Downton Abbey

If you are a devotee of Downton Abbey, I know how you feel now that the show has finished up. I don't normally watch much television these days, but Downton was different. Upstairs and downstairs alike fascinated me. I loved the richly painted characters, the beauty and formality of a time long gone, and the gorgeous scenery. As much as I will miss it, I have a parting souvenir. Jimmy Beans Wool planned a mystery knit-a-long to coincide with the release of each of the first eight final episodes, and I decided to take part. All I knew was that it would be a shawl. Each week a clue was released early Sunday morning, and I sat down to work it out through the week. It was a challenge to stay on top of the work, but in the end I managed to do it. I love the result, too!

Completed and blocked!

The yarn is Lorna's Laces Solemate and was specially dyed for the event. The colorway is called Yorkshire Skies. Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmrich is the designer.

View from the back

Happy to be done!

I love wearing this shawl. I've blocked it in my favorite Eucalan wash, Night Blooming Jasmine, so when I wear it, I catch the subtle fragrance. The shawl sits nicely on my shoulders and will be a welcome garment when Florida air conditioning season hits!

Next on my knitting list is Scottish Ale by Cheryl Beckerich. This is a heavily cabled sweater, and I'm knitting it in Cascade Ecological Wool for my son as a graduation gift. Now that I've started the thing, I'm wondering if I'll actually finish it closer to his college graduation! It's a slog to get through it, but I know in the end he's going to love it. It's a very good thing I'm a process knitter!

It's gonna be a while, folks...