More photos (including action shots from the christening) and the full dossier on the project when I come back from Maine.
You'll excuse me, won't you, whilst I go lie down for a little while? But not on the bed, of course. The shawl gets the bed. I'm sleeping on the sofa.
That will seem odd only to the non-knitters who are reading this.
147 comments:
Oh, Franklin...It's so breathtakingly beautiful. It makes me wish I had a baby to wear it...
It is amazing, Franklin! Abigail is so lucky to have you for an uncle! And we are so luck to have you as a 'blogist'! Please say hi to my beloved and much missed home state while you're there!
Wow - that is stunning. Congratulations on finishing it - with only one night of worry, even.
I've been lurking for some time, loving Dolores and your occasional comments on one thing and another. I'm so happy to see the finished product. Let us leave your knitting skills aside, your dedication to seeing such a beautiful project finished is the truly admirable aspect of this shawl. May all people, Abigal included, one day understand that it is focus, dedication, love, and appreciation that brings all good things to life. No, GE had nothing to do with this post.
Peace and trancendence.
The shawl is INCREDIBLE -- just absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on finishing it.
Oh my goodness! Congratulations.
Sleep well, you have earned it. (But I bet you are too jazzed to sleep right now)
Hmmmm... Are those four wishes in Latin?
Simply stunning!
I have been in lurking, watching as you knit this breathtaking piece! Abigail will surely cherish it all of her life and I hope she one day becomes a knitter so she can truly appreciate the love that went into it.
I see the four latin wishes too. It is magnificent! Many congratulations, truely an heirloom piece.
Outstanding!
Franklin! That's amazing!!!!!!
I am in such awe....
maybe now you need to do a nice garter stitch potholder on size 13s or something.
Truly, you should be proud
Also, loved you on the podcast! if you decide to come to New York, please drop a line.
Wow.... all the loving effort you've put into that shawl was so worth it. Lucky Abigail to have such a devoted uncle.
It is just amazing. Beautiful. It will be cherished by Abigail.
gorgeous...you have created a family heirloom for your niece to have throughout her life....
happy wishes for her christening.
Forget that Potter kid -- you are a wizard!
I don't knit, but I love reading your blog...you are one busy young man...how do you find time to knit, read, work and blog? and do everything else young men do? to say I am impressed would be an understatement. nice job on the christening shawl..your nice is vey blessed.
Amazing, Abigail is a lucky lucky little girl. Congrats on finishing it and best wishes for the christening.
I see I'm not the only one who was straining their reading glasses to make out the latin. Well done, and don't get a crick in your neck sleeping on the couch.
That is AMAZINGLY beautiful
Congratulations. Abigail is a very lucky girl to have such a dedicated uncle.
No words to describe how beautiful that shawl came out. Just breathtaking.
I think I see 'wisdom', 'strength' and 'happiness'. Is the last one amor?
"Wisdom" (sapienta), "Strength" (robur), and "Laughter" (risus), but I can't make out the fourth, either.
Franklin, that is absolutely lovely. You should sleep like a baby now.
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
P.S. You need a fainting couch.
Just spectacular. You did good, fella.
Thanks to PP for translations, I couldn't quite see the words.
Sweet dreams, minus copyediting nightmares!
I knew I wouldn't be the first person to use 'stunning'.. but it really is! (and I'm so glad your other readers are smarter than I - I was wondering what the letters spelled!) Nice work, baby! That other baby will look incredible wrapped in it, in your arms :)
Well done you!
*de-lurks*
Oh.
Oh, Franklin.
What sublimely beautiful work. Abigail is a lucky, lucky girl... and you are a total mensch, for serious. Thank you for sharing with us-- not just this shawl, but yourself and your art.
Congratulations. A beautiful shawl for a beautiful child. The future seems that much brighter to me.
It is fabulous! Have a great time in Maine, and I think this peice is destined for heirloom status.
Bravo Franklin, the shawl is just wonderful. Judith.
Congratulations Franklin you have made a work of love and art wich will last for generations. I understand you so much because I made myself a traditional christenig robe for my goodaughter with about 50 metres of valenciennes lace sown by hand. I colud not even iron it because I was afraid of burning it... my mother did it for me while I was praying. One of my favorites nightmares of that time was that I would never finish it and I would have to run out to buy one the day before.. so I used to work on it day and night during the week ends filled with cafeine. Yo can imagine how I looked on monday mornings at work. But the day arrives and I was the most proudest goodfather with my little princess in her crhristening robe and I in my gucci.
By the way I am a manknitter from Spain living in Madrid who started in needlecrafts 15 yers ago. (Please forgime me for my forgotten english)
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...
::just sits and stares, a happy, awed little smile hovering::
I think it's a satori in lace form. From the point of view of someone who knows practically nothing about Zen Buddhism, anyway. Lucky Abigail, who'll be wrapped in so much love.
Oh my...that is so beautiful. And the fourth wish is Misericordia..Mercy. Just gorgeous. So much thought and care and love in that blanket.
Don't worry, you won't be on the couch for long - that's yet another perk to blocking lace, it dries super-fast. Franklin, it's gorgeous and I can't wait to see the whole thing. Enjoy the feeling of godliness that you surely must have right now, that shawl indeed entitles you to it!
Blocking is the best part. It's stunning. And I envy your courage: I've yet to attempt a lace edging. I'm scared to death of the corners.
What a lucky, lucky little girl.
Instant heirloom. It's gorgeous.
Wow.
Beautiful shawl for a beautiful girl.
Simply wonderful.
I love christenings because they are, really, all about family--immediate, extended, chosen--all kinds of family. And what better way to show Abigail how much this great family love her than to wrap her in something that is as close to miraculous as her own family is?
Have a wonderful time in Maine.
Congratulations on a job well done. Abigail is a very lucky child and will hopefully inherit some of her uncle's skills.
Have fun at the Christening and with your family. Is Dolores going?
beautiful. my best to all ...
I'm swooning.
Breathtaking. Absolutely beautiful.
Oh my god...it is lovely. My best to all.
Your shawl is so stunning. You have created a magnificent family heirloom. Wow! :)
That is absolutely, breathtakingly lovely. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Beautiful!
Amazing. She is so lucky to have such a talented, loving uncle.
Oh Franklin, it's gorgeous! Congratulations on completion -- it's stunning.
3 words for you: tour d' force! I bow to your amazing expertise and perseverance!
Thank you for sharing your masterpiece with us. I can't wait to see more pictures!
Gorgeous! Stunning!
Wow!!
Oh, it is just stunning! As someone whose pinnacle of needlework prowess is a crocheted shopping bag and a bathmat, I bow in awe.
Also, Alfaro, I only wish my forgotten Spanish was as good as your forgotten English!
Oops, sorry to misspell your name, Alvaro!
Beautiful! Thank you for showing us and we are looking forward to many more photographs, especially of the shawl with its brand-new owner.
Share the love,
Tina
Congratulations!! So beautiful, I've really enjoyed watching your progress.
God I hope she doesn't spit up on it!
Can you let us know what the four wishes are?
Truly spectacular! I love the border in particular -- not only the fact that there are four wonderful wishes for Abigail, but that they are so artistically incorporated into the design. Bravo!
It's beautiful! That seems like such a poor description of it, really, but it's the closest word I can get without sounding like I'm just gushing. Inspirational comes close, too.
Congratulations, Franklin, it's breathtaking.
Kisses and Cookies to you and Abby. The shawl is simply breath taking.
Oh. WOW. Franklin, it's stunning! What a wonderful gift for Abigail - will you be my uncle? LOL!
Love it, Love it, Love it!
You are an awesome uncle!
Wow. Congratulations to Abigail for netting such an amazing Uncle.
Truly lovely - congratulations on finishing. Many good wishes to your family on Abigail's christening day.
Just...stunning....I wish I could read the wishes. Please give us more details soon!
Gah! It's beautiful. What a loving gift for your neice.
You are one heck of a good brother and uncle. It's splendid.
Lise
Abigail will be very fortunate to grow up with her Uncle Franklin's guidance and encouragement. Enjoy your family and the summertime in Maine, and congratulations on creating such a beautiful and meaningful keepsake. Here are some added wishes for Abigail: great friendships, curiosity and hope.
Can I adopt you as my brother, so when I have babies, their uncle will make them something this amazing?
everyone is impressed!
what a wonderful heirloom for abigail!
waiting for the translation of the wishes on the edges...
have a good trip to maine!
I am so in awe of your dedication to this project. The result is simply stunning and I applaud you.
Simply breathtaking!
Bella!
Beautiful! Gorgeous! Stunning!
Abigail is lucky to have you as an uncle. Be proud!
It's lovely! Abigail is one fortunate young lady, and I'm sure her great-grandchildren will treasure your shawl as much as she will. Imagine what you would knit for your own baby if you had one! Any thoughts?
It's stunning and divine and she'll cherish it forever, as such a gift can only be treasured. I love the fact that you've bestowed wisdom and laughter upon her too. I just can't make out the other 2 wishes.
Franklin that is incredible. Congratulations! I am so happy to have gotten to watch the progress on your blog and can't wait for the full write-up.
Just beautiful! Blessings to Abigail and all of your family. Can't wait to hear the stories to come.
Jeanne M.
Congratulations on the finish! It's SO beautiful! Maybe when she's older, Abigail can read these old blog posts and see how you prepared for her birth. :)
Oh.
I'm breathless.
Words? Ethereal comes to mind. Trancendent is good, too.
You are a gift to all of us who read your blog a share a little corner of your world.Thanks, Franklin.
P.S. Dolores has been awfully quiet lately. Be very, very afraid.
It is utterly beautiful! Tell us again the four wishes please?
Thank you for letting us share your knitting and beyond life.
Sarah
Congratulations! It's beautiful, and inspiring as well! It will be cherished for ages to come!
Nothing wrong with being quite certain of one's spelling. ;-)
breathtaking!
Utterly Gorgeous! For your sake, I hope your sister doesn't have any new birth announcements :0
Congratulations! It is so beautiful :)
Many congratulations Franklin. It's quite an achievement; all the plotting, dreaming, getting covered with oatmeal and everything.
Franklin you're making me cry! It's too beautiful! Abigail is the luckiest little girl in the world. What a wonderful gift to your family! Abigail will be the first child of generations of your family who will treasure that shawl.
It's stunning!
Wow. That is ethereally beautiful. If I didn't know better, I'd say it had been knitted by angels, from yarn spun out of cloud. Exquisite work, Franklin.
good, good uncle. Yay.
The shawl is gorgeous! You did a great job with it! It always amazes me what blocking can for a knit piece! Abigail is extremely fortunate to have you! Enjoy your trip!
All of your hard work is now totally worth it for my viewing pleasure. It really is a sight to behold. You are going to make a hell of an uncle, but good thing you only have the one neice.
Oh Franklin, that is so beautiful!! Congrats on getting it done. She will love it for the rest of her life.
It is beautiful. I can't wait to see the rest of the photos. You deserve a stiff drink and nice nap!
It's perfect.
That is stunning, stunning work. Congratulations!
I could cry for how beautiful that is and the love that went into it. Looking forward to the full report on your return.
Beautiful work, Franklin. Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful and impressive piece of work. You must be infinitely proud!
Stunningly beautiful. How lucky Abigail is to have you knit it for her and how lucky you are to have Abigail to knit for. (Bad grammar, I know but you get the drift.) I love the way you put writing into your knitting. Words..I love them.
YIPPEE!!!
Well, that's why folks have TWO beds!
Beautiful and WOW!
Congratulations on finishing an epic work! And the uncle work is only just begun...
Franklin, you are a great artist in many fields.This shawl is so exquisite,and you are so kind sharing it with us. Thank you and enjoy your weekend in Maine.
When I was christened I was the fourth generation to wear the christening gown hand made and embroidered by a loving ancestor. If it hasn't fallen apart, one of my cousins may pass it on for a grandchild (generation 6) to wear soon. I wish a similar journey of time and love for your shawl.
It is exquisite!
Beautiful enough to make your already gorgeous niece look even more lovely.
As you head east ... be forewarned ... if you're going to be any where near midcoast Maine, it's been doing a LOT of raining around here.
Bring a sweater! 80 degree days are not here....
I find it amusing that just after you left Maine, I came out to see my family... I'm about to leave, you're coming back....I'm guessing that just before I swing back through, you'll have left again.
This shawl is a knit masterpiece and is the quintessential definition of the saying, "There is love knit into each and every stitch!"
I hope you are as proud of yourself as we are of you!
Your knitting and writing is inspirational to me. Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to be quite enough, but those are the only tools I have to work with in this virtual world.
I know you've been told over 115 times how beautiful the shawl is, but I couldn't let my own personal praise of it go unexpressed. Frankin, its just breath taking; and the thought of it swaddling you niece for her important day is even more lovely. A lucky family all of you are. I hope you enjoy...
thanks for the photos, I have been living for this post. Awesome.
wow, that's all i can think to write and i'm NEVER without words....
By the time you get down this far you will have read just about every compliment that could be bestowed on you and the wonderful family heirloom...I'll just say, "Wow and congratulations...and thank god the oatmeal was dry!"
vwaymnlk
(it's left me speechless so I had to use the word verification)
Be proud, Unka Frank!
That is gasp-inducing gorgeous. What a magnificent thing!
It's lovely. Really amazing.
Oh. My. God. I need to go lie down now too. Simply breathtaking!
oh no you can't sleep anywhere when you block lace. it is so lovely. what a nice heirloom.
Congratulations Franklin! You did an amazing job. Can't wait to see the action shots!
Stunning! Blockees always get the bed!
Truly beautiful....
Franklin - it's everything everyone who preceded said and more. She'll wear or carry it on her wedding day, and in 500 years it'll be unwrapped from tissue, its story and translation read from awed respectful lips, and a descendent of Abigail's will be wrapped in it. Thank you for sharing the story - and the shawl -with us. May I add "merriment" to Abigail's wishes?
Beautiful. Congratulations! May Abigail find that it inspires her to learn to knit one day...
Noble and stately.
When I was cruisin' my Thesaurus looking for even more ways to say what everyone else has already said, these two also seem correct.
Breathtaking!
Franklin, it's exquisite! What a lucky young lady she is to receive such a magnificent gift.
It is beautiful. I would not expect anything less
Oho! That is absolutely gorgeous. Have a tall one while lying down.
From Webster's on-line:
The Word of the Day for July 22, 2007 is:
panoptic • \pan-OP-tik\ • adjective
: being or presenting a comprehensive or panoramic view
Example Sentence:
At the top of the mountain is a sightseeing point that provides climbers with a panoptic view of the surrounding valleys.
Did you know?
The establishment of "panoptic" in the English language can be attributed to two inventions known as panopticons. The more well-known panopticon was conceived by the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham in 1787. Bentham's panopticon was a circular prison with cells arranged around a central tower from which guards could see the inmates at all times. The other panopticon, also created in the 18th century, was a device containing pictures of attractions, such as European capitals, that people viewed through an opening. Considering the views that both inventions gave, it is not hard to see why "panoptic" (a word derived from Greek "panoptēs," meaning "all-seeing") was being used by the early 19th century.
This shawl has brought yet another longtime lurker out of the woodwork.
It is beautiful, strong, wise, and even a bit funny. It is everything you are, Franklin.
It's stunning. Absolutely stunning.
All I can say is ... WOW! You are indeed an amazing uncle! Abigail is incredibly lucky to have you! Kiss her lots for all of us!
Kudos! IT's JUST Stunning!
(and of course, you'd sleep on the sofa, where else? Lace gets the best spot in the house!)
Have a wonderful trip!
(((hugs)))
It's so fabulous, I can hardly write! A guaranteed heirloom for generations to come! Ancestors bless you!
Congratulations! On the christening, I mean, as well as the shawl, although in the latter case words are superfluous.
Wow. That is gorgeous. I can only hope that someday I will knit something that rings with as much magnificence.
Congratulations- that is a beautiful piece of work.
hello Franklin, it was nice meeting you today in the coffee shop. i hope to have a sitting with you soon.
OH, it's taken me too long to comment. One word, Spectactular!
Franklin, what a beautiful shawl, the pictures of shawl and all are wonderful thank you for sharing
Lynne
of course like your web site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I will certainly come back again.judi bola
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