The Jacob Damask project is almost done and going so fast. I'm so close that last night I sort of thought that today's blog post might be a finished shawl, gloriously posed amongst the fallen cherry blossoms in High Park.
Clearly, I'm more delusional than ever, because it means that somehow I believed that I would have finished it, washed it, blocked it, let it dry and transported it to the park and back in 16 hours, which would have been pushing it if there wasn't a few hours of knitting left to do, which there is. 
This afternoon the beautiful thing still isn't done, and while being not quite to the finish line usually makes me antsy, this time I'm fine with it. It's the first time in a long time that I've had the thought "This project is going so fast" immediately followed by "Bummer." 
It's so beautiful and it's going so well, I might not want it to end.
Maybe tomorrow.
It is so lovely, savor it. And the cherry blossoms. And thanks for the reminder to just cherish and not rush all the time.
Posted by: Maggie at May 13, 2011 4:01 PMSo far it looks AMAZING
Posted by: Jennifer at May 13, 2011 4:01 PMIt's lovely. What a beautiful shading of color!
Posted by: technikat at May 13, 2011 4:04 PMIt is beautiful! The toughest part will be waiting until the cooler weather hits to wear it.
How many plies did you do with the Jacob?
Posted by: Karen at May 13, 2011 4:11 PMOh, good! Now you'll have time for the gansey.
Posted by: Presbytera at May 13, 2011 4:11 PMSimply lovely. The cherry blossoms have competition.
Posted by: Friday's Mom at May 13, 2011 4:14 PMoh if only someone could help me learn to knit lace...
I try and I try and I fail and I fail. It's sad....
Your shawl is so beautiful, every time you post lace I get that longing, I want to do one!!!!
Posted by: donna at May 13, 2011 4:31 PMDon't push too fast - you want to savor knitting that's going right!
Posted by: whirlybird at May 13, 2011 4:31 PMSo pretty - can't wait to see how it looks blocked. My knitting these days is either plain socks or things I have to rip out and turn into something else. Process knitting is such good stress relief.
Posted by: ellen at May 13, 2011 4:36 PMpreeeetty....
Posted by: tea at May 13, 2011 4:36 PMwow, how often does that happen?
Posted by: naomi at May 13, 2011 4:40 PMOk, that's it. When I'm done with this sweater and the pattern is written up, I'm going to work on something beautiful and lacy for the rest of the summer. (Plus socks, of course, and the baby sweater that's next on the list.)
Posted by: Mary Peed at May 13, 2011 4:47 PMPretty-Pretty....
Posted by: Pauline at May 13, 2011 4:47 PMIt's absolutely gorgeous :)
Posted by: Alex Kemp at May 13, 2011 4:49 PMThat shawl is so lovely it just about breaks my heart.
Posted by: Sarah at May 13, 2011 4:49 PMI'm glad that this project is working for you. I can completely understand the love inherent the gradient (isn't it why people like the paint chips?). Yours is lovely.
Posted by: Seanna Lea at May 13, 2011 4:58 PMLook at those nice color changes! That's going to be lovely once the magic of blocking occurs.
Posted by: Voie de Vie at May 13, 2011 4:58 PMWhat I really want to know is how you are managing to work on the shawl in what I presume is the first real heat of the year. It goes without saying that it's just gorgeous. You are so clever.
Posted by: Elizabeth at May 13, 2011 5:04 PMThat shawl is beautiful. I know you don't want to stop knitting it, but don't forget, when you do it means you can wear it ;)
By the way, on Monday you are included in my blog post :D Would be wonderful if you could pop over and have a look :)
Posted by: Charlotte at May 13, 2011 5:08 PMSo pretty!
Posted by: Doris at May 13, 2011 5:31 PMThat is a very fine shawl.
Posted by: Mary at May 13, 2011 5:38 PMLooks like a bouquet of Queen Anne's lace nestled among the leaves.
Posted by: Chloe at May 13, 2011 5:45 PMIt is a LOVELY shawl and I love the way the colors shade so subtly. It's even more striking knowing these colors are completely natural and came from one fleece. You did awesome work with the Jacob's, Stephanie. I'm looking forward to seeing it blocked.
Posted by: Storm at May 13, 2011 6:08 PMThe shawl is LOVELY and the subtle shifting of the color is perfect. It's even more striking when one realizes that this is all natural and came from one fleece. You did a great job with the Jacob's, Stephanie. And the woman who wrote the pattern for the shawl deserves kudos. It's grand.
Posted by: Storm at May 13, 2011 6:12 PMDoes Presbytera finish everything she starts?
If so, can we shoot her now?
Posted by: Lynn at May 13, 2011 6:18 PMWow, it is coming out lovely. There's nothing like knitting with handspun is there? And no, I don't have the experience of a project going too quickly. (But then I'm spending my evening processing a fleece that needs more work than I realized.)
Posted by: Su1282 at May 13, 2011 6:26 PMI can't WAIT to see this all blocked out. So happy to see the entire process of this piece from fleece to finished object! It looks amazing so far.
Posted by: Jessica at May 13, 2011 6:36 PMWhat a lovely piece! And being able to knit with yarn that you've spun yourself always kicks a project up a notch, doesn"t it?
I recently finished a handspun shawl -- much simpler than yours, to be sure! -- and was so grateful for one last cool-enough morning to wear it that it was just this side of pitiful.
Posted by: Christine at May 13, 2011 7:00 PMThat is so, so beautiful. I can't wait to see it blocked! I haven't touched my spinning wheel in a long time, but this inspires me to get back to spinning. I think a handspun shawl is definitely in order!
Posted by: Sara at May 13, 2011 7:00 PMIs the pattern available some place? Love the lace work. You are truly an inspiration to knitters.
Posted by: Linda Baldree at May 13, 2011 7:11 PMLOL @ Presbytera; am contemplating gansey for ball jointed doll on 6-0 needles; I lie down till it passes.
Posted by: Lynn at May 13, 2011 7:32 PMooooh, lovely. and i'm in awe that you started with the fleece so recently and have so much shawl so soon . . . to say nothing of having dealt with a little matter called sock summit (can't WAIT!).
and as for the book, i'm suggesting it to my public library for purchase. (yes, i'll be buying it myself, but i want to be sure all knitters can enjoy it. and if there are enough requests, they buy multiple copies.)
Posted by: ellen in indy at May 13, 2011 7:44 PMI bought a Jacob fleece at Oregon Flock and Fiber last fall, washed it and separated it by color, then let it sit all winter. I'm inspired to get going on it again! This is seriously one beautiful shawl.
Posted by: Betty at May 13, 2011 8:23 PMmust feel all the better that you spun the yarn.
Posted by: steven a. at May 13, 2011 8:26 PMThe joy of knitting is that it's always there tomorrow. Enjoy what you've accomplished and look forward to what's left.
And tell anyone who's being pissy about the house cleaning to just walk over the piles.
Maybe eventually we'll be able to spin dust buffalo. Whaddya think?
Posted by: Jennifer at May 13, 2011 9:14 PMWhat a lovely, almost completed shawl! I can't wait to see it when it is finished.
:D
Posted by: Liz at May 13, 2011 9:26 PMIt's lovely. Good for you. The sadness at finishing it will be offset by the pleasure of wrapping yourself in it. A win-win situation.
Posted by: georgia at May 13, 2011 10:49 PMI love it when something is so much fun that it's hard to see the end coming, but then it's so wonderful when something so fun is so very lovely when it's done. Quite beautiful. Thanks for the touch of what is to come.
Posted by: Juliet in Grand Rapids at May 13, 2011 11:32 PMSo pretty! Can't wait to see it blocked, dried, and modeled...this time by you since it's your masterpiece.
Posted by: Ruthie at May 13, 2011 11:38 PMSo gorgeous!
Posted by: Brenda at May 13, 2011 11:59 PMi just want to reach out and touch it!
Posted by: christine m. east of toronto at May 14, 2011 1:09 AMI forgot how different it will look blocked. I saw the fluffy/woolyness and am looking forward to seeing it eased into shape. For all that is in the vortex-of-you...I'm glad this knit is a happy one.
Posted by: cecelia at May 14, 2011 1:28 AMIt's so gorgeous. I so totally love that all those beautiful colors came off of one little sheep.
Being a new spinner myself, I'm also impressed that you spun enough yarn to knit that lovely thing. What kind of wheel do you use? Any advice for new spinners?
Posted by: Sharon in Michigan at May 14, 2011 8:46 AMStunning! I am searching for a shawl to make right now myself. Just purchased some lovely shaded green yarn / acrylic / wool / nylon /dk weight
Searching, searching....
So pretty!!
Posted by: Ann at May 14, 2011 11:27 AMI can hardly wait to see it blocked! How is Jacob for spinning? Is it very crimpy, with lots of memory? Or is it likely to stretch out a lot when it's blocked? I have one Jacob fleece in my stash but haven't gotten around to spinning it yet. I *love* knitting with handspun, though, no matter what breed.
Posted by: Yvonne at May 14, 2011 12:15 PMIt is so lovely - and that handspun! - I can see why you want it to last (you're making me want to break out my Jacob and start spinning).
Posted by: Jocelyn at May 14, 2011 2:37 PMOooooh. Lovely as a Spring morning.
Posted by: AlisonH at May 14, 2011 3:49 PMIt looks really pretty. Can't wait to see it blocked!
Posted by: CindyT at May 14, 2011 5:11 PMLove it. The shading is gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing it finished.
Posted by: YarnAddict at May 14, 2011 5:18 PMLooks wonderful so far. What a great idea that was to separate the locks by shades and spin them!
Posted by: Carrie in northern NY at May 14, 2011 6:58 PMThere's a voice that keeps on calling me
Down the road, that's where I'll always be.
Every stop I make, I make a new friend,
Can't stay for long, just turn around and I'm gone again
That's in my head now. Thanks a lot! ;P
Posted by: mio at May 14, 2011 7:34 PMI just want to snuggle it and smoosh it and take a nap on it!!!
Posted by: Branda at May 14, 2011 10:13 PMfantasticly fabulous
Posted by: beth at May 14, 2011 10:22 PMIt is so beautiful that words do it no justice!
You have inspired me so much!
A particularly satisfying post to catch up on.
Posted by: JenH at May 14, 2011 11:44 PMIt is lovely. And dang, Presbytera zinged you right off the bat!
Posted by: Steph B at May 15, 2011 9:03 AMWow. Nice job and it must be especially satisfying taking it from fleece to shawl. I really like the graduated tone.
Posted by: Jeremy at May 15, 2011 11:36 AMThe shawl is wonderful, I love how the colors are progressing.
Posted by: Gail at May 15, 2011 11:37 AMShhhsh! You will make the knitting gods angry!
But it looks lovely and we are all anxiously awaiting the FO!
Posted by: Leslie F at May 15, 2011 7:59 PMWell, if you are anything like me right about now is when you look down and realize you did something really stoopid about 97 rows back.
I figure I am getting twice as much knitting enjoyment out of yarn as most people get....
Posted by: hilarie at May 16, 2011 8:39 AMGreat progress, Stephanie. it's so amazing that you post these in-progress photos. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Congrats on your accomplishments to date!
Posted by: MB@YarnUiPhoneappv1.2 at May 16, 2011 9:28 AMI'm so glad you knit this! I am nearing the end of a shawl and wanted something special for my next project. I'm thinking of knitting shawls for each of my nieces as wedding presents. This looks special enough for a wedding shawl. Now to find the perfect yarn in a light cream!
Posted by: Aidan at May 16, 2011 11:26 AMit looks amazing.
Posted by: kathy at May 16, 2011 11:42 AMJust Lovely, Steph!
Posted by: Liz in Missouri at May 16, 2011 11:45 AMSteph,
About doing it all -- been there and decided "No." Experience taught me that the MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY is to have a dinner plan. Immediately after breakfast, nail that detail down. Get out the frozen chicken or whatever and write a menu for that night. As long as you can get dinner on the table, you're taking care of your family. All other priorities will fall into place. --Penny
Posted by: Penny Harrison at May 16, 2011 7:21 PMThat's EXACTLY how I felt when I finished that shawl.
Posted by: Annie at May 16, 2011 9:17 PMSometimes when you don't post, I go back and read the archives. Today I was in an earlier incarnation of May - the one where you almost finished the spinning for the gansey. 'nuff said. But as I prepare to spin for the Must-have cardi, any words of advice?
Posted by: Su1282 at May 17, 2011 11:01 AMMorning! Keep in mind that I am the reader who is reading the blog from the beginning. I am currently in May of 2005 -
Gordon freakin' Pinsent was in your house! I can't believe you didn't turn it into a shrine and ask for admission in yarn so others could share the air.
How cool was that!!
Posted by: beverly at May 17, 2011 1:25 PMI'm so glad that I'm not the only one to underestimate... My poor pair of angora mittens became fingerless... Can't wait for the photos!
Posted by: Heather at May 17, 2011 5:51 PMI hope you are OK. It has been a while since your last post. Or did I just miss something about why you'd be away. Hope all is well.
Posted by: Marji at May 25, 2011 9:34 PM