I couldn't resist.
Pattern: Oceane by French Girl.
Yarn: Gelato and Rayon Boucle, both by Fiesta Yarns. Two skeins each, in the Caribbean colorway.
Needles: Size 17US Brittany needles (Pattern calls for size 19US)
Finished Size: Approx. 20" x 72"
Notes: Pattern calls for Rowan's Linen Print, now discontinued, but still available in some shops. Since I wanted a blue green color, I substituted the ribbon yarn. On its own, it doesn't hold the pattern well. The boucle and smaller needles give it more body, though still retaining a silky drape. Pattern is relatively easy, but if you are using slippery yarn, I highly recommend a lifeline. Drop one stitch, and you'll be re-knitting ten rows. Which I did. Several times.
This was supposed to be my project for the Tour de France KAL, but it turned out to be my project for the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain, also 3 weeks long) instead. Now I'm working on last year's unofficial TdF project, the picot camisole, 3.0 version. It's my longest-standing and only UFO, which tells you how much I've been avoiding it this year. The good news is, I'm further along than ever before, and I put the stitches on the circular needle in the correct direction this time. There is no bad news so far, but I'm still not entirely happy with this picking up of stitches from a sideways garter stitch border (and having to add in noticeable increases on the seam). The OCD part of me wants perfection, the rational part of me wants to believe local knitting expert friends, who looked at it for the umpteenth time this week, and tell me it's fine. I'm also working on a car-knitting Christmas scarf, for a very important person in Charlie's life. :)
Debby, Oceane is stunning! The blue-green of the stole against the blues and greens of sea and sky make a lovely effect. The combined yarns really solved the drape problem and the lacy pattern stands out now. Bravo!
Posted by: Kristen | October 03, 2007 at 07:21 PM
The shawl is just fabulous, and I love how you took it to the beach. Absolutely wonderful!
Posted by: Jane | October 03, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Very pretty!
Well done!
Posted by: Cookie | October 03, 2007 at 07:27 PM
The shawl looks great--mixing the yarns worked really well. I like the ocean photo too.
Posted by: Erika | October 03, 2007 at 08:03 PM
A wonderful shawl and an amazing picture!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | October 03, 2007 at 08:09 PM
Well done and well modeled!
Posted by: Devorah | October 03, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Debby, Oceane is so beautiful! You did a terrific job selecting yarns and knitting it.
Posted by: Beth | October 03, 2007 at 09:07 PM
So pretty! Glad you found a way to make the ribbon yarn work out!
Posted by: Sarah | October 03, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Oh, look how beautifully it came out! All that work was worth it. Chapeau toi!
Posted by: Sarah | October 03, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Debby, it was worth every sweated stitch and every furrowed brow!! Oceane by the Ocean!! It looks fabulous. Take a deep beath and then breathe out all your misgivings and wear it proudly!! Hope Charlie is well.
PS I cook a cake or biscuits every time The Labradors have to go to The Vet and take it along for the Doctors and Nurses!!!
Posted by: 2paw | October 03, 2007 at 09:53 PM
It's fantastic! The boucle yarn adds a lovely shininess to it. It will be perfect for chilly autumn days.
Posted by: Laura | October 03, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Formidable! Tres bien! Tres jolie!
Posted by: Meg | October 03, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Debby, it's beautiful! And lovely beside the ocean. . . .
Posted by: Pam | October 04, 2007 at 01:08 AM
Beautiful! Perfect setting to show it off too.
Posted by: Sonya | October 04, 2007 at 06:32 AM
How beautiful!!! Love the photo shoot backdrop!!!! The colors are just gorgeous.
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 04, 2007 at 08:54 AM
What a beautiful Oceane Debby! Your combo of yarns was perfect for it. :)
Posted by: Amy Artisan | October 04, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Oceane is beautiful and I love your photo shoot!
Glad Charlie is doing better and has an appetite.
Posted by: wendy g | October 04, 2007 at 09:36 AM
Beautiful! I hope you are all settled in to your new home.
Posted by: Greeley | October 04, 2007 at 09:46 AM
What a perfect combo, Oceane and the Ocean. What a beautiful knit and a fab photo shoot.
Posted by: Kara | October 04, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Lovely!
Posted by: Julie | October 04, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Felicia | October 04, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Beautifully done! Great photos!
Posted by: tiennie | October 04, 2007 at 09:24 PM
That is beautiful - great job!
Posted by: keri | October 05, 2007 at 08:48 AM
Oh, it's beautiful! And a lovely picture to show it off to boot. You made the perfect choice for the yarn substitutions, it really does show off the pattern.
Posted by: Brigitte | October 05, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Beautiful! All the fussing was worth it.
Posted by: Ina | October 06, 2007 at 11:54 AM
It's beautiful! I love the theme:)
Posted by: deb | October 06, 2007 at 11:42 PM
We need to see this when the daylight is waning......it inspires us the another spring and summer are around the corner.
Posted by: Cindy D | October 08, 2007 at 11:43 AM
You know, it really does look like the ocean. Very pretty.
Posted by: Erin | October 08, 2007 at 02:36 PM
And why SHOULD you resist?? It's a beautiful shawl and a beautiful setting. I absolutely love it.
Posted by: Rachel | October 08, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Hi Debby - I keep trying to email you & it's coming back to me but I am doing the Pay It Forward exchange & selected you as one of my 3 people. It will be a month or so - can you email me your address?
kate dot wilbanks at gmail dot com.
Thanks!
Posted by: kate | October 08, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Lovely ocean(e)s! It so looks worth all the effort!
Posted by: lynne s of oz | October 09, 2007 at 12:37 AM
It is just fabulous! I bet you'll use it lots.
Posted by: Karen | October 09, 2007 at 07:28 PM
It's beautiful! Good look with your UFO too. I have one mocking me, but I just don't think I can make myself knit it...
Posted by: Jessica | October 10, 2007 at 08:53 AM
It's lovely! I'm not sure I'm up to the excitement of knitting with slippery ribbon yarns. ;)
Hmm, scarf for Charlie's vet?!
Posted by: Chris | October 10, 2007 at 12:40 PM