Day 6 of 8 Days of Designs: Motif-a-Rockin' Shawl

Hello my fellow crafty ones, here I am at day 6 of my Romantique: Autumne/Hiver 2013 roll-out. My apologies for being slightly tardy with this day, but it was unavoidable.

Now everyone who reads this blog knows how much I love shawls, so this second shawl of the collection not only has a special place in my heart, it is just downright drippingly gorgeous. It is far and away the most beautiful thing I've ever designed. Please welcome into the designing wild my Forged Joy shawl:

Using just two skeins of Neighborhood Fiber Co.'s Capital Luxury Lace (a merino/ cashmere/nylon blend), this became the project of the season for me. The motif came to me fairly quickly way back in early spring, but the edging ... well, that's a whole 'nother story. Less than 36 hours before I shot these photos, I ripped back about half of it because I did not like how it was developing, and started again. I am sooooooo glad I did ... but I was sweating it right up until I pulled it off the blocking pins.

It's a v-shape, which really stays well on the shoulders. While all the motifs are the same, the placement of the center motif (seen on the left arm of the top photo) is a real show-stopper, especially when worn on the side. And, of course, the beads on the final edging row add just the right amount of bling and weight to keep the shawl pretty and in place. It's also long enough on each side that it can be folded over in the front and worn almost scarf-like, yet because of that awesome center motif, generously hugs the shoulders. Doesn't it almost look like a tattoo in the photo on the left? I do love a good graphic design. :)

This project is definitely for advanced crocheters that want a challenge. Nevertheless, the crafty person will be rewarded with a most amazingly stunning shawl. At least I think they will be rewarded.



I do hope you make it on over to Andrea's at the Wonder Why Alpaca Farm (whose lovely yarn I used in the skirt which you can see peeking in a few photos above) to see what everyone else is up to this Fee-Fi(ber)-F.O. Friday.

I am getting to the end of my collection introductions. Just two more designs to go.