April 18, 2011

Calling the perfect shawl

I'm crazy with anticipation. Since I last wrote about my Jacob fleece, I've been regularly spreading it out on the kitchen floor, and then picking and choosing the locks and colours that I'll wash.  

(This, by the way, seems to drive my regularly odd cat to new heights of weirdom.  She can't handle it. She lies down, grabs chunks of raw fleece and rubs them all over her face. I've taken to locking her in my bedroom because I can't stand to watch it.)  I have enough now that I've  I've promised myself that tomorrow I take this bag of washed jacob locks, and start carding and spinning it into yarn for... Well. That's the question, isn't it? 

I'm looking for a shawl that isn't too big - but not too small.  Definitely not a triangular scarf pretending to be a shawl, because that's just annoying. (I mean, if you're a scarf, say so. Have a little pride.) Not too big, because that's more spinning than I want to do, and really, this jacob fleece is little. I haven't started spinning yet, so really, the yarn can be any weight, though I'd like to do something like a light fingering.  (By the way, you shouldn't ever google "light fingering."  It's as entirely shocking as pondering fleece washing techniques and deciding to google "dirty sheep." I shall perhaps never get over that one. Some people are just not right.)

I'm going to spin the colours of the Jacob all separately, so when I'm done I should have a black, several shades of grey and a white.  There's very little true black on the fleece, so that yield the smallest amount of yarn - if I run out of grey I can spin more, if I run out of white I can spin more.. but that black is finite, so I'd like to start with black on the long edge of the shawl, and decrease up to the nape of the neck. All that in mind - any suggestions for a small triangular shawl constructed that way that would look great in a graduated colour scheme?

Posted by Stephanie at April 18, 2011 2:05 PM
Comments

I may have to try googling those two items,just to see. Yeah, I know, don't touch that burners hot. Boredom has set in.

Wanda

Posted by: Wanda at April 18, 2011 2:08 PM

Brooklyn Tweed's latest shawl offering - Rock Island - might look fantastic with those colors, especially if there is enough black to do the outer lace edging.

Posted by: milissa at April 18, 2011 2:09 PM

I can see those colors in two ways -- a very open work Icelandic/Nordic, or as a Southwestern Navajo or Anasazi geometric pattern.

Posted by: Severin at April 18, 2011 2:09 PM

How about a Pi shawl? Or is that too big? I also love the look of some of the handspun Citrons floating about and you could make that as large or as small as you would like.

Posted by: LaLa at April 18, 2011 2:10 PM

Look on Ravelry for everything designed by Romi HIll. I bought her ebook "7 Small Shawls to Knit" and recently finished the lovely Maia; now I'm working on her Sakaki, which is a benefit for the Japanese people (like her Brandywine is for Haiti). I thought I was the antithesis of a "shawl person," but Romi has converted me, at least to hers!

Posted by: Michelle at April 18, 2011 2:10 PM

"She lies down, grabs chunks of raw fleece and rubs them all over her face." Totally normal cat behavior.

Think about it, though - indoor kitty never gets to capture her own sheeps like a wild mountain lion. A girl can fill her face with the smell of those wild, not-gotten sheep and dream, can't she? ;)

Posted by: KathyB at April 18, 2011 2:11 PM

I immediately thought Charlotte's Web shawl, but that one seems little on the big side. Good luck with your shawl search.

Posted by: Jen at April 18, 2011 2:11 PM

How about this one:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/revontuli--huivi-northern-lights

What about a Shetland Hap shawl done as a triangle?

Posted by: Emma in France at April 18, 2011 2:12 PM

The Damask shawl by Kitman Figueroa would be quite lovely. Requires 380 to 650 yards of fingering weight, and uses a 6mm and 4mm needle.

Posted by: Kristina L. at April 18, 2011 2:12 PM

I also thought of Charlotte's Web....

Posted by: melissa at April 18, 2011 2:12 PM

I would recommend anything by Anne Hanson. Firstly her patterns are so beautifully written and entirely thorough. Another benefit is that often her shawls are written in up to three different sizes which would allow you some decent options for the amount of fibre you have to work with. Everyone needs more Anne in their life. Regardless of your choice, I'm looking forward to watching this work up.

Posted by: Pamela at April 18, 2011 2:15 PM

I found a link to a bottom-up lace triangular one here....
http://tashaknits.blogspot.com/2010/05/stellaluna.html
might be able to get enough of the black to do the bottom most part.

Posted by: Betsy at April 18, 2011 2:15 PM

Also, Lilah from the latest Knitty has a version knit in gradated handspun.

Posted by: Anneh at April 18, 2011 2:16 PM

Had to read this one to my husband - too funny!

Posted by: honeysuckleblue at April 18, 2011 2:16 PM

Here we go with the non-gansey grey fleece again. Honestly.

Posted by: Presbytera at April 18, 2011 2:16 PM

I'd go for Jared Flood's Juneberry Triangle (whose name I first read as "Juneberry Tangle." I made one out of some random wool roving belonging to a sheep named Pansy, and am delighted with the result. Part of what I like about it is that it is *not* symmetrical around the center line of stitches.

Posted by: Rebecca Gordon at April 18, 2011 2:16 PM

this rav thread had tons of inspiration. it is of course from the small shawls group. its a long one so click on pictures at the top to skip the chit chat.

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/small-shawl-lovers/792220/1-25

Posted by: chris shutst at April 18, 2011 2:17 PM

I, too, would recommend Romi Hill's shawls, particularly Maia...I made mine significantly larger than the written pattern - it was easy to modify to a more 'ample' size and the complements on it never stop!

Posted by: Rhona at April 18, 2011 2:19 PM

The Ene's Scarf from Scarf Style is a good one. I've made it twice and enjoyed both projects. It takes about 700 yards, so it's not tiny and not huge. Here's the Ravelry link:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/enes-scarf

Good luck pattern hunting!

Posted by: Amanda at April 18, 2011 2:22 PM

Annis, from one of the more recent Knitty publications. It's somewhere between triangular and half-circle, so you don't get the "Here's my Butt" arrow action but it still has nice shape. It starts on the long edge so you can start with the black, and would look smashing in a graduated color scheme.

It's on my list. I just finished my master's thesis, so the knitting has languished.

Posted by: Laia at April 18, 2011 2:23 PM

I agree with Kristina L. that Damask would be a nice choice--I made one recently and I couldn't be happier with it. She has another pattern, Gossamer, that is the same size and bottom-up construction that's also really lovely. Many of knitspot's triangular shawl patterns are bottom-up as well, and all of her lace patterns are so pretty...

Posted by: Juliet N. at April 18, 2011 2:24 PM

I've been wanting to knit Damson for ages. I think the simple design would look really lovely with the color changes.

Posted by: JoAnnaSpring at April 18, 2011 2:24 PM

My cat is a wool whore too. My advice is to embrase the cuteness - there are worse things than having another wool lover in the house. A word of warning - my cat will also try to knead the wool with his claws. Let's just say he is a very good amateur needle felter.

Posted by: kaystir at April 18, 2011 2:24 PM

Are you sure you want to start with the long side of the (triangular) shawl? If you have a finite amount of yarn, wouldn't it be better to start at the point and work out, so you can stop when the yarn runs low? You've knitted way more shawls than I have. Just saying...
P.S. Check out my MacKay design if you want an easy-knit lace triangle, although I suspect you'd like something much more challenging.

Posted by: Elizabeth at April 18, 2011 2:26 PM

P.S. I'd pay good money for a picture of your cat loving on the unwashed fleece.

Posted by: Laia at April 18, 2011 2:26 PM

What about the new shawl from Knitty? Lilah or Omelet?

Posted by: Candice at April 18, 2011 2:28 PM

If I recall, I have a little black Jacob fiber from a sheep person locally who tends a heritage flock of Jacobs. If you fall in love with a particular shawl but don't quite have enough black for it, I'd be happy to send it to you.

Posted by: Ro at April 18, 2011 2:29 PM

I love this shawl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/damask-6
It has 3 sizes so you can do what works for you (the smallest is more of a shawlette really). The design is beautiful and it fits the parameter you set starting with the long edge. I am knitting it right now and it is complicated enough to be interesting and simple enough to not make me want to rip my hair out!

Posted by: Caroline at April 18, 2011 2:31 PM

I suggest Michele Bernstein's Pacific Shawl. I knit mine solid, but it would look great in graduated colors, I mean colours. Here's a photo of mine, with a link to the pattern: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluepeninsula/5618664573/

Bonus: The designer is donating sales of the pattern to Red Cross for Japan through April 30.

It's worked top down, but you could save your black yarn for the last few rows.

Posted by: Bonnie Sennott at April 18, 2011 2:34 PM

The first thing that came to mind is an Icelandic shawl book Þríhyrnur og langsjöl / Three-cornered and long shawls. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/rihyrnur-og-langsjol---three-cornered-and-long-shawls

Lots of the pattern pictures include black to grey to cream transitions. A lot of those patterns look easy to adapt to yarn amounts. Also School House Press sends out the english translations when you purchase through them.

Posted by: Olivia at April 18, 2011 2:37 PM

The fleece looks even lovelier washed. I think Damask by Alison Green Will (twist collective spring/summer 2010) would also look lovely in several colors- border, two body pattern sections.

Posted by: Laura at April 18, 2011 2:40 PM

Check out BadCat's Autumn in New York. Or really any of her designs. They're all gorgeous! http://www.badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Karen at April 18, 2011 2:43 PM

Lately I've been wanting to knit the Crow Waltz Shawl. You might think it's on the small side, though. But I think it would be beautiful with the different colors in your fleece.

Posted by: Ang. at April 18, 2011 2:45 PM

"She lies down, grabs chunks of raw fleece and rubs them all over her face." That's not normal behavior? Oh. . . for a CAT. . . I miss my sheep.

Posted by: Evalyn at April 18, 2011 2:47 PM

Jared Flood's (Brooklyn Tweed) Rock Island Shawl is an option... I'm actually knitting it and its pretty awesome!

http://brooklyntweed.net/blog/?p=664

GynnaB

Posted by: gynnab at April 18, 2011 2:51 PM

I vote for Clara. Small shawlette with gorgeous lace border. Proceeds from sales go to march of dimes.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clara-9

Posted by: Jules at April 18, 2011 2:51 PM

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/juneberry-triangle

Posted by: Janetcc at April 18, 2011 2:52 PM

Years ago someone (I think it might have been Dez Crawford) wrote that lanolin smells like momcat's milk, and that is why some cats will go crazy for yarn that hasn't been scoured clear of the stuff.
And Jacob fleece sure has its share of lanolin.

Posted by: Jane at April 18, 2011 2:53 PM

I hate to be the one to tell ya, but your cat was marking the fleece as theirs! Cats have something secreted in their cheeks that lets them leave their scent on whatever they rub their faces against....

Posted by: Ny Phoenix at April 18, 2011 2:57 PM

Another vote for Rock Island. I have the pattern and am working on it now. You start with the edging which would solve your limited black problem. As I was knitting, I realized that at the rate I was going it was going to be huge, so I did some math (made my brain hurt) and was able to size it down...so, you could probably make it more shawlette sized if you don't end up with enough yardage. I'm happy to share my calculations. :)

Posted by: Nancy at April 18, 2011 2:58 PM

I like the Haruni Shawl by emily Ross.

Posted by: Joellyn at April 18, 2011 2:59 PM

Stephen West's Boneyard Shawl

Posted by: Vicki at April 18, 2011 3:02 PM

What about the Margarethte Lace Shawl from Vintage Modern Knits? You could do the garter stitch edging and very bottom in black, then switch to gray for the lace edging, then to white the rest of the way up.

Posted by: Meg at April 18, 2011 3:03 PM

Mary's Shawl from Ted Myatt

Posted by: Linda Walsh at April 18, 2011 3:03 PM

lol! I can't believe you googled that. I'm still chuckling.

Posted by: Kelly at April 18, 2011 3:04 PM

You've picked the fleece. You've picked through the fleece for the specific bits you want to use to create a specific yarn, and you intend to create that yarn. This shawl will be such a "you" creation that I would think the ideal thing would be for you to also create a pattern specifically for it. That way, you could create the pattern to accommodate your yarn. It then would be all "you", except you did need the Jacob's help in growing the fleece.

Posted by: Me at April 18, 2011 3:05 PM

i dont suppose youd like to swap all the UK's jacob for all the US's cormo? were practically swimming in jacob over here. honestly, i swear every 3rd bag of fleece i open i get jacob. but cormo is like blooming goldust in the uk, practically impossible to find (aparently the sheep go all green with algea due to our climate), unfortunately its also goergous and possibly mildly addictive if your a spinner.

Posted by: Jess at April 18, 2011 3:07 PM

Simmer Dim from the shetland trader. I knit it up in worsted weight yarn, and it came out stunning.

Posted by: jenny at April 18, 2011 3:07 PM

Here's a suggestion

http://www.yarnmarket.com/projects/Shawls_Stoles_Wraps-Llama_Lluxury_Tazi_Capelet-6304.html

Posted by: Diana at April 18, 2011 3:11 PM

Wendy (wendyknits.net) has just finished designed a bunch of shawl knit from the long edge. One of them is a fundraiser for Japan's tsunami victims--can't remember the name. These are all of her designs on Ravelry--she's got at least 3 if not 4 of those shawls. http://www.ravelry.com/designers/wendy-d-johnson

Posted by: Judy at April 18, 2011 3:12 PM

It's hard to go wrong with chartreuse, Stephanie. It's the Pantone color of the year. Wait. I think I'm a year or two behind on the Pantone of the year color. I think chartreuse was the go-to color of a couple seasons ago. Still it's the color of the recession!

Posted by: MB@YarnUiPhoneApp at April 18, 2011 3:13 PM

Here's a suggestion:

http://www.yarnmarket.com/projects/Shawls_Stoles_Wraps-Llama_Lluxury_Tazi_Capelet-6304.html

Posted by: Diana at April 18, 2011 3:13 PM


http://www.ravelry.com/projects/marthaeliza/faraway-so-close

Faraway, So Close shawl -- I recently finished it with natural shades of jacob and shetland. It can be a lovely small shawl...

Posted by: martha in mobile at April 18, 2011 3:14 PM

If no one has suggested a Faroe shawl, do that. I love the shaping of them and I think the color gradation would be stunning.

Posted by: Beth at April 18, 2011 3:15 PM

I've got to second the suggestion of Jared Flood's Rock Island. That would look amazing in white or gray with black edging.

Posted by: Devan at April 18, 2011 3:16 PM

What about Hawthorne? I think that would look great in graduated colors. Plus it will be a slightly different construction from your standard triangle shawl...Or maybe Stripe Study? You could alternate 2 skeins of your handspun to get different color stripes.

Posted by: Katie S at April 18, 2011 3:16 PM

I'll be self-serving and recommend the Christchurch Shawl: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christchurch-shawl

It's delicate and drapey, and not too huge or too small. Perfect to throw over your shoulders on a summer night!

Posted by: Bristol at April 18, 2011 3:19 PM

The Orchid Thief by Ysolda Teague

Posted by: Kelley Green at April 18, 2011 3:22 PM

You know I have to google both of those, right?

Posted by: yarnbeans at April 18, 2011 3:24 PM

I think this shawl would look great in homespun.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kllingesjal-1897englishrecreation-from-vendsyssel-museum-denmark

Posted by: Abby at April 18, 2011 3:28 PM

Go with the side to side shawls that are all the rage now. Spin up what you like then divide in half and begin increasing. When you hit the middle decrease. Examples Pettine or Pink Lemon Twist (Melanie) has one called Angelfish.

Posted by: ~S at April 18, 2011 3:30 PM

I know you've done Haruni before, but the edging in a different color and graduating up (or down in this instance) would be awesome. That shawl also doesn't take much yarn.

Good luck with whatever you pick - I'm sure it will be lovely!

Posted by: Daniele at April 18, 2011 3:30 PM

Look at the Tiered Shawl or the Garden Party Shawl by Two Old Bags at www.twooldbagspatterns.com . At the recent Madrona Fiber Retreat in Tacoma, WA, they had these 2 very unique shawl patterns worked up in light Irish yarns of grey, ivory and black combinations. I couldn't pass up buying the patterns and I think one might look unique and interesting in your Jacob yarn.

Posted by: Barb Mallon at April 18, 2011 3:31 PM

I like wendy knits bottom up central decrease shawls, and they don't come out small either. http://wendyknits.net/ best of luck choosing!

Posted by: jiva at April 18, 2011 3:35 PM

Google Freyalyn Mumble-Mumble's (Chase-Hainsworth, Close-Farnsworth, something like that) prize-winning shawl. She carded colour-graduated ROLAGS and used them to knit mitred squares for a shawl, wherein each mitred square had a dark edge with light at the decrease tip. And she added beads. It was STUNNING - but that means that you have to figure out how much yarn each mitred square takes, and card that exact amount with light-to-dark (or the other way) before you can even think of spinning.

Or you could do small one-colour mitred squares, with the darkest ones at the edge etc etc. Or similarly the Horst Schultz shells modular pattern, which I've seen in lovely lacy incarnations.

Going to SOAR? Hoping for better vegetarian food this time?

Posted by: Charlene at April 18, 2011 3:35 PM

so I googled it because I am a contrary person and was bored, and even with safe search off the majority was yarn (for light fingering) and perfectly normal sheep who needed baths (for dirty sheep). oh wells.

Posted by: sam at April 18, 2011 3:36 PM

It seems as if your cat might be ... a wool harlot?

In other news, I read this at work. When I finally grasped the potential alternative meanings of *ahem* light fingering *cough*, I burst out laughing hysterically. I laughed so long and so hard that other people finally started coming to my cube to ask if I was willing to share what was so funny.

Well. None of them are knitters, and so don't get the 'light fingering' joke. Which just makes it all the funnier. Thanks for a much needed release of endorphins, Stephanie!

Still laughing!

Posted by: SocKnitter at April 18, 2011 3:39 PM

This:
"She lies down, grabs chunks of raw fleece and rubs them all over her face." Totally normal cat behavior.

Think about it, though - indoor kitty never gets to capture her own sheeps like a wild mountain lion. A girl can fill her face with the smell of those wild, not-gotten sheep and dream, can't she? ;)

Posted by: KathyB at April 18, 2011 2:11

Posted by: Amy M. at April 18, 2011 3:39 PM

I can't wait to see the yarn when it's done! By the way, there's a setting for your google that will help with your search problems. Just sayin'. Some things never need to be seen.

Posted by: Paul at April 18, 2011 3:42 PM

Hey, Wendy Knit's new charity shawl 'Japanese Garden Shawl' is knit from the bottom up, and is really beautiful- especially the bottom edge. All her proceeds go to Japan relief funds.

Posted by: Trista at April 18, 2011 3:42 PM

Shawl suggestions: Anything by Alison Hyde's.....

Posted by: SocKnitter at April 18, 2011 3:45 PM

Check out Carol Sunday's newest shawl pattern "To Eyre". It's a beautiful shawl copied from the newest Jane Eyre movie. You'll love it! http://www.sundayknits.com/buy_toeyre.html

Posted by: Meralyn at April 18, 2011 3:50 PM

Yeah, well if you ever have an interest in Aromatherapy or perhaps all things Egyptian, don't google "mummification." I needed brain bleach after that one. What is seen, cannot be unseen.

Posted by: Lynda Sorenson at April 18, 2011 3:51 PM

The Ireland shawl from Folk Shawls? - its a square shape (with the neckband in the middle so one side is left open). You could really stop whenever you run out of yarn...I have one that's very small that has a nice twist because of the not-yet-a-square shape when worn as a scarf. The lace patterns are entertaining, but not difficult.

Posted by: Cathy at April 18, 2011 3:52 PM

Poor Gansey-less Joe! But enjoy your grey shawl...

Posted by: Leta at April 18, 2011 3:54 PM


I second a Faroese style. It rests on your shoulders like a hug

Posted by: Rosemary C at April 18, 2011 3:54 PM

If you would consider a stole, the 'Currach Stole' is lovely in natural colors.

Posted by: Trista at April 18, 2011 3:59 PM

Andrea's Shawl is bottom-up and would look lovely with a black edging and grey gradient through to white, or with the grey and white striped in the body of the shawl.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/andreas-shawl

Posted by: Jen at April 18, 2011 4:02 PM

How about something from Alisons Hyde's book "Wrapped in Comfort" the julia shawl can be made smaller or I saw something from Franklin Habit more of a wrap maybe.

Posted by: kris at April 18, 2011 4:03 PM

I hate to bring this up but did you ever finish spinning the wool for Joe's Gansey? Or finish knitting it?? Maybe I just missed it but thought I should ask.

Posted by: Leslie at April 18, 2011 4:05 PM

When my daughters were young they went to a pirate themed birthday party and spent the next week or so playing elaborate pirate fantasy games. Noticing that they had both chosen male names I decided to let them know that there had been female pirates too. With that in my head I googled Lady Pirates. Let's just say not everyone's idea of a fantasy game is the same. Thankfully they were not by my side as I opened up the search.

Have fun spinning.

Posted by: Koru at April 18, 2011 4:05 PM

What about Wendy's new shawl when it's written up?
http://wendyknits.net/2011/04/17/done-3/

Posted by: Jennifer at April 18, 2011 4:12 PM

Something from Anne Hanson, the genius shawl designer!

Posted by: Maria at April 18, 2011 4:13 PM

I didn't read through all the comments, so I apologize if you have seen this one before:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-dream-scarf

This is a pattern by Wendy Johnson and it's just lovely. I made it out of one skein of Ironstone Fiesta "Ballet". It can be looped like a scarf, or worn as shown in the pics like a small shawl. It's really pretty with a pin.

Posted by: Liz in Missouri at April 18, 2011 4:16 PM

PS - And it's not a triangle - but a soft curve.

Posted by: Liz in Missouri at April 18, 2011 4:17 PM

Ok, I like the idea of the open work with the geometric design. Here's the thing with Jacobs, they are not overbred so the fleece from different parts of the body can have very different character. Often, the dark will have a different crimp than the white. ( I have 9 Jacobs and love them.) So, I think a basic triangle with a simple eyelet pattern. This is definitely the kind of thing where the yarn will do most of the work for you. And, by the way, one of my cats will nest inside fleeces.

Posted by: Gillian at April 18, 2011 4:22 PM

I spent an age trying to find a pattern to show off some gorgeous handspun given to me by a friend. In the end my daughter designed 'McCafferty' for me and I think it was a perfect yarn/pattern match. Available for download on Ravelry if you'd like to take a look.

Posted by: amanda at April 18, 2011 4:27 PM

The June Marinella Shawl on Ravelry may be the one. It calls for 700 yds. A small amount in the shawl world. It's light fingering, as you specified. I think the knitting is parallel to the bottom, so the color changes would flow with the shawl rather than be color stripes across your back. It's knit top down, so you can stop when you want, or run out of fleece. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a finished size anywhere. And although it's not free, it's not an outlandish price, $5.

Posted by: Deb-ky at April 18, 2011 4:28 PM

How about the "Icelandic Lace Shawl" that Interweave Knits put out as a free pattern a few years ago. I tried to ravel it but could not see it. I do have a copy of it I could send you if you want it and can't find the pattern. Just email me and I'll send it to you. I have made it, it is beautiful and not too too big and uses a gradation of grays and whites that would be perfect for the colors of your fleece. There are a few similar shawls on Ravelry if you google it that are also quite nice but look a bit larger. Can't wait to see what you pick!

Posted by: Sue at April 18, 2011 4:41 PM

How about Lilah from the new knitty?

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss11/KSPATTlilah.php

It's written for handspun yarn (and commercial)and comes in 3 different sizes. What's even better, is that it's meant for graduated colors!

Posted by: turtlegirl76 at April 18, 2011 4:53 PM

Brangian, multiple sizes, lots of flexiblity

Posted by: Amelia at April 18, 2011 5:02 PM

This shawl is in the final stages of test knitting, comes in 3 sizes (small one in the pictures) bottom up lace that would look fantastic in that graduated black/grey/white scheme.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheepytime/sets/72157626401940658/detail/

Thing With Feathers (after the Emily Dickinson poem)

Posted by: Mandie at April 18, 2011 5:08 PM

This http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilah-shawl would look wonderful in varying hues of Jacob.
The model shawl it done in different color yarns.
I'm very fond of Jacob fleece.It's one of my all time favorites to spin and knit.

Posted by: Cindy D at April 18, 2011 5:08 PM

I have no shawl suggestions but I do think you need to post a pic of your cat rubbing the fleece on her face - it would be priceless!!! I may have to google those terms also, although I can only imagine where it would lead me....

Posted by: Karen in VA at April 18, 2011 5:10 PM

I was thinking Damson, too. Melanie/Pink Lemon Twist just finished one and the pattern looks good.

My cats love anything wool, and dogs often like it, too. I'm not surprised (insertHarlot'sCat'sNameHereMyMindisBlank) is rubbing her face in it. This is a perfect excuse to get her her own miniature sheep. Just tell people it's your second cat!

Posted by: auntiemichal at April 18, 2011 5:16 PM

i swear i recently saw a graduated shawl pattern on the Through the Loops blog. Her patterns are always gorgeous!

Posted by: sarah at April 18, 2011 5:16 PM

Litla Dimun shawl from Folk Shawls. I knit this in Sirri (Faroese wool)singles and it is amazing! Used 4mm needles and it gave a wonderful fabric.

Posted by: Allison at April 18, 2011 5:19 PM

I believe Sue at April 18, 2011 4:41 PM, meant this Icelandic shawl: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/icelandic-lace-thordis-shawl-thordisarhyrna.

Posted by: Betty at April 18, 2011 5:32 PM

Linda Choo's collection of designs are smallish and would work well with a blend of shades. Just a thought.

Posted by: Linda at April 18, 2011 5:35 PM

Take a look at the Brooklyn Tweed shawl. If not that exact same one, then maybe something based on that. Start with black lace and see how far you get. Then pick up along the edge with grey and work back from there. That way you can use up every precious inch of the black.

Posted by: marthamarques at April 18, 2011 5:36 PM

I, too, would love a picture of the cat and wool together. Plus, isn't "odd cat" a little redundant? (I do love mine; it just seems to be true.)

Posted by: Ariadne at April 18, 2011 5:50 PM

My choice would be the Tiered Shawl from Two Old Bags.

I saw this shawl pattern when I was at stitches east last fall. I bought the pattern in hopes of spinning the wool from three different sheep to make it in all natural shades. It would also work well for your jacob fleece. My only concern is how much of the dark color do you have? The pattern calls for Karabella Yarns "Lace Merino" (1.75 oz/255 yards) If you used the dark as color A it would only take the one skeins work. I guess until you spin it you won't know for sure.

Posted by: Carole at April 18, 2011 5:56 PM

Andreas Shawl by Kirsten Kapur. It is knitted from the outside in and I love its construction, It starts with a long strip which is then picked up from to start the inwards working of the shawl, and that would suit your limited amount of black.

Posted by: Janet McLean at April 18, 2011 5:58 PM

I think a plain shawl in garter stitch would look lovely. There is a ravelry thread about the shawls in the new jane eyre movie that would look lovely in your colorways. The mason Dixon gals have some great shawls with bold stripes of color.

Are you set on a shawl? A handspun blanket from the mitered cross pattern would be lovely. A handspun stash buster!

Posted by: Kelly at April 18, 2011 6:05 PM

Also? Don't try googling the fabric stiffening product "stiffy" by its brand name. Just sayin'.

Posted by: Sara at April 18, 2011 6:08 PM

Ooooooooo!

I am envious of the Jacob fleece!
(Forgive me Jesus.)

Posted by: G-Dub at April 18, 2011 6:20 PM

Anything by Kitman Figueroa. She has several bottom-up triangular shawls that are lovely. Her patterns are extremely well-written and have several sizes so you could pick the one that suits the yardage you have.

Posted by: Kaela at April 18, 2011 6:41 PM

I haven't looked at them closely, but I know Wendy of Wendy Knits has been designing bottom up triangular shawls lately.

Posted by: Ginger at April 18, 2011 6:49 PM

I can't wait to see which you choose. BTW, not unheard of cat behaviour. My cat does that with wet face cloths, we always assumed she was washing her face. Well, now I have to go research shawl patterns :-) You have a strong influence over knitters minds, Jedi Master.

Posted by: Karen at April 18, 2011 6:52 PM

Coquille by Mary Lou Egan

Posted by: soxanne at April 18, 2011 6:52 PM

When you have enough yarn spun for your shawl, save a little of the fleece and use that as stuffing for a knitted kitty toy for your little feline friend. Those toys are the favorites of every cat I've made one for, and they seem to be more enticing than catnip!

My favorite shawls have been the ones from Fiber Trends, but you'll know the one you like when you see it. The Sheep Shawl is one that you can knit the different sections in different colors rather than the whole shawl in a single color, but I think you've already knitted that one so you may not want to do another.

You're clever enough to design your own if you don't find what you're looking for. Your wedding shawl was one of the prettiest ones I've ever seen.

Posted by: Carol H. at April 18, 2011 6:58 PM

Thank you again!! I know why I check your blog every day and it makes me smile every time I see a new post. And that's before I read it. Today's post had me laughing out loud. "Light fingering" and "dirty sheep"! Who would have thought knitting could be so provocative :>)

You do realized in one fell swoop you dissed the entire shawlette community.....that made me chuckle as well.

Posted by: Marsha at April 18, 2011 7:07 PM

No. No suggestions on a shawl pattern.I love shawls and looking at pictures and seeing them on people, but I have never made one. I do like the fleece colours though, and I love your first picture. It kind of looks like there's a sheep sleeping on your kitchen floor. As for the cat, perhaps some kind of kitty rehab might be in order?

Posted by: marjorie at April 18, 2011 7:07 PM

no suggestions, but thanks for several very hearty laughs!

Posted by: Lynne G at April 18, 2011 7:08 PM

I have no suggestions for shawls, but your Google story reminds me of a time that I wanted to know if Dick's Sporting Goods had a replacement net for my son's pitch-back. As the sign on the store is DICK'S w/sporting goods being in very small type, we refer to it as Dick's. Let me just say, as a Public Service Announcement, that the full name of the store is VERY important in the URL. I was not prepared for what popped up on my screen. Just sayin'. And it had nothing to do with baseball... Some people just ain't right.

Posted by: Dianne at April 18, 2011 7:09 PM

That's easy...anything by Sigridu Halldorsdottir and her book Three-Cornered and Long Shawls, specifically http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/litla-hyrna-huldu
Those Icelandic Shawls are made to show off the variations of color of natural wools!

Posted by: Morgen S. Daily at April 18, 2011 7:13 PM

Would have loved a photo of the cat with the fleece...

Posted by: Alice at April 18, 2011 7:16 PM

A friend and I are both starting "Pine and Ivy" designed by Anne Hanson. The small version is perfectly proportional and the shawl is begun by casting on at the lower complete edge and worked to the neck edge.

Posted by: Maya at April 18, 2011 7:19 PM

With the amount of wool and fleece you must have around your house (I'm assuming), I'm surprised you can even have a cat. My two cats go nuts for wool. As in, hopping up and down, rolling around, and then eating it. (I have a similar reaction in most yarn stores, but I try and have at least a little restraint.) Of course, they have the same reaction to most household cleaners, so it could just be they are weird.

Posted by: Robin at April 18, 2011 7:23 PM

I have an idea! Have you seen the Northampton Neckerchief from New England Knits? It's square, but not too small/not too large, and it's shown with different colors in chunks. (Yes, that's the technical term). I'm thinking it would be PERFECT with different colors of Jacob; very subtle, deliciously sheepy, and just amazing. Here's the Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northampton-neckerchief

Posted by: mick at April 18, 2011 7:34 PM

never NEVER google Hershey either, shudder. I enjoyed the description of your cat's reaction to the fleece... I think she (or he?) would get along fine with our Magnus.

Posted by: Pauline at April 18, 2011 7:36 PM

I know you said you want to start with black on the long edge, but I have to argue that you should begin with the black at the neck and work your way down - I think this will enhance the effect of that smaller amount of true black by giving you a longer band out of less yarn. Of course, going neck down means you can stop whenever you want (or need to) as well.

Maybe it's because I love my own version so much, but I recommend starting with the textured shawl recipe, with a couple of your favorite textured stitches added in. I did a hand spun undyed luxury fiber ombre shawl this way (starting with St st in pure white angora at the top and working through creamy lusciousness in a variety of stitches to a honey camel/silk blend in garter at the bottom). You could change colors with each stitch change.

If not, how about the Sweet Alyssum Shawl? It has banding between lace sections that looks like a good demarcation for color changes. It has 4 bands, so you could do black, dark grey, light grey then white...

Either way, i'm sure you'll enjoy it! I can't wait to read about it!

Posted by: Ashley at April 18, 2011 7:50 PM

I think I gave you a copy of my Easy Triangular Shawl Pattern a couple of years ago. It really shows how to design a shawl.

Posted by: Johann at April 18, 2011 7:54 PM

Okay, here's what you're going to do. You're going to search Ravelry, search all your knitting books, all your knitting magazines, go to your LYS and look through their patterns, then you're going to design your own thing because none of the patterns is exactly what you have in your mind. Am I right?

Posted by: Sara at April 18, 2011 7:56 PM

Have you thought of a variation of the Stripe Study Shawl?

Posted by: Sara at April 18, 2011 7:58 PM

OOps- forgot to add DAWN by Grace Anna Farrow..

Posted by: Sara at April 18, 2011 8:00 PM

I am really loving the Hyrna Herborgar - I think it would be incredible. Not sure if it fits your definition of small but lace goes a long way! I can't wait to see whatever you decide to do!

Posted by: Lisa G at April 18, 2011 8:12 PM

The cat that lives in my house LOVES fleece. The raw-er the better. I have to lock up everything. The last cat that lived here couldn't be bothered, this is a pain in my ass. It hurts even more that this cat isn't "mine", she was brought here when my daughter moved back home. So, I buy her food, feed her, make sure she is flea free, spayed, and up to date on her shots and yet.......

And then she eats my wool. Little shit.

Posted by: Teresa C at April 18, 2011 8:13 PM

anne hanson has some great shawls-- les abeilles is a bottom-up shawl that might work! the smallest size is really small, though-- i'd recommend either working the medium size or adding another repeat of the lace on either side to the small one.

Posted by: juniperjune at April 18, 2011 8:16 PM

All of Knit/lab's patterns would look good in the color scheme you described.

Posted by: Martie at April 18, 2011 8:21 PM

THANK YOU! I hate it when a pattern for what is blatantly no more than a little trifle of a scarf is labeled as a shawl!

I wish I had the perfect pattern to tell you about. It's got to be one special pattern for that gorgeous fleece!

Pretty gross about the cat and the raw fleece. Cats like gross stuff, though, don't they? We had one growing up that would leap on top of a pile of my dad's dirty, sweaty clothes after he was done working out or mowing the lawn, and would roll around in it. Eeewww.

Posted by: Sara at April 18, 2011 8:24 PM

i can't recommend a shawl pattern, but i would like to share advice when it comes to googling innocent phrases... right after "light fingering" and "dirty sheep", i highly recommend that fans of 19th century american literature avoid searching "little women"!

Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at April 18, 2011 8:31 PM

I want to knit the Echo Flowers Shawl next, I found itlooking at the blocking thread in Ravelry.

Posted by: Molly at April 18, 2011 8:53 PM

Definitely! Your fleece and your desires scream Icelandic shawl.
Litla Hyrna Huldu or anything by Sigridur Halldorsdottir, or Bertha Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark.
Have a blast!

Posted by: Stashmuffin at April 18, 2011 8:53 PM

I think that one of Evelyn Clarke's Icelandic shawls would suit this yarn.

Posted by: Susan E at April 18, 2011 9:10 PM

It may not be what you are looking for, but I love the Hitchhicker scarf, and the shape is very interesting. I knit it in Silk Garden and loved the manner in which the colors evolved.

Posted by: Ruth at April 18, 2011 9:22 PM

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEw11/PATTfleece.php
I thought of your fleece, and Your pretty color changes you would have, and this pattern came to mind. It is more of a "stole" but I could see your wonderful Jacob mixing with your talents.
Kieran Foley's patterns are stunning. Good luck and enjoy every minute!

Posted by: Marilyn at April 18, 2011 9:27 PM

One of Evelyn Clark's Icelandic shawl patterns.

Posted by: Barb at April 18, 2011 9:32 PM

I just finished a Whippoorwill shawl (medium sized) and I LOVE it. And it has a cresent edge, so it actually STAYS ON. Go figure!

Posted by: anna at April 18, 2011 9:33 PM

I vote for the aconite shawl from knitpicks.

Posted by: Margaret at April 18, 2011 9:36 PM

As I was trying to think of a shawl pattern and reading your post you add the things not to google.....You are to funny!!

Posted by: Joanne Snyder at April 18, 2011 9:56 PM

At Madrona fiber festival I got a pattern for a multi tiered shawl that was just beautiful. The picture is something I wouldn't really think twice about but made up and in person it was spectacular. Go to www.twooldbagspatterns.com and look under new patterns. It would be perfect for your fleece/yarn.

Posted by: Ruth Locke at April 18, 2011 10:11 PM

Oops forgot to mention the name of the pattern is the Tiered Shawl.

Posted by: Ruth Locke at April 18, 2011 10:12 PM

Others have already suggested this, but I's happy to chime in that I just completed Wendy Johnson's Japanese Garden Shawl and enjoyed knitting every stitch :-)

Posted by: Norma at April 18, 2011 10:19 PM

Has anyone suggested the simple yet effective shawl or the Maia shoulderette??

Have fun deciding! I can't wait to see the shawl in progress!

Posted by: Liz at April 18, 2011 10:20 PM

I'm chuckling over the interesting things that pop up in the Google searches.

Yes, I vote for a picture of the cat too... if you and she can bear it.

Posted by: Cath at April 18, 2011 10:35 PM

The shades of this fleece are worthy of the Icelandic shawl:
http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/13991.aspx

Posted by: Mady at April 18, 2011 10:38 PM

Wendy Johnson has been designing small shawls for fingering weight with the construction you are wishing for recently; and my favorite (which I have bought) is her Japanese Garden Shawl pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/japanese-garden-shawl (proceeds through the end of the month go to Japan relief) which I think is absolutely gorgeous and would show off the color changes nicely. She has a couple other recent shawls with the same construction, "Island Time" and the "Antimacassar Shawl", but I admit to loving the Japanese Garden Shawl very much!

Posted by: Cathy-Cate at April 18, 2011 10:51 PM

OK, now I see that several others have suggested it! My bad for not reading the hundreds of suggestions! (I did skim the first bunch.) You have some GREAT ideas here, though, you must admit.

Posted by: Cathy-Cate at April 18, 2011 10:52 PM

I love your blog Stephanie, so I created a word-image using your rss feed and I thought you might like to see it.
http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3486069/YarnHarlot

Posted by: Bobbie at April 18, 2011 10:56 PM

It's really simple, but turns out lovely and very wearable in the end...what about Daybreak?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daybreak

Posted by: Sarah at April 18, 2011 11:18 PM

What about Terra by Brooklyn Tweed? It's lovely, and the lace isn't so complex that color gradation would compete for attention with the stitch pattern.

http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=14

Posted by: susan at April 18, 2011 11:34 PM

I second (or third or however many comments came before mine) the Stripe Study shawl by Veera Valimaki. I'm almost done with one and I am so obsessed with it I will probably cast on for a second one immediately. It can be easily modified for the amount of yarn you have.

http://100-rain.blogspot.com/2011/02/stripe-study-shawl.html

Posted by: Clumsy Knitter at April 18, 2011 11:42 PM

Most cats go nuts over a clean fleece because lanolin smells very, very much like kitty colostrum and mama cat milk. Ever smell a nursing kitten? Smells just like a clean fleece. Memories of Mama! It's also why some cats chew woolen things.

Once, years ago, I thought I had locked all of the cats out of the room before I unboxed a neatly rolled fleece. One of our cats was sound asleep on top of the bookcase, and I hadn't seen him (I should have looked, too, it was one of his favorite sleeping spots).

I heard this strange, mournful sound coming from above me. A long, plaintive, "Meooooooooowaaaaaaaamaaaaaa." Weirdest noise have ever heard a cat make.

(I still swear he was warbling "mama!")

He peered over the top of the bookcase, eyes wide as saucers, and leapt DIRECTLY into the center of the fleece, mashing his face in it and rolling around in it. I swear he was crying.

I scooped him up (along with a bit of the fleece) and dealt with the fleece. When I was done picking it, I made him a little canvas bag stuffed with a generous handful of the stuff, and it was his favorite toy EVER.

Posted by: Dez at April 19, 2011 12:37 AM

Maybe you could "Ravelry" check my Tribble shawl and see if it would work for you. It is made center first and then edging, with the edging grafted to the shawl center. It has a rounded lower edge so as to not have an arrow emphasizing "my butt is here." If you are interested, contact me on Ravelry or E-mail.

Laura

P.s. I have a dog with a yarn fetish, so I feel your anguish. I wished I had gotten pictures of my first anniversary gift from my husband after "His" dog tried to destroy what had been 900 yards of special order mohair lace weight. Then there was the cashmere blend he got a hold of.. and how many times did I come home to wool fiber aggessively strung out across the living room...? Or the very night that my very first mohair yarn came, this same dog grabbed a ball out of the bag and pulled the center right out of the ball...Sigh Even my mohair spiral shawl/lap throw is no longer mine. He laid claim on it shortly after it was completed.

Posted by: Laura at April 19, 2011 12:59 AM

I can feel it . . . this is going to be as much fun as your search for the perfect mitten pattern!

Posted by: Jani at April 19, 2011 1:42 AM

Wendy, over at www.wendyknits.net, has been going triangular shawl crazy lately...churning out a new pattern every couple of weeks, it seems.

See if one of her new ones might do the trick for you...

Posted by: Erin at April 19, 2011 1:50 AM

There's also the McCafferty Shawl by Lily France...The original was made in handspun and it's a triangular shawl knit from the bottom up with a lace edging that's knit onto the long end at the end.

Posted by: Sue F. at April 19, 2011 1:59 AM

There was a shawl in interweave for free a while back (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/icelandic-lace-thordis-shawl-thordisarhyrna). it is quite big but you can make it smaller :) It is designed for diffrent shades of yarn, from black to white with black being the smallest portion! I haven't actually knit it, but it has been in my mental queue for years (does that count as "almost knitting" it?)

Posted by: Birgit at April 19, 2011 2:41 AM

You could make Nessie, but knit it from the opposite end - from the ruffle.

Nessie is easy to modify, so you could put some lace in it - and the short-rows make the colourchange in the fleece look so good.

You can make it wider by adding more short-row-sections, so it will be more shawl-like than scarf-like.

Posted by: Julia at April 19, 2011 2:42 AM

Link to Nessie: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nessie---english

Posted by: Julia at April 19, 2011 2:43 AM

i've just finished the 'stripe study shawl' by Veera Valimaki of Ravelry. it is fantastic and may be just what your looking for. Though its a neck down knit so you would have to save the black till last..... how is your self controle??

Posted by: art bunny at April 19, 2011 3:23 AM

My cat goes crazy over Lanolin too. I have some Bag Balm my mum sent me from the states. It's a 'cow's udder balm' but really it's for people and it has Lanolin in it and it's really moisturising.

BUT when I put it on my hands or feet she goes crazy rubbing all over it, licking it, etc.

And when I put it on my lips...well...same thing.

I keep her out of the room when I'm doing that!

Posted by: Emilie at April 19, 2011 4:04 AM

How about the Miralda shawl from Nancy Bush's Estonian Lace book? That has the construction method you're wanting, anyway...

Posted by: Liz at April 19, 2011 4:09 AM

This one looks like it might fit your needs,and it's free

Posted by: Brenda at April 19, 2011 7:00 AM

and I guess my link didn't work... It's the Lilah shawl on Ravelry

Posted by: Brenda at April 19, 2011 7:01 AM

Anything by Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits. She's on a "bottom's up" tack lately, and has put out SEVERAL patterns of that genre--very lovely.

Posted by: Tenna at April 19, 2011 7:32 AM

When I saw that fleece in the previous post I thought one of those long rectangle shawls where you start at the ends and work your way to the middle. And it could double as a head warming device when it gets cold. That stuff looks might snuggly.

Posted by: Rachel at April 19, 2011 7:41 AM

Blackbird by Kieran Foley might do...800-850 yds. I particularly like the Moroccan Red Bird version.

Posted by: Judy at April 19, 2011 7:53 AM

As a spinner and someone who is working on a fleece as well I would do the 198 yds of heaven pattern. It is beautiful and works super well with handspun and....198 yds is appealing when you are washing, carding, spinning, plying and then knitting! It would work well for Jacob as well I think!

Posted by: Andrea at April 19, 2011 7:55 AM

Your cat loves the lanolin in the fleece. I've read somewhere that mama-cats teats are surrounded by lanolin, and this is how the kitties find the teats when their eyes are still closed. Maybe your cat can be trained to suss out *really* good fleece? And it also might explain why my cats love sleeping on blocked, still wet wool that's been soaked in Eucalan? I'd put money down on it!

Posted by: Shim Farm at April 19, 2011 8:11 AM

Try looking for shawls in graduated yarns in Ravelry. I was just looking for shawls to do with a Zauberball I acquired over the weekend and there were lots of shawls that might work for your yarn. I'm mesmerized with Dianna -- a triangular shawl that combines lace and entrelac. I'm going to make myself finish a couple of other projects before I dive in, but I'm definitely a goner.

Posted by: Cate at April 19, 2011 8:29 AM

Yep, sometimes you have to discipline the cats.
I'm very happy with my Europa Crescent shawl. Light and lovely. My dirty talk to it is a distant memory. Lol

Posted by: Nmjewel at April 19, 2011 8:37 AM

Better a cat who rubs his face in fleece that a dog who rolls in horse patties....>;-) Speaking from experience here.

Can be of no help whatsoever on the shawl pattern but I suspect you will find something anyway!

Posted by: Hilarie at April 19, 2011 8:42 AM

I wish you'd get your Cricket out and weave a plaid with those pretty colors!

Posted by: Sarah at April 19, 2011 9:48 AM

Had to stop Googling all the potentially dirty terms people kept suggesting. I should be working!

For the shawl, I loved Cheryl Oberle's Feather & Fan Triangle from Folk Shawls. It's top-down, but you can customize the garter stitch part to the size you want, and stop when you run out of yarn. that's what I did with the skein of Kauni I used for the F&F part, and it turned out lovely.

Posted by: Solarmama at April 19, 2011 9:57 AM

What the world needs is a short YouTube video of your cat, rubbing fleece on its face. Really. We crave it.

Posted by: KathyG at April 19, 2011 10:08 AM

I will not google dirty sheep, and I definitely knew better than to google light fingering.

Of course, now with those terms showing up on your blog and a little judicious safe search maybe it is OK to give those terms a whirl.

I like Ishbel, but it is done from top to bottom, so it is out!

Posted by: Seanna Lea at April 19, 2011 10:19 AM

On Ravelry, do a search for bottom up shawls - you get all sorts of lovely options.
My favorite is Birgit Freyer's "Tuch/Shawl Marella".
Does the suggester of the shawl you pick get a prize?

Posted by: Elizabeth H. at April 19, 2011 10:20 AM

Have you considered the Lillia Hyrna shawl from The Knitter's Book of Wool? I hope to make one myself someday.

Posted by: Karen at April 19, 2011 10:35 AM

I'm fond of the Dover Castle shawl on ravelry - easy knit and easy to resize.

Posted by: Nicola at April 19, 2011 10:58 AM

Look at Autumn in New York by Bad Cat Designs.

Posted by: Kim at April 19, 2011 10:59 AM

I did a swallowtail shawl a few years back where I ran out of blue and used black for the edging section. I'm farflegirl on Ravelry if you want to see it. The pattern is divided into 2 different stitch patterns, plus the edging so that could lend itself well to your idea, although maybe you don't want the color changes to be that specific.

Posted by: Jody at April 19, 2011 11:08 AM

I've always been partial to Thordis. Not the least because that is my great aunt's name. She only lived to the age of 14. Her name was Thordis Tandberg. You can find it on Ravelry. Good luck!

Posted by: Lori Bollinger at April 19, 2011 11:22 AM

This one - with the stripes would look beautiful i think:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scalloped-shawl-2

The Malabrigo book 3 has some gorgeous stuff!

Posted by: kirsty at April 19, 2011 11:28 AM

light fingering... i spit coffee. lucky it didn't come out my nose.

Posted by: Heather at April 19, 2011 11:29 AM

I recommend Lacy Katy. It's not the usual triangular top-down or bottom-up knit. It looks simply amazing in graduated colours. I plan to knit this with my Zauberbal.

Rav link (I hope you don't mind)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tuch-shawl-lazykaty

Inspiring project with shades similar to your 'yet to be yarn'.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Jessica/schal-scarf-lacykaty

Happy knitting!

Posted by: Bhavana Stephen at April 19, 2011 11:30 AM

Pretty fleece! I would totally recomend a Hap shawl, triangle or square. Nice thing about them is you do not need a pattern and can make it as big or as small as you wish.
You could use the white or a mix of white/grey for the garter stitch body and all the colors but black for the feather and fan, and depending on how much black you end up you could either knit a simple sideways edging or just a couple of rows of garter and bind off.
But them I am entirelly too fond of hap shawls....

Posted by: Carla at April 19, 2011 11:50 AM

I have some favorites on Ravelry that are small but not triangle scarves. I don't remember which way they are knit though, most are fingering or close.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/traveling-woman
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/meliai
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/damson-2
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carols-clever-little-shawl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carols-clever-little-shawl
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/indian-summer-shawl-3
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adelei-shawl

Posted by: Crystal at April 19, 2011 11:54 AM

The "Nancy & Judy" works well for yarns with long color runs where The Color is the big important thing. It's designed neck-out, but the basic motif is easy to turn around to knit long-side-in. It's just tricky enough to not be mindlessly boring, but easy enough that if you lose the pattern after two repeats, no big deal.

(Alternatively, you can do a just-Nancy, which is one of the things I'm working on right now.)

Posted by: CraftyGryphon at April 19, 2011 12:22 PM

There's a funny book called Porn for Women. It's pictures of men doing things like cleaning the bathroom and making dinner and vacuuming. It cracks me up.

At work one day, I decided to google it so that I could send the link to a girlfriend.

I'm going to repeat that because I was stupid enough to not realize what I was doing. I googled "porn for women" on my work computer.

*facepalm*

Posted by: twelvedaysold at April 19, 2011 12:23 PM

In response to Sam from 4/18 at 3:36 PM, did you google using Canadian Google (google.ca) or American Google (google.com)? The search results will be different. I discovered this trick while trying to confirm my suspicions that Molson Canadian sold in Canada is different than Molson Canadian sold in the US. (I still believe that Molson is selling Americans what they THINK we want to drink. I did a taste test comparing Molson Canadian that I bought on vacation in Baddeck with Molson Canadian bought in Pennsylvania. They do not taste the same. The beer bought in Canada was brewed in Moncton and tasted smoother than the beer I bought in Pennsylvania which was brewed in Toronto. The Molson rep. that I called denied this conspiracy and blamed any taste difference on the difference in Moncton water and Toronto water. Like I was going to believe that a company as big as Molson doesn't filter any taste differences out of their water supply.)

Posted by: Heather S. at April 19, 2011 12:53 PM

I love when you put one of these posts out. I get to look through the suggestions and add some new designers and patterns to my favorites! Also, did you ever finish the Habu scarf? I'd love to see it. 3 of the 4 LYS I frequent have Habu yarn now, but no sample. I'm intrigued, but feeling cautious!

Posted by: Tisha at April 19, 2011 1:41 PM

Ohhhh, the beautiful Woodland Walk shoulder shawl by Wendy Johnson. It totally lacks any form of an arrow-to-butt. Instead, the bottom is straight across. It does have lace and genius construction, and although I haven't yet made it, it appears to have style and comfort aplenty. I have it in my mental queue and would love to see you test-knit it for me/us :-) on your blog.

Posted by: shawlwoman at April 19, 2011 1:48 PM

I know you are thinking of multiple colors.

But if you took your colors and divided them into lights, darks and the black, flicked and spun by the lock randomly (so you would have a 'light' color and a 'dark' color), I think that would look very nice knitted into Rosemary Hill's "Taygete". Use the black for the picot bind-off.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/taygete

This pattern is all about the interaction between the colors. I love seeing this pattern with at least one varigated yarn. The colors dance across the garter stitch section.

Posted by: Ba at April 19, 2011 1:55 PM

Brandywine Shawl, Damask, Merope, or Batik

Posted by: Sherilyn at April 19, 2011 1:57 PM

I find it interesting that I have been doing the exact same thing. I've separated "Tootsy" into black, gray, and white, and am getting ready to wash it. I look forward to seeing your choice of pattern.

Posted by: Lucinda at April 19, 2011 2:00 PM

My own cat's interest in yarn is pretty low, and I don't yet know what her reaction would be to an actual fleece. For her, it's the needles that fascinate: she reaches out slowly while I'm knitting, and start's batting the air around the free end of whichever needle's closer. Or if she's unchaperoned, she pulls the needles out of the work, grooms them thoroughly, and then files them under the Chesterfield with all her other treasures. If you're ever at our house and need a pen, pencil, ponytail holder, knitting needle, damp sock, or bit of tin foil, you'll find it under the sofa.

As for ideas for your Jacob, I know you gave some guidelines, but might you consider designing your 2009 Pretty Thing into a shawl? 1/2 of the repeat could anchor each corner, variations span the lengths, and a rosette of three Pretty Thing halves bloom where the three axes meet. You'd have the choice of graduating the colours from the bottom up, top down, or out from the center. AND it would be 100% S.P. McPhee, from sheep to shawl!

Posted by: Jaylee at April 19, 2011 2:02 PM

What about Wendy D. Johnson(wendyknits.net) she has some beutiful and quick patterns and they are on sale till the end of april I encluded her web site just in case i hope that was ok

Posted by: stephanie at April 19, 2011 2:11 PM

Steph, can we have some honesty here? Please?

The *only* reason you don't like to see the cat rolling on/rubbing face and body with/ your fleece is because it looks so much like *you* doing the same thing.

Only furrier. :)

And to be fair, it *is* a small fleece--is there not enough room for both of you?

*grin* I too would love to have a pic of felis sheepus. :)

Posted by: onafixedincome at April 19, 2011 3:12 PM

How about Undine or Aestlight?

Posted by: Diane P at April 19, 2011 3:38 PM

Don't ever google flip flops either (as in the summer shoe) Oh. My. Can't wait to see what you spin up!

Posted by: stacy at April 19, 2011 3:44 PM

The first pattern that immediately came to mind was Cirilia Rose's Northampton Neckerchief from the New England Knits book. Three sections for the lovely jacob colors, and you can omit the beads if they're just not your thing.

Posted by: Voie de Vie at April 19, 2011 3:51 PM

Maybe that sheep spent a lot of time in a catnip patch? Because that behavior says catnip to me.

Or maybe your cat is just weird.

Posted by: Lucia at April 19, 2011 4:02 PM

Have you seen the new "Jane Eyre"? At the beginning she is wearing a simple garter stitch shawl with a deep ruffle. It looks very warm, totally appropriate for the windswept moors of Yorkshire.

Posted by: ellen at April 19, 2011 4:06 PM

I must be bored,.. I just HAD to google both of those things you said NOT too.

I think your cat is perfectly normal and perhaps you are odd for thinking this behavior weird :P
Your cat clearly likes fiber as much as you do. Consider yourselves kindred spirits and give the poor kitty her very own lock to love on.

Posted by: Melanie at April 19, 2011 4:12 PM

The prettiest thing I have knit in a while was Kiernan Foley's High Seas. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/high-seas
It would be beautiful with the three colors in the three different lace patterns. I loved this knit!

Posted by: Donna at April 19, 2011 4:50 PM

I totally think this is expected cat behavior. In the middle of the night my cat will pull the project bag out of the knitting basket, find the ball of wool (if the drawstring is pulled, she is thwarted) and then take it upstairs and put it under the bed. I think she thinks it's kittens. She really liked the little balls for my black socks. She loves to sleep on Patons wool. We have pictures.

Putting your cat in your bedroom is appropriate. The other option is to fold to the cat instinct. And I don't think you want her to put it under the bed, especially since she will be attracted to the darker bits. They know.

You're going to have a lot of suggestions from the blog for the perfect pattern.

Posted by: Juliet in Grand Rapids at April 19, 2011 5:12 PM

I forgot to say that raw fleece might have some bits of catnip. She might not be able to help herself. I could add all sorts of 70s commentary, but I'll leave that up to others. Let her enjoy her buzz in your bedroom.

Posted by: Juliet in Grand Rapids at April 19, 2011 5:16 PM

Stripe Study Shawl from Veera (100% rain) Over 400 projects on Rav and the pattern has only been available for a couple of months! Such fun to knit.

Posted by: Traci at April 19, 2011 5:20 PM

Exactly what I'm doing right now but I'm spinning bfl for a shetland type shawl. With all the colors you've got, sounds like a perfect fit for the Icelandic Shawl (Thordis Shawl). It's a free pattern on the Interweave Knitting Daily site (http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/13991.aspx)Probably bigger than you want but I saw one in person and it's beautiful.

Posted by: Dianna at April 19, 2011 5:27 PM

Nope, the real question is whether you're going to feed in the locks butt-end first or sideways?

Posted by: Rams at April 19, 2011 5:36 PM

How about Bohus? You could turn your Bohus sweater pattern into a shawl. Mmm.

Posted by: Sanni at April 19, 2011 5:39 PM

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echo-flower-shawl

it's pretty. And not too big. I love how a natural wool shawl looks, and I've been dying to make one, but I haven't found the right wool. If I could spin...

Posted by: Katelin at April 19, 2011 7:54 PM

Well, good lord. This will teach you to ask a question...look at this huge list!!! If you actually get to the bottom, I vote for the Stripe Study Shawl. You can use all those shades!

Posted by: Pam at April 19, 2011 8:04 PM

I recently made an Alma Ella shawl (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alma-ella-shawl) with a gradient yarn, and it came out quite pretty. It starts at the bottom, so you could do the pretty edging with the black and go from there.

Posted by: deknits at April 19, 2011 8:09 PM

Perhaps someone has suggested this one. Its called the Currache stole.

http://www.enneacollective.com/?p=2136

This is from a new online spinning magazine.

Posted by: Kelly at April 19, 2011 8:42 PM

Beautiful fleece. Call me weird but I love seeing how the locks transform. From raw to cleaned to combed. Like your cat, I love the feel of fleece before it's spun.

Posted by: Barb at April 19, 2011 11:21 PM

That reminds me of the time I Googled "succulent balls" searching for ways to make hanging round spheres that are covered with succulents. Didn't think a thing about it and BAM! I still quiver thinking about my lack of forethought. That's it, no good shawl recommendations. Best of luck to you on that front. Gorgeous fleece.

Posted by: Lori Barker at April 20, 2011 12:01 AM

Whatever you decide, give the person you buy the pattern from forewarning so their website can handle it! I too am ready for a smaller shawl to work on. You get the honor of wading through all the recommendations. I'd be happy with a list of ten shawls: nine runner ups and the winner. THAT number I could handle checking out. My head gets spin-y at the thought of perusing dozens and dozens of possible choices.

Posted by: Susan at April 20, 2011 12:35 AM

Check out Jared Flood's new pattern, Rock Hill, I think it's called. It is lace weight and gorgeous. I am definitely going to make it, for my umpteenth shawl.

I once googled Fanny's Fingering - big mistake! The things that came up made me blush, wince, and run screaming from the computer!

Posted by: Helen at April 20, 2011 12:36 AM

Silly me - it's Rock Island, not Rock Hill. I could have checked first, but that would be too easy.

Posted by: Helen at April 20, 2011 12:39 AM

What about something from Ilga Leja? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ilga-leja/patterns

Posted by: Donna at April 20, 2011 6:44 AM

You might look over at wendyknitsDOTnet. She has been on a bottom's up shawl kick lately. Some beautiful patterns which would offer the possibility of not having the black at the top, if you want that option.

Posted by: Sabine at April 20, 2011 7:19 AM

It's not the feel of the fleece but the urine and hormones in the unwashed wool that the cat is besotted with. We had a cat that would do the same thing and act like he was high on catnip rolling in the fleece and pulling it over his head.

As for a shawl...I've been hooked (needled?) on the the Ginkgo Shawl from Fragrant Heart Creations (free download). Sorry if it falls into that category of scarves trying to be shawls. The picture of the yellow one on the designers is very pretty. There are some pretty ones on Ravelry too. Check out the one by stringmaker in Wollmeise yarn, Spice Market colorway.

Posted by: DawnTreader at April 20, 2011 8:23 AM

Then again, you could just pick a lace pattern you like, cast on enough repeats to nicely fill about a 1.5-2 foot width, then knit a rectangle long enough to suit you and your wool allotment.

Posted by: DawnTreader at April 20, 2011 9:19 AM

I've been eyeing this one for a while, just need to find the right yarn for it.

Miralda's Triangular Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. It starts at the bottom and decreases towards the neck. It uses about 820 yds/750m of fingering weight yarn on US6/4mm needles.
(http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miraldas-triangular-shawl)

Posted by: Radka at April 20, 2011 9:52 AM

Looks like my comments did not post from last night

I wanted to recommend Sweet Jazz by Samantha Roshak - I just made this with a gradient skein and love it - there are some beautiful versions in gradients on ravelry

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-jazz

Also on my list "Lazy Katy" by Birgit Freyer

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tuch-shawl-lazykaty

Posted by: Johanna at April 20, 2011 10:17 AM

Isn't it wonderful? Welcome to my world. I get to do this with my own sheeple fleeces. :-))))))))) Haven't separated out the different colors in my CVMs, though. Great idea.

How about a traditional Danish tie shawl? Would you have enough fiber for it? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/traditional-danish-tie-shawl-str11 Or Whippoorwill? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whippoorwill Both show stripes in their design.

Posted by: Yvonne at April 20, 2011 12:36 PM

I swear. Reading your blog gets me into more knitting trouble ["Trouble with a capital "T"/And that rhymes with "P" and that stands for Pearl-McPhee!" ha! I couldn't resist, it's one of the few musicals I like...]

Anyway, I don't have a pattern for you, what I *do* have though is 1,000 yards of yarn made from local Jacob sheep on order for the Aspen Wrap I found on Ravelry. (Here - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-aspen-wrap). It was this post about the fleece that finally tipped me over the edge.

Posted by: roggey at April 20, 2011 12:59 PM

How about Multnomah? You might want to reverse it--it starts at the neck, not the long end--but it's so simple and pretty, it probably wouldn't be difficult.
I'm short, and it's the perfect size for me--not overwhelming, but not a scarf or "shawlette."
The pattern's free on Ravelry, and there's also a Multnomah group there, with many pretty examples. I'd think it would work especially well with the striping.

Posted by: Amy S. at April 20, 2011 1:34 PM

i thought immediately of this one i just saw on rav...
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/half-hap
apologies if someone else suggested this already, didn't have time to read all comments...

Posted by: mitt at April 20, 2011 1:58 PM

How about Muir, from Knitty, Fall 2007? I've seen it done in a jacob/alpaca blend, and it was heavenly!! Hope you find the perfect pattern. Jacob is my all time favorite. I own a CSA share at Jacob's Reward Farm in Parker, TX, and some of that comes in Jacob--l.o.v.e it!!!

Posted by: grandmatutu (Mary) at April 20, 2011 2:19 PM

I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but Lilah from the new spring/summer Knitty? It's made in the graduated colors you're looking for and it's not a huge shawl.

Side note: The whole new spring/summer issue of Knitty is fabulous.

Posted by: Caryn at April 20, 2011 3:02 PM

Can't think of any suggestions that haven't been offered already. Thanks for this post! It gives the rest of us lots of great suggestions on beautiful patterns we may have missed.

There is so much wonderful free stuff out there too...it amazes me. Knitters are generous people in every way.

Posted by: Deepa at April 20, 2011 3:39 PM

My friend just released a beautiful shawl that might fit the bill: the SOS Shawl http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sos-shawl
I think it would look really cool with graduated colors.

Posted by: Veronica at April 20, 2011 4:41 PM

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/impasto-shawlette
I am going to have a bash at this one. I love the simple slipped stitches with the colour changes.

Posted by: Ky at April 20, 2011 5:07 PM

Knitty's new Lilah shawl would be PERFECT.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss11/KSPATTlilah.php

Posted by: Valeire at April 20, 2011 10:41 PM

Someone up there suggested a shawl I designed back in the 90s. Thank you, but I don't think it's right for what you want to do.

I suggest something from "Three Cornered and Long Shawls" by Sigridur Halldorsdottir. "Fina Hyrnan" or "Litla Hyrna Huldu" would be fine...I think the original instructions call for multi-coloured versions. Ev Clark's "Icelandic Poppy" or "Bertha Lace" shawls could also be worked in several shades. Have fun.

Posted by: Ted at April 21, 2011 8:38 AM

That sounds like it'll be great!! What about 22.5 Degrees? It's more like a long skinny scarf, but with a small shawl feel...Then, there's anything by Birgit Freyer...I LOVE her designs!

Posted by: Kathy at April 21, 2011 11:20 AM

I was going to suggest Andrea's Shawl, but someone(s) beat me to it. So instead, my worst google experience: I was trying to find an article about an invasive species of ascidian (also known as seasquirts) that has been wreaking havoc in several coastal places, one of the few times ascidians are ever mentioned anywhere that's not peer reviewed journals, and the journalist had used as title for the article "Squirt Attack". That's how I discovered the series of porn DVDs about female ejaculation.

Posted by: colorlessblue at April 21, 2011 12:09 PM

Take a look at Maliase's Burnt Paper Shawl on Ravelry. I know it's not a triangle but her use of the natural colors of the fleece will make you say wow.

Posted by: Debbie at April 21, 2011 1:16 PM

Hi there. I'm late to the game but was just perusing some patterns from Kristen Kapur because she's having a sale. Have you considered Andrea's shawl? I'm looking at jojilocat's version and I think it's stunning. I also saw that Smoking Hot Needles (monika) just completed a Romi Hill shawl ... one sec... Taygete... that would look stunning in shade of jacob. that's all for now!

Posted by: Kathy at April 22, 2011 9:06 PM

This one is so lovely. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/in-the-pink-2

Posted by: Melissa (Meliabella) at April 24, 2011 5:20 PM

Just wanted to let you know that this blog entry inspired the script on a bachelorette party cake for a dear friend who knits... with light fingering.

Posted by: Lauren at April 28, 2011 1:04 AM