8.18.2007
The Hemlock Ring Blanket
Walking around Brooklyn the last few days, I've noticed the slightest change in the air. Autumn is beckoning and this knitter can't think of any better reward for making it through another hot summer. My inaugural Fall project is draped over my lap as I type and I find myself ready for cooler winds, wooly knits and fresh transitions.
This project was born from my love of working heavyweight lace and my desire to spruce up my new place. And probably also from a sale on Cascade EcoWool which, in my eyes is the lord of Yardageland and the true definition of a wooly workhorse.
I searched high and low for a lace pattern that would both size out right and have a repeatable chart that I could work ad nauseum until I felt like binding off. I love how Feather-and-Fan Stitch looks and had that in the back of my mind too while searching around. I found a lot of great circular shawl patterns but most were already huge when worked in lace. Knitting one of those in a heavy worsted yarn would result in a room-sized blanket which, as intriguing as that sounds, wasn't what I was going for.
I was pretty set on Meg Swansen's "Feather and Fan Shawl" from A Gathering of Lace. This shawl, however, epitomizes the idea of giant lace, so for my own sanity I ruled out modifying it. Doilies, though, are a great place to look for hidden gems and perfect for working up a bit bulkier than directed. So when I came across this pattern from The Canadian Spool Cotton Company (1942) I felt like I hit the jackpot: a repeatable 5-row lace chart, a whole lot of feather-and-fanning, a perfect size for tweaking and some great vintage accents to play around with (oversized wool floral motif anyone?) - perfection.
I was shooting for a lap blanket, something not too large that I can use to warm up while knitting or watching movies (or both, they're usually happening concurrently anyway.) A lap throw is also a great size for doubling as a table cloth, shawl, or general decorator-in-a-pinch (see photo below to dress up a bowl of yarn). When you live in a small space, multi-purpose knits are a wonderful thing. After blocking, the diameter of my blanket measured just an inch or two shy of 4 feet. The pattern as-is guides you through 87 rows of lace knitting, which I expanded in order to transform the doily into a blanket. The great thing about feather-and-fan is that you can just keep doing it in order to make a larger piece. Also, it's purdy.
As far as 'expanding' the pattern that's given you, I've already done the grunt work of charting out the expandable feather-and-fan section here for your convenience (When it comes to lace, I have a serious aversion to line-by-line pattern writing). A special note about the chart: I did not chart out the entire pattern, only the feather and fan section. Row 1 of my chart corresponds directly to Row 47 of the original doily pattern. (You'll still have to do a little line-by-line knitting). Also, the beginning of the round in the pattern starts in the CENTER of my chart. This will be more clear while knitting - just follow along with both pattern and chart until you orient yourself to the new setup.
I worked through row 55 of my chart (highlighted in Orange) before working the edging bind-off. I have included additional feather-and-fan repeats beyond where I concluded mine for those of you who would like to work a larger blanket. You can easily continue adding repeats beyond the final row of my chart - it's all up to you. (You'll need more yarn, though)
The lace edging in the pattern is awesome. The most beautiful thing about it, though, is that you can work it whenever you want. Just finish your last pattern repeat and work the edging. It blocks beautifully.
And warm under the newest creation here at BT headquarters, I welcome Fall with open arms. Happy knitting one and all.
¶ 2:52 PM
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket*
Source: My modification of the Hemlock Ring vintage doily (1942), with added chart repeats and heavy weight yarn. [See full post below for details]
Materials: Cascade Ecological Wool in "Latte" (8063)
Needles: US 10/6.0mm 40" Circulars; KnitPicks Options
Amount: Approximately 311g/11oz; About 600 yards (less than 2 skeins)
Finished Measurements: Just shy of 4 feet in diameter
*Ravelry users, queue it up here.
Start Date: 27 July 2007
Finish Date: 9 August 2007
Source: My modification of the Hemlock Ring vintage doily (1942), with added chart repeats and heavy weight yarn. [See full post below for details]
Materials: Cascade Ecological Wool in "Latte" (8063)
Needles: US 10/6.0mm 40" Circulars; KnitPicks Options
Amount: Approximately 311g/11oz; About 600 yards (less than 2 skeins)
Finished Measurements: Just shy of 4 feet in diameter
*Ravelry users, queue it up here.
Start Date: 27 July 2007
Finish Date: 9 August 2007
This project was born from my love of working heavyweight lace and my desire to spruce up my new place. And probably also from a sale on Cascade EcoWool which, in my eyes is the lord of Yardageland and the true definition of a wooly workhorse.
I searched high and low for a lace pattern that would both size out right and have a repeatable chart that I could work ad nauseum until I felt like binding off. I love how Feather-and-Fan Stitch looks and had that in the back of my mind too while searching around. I found a lot of great circular shawl patterns but most were already huge when worked in lace. Knitting one of those in a heavy worsted yarn would result in a room-sized blanket which, as intriguing as that sounds, wasn't what I was going for.
I was pretty set on Meg Swansen's "Feather and Fan Shawl" from A Gathering of Lace. This shawl, however, epitomizes the idea of giant lace, so for my own sanity I ruled out modifying it. Doilies, though, are a great place to look for hidden gems and perfect for working up a bit bulkier than directed. So when I came across this pattern from The Canadian Spool Cotton Company (1942) I felt like I hit the jackpot: a repeatable 5-row lace chart, a whole lot of feather-and-fanning, a perfect size for tweaking and some great vintage accents to play around with (oversized wool floral motif anyone?) - perfection.
I was shooting for a lap blanket, something not too large that I can use to warm up while knitting or watching movies (or both, they're usually happening concurrently anyway.) A lap throw is also a great size for doubling as a table cloth, shawl, or general decorator-in-a-pinch (see photo below to dress up a bowl of yarn). When you live in a small space, multi-purpose knits are a wonderful thing. After blocking, the diameter of my blanket measured just an inch or two shy of 4 feet. The pattern as-is guides you through 87 rows of lace knitting, which I expanded in order to transform the doily into a blanket. The great thing about feather-and-fan is that you can just keep doing it in order to make a larger piece. Also, it's purdy.
As far as 'expanding' the pattern that's given you, I've already done the grunt work of charting out the expandable feather-and-fan section here for your convenience (When it comes to lace, I have a serious aversion to line-by-line pattern writing). A special note about the chart: I did not chart out the entire pattern, only the feather and fan section. Row 1 of my chart corresponds directly to Row 47 of the original doily pattern. (You'll still have to do a little line-by-line knitting). Also, the beginning of the round in the pattern starts in the CENTER of my chart. This will be more clear while knitting - just follow along with both pattern and chart until you orient yourself to the new setup.
I worked through row 55 of my chart (highlighted in Orange) before working the edging bind-off. I have included additional feather-and-fan repeats beyond where I concluded mine for those of you who would like to work a larger blanket. You can easily continue adding repeats beyond the final row of my chart - it's all up to you. (You'll need more yarn, though)
The lace edging in the pattern is awesome. The most beautiful thing about it, though, is that you can work it whenever you want. Just finish your last pattern repeat and work the edging. It blocks beautifully.
And warm under the newest creation here at BT headquarters, I welcome Fall with open arms. Happy knitting one and all.
¶ 2:52 PM
Comments:
as always, looks great!.
The middle, in the color you used, reminds me of those huge moths that blend in with the bark of a tree.
Congrats on the fantastic pre-Autumn finish!
Thanks for sharing the chart!
I'm so curious. We know that Adrian influenced you to spin, but who taught you to knit? It was my father who taught me.
Ilona
Thanks for making this available to the knitting community.
Ang
And, you could frame those pictures and hang them around the house. That's how gorgeous they are.
Your knitting is fabulous!
You continue to amaze me. Thank you for sharing your gifts and your vision with the rest of us.
Knit on!
Hey, on that last picture: I had to do a double take and figure out which hand my husband wears his wedding band on because for a second there I thought you had forgot to mention a little something new in your life...or someONE... :)
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Romi/ribbed-cardigan
It's like a big hug!
Fall is starting to appear here in Oregon too- the breeze is getting stiffer and we've broken out the woolies. Happy Autumn!
Thanks also for the pattern. I am definitely inspired to make this gorgeous blanket.
I love visiting your blog. Your knitting and photography blow me away each and every time.
Fall is certainly in the air here in the Midwest as well. It's time to start thinking of all the things I should be making for Holiday giving.
Enjoy the season!
And I can't stop thinking about that throw. As if I didn't have enough on my plate at the moment, I can get that yarn (which I also adore) at my LYS.
So tempting.
I thought many times how will look doily pattern made as cardigan,but never thouhgt to make one as blanket...
Your images are grand as well!
Jennifer
www.jeloca.com
Gorgeous as always! I've never been one to follow the crowd, but the combination of your knitting skill and beautiful photography makes me want to knit every single thing you do! :)
Just beautiful, Jared! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications. I think I'll make one similar for a lap blanket to wear in my power wheelchair this winter. If you're stuck being "different", you might as well do it with some zing, eh!
I've been reading your blog for a while, but I don't think I've ever commented. IMHO, your blog is exactly what a knitting blog should be. Thank you for the inspiration! The afghan is wonderful!
Wow. That's fantastic. And beautiful! I think once the cold weather starts to set in, that will be my perfect project.
Absolutely totally and utterly gorgeous! Being a Shetlander I love the Old Shale pattern...reminds me of blankets I was swaddled in as a baby...I still have one!
Be still my heart! What a stunning blanket. It's just gorgeous. Thanks SO much for sharing this with us! Maybe I can face the end of summer after all..
That is absolutely beautiful! I have a half-finished sweater in Eco-wool (sitting there for at least a year) that I now want to rip and make a lace blanket with. Your work is always superb.
it's stunning! i am so in awe of your way to see things that the average person just wouldn't see... i love it!! and thank you for the inspiration - going to the queue!!
Absolutely gorgeous, stunning. What a clever idea, too. Who'd have thought of this? And, as usual, beautifully executed. Thanks for sharing it with us. --Sally
Soooo very talented. Great job, as always. It's such a lovely color for you, too...thanks for the pattern.
thanks for sharing the details. funny thing, i was looking at this same pattern (hemlock ring) a while ago when you first revealed the new project you were working on, but didn't realize that it was the same pattern your based your project from.
as always, looks great!.
Just this morning I was trying to figure out what to do with my skein of Eco wool. BRAVO and HOORAY! Thanks so much!
I can't think of another way to say how beautiful that turned out - I think the rest here have that covered pretty well - but man, is that gorgeous. Your one creative, talented being. Thank you so much for sharing,
I adore this. Thanks for posting the details! Now to go hunting for a good yarn! I wonder if the details would be obscured too much in a darkish purple... I have some nice purple yarn on hand already.
it's so beautiful & sophisticated in this colour. This is the second time I've seen you knit lace with heavier yarn and both times its turned out amazing.
That is the most gorgeous knitted creation I've ever seen! Very, very cool.
The middle, in the color you used, reminds me of those huge moths that blend in with the bark of a tree.
Congrats on the fantastic pre-Autumn finish!
You probably don't need one more person telling you how absolutely gorgeous this is, but I will do it anyway.
That is lovely! So nice to see that lace patterns look just as good with larger weighted yarns. I'm sure you'll enjoy it this fall/winter!
Another incredibly beautiful knit. That lace pattern is amazing. And your photos, as always, are so expressive. I'm rather jealous that you can sense fall in the air - I wish I could... but our climate's a bit different in south Texas. I'd much rather be anticipating autumn in Brooklyn than anticipating hurricanes in Houston. :)
Have been reading for a while, have not commented till now... amazing! And the first "throw" type pattern that I have wanted to make!
Thanks for sharing the chart!
Done already! That blocked really nicely. I wasn't sure about the central floral motif in the worsted unblocked, but it's quite striking blocked.
Oh, how I love it! You just don't do ordinary do you? It's going in the queue now!
I'm so curious. We know that Adrian influenced you to spin, but who taught you to knit? It was my father who taught me.
This lace blanket is beautiful. You do some wonderful knitting, the baby sweater was lovely. I purchased the latest Interweave Knits so I could knit up your sweater for my son. Should be fun.
Ilona
Wow. It's just beautiful. The blocking works magic on the fabric. And there's something about natural colored wool that is just so elegant.
Thanks for making this available to the knitting community.
A big brown doily - what a great idea! I'm obsessed with the center of Robert Powell's agonizingly patternless A Rose is a Rose shawl in AGOL, and the center of your Hemlock Ring made me think of it. I don't suppose you've got a copy of Marianne Kinzel's Second Book of Modern Lace Knitting, do you?
Jared, I am in total awe. I am also kicking myself. Do you know how many times my knit shop lady tried to point me in the direction of the Doilie patterns when I told her I wanted to knit a circular shawl? Thank you so much for sharing the pattern and chart. This is truely lovely, lovely work:)
Ang
How is it that everything you knit is so beautiful? Fantastic reworking of the pattern. I'm stunned.
Absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely going on the to do list. You are my hero with the creativity!
Wow that turned out lovely! I've never thought of making a blanket out of a doily pattern. Great idea.
Stunning.
And, you could frame those pictures and hang them around the house. That's how gorgeous they are.
Delurking to add my congrtaulations on a great modification. One day I hope I'll be brave enough to try this. Gorgeous work.
Absolutely beautiful,I had been looking at doily patterns wondering whether they could translate to shawls, I am now totally inspired!
Your knitting is fabulous!
Wow, I love ecowool, I may need to go get myself a couple of skeins, I used it a while ago for a hat, and i use the left over from that to test stitch patterns and other fun things.
Jared, you are a genius! I'm in awe, it's breathtakingly beautiful! I've never used Cascade Ecological Wool, never really come across it, but the color you choose makes me want to give it a try. It's perfect, it's wonderful, I'm jelous and want one too! ;o)
Incredible!!! Inspiring as always and the most masculine lace work I have ever seen. thanks for sharing a beautiful spot in the day.
Your photos of this creation are inspiring. I want one and with all the grunt work taken care of it is quite possible i will get one. Thank you so much for sharing all of your hard work and enthusiasum.
This is absolutely gorgeous! Yesterday was a perfect almost fall day and I can't wait till it gets here either.
Wow. Just ... WOW.
You continue to amaze me. Thank you for sharing your gifts and your vision with the rest of us.
Knit on!
Gorgeous post. Now I must convince myself that this would NOT make a perfect baby blanket. As the clock is a-tickin', friend!
so gorgeous! i think that this would look great in a variety of yarn weights and colors.. maybe even a variegated yarn too! thanks for the ravelry link. queued this one up immediately :)
Preciosa! I love it.
Hey, on that last picture: I had to do a double take and figure out which hand my husband wears his wedding band on because for a second there I thought you had forgot to mention a little something new in your life...or someONE... :)
Well THAT idea sure WORKED didn't it? That's just purdy. Love the crochet'd lace end to it too. Thanks for the modifications. I sure do like that yarn. Great job Jared.
That is exquisite! I love Eco Wool too. I have knit tons of projects with it and have tons more in stash. I've even knit some up into a cardi with a carry along of Kidsilk Haze:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Romi/ribbed-cardigan
It's like a big hug!
your blanket is beautiful and perfect for fall! i wish it wasn't 95 degrees here in california. awesome job!
Oh, you are so brilliant. Now I understand ... it's a lap blanket. I have never seen such before but it makes complete sense! I use to drag my bed blanket to the sofa when it's chilly, but I tend to get dizy since I gett too warmed up. But a lap blanket is the answer! Isn't it great to be a knitter ... I can make one to myself too if I like. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Just unlurking to thank you for sharing that beautiful lap shawl.....I know what I'm going to be knitting for Xmas presents this year! Your projects are always so inspiring, easy to knit and very useful. Thank you again and keep up the blogging. Irene in Wpg.
The blanket is stunning. Now I know what I want to do with the three skeins of Eco Wool hanging out in my stash. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
Absolutely Beautiful. For some reason I thought this was brown, but it's looking grey now. Oh well.
Fall is starting to appear here in Oregon too- the breeze is getting stiffer and we've broken out the woolies. Happy Autumn!
Everyone has already said it all, but I'll add my comment as well- this is amazing. As you know, the whole blog is amazing- colors, photography, design, quality of your work- I love it.
Thanks also for the pattern. I am definitely inspired to make this gorgeous blanket.
It seems like everything you touch becomes something simply lovely. I really enjoy reading and admiring photos on your blog! Thanks for sharing your talent with us all.
Beautiful. Congrats on another wonderful finished project.
I love visiting your blog. Your knitting and photography blow me away each and every time.
Fall is certainly in the air here in the Midwest as well. It's time to start thinking of all the things I should be making for Holiday giving.
Enjoy the season!
Coming out of the internet shadows to say, what a gorgous project. I love knitting lace, and this is something that I can see getting some real regular use in my life. Thanks for a great idea.
You're a genius! Seriously. Great idea. Gorgeous outcome. I can't wait to see what you dream up next!
Even though it's still August, there's a crisp chill in the air, the wind is picking up, and as much as I'm jinxing it all by saying it, fall is here.
And I can't stop thinking about that throw. As if I didn't have enough on my plate at the moment, I can get that yarn (which I also adore) at my LYS.
So tempting.
This is such an elegant and sophisticated project. I showed this to a non-knitter and now she wants to take a class! Really inspirational and unexpected. Great job, you are an excellent craftsman!
Spectacular! I have always loved EcoWool for a variety of projects - never imagine lace. It is beautiful.
Delurking. Your knits are so beautiful and your photographs capture the moment so well. I truly find your blog an inspiration. Great finished project!
Absolutely fabulous!!!
I thought many times how will look doily pattern made as cardigan,but never thouhgt to make one as blanket...
Your images are grand as well!
A friend just sent me a link to one of your previous FOs and I was so enchanted by your photography that I couldn't resist clicking over to see what was going on currently. Wow- I love the doily/blanket. Between your gorgeous projects and lush photography (or is it the other way around?) I have a feeling I'll be sticking around to see what you knit next. Thanks for giving me yet another reason to procrastinate at the computer!
Jennifer
www.jeloca.com