Am I turning into a lace shawl person or something? I’ve long had profound respect for the design work that goes into a truly phenomenal shawl pattern, and equal respect for people who can knit them. (By which I mean people who have both the technical ability and the attention span!) But a lace shawl just isn’t something you’re likely to find me wearing.* Or at least, hasn’t been. But I am increasingly obsessed with this Frida shawl from the latest Brooklyn Tweed collection. It caught my eye while they were teasing the collection. I gazed at it forever when the lookbook came out. And I just keep going back to it! Every time I look at it, I love it more. Designed by Hiroko Fukatsu,** it’s a little bit Japanese, a little bit Mexican; it’s quite a bit of stockinette combined with a little bit of geometric lace; and that use of loop stitch is just utterly ingenious. I’ve gone beyond admiring it, and have had multiple conversations with myself about what color I want it in. Do you understand: I am picturing myself in this shawl! But that still leaves the little problem of its being a fingering-weight lace shawl. Who do I think is going to knit it for me?
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*Not that there’s anything wrong with wearing a lace shawl, mind you — it’s just not characteristic of irredeemable minimalists like myself.
**Aka “Roko,” whose blog I’ve been subscribed to for ages, even though I can’t read a word of it. But her knitting is amazing, and anyone who names their blog after a Doris Day movie is good people in my book.
There was a time when I thought I wasn’t a triangular shawl person. Crescents were good, but triangles weren’t for me, I said. Then I knit one and realized how easily it fit into a hole I didn’t even realize my wardrobe had. Yeah.
What I love about Frida is that it’s got lace accents without being all-over lace. Plus, that loop stitch is so badass. I think you’d find yourself wearing this all the time.
In fact, I keep wondering what it would look like minus the scalloped edge and the loops — a totally different creature, but a good one, I think. The minimalist version of this.
OMG, you’ve got me looking at shawls now! Picturing myself … ACH! I’m even knitting one small one as I sit here, looking at the Frida. I must be losing my mind… But they’re SO BEAUTIFUL.
Great Blogs…yours and hers! I am using google Chrome browser and it will translate the site for you!
I’ve been knitting for about two years, and socks and shawls are two projects that don’t have any appeal for me. Shawls always look very beautiful in the photos, but they just don’t peak my interest. I see a ton sock and shawl projects on Ravelry too, so I always wonder what I’m missing :)
That’s part of why I want to knit a pair of socks — to see what all the fuss is about! Soon …
Love your blog! I am using Google Chrome browser and it will translate the Japanese blog to English.
Thanks, Rose — and good point! If I looked at it on the web instead of in Flipboard, that might have occurred to me …
The shawl is quite lovely, however I really like that blue dress. That is a dress I would enjoy wearing all summer. Any ideas on it?
I don’t, but wondered the same thing about the army green one in one of the other pics.
Well now, Ms. Karen. Send me the yarn and the pattern and I would LOVE to knit that beautiful shawl for you!
JO!! You are too good to me. I might take you up on that.
Those loops are incredibly sweet!
i love it, i love so many things in book 5. i do love to wear shawls, they are so comfortable like having a favorite blanket to wrap up in.
Exactly. I’m always looking for ones that give you that blanket feeling without your looking like you’re wearing a blanket!
When I started knitting I was the same – I couldn’t see myself in a triangular shawl at all…but they creep up on you, don’t they? I actually have a lace-y shawl queued as we speak (Amimono’s very mexican feeling Camomile) and am planning what colours to dye for it!
Like Lori says, they are kind of blanket-y/comforting and after knitting what I staunchly referred to as a triangular SCARF some time ago (self delusion rocks), have been somewhat sold on the shape for its practicality in filling that little cold triangle between the chin and jacket lapels!
Go on. You know you want to. ;-D
Oh, I don’t have any issue with triangular shawls — in fact, I keep meaning to show you all the one that (along with two other things) made me want to know how to knit, so I could replicate it. But it’s *very* minimalist. It’s the lace that’s outside what I ever imagined myself owning.
Ahhhh…! I am curious what inspired you now. Is it something you could create now that you have the skills?
Yeah, you’ll laugh when you see it. I’ll make a point of posting it sometime soon.
Btw, I haven’t had a chance to click over and say so yet but saw your beautiful bells in my reader over the weekend — congratulations!
Heh. Looking forward to seeing it.
Aw thanks! I am waiting for some sunlight so I can photograph it properly and get it blogged.
;-)
Oh, yes. Neither a lace knitter nor wearer, but I DO LOVE shawls! I’ve made several as gifts, but I’ve never made one for myself. (None of them lacy.) The allure of this one is that it isn’t too lacy. And I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE the loop stitch. I love most things made with the loop stitch, but I have never attempted it. Thanks for this post!
Brooklyn Tweed has a way of doing this to me too. I’m with you on this, I keep going back to it too, even though I never wear these triangular shawls. I do love knitting lace though (again, I’ve yet to wear any) and I love this shawl!
Oh wow – it’s gorgeous. I’ve just begun to appreciate shawls and lace. My first one was pretty simple so I’m excited to tackle something more complex. Like Frida.
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