In Hans Christian Andersen’s The Wild Swans, Elisa is a beautiful princess with eleven brothers. When her brothers are cursed and turned into swans, she takes a vow of silence and must knit them shirts from stinging nettles to return them to human form...This was always one of my favorite fairytales, and I remember being so taken with it the first time I heard it. I had been on a great search recently to find it again after I had forgotten the name of the story. I love wikipedia…all I knew was that it involved knitting and nettles…and I was able to find the beloved story!
So here is the shawl that the story inspired:
![Elisa 2](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5617269233_97f13809ea.jpg)
The double sided lace comes from Babara Walker's Second Treasury and I was inspired to adapt it for this project since it was named "Porcupine Lace." A prickly name and an interesting pattern to resemble the nettles. I have a smaller, two-color version in the works, that will show off the wonderful curves in the lace even more.
![Elisa 1](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5617269103_ecdf3b72a9.jpg)
This is shown in Malabrigo Silky Merino...obviously nothing at all like knitting with stinging nettles! I did find out today that Classic Elite makes a yarn with nettles: Woodland. Pretty amazing, right?! Even though my stash is spilling out of its closet, I may just have to grab some to knit yet another Elisa, I mean that would be totally fitting. Plus the fiber content, weight and sheen would work quite well for this pattern.
I will be away for a bit, so don't think I am abandoning you! Just going on a nice long vacation, in the Florida Keys ♥
So here is the shawl that the story inspired:
![Elisa 2](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5617269233_97f13809ea.jpg)
The double sided lace comes from Babara Walker's Second Treasury and I was inspired to adapt it for this project since it was named "Porcupine Lace." A prickly name and an interesting pattern to resemble the nettles. I have a smaller, two-color version in the works, that will show off the wonderful curves in the lace even more.
![Elisa 1](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5617269103_ecdf3b72a9.jpg)
This is shown in Malabrigo Silky Merino...obviously nothing at all like knitting with stinging nettles! I did find out today that Classic Elite makes a yarn with nettles: Woodland. Pretty amazing, right?! Even though my stash is spilling out of its closet, I may just have to grab some to knit yet another Elisa, I mean that would be totally fitting. Plus the fiber content, weight and sheen would work quite well for this pattern.
I will be away for a bit, so don't think I am abandoning you! Just going on a nice long vacation, in the Florida Keys ♥
That was always one of my favourites as well. I love the shawl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for ssharing
ReplyDeleteHello mate nice bloog
ReplyDelete