From Sheep to Shawl

Blocked.

Photographed.

Silhouetted.

In repose.

Project specs (I never do this because I can never remember):

Hyrna Hergorbar, from Three-Cornered and Long Shawls by the incomparable Sigridur Halldórsdóttir (I bow to you, Sigridur, though your charts made my eyes cross).  The book is now (again) available from Schoolhouse Press.

The wool is from an Icelandic lamb from Jager Farm, just up the road from my house.  Unfortunately Barbara didn’t remember the lamb's name.  Washed and carded by me.  Spun by me.  Knitted by me.  Me.  Yes, me.

I freely admit that it's more granny than glam, but I love it fiercely and with brazen immodesty.  It's a cool shawl, but its beauty doesn't quite explain my passion for it.  I think it's the magic trick that Stephanie has been talking about: I've conjured a frill, a bloom, a cultural connection and a pretty thing to warm my shoulders from the shearings of an angry sheep.  My life is filled to the brim with intangible results, from my brilliant and charming children in whom I am trying to instill the desire to be law-abiding citizens, to the impossible task of describing and measuring liberal arts education, to the endless stream of laundry and dishes and carpets replete with grime.  I do it.  And I do it again.  And it's still there.

This was sheep hair.  Now it is my shawl.  And the only people responsible are myself and the shearer.  This is a thing that is truly mine.  And that, I think, is why I do this.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.  And this, Mr. Keats, is the flowery band I wreathe that binds me to this earth.

Not too bad for a guinea pig.

Comments

[Jenny in NC]

Hey, wait! You finished something else, too? Hyrna is absolutely gorgeous, and you should be so proud!

[S.Kate]

Bee-YOO-tee-us and Very Impressive!

"Please reveal - What weight (wpi) and how many yards did this beauty take?" she asked, as her fingers searched the fleeces in her stash. For suddenly, she was overcome with the need to spin for a shawl of her own...

[sara]

wow wow wow - it's stunning. Although what the heck are you blocking it on. :D

it's really really cool :) So tell more about the spinning part. Single ply?? Etc.

Yum. Must get some of that icelandic lamb. Must dig out Barbara's email, for I think some are waiting for me :)

Sara

[JoVE]

Doesn't look very granny to me. And the silhouette shot is pretty glam. Can't wait to see it in person. Thank you lamb.

[Toni]

Covetous sigh. You have a lot to be proud of with this project--congrats!

[Katy]

I definitely need to hit you up for some spinning lessons, in the hopes that someday I will be as cool as you. ;)
I am very very impressed.

[Dianna]

Congratulations. Beautiful, and well done.

I just bought a ten lb fleece to wash, card & spin. You are inspiring me to get to it!

[Norma]

It's beauteeful. Of course you will be bringing it this weekend, non?

[PumpkinMama]

A beautiful shawl, and a beautiful accomplishment.

[Liz]

That is exquisite. Congratulations.

[Carole]

Absofreakinlutely beautiful! And I love love love the edging! That totally make the whole thing. No granny in sight that I can see.

[Kim]

Nothing Granny about that shawl. Pair it with a little black dress and it will be stunning!

[Isela]

oh, it is stunning, I love it....I think it is calling my name too...oh, it wants me to wear it..yep, I hear it clearly now "Isela, wear me, wear me" LOL.

[Julie]

Now that is some heartstopping spinning and knitting, especially to a newcomer like me :) Gorgeous!

[Lee Ann]

You know, I was in a crappy, crappy mood today, working my ass off and having a boss tell me, hey, can you get stuff to me faster because I have some down time and could be looking at your stuff (resist urge to tell said boss, take your down time and shove it, a deadline is a deadline, baby). But...

"Yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits..."

That shape of beauty be you and your shawl, Mama. Made my day. To paraphrase Keats, said the poet, "you rock."

[keri]

Wow, I am just blown out of the water that you were involved in every process of your project, from sheep to shawl. Breathtaking!

[gale (she shoots sheep shots)]

wow! Enjoy it for every reason you said and because it is a stunner.

[claudia]

Pretty darn glam if you ask me.

Seriously, that is great. Good guinea pig! Relieved of duty.

;-)

[wenders]

lovely - the knitting, the lace and the entry. :)

[--Deb]

Gorgeous! And I don't think it's a granny shawl at all . . . of course, I'm a little biased. It's just beautiful!

[Kathy]

Beautiful. Timeless and delicate, yet it speaks of the many hours poured upon the wool by a talented spinner and knitter.

[Cara]

AWESOME! I'm loving the block job, by the way! Your sense of accomplishment and happiness is infectious. Thank you for sharing all of it!

[Dena Childs]

Yikes, that's one good looking shawl.

[Colleen]

Wow! Great shawl. What's that fab building in the background of your second photo?

[Teresa C]

It is moments like these that make me think, Maybe I should learn to spin.......(they don't last long). Perfect shawl, I just love it. I would also like to know, how many yards, as it is a lot bigger than I thought it would be based on the other photos I have seen of that shawl.