Wednesday, March 23, 2011

East light

I'm about eighteen months behind the initial wave of enthusiasm for the Shetland Trader's Aestlight shawl pattern - but I'm nevertheless very much an enthusiast. Gudrun Johnson herself writes that it's a shawl whose construction falls within the Shetland tradition - a garter stitch triangle; a border, including bird's-eye lace, most elegantly attached via yarn-over loops along the edges of the triangle; and then an edging that's knitted sideways and attached to the live stitches of the border. So ingenious.

Aestlight shawl

One of the reasons it's taken so long to get around to knitting this pattern is that I already have a much worn and loved Aestlight shawl that was a gift from drk. But my daughter is going to the UK and Spain for work for a couple of weeks and wanted a light shawl / scarf such as this for changeable European early Spring weather. This pattern is also perfect for travelling because it's what I think of as geometrically lacy (rather than florally lacy) and can either be casual or a bit dressy. I've knitted it from the same yarn as drk's gift shawl - Knitabulous's now extinct and lamented 50/50 wool and silk fingering weight. I think the colour of the shawl I've just knitted is my favourite Knitabulous colour ever - it's called 'glint' and is grey with highlights of a rosy dawn pink.

Aestlight 3

My living room is usually flooded in the mornings with the east light for which this shawl is named. But we've had lots of dull, rainy mornings lately that resulted in the rather variable quality of the colour in my photos. But I needed to pack and send the shawl for my daughter's trip, and so couldn't wait for the perfect east light.

Aestlight 2

15 comments:

M-H said...

You do realise that I have an aestlight in glint too? Such good taste we both have!

Anonymous said...

that is just gorgeous. thats one of my favourite shawl patterns ever, and its just perfect in 50/50. and what a thoughtful gift it makes. hehe.

Lynne said...

Lovely work, Lyn, and obviously a popular choice of yarn for the project! ;-)

jp said...

What a gorgeous knit.

Rose Red said...

It's so lovely - and you are right, lacey but still modern, easy to dress up and down. Hmmmm, sounds like I need to make one. And I even have some 50/50. Not in glint though...

Cecilia said...

Lovely as always!

Sel and Poivre said...

I couldn't agree more about the attraction of geometric vs floral lace patterns! What a lovely going away gift for your daughter!

missfee said...

I love the colour and the size that your shawl is.

The colour is divine.

And I too really enjoyed the construction of this knit - you should try the other shawl Gudrun did were you start with the edge first.

Anonymous said...

oh it's beautiful! I was a big fan of the one DrK gave you - I can see why it's treasured.

I don't know why but I couldn't get that pattern to work. Everyone else seems to have managed it ok. Perhaps I'll try again!

1funkyknitwit said...

I really love the colour of this shawl, it's grey and with the pink undertones it has such a lovely softness to it.

Your way ahead of me Lyn in the knitting part as this has been in my faves list for since it was released and yet I still haven't knitted it...ahaha

Better late than never and it looks beautiful, your daughter is one lucky girl :D

M-H said...

Someone said to me - can't remember who - that Aestlight and 50/50 were made for each other.

Yoga Knitdra said...

It's gorgeous Lyn! Yes 50/50 and Aestlight were made for each other. I'm resisting the tempation to knit another one.

Caffeine Girl said...

Oh my goodness! I've not seen this shawl before, and it is just beautiful. The gray color is so pretty. Good luck on knitting one; it looks SO hard!

Brendaknits said...

Hah! If you are only 18 months behind the trend, then I would consider you current. I'm never that quick out of the chute.

Pat said...

Lovely work...I am envious