July 1, 2010 9:40 AM

it means you've found a way to somehow warp the space-time continuum and finish the infinite shawl! w00t! Did you use a TARDIS or was it a wormhole or something?

Posted by: CTJen at July 1, 2010 9:41 AM

Congratulations on finishing your beautiful shawl, and have a happy Canada Day!

Posted by: StacieB. at July 1, 2010 9:43 AM

Hot dang! It's blocking time. Beautiful, I cannot wait for the dried reveal.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at July 1, 2010 9:54 AM

oooh! aaaaah!

Posted by: shelly at July 1, 2010 10:07 AM

It's beautiful. I hope you feel as good about it as I did mine the other day. I'd blocked it and it was drying and my husband came into my office.

He said "I haven't seen that shawl all stretched out like that. I didn't want to say anything, but it didn't look so hot. Pretty colors and all, but kind of wasted on that scrunchy thing. But now, all stretched out, it's really beautiful."

I floated for an hour :) Made the endless repeating and counting worth it. As did the delighted look of my friend when I gave it to her.

Posted by: Mary Peed at July 1, 2010 10:07 AM

Happy Canada Day! I look forward to your post!

Posted by: Courtney in Indy at July 1, 2010 10:09 AM

What a work of art! Congratulations on your perserverence. It was worth every stitch!

Posted by: Marcy at July 1, 2010 10:09 AM

One less UFO in the cupboard!

Posted by: Cytnhia R-D at July 1, 2010 10:15 AM

50 bajillion pins to lose in the guest bedroom to be found later in the dark in bare feet?

That is totally, totally gorgeous! I can't wait for the final, final pictures! :D

Posted by: Sue at July 1, 2010 10:19 AM

Yes. Yes, I do.

Posted by: Beth in WI at July 1, 2010 10:21 AM

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Posted by: Val Champ at July 1, 2010 10:27 AM

The shawl looks beautiful.

OT: Have a Happy Canada Day. Have a Molsen or two.

Posted by: PurpleGirl at July 1, 2010 10:30 AM

That shawl is beautiful! I can picture it over a summer weight denim dress--wait--over anything. Way to go.

Posted by: Deborah at July 1, 2010 10:38 AM

This is gorgeous. And happy Canada Day!
(My husband was in Kitchener for 2 years, and we both loved it up there.)

Posted by: deborah at July 1, 2010 10:39 AM

soooo beautiful, can't wait to see the photos of it draped artfully over something. I seem to be in the black hole of knitting right now.

Posted by: patti at July 1, 2010 10:49 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!

Posted by: Deb-ky at July 1, 2010 10:54 AM

Magnificent!! Not only are you the Princess of knitting but you surely are the Queen of Blocking!Can't believe how very straight you get that line of pattern...Guess so much experience shows! Can't wait for the picture of you wearing it! Thanks (as always) for sharing...

Posted by: Ruth in NJ at July 1, 2010 10:54 AM

Really, really beautiful and I love the blue. I've been furiously working on my daughter's wedding shawl and hope to bind it off tonight. The last row had over 140 beads! I thought I'd never get it done in time, but I did it with a week to spare!

Posted by: Rebbie at July 1, 2010 11:02 AM

Congratulations! It looks absolutely beautiful and worth all the aggravation.

Posted by: Liz at July 1, 2010 11:12 AM

It may have kicked your ass for a while, but you totally kicked ITS ass! Abso-fabso-beautiful!

Posted by: nan at July 1, 2010 11:15 AM

Hot Damn, it's done! Have a beer.

Posted by: Gwyneth at July 1, 2010 11:17 AM

It's finished! Yay! Looks gorgeous! Definitely calls for a celebratory beverage!

Posted by: Mags / Winston's Mom at July 1, 2010 11:19 AM

That no-one is going to sleep until the shawl is dry? I've totally slept on the couch while blockin something that I finished late in the evening. Is that just me?

Posted by: Amy in StL at July 1, 2010 11:30 AM

You defeated the Black Hole!

Scientists will study you for years after this!

But that's only AFTER they stop and admire the thing of beauty you created in the process! WOW!

Posted by: Jessica B at July 1, 2010 11:34 AM

Fantastic Shawl!!!! Congratulations on a job well done. Now if only I could crawl out of my black hole. This is my first "blockage" on knitting, and I can't seem to get started again. First time since I started knitting about 18 months ago that I haven't been furiously working on SOMETHING! I can only hope that the hiatus will amount to some great knitting someday.

Posted by: Nancy FP at July 1, 2010 11:35 AM

Oh, WOW !
And upon what vast expanse did you block this little gem?

Posted by: Barbara at July 1, 2010 11:36 AM

it is gorgeous. i can see the wheatfields.

Posted by: cynthia at July 1, 2010 11:46 AM

All our conceptions about the infinite and eternity need to be revised? And there never has been a prettier reason for such momentuous scientific work?

Posted by: Barbara at July 1, 2010 11:47 AM

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Posted by: NY Phoenix at July 1, 2010 11:49 AM

time to celebrate Canada and reflect on a job well done. Though I doubt I will ever do this particular piece.

Posted by: Liza at July 1, 2010 11:54 AM

Congratulations, Professor Harlot, For your glorious victory!
Congratulations, Professor Harlot!
You'll be mentioned in history!
You did it! You did it! You said that you would do it,
And indeed you did.

Posted by: kazbels at July 1, 2010 11:54 AM

Absolutely Beautiful!!

Posted by: Brenda at July 1, 2010 11:58 AM

Happy Canada Day! The shawl is beautiful. I always enjoy seeing how (much more) beautiful the lace looks after blocking.

Posted by: Cathy at July 1, 2010 12:05 PM

Stunning. Absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by: kalitab at July 1, 2010 12:10 PM

You're using your bed as a blocking board, that's what it means!
The shawl is lovely!

Posted by: Knitnana at July 1, 2010 12:15 PM

Out of purgatory!

Posted by: GeekKnitter at July 1, 2010 12:17 PM

Ooooo ... pretty, pretty! Congratulations on the finish.

Happy Canada Day to you and yours.

Posted by: Sarah JS at July 1, 2010 12:29 PM

What a piece of work! Beautiful.

Posted by: Elaine Weedman at July 1, 2010 12:36 PM

Gorgeous! Congrats on finishing it! You kind of made me want to knit that despite all the commentary on infinitisimal progress...

Posted by: sabrina at July 1, 2010 12:42 PM

Jealous! I started that shawl 6 years ago and then just gave up. Perhaps it is time to resurrect it.... Congrats!

Posted by: Marisa at July 1, 2010 12:47 PM

i don't do a lot of commenting, mostly just lurk around, but i had to tell you that this is a beautiful project. really, it is just lovely.

Posted by: Lori Kuhl at July 1, 2010 12:51 PM

Happy Canada Day!

Your shawl is lovely!

Posted by: Kelly H. at July 1, 2010 1:06 PM

I can hardly wait to see the whole thing - it looks beautiful!

Posted by: Sue at July 1, 2010 1:08 PM

Your photography is as fab as your writing (and your knitting). Those shots should be in a magazine! And what a tease - not one shot of the whole ginormous thing to see how big it really is. Guess we're going to wait until you condescend to gift us again. Just think, though, if you had not dug this out of the bin you would be how far along on a new pattern? And now this is DONE and almost wearable. Absolutely terrific!

Posted by: JoAnn at July 1, 2010 1:10 PM

Happy Canada Day! Long may she wave..... and
Congratulations on finishing that beautiful shawl.

Posted by: Marina McIntire at July 1, 2010 1:10 PM

"You know what this means?"

Yes, that you are a lace shawl *stud*! That might be the beer talking... Happy Canuck Day!

Posted by: roggey at July 1, 2010 1:14 PM

Boy, you got to infinity quickly! It looks beautiful, congrats. You must be relieved : )

Posted by: JanetP at July 1, 2010 1:40 PM

I love the picture with what looks like leafy flowers growing up in a field! Nice work! What are you going to work on next?

Posted by: madonnaearth at July 1, 2010 1:48 PM

Man! I wished I had knit and finished that! I'm doing a stole for my new "niece-in-law" and I have to knit a skein a week to get it done by september. I'm just finishing my 2nd skein....sigh...

Posted by: Rebecca at July 1, 2010 2:13 PM

Wait!Wait! Don't tell me,let me guess......

Posted by: steph at July 1, 2010 2:14 PM

I guess it means that to you forever is as long as two days or so. When it comes to knitting, anyway. How fair is that?

Posted by: Anni at July 1, 2010 2:16 PM

OOOhhhh!!!! pretty!

Posted by: tarrilynn at July 1, 2010 2:18 PM

Yes, I have already posted; but, you see I checked the blog so many times to check on the shawl's progress and even posted urging, cheering you to the completion. So, I feel that somehow I have indeed contributed to the completion of this gorgeous shawl. Okay, you did all the knitting--work--but I did cheer you on!

Posted by: Deborah at July 1, 2010 2:33 PM

YAAAY!!!! It looks gorgeous! :D

Posted by: Melissa at July 1, 2010 2:47 PM

It means it's time to crack open a beer and celebrate! And, because it's now July, it means another pair of socks will be on the needles soon. Your shawl is a testament to your awesome abilities. You could auction that sucker for Doctors Without Borders and make thousands on it. I'd start the bidding at $500 US myself! Congratulations.

Posted by: Heather in WV at July 1, 2010 2:55 PM

Stick a fork in that sucker! :)

Posted by: MJ at July 1, 2010 3:00 PM

(So excited, I posted twice! Sari..)

Posted by: MJ at July 1, 2010 3:02 PM

It means no kanoodling until you get the pins out.

Someone mentioned blocking wires but I'm with you. Why buy something when you already have a perfectly good pin-able surface!

Posted by: gillian Fuqua at July 1, 2010 3:12 PM

Could it be that you are actually DONE with the thing?

Posted by: Cinnamon at July 1, 2010 3:15 PM

Ooh, lovely. Now I'm really tempted by Summer in Kansas -- even though I have resisted the urge for several years now. Wear it in good health.

Posted by: Donna at July 1, 2010 3:22 PM

So that's what the Fireworks were for! Happy Shawl Day! Happy Canada Day! Very Lovely!

Posted by: Stickweaver at July 1, 2010 3:23 PM

Yay!! It is beautiful! Maybe a wormhole in the black hole that allowed you to escape? Anyway, it is really lovely!

Happy Canada Day!

Posted by: julie at July 1, 2010 4:31 PM

Gorgeous!

Posted by: Barbara at July 1, 2010 6:03 PM

Happy Canada Day! It wasn't such an endless summer in Kansas after all. In fact, it was hardly worth mentioning at all in Harlot time...

Unlike a few other projects for which it is much too hot to work on now!

Posted by: Leslie F at July 1, 2010 6:21 PM

I always enjoy your July 1st entries. Canada is truly a civilized country (speaking as a NYer living in Vermont). Your Queen's Plate race mention reminded me of my childhood in the late 50's/early 60's. My (step)father, British, used to paint the Canadian Horse of the Year for the Jockey Club, I presume at Woodbine. When he and my mother were still married, they would go to the Queen's Plate black-tie dinner. She designed and sewed these amazing and elegant gowns, which she wore with such beauty. They were a striking couple in happier times. I remember going to Woodbine, sitting in gifted box seats, enjoying the fact that kids could go to the races. My little sister and I spent a lot of time collecting peoples discarded betting tickets. I don't think we paid much attention to the races. We stayed in an inexpensive motel in Toronto, next door to the Dutch Sisters' Inn on Lake Ontario, which looked far better than what my dad was willing to spring for. There was a huge bread baking factory across the street, which always smelled wonderful. Another year, the lake was so full of dead smelts we couldn't swim. I also remember driving through Oshawa and passing a laundromat called the "Oshawash." 50 years later, I still think that marvelously funny!

Posted by: Mady at July 1, 2010 7:26 PM

Swoon. For real. And those photos are amazing! The gold is a perfect backdrop for the lace.

Posted by: Salena at July 1, 2010 8:42 PM

Hooray!

Posted by: Skeindalous at July 2, 2010 8:24 AM

I'm so honored. You celebrated my birthday by finally blocking the never-ending shawl. Sniff...sniff...I'm truly touched...

Posted by: Shirley in SW Ohio at July 2, 2010 9:32 AM

Beautiful! How's that tank top coming along? I'm planning on making one for my daughter. I hope I finish while it is still warm enough to wear it!

Posted by: Sheila at July 2, 2010 9:40 AM

That you are pulling the green tank out again? Ha Ha

Posted by: Liz at July 2, 2010 12:48 PM

Congrats! Gorgeous!!

Posted by: Cathy at July 2, 2010 3:08 PM

It means that the cat has been banished from your bedroom for the duration.

Posted by: marie in NJ at July 2, 2010 3:17 PM

this post is very usefull thx!

Posted by: school grants at July 2, 2010 3:23 PM

It's beautiful and done! YAY! Congrats!

Posted by: cynthia at July 3, 2010 6:58 AM

The shawl is stunning! You've pulled it off, at long last... There's something about a Mt Everest-like-knitting-projet that beckons me like a sirene's call. Would you believe I ordered both pattern and yarn for this shawl yesterday? Call me nuts but I love the knitting, and
the knitting, and
the knitting, and
finally, the knitting!
The awesome beauty that is produced along the way by my two hands (and someone else's pattern!)is a very satisfying part of my life.
That really is what it's all about for me!

Posted by: Rosemarie at July 3, 2010 9:49 AM

closeups so pretty and interesting might mean--Jared Flood dropped by your place for something cold to drink?? =)

Posted by: christine at July 5, 2010 10:50 AM

Heh. Something I and my husband missed terribly (him more so) while we lived in Louisiana was Kraft Cheez Whiz. What is sold down there under that name is NOT the same thing.

I was reminded of that, when I ran across a comment--I don't recall where--that said something like, "Will someone please explain to me the Canadian fascination with Cheez Whiz?"

We have some weird love for jarred and powdered cheese products.

I really missed: Hawkin's Cheezies, Red Oval Farms Wheat Thins and Campbell's Scotch Broth. There really are no substitutes.

I also recall a quote--I think from Margaret Atwood, but I could be wrong--that said something like, "To have been born Canadian and middle class is to have won life's lottery." I often remind myself of that when I want to start whining about my lot in life.

Posted by: Geogrrl at July 5, 2010 2:19 PM

Awesome! Blocking! Finished! Beautiful!

Posted by: DawnK at July 5, 2010 11:15 PM

I love the edge, no matter how crazy it was. Def. worth it!

Posted by: Julie at July 6, 2010 4:47 PM

Incredible. You have done an amazing thing, Steph.

Posted by: Lynda at July 12, 2010 12:52 AM