I finished this year’s mystery stole in August, just before I took off for ECVP. (The primary motivation for finishing was so that I could have a new lace project for the airplanes.) Due to my utter lack of cotton string, it languished in a drawer for months before I got around to blocking it last week.

Before:

20070710 MS3 4

After:

swan lake 01.jpg

Blocking is magic! The lace pattern opens up and the fabric drapes beautifully.

swan lake 04.jpg

This stole falls squarely into the realm of items I wanted to knit, but am not particularly likely to wear. Ever. I do think it’s lovely, though.

swan lake 03.jpg

The laceweight Malabrigo is very soft. It’s a merino singles, and it develops a definite fuzz as it wears. It’s beautiful.

Pattern: Swan Lake, by Melanie Leesburg.

Photos featuring me are courtesy of Dan.