Strawberries, chocolate, and champagne
Truly, this is a momentous day.
After a nice, long soaky bath,
These Eucalan baths are a little-known beauty secret of the stars.
and a torturous day stretched out on wires and pins (I could not bear to photograph it…it was hard enough to witness his suffering…), Icarus is ready for his debut:
Specs: Three full skeins Alchemy Haiku in lovely “Vermillion,” plus a single, sanity-sparing ball of Kidsilk Haze in “Villain;” U.S. size 3 needles, bamboo; blocking wires up the kazoo; 60+ pins; a case of Jacob’s Creek Shiraz-Cabernet; a bucket of tears; a stream of curses in four Indo-European languages.
But worth it. All of it, worth it. Indulge me, will you, while I show you yet another view?
Measurements: 76″ wingspan, 36″ from top edge to center point.
Aw, hell, days like this don’t come along very often:
A lone wing with portrait of Shelley in the background. Yes, she is the only mongrel in all of North America who has sat for a series of portraits. And yes, I know what you are thinking. But it’s a good kind of crazy.
Icarus in motion:
I got feathers, can’t I fly?
Icarus on the edge:
I’ve made things in the past that were cute, or functional, or delightful, or even a little ingenious. But I think this shawl is flat-out the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made.
I couldn’t be happier with it.
That pop you just heard? Champagne cork. The untrammelled celebration has begun Chez Mad Dog.
Raise a glass with me? And Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American readers.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Stunning!
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Slainte, Ellen! And oooooohhhhhhhhhhhh. *So* beautiful! Perfectly ethereal. Villain definitely turned out to be a hero, too.
As to tears, streams, and cases of other liquids – well, Icarus *was* flying over water. Glad he came to a safe and successful landing this time! Wonderful work.
Happy Thanksgiving! (Oops, to you too, Sarah – sorry.) Definitely another thing to rejoice over. Brava!
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:23 pm
That’s gorgeous! Yay!
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Stunningly beautiful! Congratulations!
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Icarus is a thing of beauty. I do love the chocolate brown edging also. Just gorgeous. Definitely worth all the hard work.
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:13 pm
That is truely gorgeous. Wonderful job!
November 22nd, 2006 at 8:30 pm
Icarus is lovely! And his wings are not attached with wax!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Alex!
November 22nd, 2006 at 9:35 pm
As those masters of philosophy (Queen) once said, “Spread your wings and fly away.”
Icarus is lovely and very becoming. Thanks for the step by step.
Happy Thanksgiving, KnitSisters! I’m thankful for you.
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:03 am
Wow! People will fall at your feet in amazement when they see it. It’s fabulous.
November 23rd, 2006 at 12:05 am
Hey, I thought of a new name for Icarus–his superhero name, if you will:
“The Vermillion Villain”
Beautiful work!
November 23rd, 2006 at 2:58 am
Fabulous! The villian edging adds so much. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
November 23rd, 2006 at 4:00 am
Icarus is absolutely beautiful, and I think it’s lucky that you ran out of the main yarn – the ‘villain’ edging really finishes it off! Congratulations on completing Icarus – and just in time to enjoy the long weekend!
November 23rd, 2006 at 8:41 pm
The pictures, as amazing as they are, really don’t show the glory that is this Icarus. It is truly amazing. And you all should see Ellen wearing it. There is this pride on her face as she’s wearing it…wonderful to behold.
November 25th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Absolutely Gorgeous! I really love how the Villain plays the hero. The dark chocolate really sets of the scallops beautifully. What a great idea.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:44 am
holy cow, i am SO BEHIND on my bloglines. that is one beautiful shawl. really. truly gorgeous. 🙂