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July 18, 2009

One square, two borders

When I mentioned knitting the half-border of the Crown Prince Square Shawl as a separate strip, then having to knit an identical second one, finally sewing the two to the center square, many readers were puzzled. Why two strips and not one, long and continuous? Wouldn't it make more sense to knit the border at the same time as the center? Or knit the border onto the square, as is often done in Shetland shawls? And if the instructions were written in this strange way, why not change them?

The reason: tradition. As I noted in my review of Knitted Lace of Estonia, "the square shawl is the stereotypical shape in Estonian knitting. It is usually comprised of a center panel and an edging, knit separately, and then joined together with a length of yarn and a sewing needle. Actually, the edging is made out of two identical pieces." Nancy Bush stayed true to history and tradition when she wrote the pattern, and I followed suit with my knitting.

Attaching the borders onto the center took some concentration, effort, and time. Fortunately, the instructions are crystal clear and accurate. It was only a matter of getting comfortable with identifying the appropriate loops and then joining them. As recommended, I used yarn attached to the ball for the seaming instead of one of the ends, and it worked as promised.

Carefully pull on the sewing yarn so there are no puckers, gather, or tight spots in the seam between the center and lace edge, being careful not to pull the cut end of the sewing yarn through the sewn stitches. When you are satisfied that the lace edge is eased evenly all around, cut the sewing yarn from the ball. Wait to weave in the ends until after the shawl has been blocked.

I don't think I have to say it, but the knitting and seaming of CPSS is done. Holy moley, can it really be?!?

Posted by Kathy on July 18, 2009 01:57 PM

Comments

I can only imagine how long that sewing took. Can't wait to see it blocked out!

Posted by: TheBon on July 18, 2009 02:59 PM

Congratulations! I'm excited to see the blocked pictures.

Posted by: juniperjune on July 18, 2009 03:04 PM

amazing!...

Posted by: cleo on July 18, 2009 04:48 PM

Wow - that's dedication to tradition! Looking forward to seeing this blocked

Posted by: Ruth on July 18, 2009 04:54 PM

So pretty! Can't wait to see it blocked.

I'm not fond of wearing the square-shaped or circular shawls, but I love the symmetry of them. Maybe I'll do one as a table cover or something. Your work is certainly inspiring.

Posted by: Deborah on July 18, 2009 05:08 PM

Thank you for the lesson. I don't know if I would look forward to the sewing part. I'm a knit-on kind of person. But you have to try anything at least once.

Posted by: Sigrun on July 18, 2009 05:16 PM

Can't wait to see it blocked. It's going to be glorious!

Posted by: m on July 18, 2009 06:44 PM

wow!!! this is quite the achievement. congrats. now... we're all anxiously awaiting the blocked outcome! It's going to be great!

Posted by: May on July 18, 2009 06:55 PM

Glorious! I just love this color!

Posted by: Trista on July 18, 2009 07:14 PM

Wow, I can't wait to see it in all its glory when it's blocked!

Posted by: Claire Winlo on July 18, 2009 07:53 PM

The shawl looks fabulous. You have a lot of patience with your projects and they're not small.

Posted by: Gillian on July 18, 2009 08:16 PM

I'm impressed, as usual! Can't wait to see it blocked.

Posted by: Jen on July 18, 2009 09:40 PM

Massive, massive accomplishment!

Posted by: Heather on July 18, 2009 10:58 PM

Amazing. Thank you for sharing with us.

Posted by: Yakira Heistand on July 18, 2009 11:05 PM

you rock! this shawl is beautiful; I adore the colour you picked.

Posted by: emily on July 19, 2009 12:31 AM

Gorgeous!! Your Grandma is going to be ecstatic. Blocking will be something else - looking forward to the pics - Beautiful job -

Sheila

Posted by: Sheila on July 19, 2009 08:06 AM

Nicely done! That's one heap load of hard work.

Posted by: trek on July 19, 2009 08:28 AM

Oh my gosh, that picture of the folded shawl looks so delicious. Like a raspberry. Looking forward to seeing this one blocked!

Posted by: Mandy on July 19, 2009 08:39 AM

Oh, Grumperina, another gorgeous and inspiring project! I am a baby shawl knitter and am making my first Shetland project now. Your work gives me something to aspire to.

Posted by: Marion on July 19, 2009 08:52 AM

Thank you for the explanation - I was wondering why you didn't knit the edging on myself. Tradition is a lovely thing, as is the shawl. Can't wait to see it blocked.

Posted by: Kathleen on July 19, 2009 09:21 AM

I'm always amazed at how quickly you knit up your lace projects! I can't wait to see this one blocked! I love projects with nupps!

Posted by: kozykitty on July 19, 2009 11:11 AM

I"m sure it is traditional to take a wee sip of an Estonian fortified distillation at the finishing of such a lovely project.

Posted by: Angie on July 19, 2009 11:56 AM

So beautiful! Love the color, too.

Posted by: Allison on July 19, 2009 01:37 PM

Beautiful--what a color, too!

Posted by: Karen on July 19, 2009 06:34 PM

Yet again your shawl knitting is an inspiration. The folded shawl is simply magnificient. Thanks for all the great technical detailing during the knit up.

Just got back from my hols & would like to wish you a belated happy knitaversary. You surpas all other knit blogs & I always look forward to reading your posts. Thank you x5.
Janie

Posted by: Janie on July 20, 2009 03:15 AM

WOW amazing...I can't wait to see it blocked. Your talent blows me away...and I appreciate the details you share.
Have a great day.

Posted by: Susan Gagnon on July 20, 2009 08:00 AM

I just bought the book... and am in that simultaneous ambitious-but-flummoxed stage. I just love it when I read that you finished knitting something from the very book - I think I'll start practicing with the motif samples and nupps first before I progress to something bigger. The color you chose for your shawl is so pretty. Thanks for the review.

Posted by: Mona on July 20, 2009 08:11 AM

I cannot imagine doing that much sewing. The sewing usually gives me the heebie jeebies.

Posted by: Seanna Lea on July 20, 2009 11:58 AM

Beautiful! I can't wait to see it blocked (and worn?)

I really need to start knitting out of that book. It just keeps getting pushed aside by other projects, somehow...

Posted by: Laura on July 20, 2009 01:50 PM

Ooooohhhhh!

I can't wait to see this blocked! Do you have blocking wires, or do you use pins?

I am almost finished with my first lace with laceweight thread. You have been a real inspiration to me. Thank you!

Posted by: Kelley (smallwhitedog) on July 20, 2009 03:48 PM

That is gorgeous!!

Posted by: tiennie on July 28, 2009 02:59 AM

Oh this is magnificent! And how fortunate you have someone like Grandma to appreciate all its beauty.

Posted by: Joy on July 28, 2009 03:06 PM