I’m happy to announce my first professionally published pattern– a lace-and-beads circular shawl called Shipwreck. I am thrilled down to my toes to be published in Knitty, and especially to be featured on the cover!
I’m especially happy to be in an issue with so many gorgeous and fantastic patterns– when the Year Without Patterns is over, I’m particularly excited to knit the Aeolian Shawl, Reverie, Decimal and Absinthe.
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments– those of you enjoying the photography should know all the photos were taken by my husband with a Nikon D40, mostly at Emerald Isle in North Carolina.
Thank you for your drop-dead gorgeous pattern! I have been afraid to try dyeing, but you have totally inspired me! This is in the category of absolutely must knit.
You should be so proud. Knitty has only been out a few hours – and look at how many favorites and queued you have in Ravelry!
It’s absolutely stunning. Congratulations!
wow! We are practically neighbors….so HAPPY for you,
this pattern is EXCELLENT, and the photography LOVELY!
It’s stunning. Congratulations.
Absolutely gorgeous!! It is so beautiful! Congrats on getting the pattern published :)
That’s an absolutely beautiful shawl. Congratulations on being published.
I just came by to congratulate on the publication! It is an absolutely beautiful shawl!
Breathtaking! And I just knew that was a Carolina coast.
(Closing mouth with hand) That is amazing. How in the world did you do that?
(Mouth agape again)
a truly elegant and lovely creation! congratulations on your first published design. i’m looking forward to making it – and i will post a photo on ravelry for you to see.
Whoa, Shipwreck is your pattern? I was most impressed by it than all the other patterns — and I don’t knit shawls! Congratulations!
What a stunning shawl!!! Thanks for sharing it with us. Please keep up the good work!
WoW…I sat here reading and looking at the posted pictures in awe, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful……
congratulations on your first published design!
It’s just beautiful.
I put it in the style picks of the knitting forecast.
I love it.
x
[…] We love Shipwreck. Everything about Shipwreck is amazing. Look how lovely it is in all the photos, look how pleasingly the dye job worked out, check out the crystals. Check out Bethany’s photographs. […]
Honestly one of the most beautiful patterns I’ve seen in AGES! You are a genius! Thank you so much!
You should be very proud. I am deep in love with Shipwrecked. Lovelovelove! Goosebump love. So much in love I had to find your blog and tell you directly. Queuing it on Rav and raving about it in Knittyheads was not enough.
I have about 4 lace shawls queued up in that I even have the yarn for them but they will all take a back seat because I MUST knit Shipwrecked.
Hopped over here from Knitty – I’m in love with this piece. I’ve been plotting making my first shawl for a while, and when I loaded up the Spring Knitty, I realized this is it. I’m originally from Nova Scotia too (yay Barbara!), and the shawl and your photos are making me homesick ;-)
(and, dare I ask, where did you get your beads? I’m trying desperately to find an online source, b/c I have no car)
Thanks for a great pattern!
Just lovely!!
Your shipwrecked is just gorgeous! I’m not sure I have the guts to try it but I’m thinking about it. You should be very, very proud of yourself and tell hubbie the photos are awesome. What a great and amazing entry for the spring knitty! Congratulations.
An absolutely breathtaking shawl! This is definitely going on my must-knit list, and soon. Thanks for sharing it. :) (And I also got a little thrill to notice you’re from Chapel Hill – I live in Durham, but I work in Davis library. So there’s a good chance you’ll see your shawl on campus soon.)
LOVE your shawl and knew you had to be from the Carolinas when I saw the pictures on Knitty. I grew up on the North and South Carolina Coasts and your pictures are almost as pretty as your knitting
Love your pattern! Also love the adventurous idea of dying after knitting. If there is a kal on Ravelry I hope you’ll pop in to offer advice occasionally (or more often…)
Hehehe…. let me join the queue of adoring fans. I believe this doubles your comments for the entire blog. It is a fabulous pattern that already has me running through my stash for options. And the added bonus of finding a fun new blog to read. And I won’t fight the psychology posts; my SO is a psych grad too. :)
Absolutely beautiful. So wonderful. Am curious to know how long it took? I’d love to knit it and need to know how much time to allot to this project.
Congratulations. You should be very proud.
So beautiful and it combines my 2 loves knitting and beading. I hope to be good enough at knitting to try this soon!
I just popped in to say – WOW this pattern is soooo beautiful – I have no use for a big @ss round shawl but I’m totally making it anyway. I couldn’t sleep for thinking about it!
I’ve only knit one shawl and I griped throughout the entire thing. I thought it would never end. It had beads, too, but only 750.
I haven’t even glanced at any other Knitty patterns yet; your is just breathtaking. I’ve even blogged about it. I have a huge stash and will find something for it, although I think the Bare is the best bet. That color is perfect.
I’m wondering too how long it takes. I only have an hour or so a day to work on things, and most of the time I’m brain dead. I think this will be my one BIG project that I keep around to work on during those few lucid moments I have. It might take years, but I have the feeling that this will be the knit of my lifetime and passed down to my granddaughter.
Your Shipwreck shaw is one of the most beautiful pieces of knitting that I have ever seen. And your description of it is poetry. I am in awe of your passion for knitting and ability to bring it to fruition with such exquisite work! Bravo!
This shawl is gorgeous, stunning, incredible! I haven’t knit lace yet, and THIS is the shawl that makes me want to knit lace. I can’t even begin to imagine the work and inspiration that went into the making of your pattern, but thank you for sharing it with us!
Congratulations on being published.
What a stunning pattern, you have captured the essence of the sea and the beautiful seaweed. Terrific job on the color and the pattern. I’m not a lace knitter but I’m going to put this on my fantasy wip list.
I’mnot the most advanced of knitters and the thought of threading 5000 beads onto yarn scares me, but I am going to knit this…see you in 5 years!
It is a stunning shawl. I am in absolute love and ordered yarn for it to start as soon as it gets here.
Did you really use all 5000 beads?
Saw your pattern on the cover of Knitty and followed the link here to your blog. This pattern is so phenominally beautiful. Thank you so much for it! I’m pretty new to knitting (and probably more ambitious than my limited experience warrants), but I think I’m still going to dive into this pattern. It’s just TOO pretty to not try. It may take me YEARS to finish but that’s ok.
Thanks so much!
Heather
LOVE this pattern! I’m half way through the Medeira pattern and loving it. Started stringing beads – OMG 5000 is a lot!
Question- I’m worried this number of beads will be very heavy. Is it? I have only strung about 1600 so far. Do you think it would look ok with half the called for number?
The shawl will be a gift for a friend’s wife…IF I can part with it.
Congrats on the publishing – front page even!!
I don’t understand the info about moving markers left and right. Markers aren’t mentioned (I am using them for each pattern multiple and of course, the beginning of rounds) Do you mean the beginning of round marker? Why are we moving it? I am not there yet, so maybe it would have been obvious when I got there. While waiting for my Knitpicks order to come, I started knitting this with some noro sock yarn on hand and I got to Row 3 of the Madeira, without moving any markers, so maybe I missed the point?
This is a stunning pattern, and it is not too difficult because of the wonderful way that you have broken up the patterns. I haven’t decided if I can do the beads, but for now, I am having too much fun!
Jane, the beginning of round marker shift does not happen until round 11. If it isn’t shifted the pattern won’t line up correctly. Be sure to follow the CHART for the ‘shifted’ rounds since the wording doesn’t quite match up. Hope that helps.
Tina
What a delicious pattern! Er, how much does it weigh with 5000 beads on it? Even if it’s 10 pounds, I don’t care — I’m going to knit it anyway! I could hire a page boy to carry the train if I have to…
really beautiful shawl!
This shawl is just gorgeous! I just finished purchacing yarn to make this.
[…] thanks for the gift of this shawl, Bethany. The pattern rules and therefore, in my world, so do you. I cannot wait to get some real progress […]
Okay, I understand that not everyone out there has had the chance to get into Scuba Diving or perhaps seen a real jelly fish up close and personal, but —– your shawl reflects the beauty and gracefulness of these incredible sea creatures. The picture you have of your shawl stretched out on the beach exactly resembles the body and tendrils glowing iridescently. Of course by the time they are washed up on the beach, they aren’t so glowy and they are kinda smelly. But, hey, your creation is stunning.
Your Shipwreck shawl absolutely falls into my “Can’t wait to knit this!!!” category. Thank you so much for sending it out into the world!
Beautiful! I can’t wait to knit it. I have just started knitting lacy type neck scarves….
This will be my first true scarf.
Need a wedding to show it off… but sadly no one is getting married in my family or friends group.
Sheryl
Came upon your pattern by accident, and absolutely love it. I will be making it, but do not know where to purchase the Czech glass beads. Can you help?
I need help with Shipwreck and I could not locate an email address to write you at.
I am in the second half of Madeira, currently on Row 33 of 37. I really am in love with this shawl, but somewhere along the way, I am coming to believe something might be wrong on the chart.
The first half of the pattern has the knitter move the round marker to the left then back to the right, at rows 11 and 12, and again at rows 15 and 16.
The second half of Madeira has us move it to the left on row 23, but not back, then to the left again on Row 27. Never moving it back to the right. That would seem to make the leaves motif asymmetrical. Is this correct?
Please email me at melisentlaruse@yahoo.com if you have any insight.
Congratulations on your publication!!…and being pictured on the Cover…how Fantastic!
Shipwreck is beyond BEAUTIFUL!! I’m a novice knitter and won’t be attempting this. I am completely in awe of your talent and this stunning shawl…Thanks for sharing :)
This is just SOOOO beautiful! And actually “it’s beautiful” is an understatement for your work. Just great.
I too fell in love with your stunning shawl, and immediately started it. I too am having a problem with the second set of leaves…I’m using stitch markers on every repeat, and could swear that I haven’t made a mistake. Are you sure that the pattern is correct? The idea of ripping out many hours of work is not pleasant, but I need to do it. But what is worse is repeating the mistake twice…
i found beads on ebay — kandptreasurebeads
am having nightmares about all those beads, but will soothe myself by knitting the shipwreck on kauai.
beautiful design!!!
Hi, I am currently working on Shipwreck but I am slightly confused on the first pattern (the Strawberry pattern). In Section 4 it states in rounds 17-21 I should work rounds 1-5 of the Strawberry Pattern. So, does this mean I work the pattern 5 times total or just the one time and that equals rounds 17-21?
I hope my question makes sense. :)
Thanks!
Svannah
Absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations!
Bethany thank you for this great pattern. I saw it and had to make it. I haven’t done much lace knitting or added beads to my projects, but this is a lot of fun. As other people have mentioned the 5000 beads did scare me. But I made a bead spinner ( found instructions on You Tube). This was a time saver. The shawl is knitting very fast. I also have a question on the Madeira pattern, like lause, Row 23 & 27 you move the marker 1 stitch to the left . Should you, on row 24 & 28 move marker 1 stitch to the right back to the org. position? Hope the bead section is a much fun. Thanks again for the great pattern.
Ann
This beaded shawl is beautiful and drapes richly because of the beads in the right tension of open stitchwork, extremely flattering. I was just advised yesterday that wool and silk is the premium blend of fibers as well. I note your yarn choice. all this , and graduate school as well! Have an amazing career and a satisfying avocation in fibers. I am so impressed. All the best to you.
BEADS! If anyone else has made this shawl with the beads, could you tell us where you purchased the beads and how did you buy them? I need to find a source to buy the beads and each place I’ve looked, the cost is prohibitive. 5,000 beads could cost $600 (pkgs of 25 @ $3 ea) and either I make it with fewer beads or none.
I’m guessing the beads provide the best drape in the finished piece.
So if anyone has purchased those beads, please tell us where you bought them and how you bought them. The source listed above has 10/0, 11/0 and 12/0 but I don’t find the 8/0 listed in the pattern.
But she sells them in hanks and that looks like it might make it affordable. I’m not sure how many hanks I’d need to buy if the 10/0 would work. Anyone know?
Thanks in advance.
WOW!! This is beautiful. You should be tickled to your toes. I would love to design but can’t seem to think creatively. Guess I’m a follower (of the pattern) not a leader (creator of the pattern) I look forward to more of your patterns. I’ll be looking!
Found the beads! Earthfaire.com has them in lots of 35 grams for $4 to $5 and 40 beads per gram, so one lot is 1400 beads.
I’ve placed my order and look forward to having them for this shawl.
I’m not brave enough to try this yet, but I just wanted to say this is the first shawl I’ve seen that took my breath away! Absolutely gorgeous!!!
I am having a difficult time understanding how to add the beads. I would appreciate it if you could explain the process.
Thank you,
Carla
Bethany,
This shawl is beautiful. I am currently working on a pi shawl and mine pales in comparison. I wish to start on this great shawl in the fall. Thanks for the great pattern.
I just finished my own Shipwreck shawl over the weekend.
I cannot say enough good things about how beautiful the result is. Thank you so much!
I’d love to see pictures of your shawl! Do you have photographs? I’m just starting the second Bleeding Heart section on my own.
Your shawl is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!! Congrats – what a stunning cover shot on Knitty. And, you’re from Chapel Hill! I’m right up the road from you near Danville, VA and also frequent Emerald Isle! Knit on!
Amazing!! I wish i could do something like that one day!!
Many,many thanx!
A stunning design, so well executed. I love the description of it on Knitty as well … the words make you hungry to knit, own, and wear this piece.
I love the fact that this shawl encompasses such a detailed, flowing concept. Knitting it would be like reading a story and becoming part of it in the end.
Well done!
Warm wishes,
firefly
thank you for this splendid pattern , I have done a shipwreck you can see it on my blog
thank you a lot
Hi, I’m totally loving the Shipwrecked shawl pattern you created. I’m finally ready to make it, however I live in California and don’t really want to use a wool-based yarn. I was wondering what your thoughts are on using bamboo yarn instead, and if it would change the look of the shawl drastically.
I’ve had this pattern in the back of my mind for months now. Just picked up 5000 yards of undyed lace weight alpaca. I think I’m ready to go. Still undecided about the beads. Thanks for creating this beautiful shawl.
Your Shipwreck Shawl is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful patterns on Knitty.com. I hope one day I can knit consistently & patiently enough to try this. Congratulations on your publication and thank you so much for sharing this gorgeousness!
I’ve dreamed of Shipwreck since it was published. It’s absolutely stunning. Thank you so much for sharing. I cast on yesterday and each stitch is a blast.
I just want you to know how very beautiful the Shipwreck pattern and pics are. Takes my breath away!! Now, if I could learn to knit something other than a scarf…. :)
I can’t imagine threading 5000 beads onto my yarn so started looking for suggestions on how to make that easier and found this: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com/2005/08/by-special-request-beading-made-easy.html
I’m going to give it a shot! Also found that if you put czech bead 8/0 into the amazon.com search engine you’ll get hundreds of replies. I’m making my shawl with a silk/seaweed fiber yarn that is pale moss green, beige and pale rose. I found the perfect litte 8/0 creamy beige pearl beads on amazon.
Wonderful, Bethany!
I’m a little late, but so glad I discovered this! Are you still posting? Are you still in Chapel Hill? I’d love to keep up with your blogging!
Hi, I love this shawl and am almost on Row 10 of the Bleeding Heart pattern. After I move the marker to the left, do I move it back? Because after I do the BH twice I will be 2 stitches ‘off.’
This is my biggest project so far and I’m looking forward to it.
Hi Bethany, I am a daring new knitter who is drawn to your outstanding pattern on Knitty everytime I go to the site. I’m going to try your pattern. Don’t freak! I have a patient teacher who is wonderful. I am just wondering if you have friends who have successfully completed the pattern. If so, I would appreciate a heads-up on anything I should know before beginning.
:D So excited!
:D Because I didn’t say so before, the pictures were awesome too! Everytime I take a pic of my knitting someone always says “what’s that blob?”.
Kudos!
I had to come add my name to the accolades of this shawl. It is an incredible pattern and lots of us from this years Loopy Ewe Spring Fling are knitting it! Thanks so much for your gorgeous creation and congrats!
A beautiful pattern…when is the next circular shawl coming????
I do need some help…Can you explain the need for all the different size needles or at least where the change in needle size applies in the pattern. I am working on a US 5, and am getting ready to switch to a longer circular because my 24” is getting filled up, but what about all the other needle sizes that the pattern recommends??? The pattern doesn’t say to change size as you go, but is this a knitting “read between the lines” thing that I am missing. I am on Section 6: Rounds 53-57. Please help.
Many thanks in advance.
Hi! I’m knitting the shipwreck shawl and the designs in the center are so fascinating! I love it, and I’m not having any trouble with the stitches in the pattern. But I still can’t figure out what it means to “move the marker”. Can you give me an explanation? Can you move the markers as you knit that row? And then do you leave the markers in that position until the next time that the pattern says to “move the marker”? Does the pattern not turn out right if you don’t “move the marker”?
I’m sorry to bother you about this, because I appreciate it so much that you are sharing this pattern with us for free. And I can’t wait until my shawl is done so that I can wear it! You are a genius for creating this shawl!
Thank you so much for your help!
I have a question about Round 11 of the Madeira Pattern on the Shipwreck Shawl. It says that the repeating stitches are [Ssk, K4, yo, ssk, K2, yo, ssk]. But that is 12 stitches, when the repeat is supposed to be 10 stitches. Can you tell me what the correct stitches are for this round?
I’m thinking that maybe I should just leave off the final “ssk”?
Thanks for any help someone can give me on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[…] method DOES NOT work on yarn overs. If you want beads to hang between your yarn overs (like in the Shipwreck Shawl), you have to thread your beads directly onto your yarn before knitting […]
I’m kind of scared that my 8/0 beads won’t fit on the yarn, but it’s my first time beading and hey… yarn is compressable, no?
I’ll figure it out. The pattern looks fun, and the end product gorgeous!
My daughter knitted this pattern for her sister’s wedding’s shawl, in an ivory bamboo yarn, gold and pearl beads….
So many compliments:
Hi Bethany – thanks so much for the great shipwreck pattern. I had a lot of fun knitting it. Would it be okay with you if I donated the finished shawl to a charity auction? I would in no way profit from this. thanks, michele
Truly a work of art. Thank you for such a wonderful pattern.
Hello. I love your shipwreck shawl. Sooooo beautiful. After a long time of admiring it, I have begun my own. Problem is the second half of the madeira pattern. Is there any errata for it anywhere. I cannot get it right no matter what. Please help!!!!!
I just cast on last night – our LYS is having a knit along. I love, love, love this shawl. if I succeed it will be only my 2nd shawl. Congrats on a beautiful pattern, and thank you.
Hi Bethany,
I am enjoying your pattern Shipwrecked, very much. I have a question. In the Madeira section, Round 11 and 15 the first stitch is struck through in the written pattern. Do I ignore this stitch or do I do it, and then move the marker over one? Or do I just not do this first stitch for the initial repetition? Thanks again for this pattern. It’s lovely.
I love your pattern and have been waiting for 3 years to start it (retirement); so I started Monday and it is now Friday. I am on row 20 of the Madeira Pattern and it seems there is a problem on row 15, it doesn’t look quite right. I am using the written instructions, but will switch to the chart if that is better.
My question is, are there corrections in places other than row 30 and 31? If so, what are they? I can’t seem to stop knitting this thing and hope you can help me with these questions.
Thank you very much!
Billie Jo
Piece is simply wonderful! I wonder if I can make it a 1/2 Pi?
Made in this about one week or so in February; couldn’t put it down, beautiful! I didn’t find any mistakes.
Hello! I’ve been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent work!
So where is this designer? I’ve not seen her respond to anyone. I mean, it’s great that the commenters are helping each other but I think she should be participating here.
The only thing that I don’t get is I don’t use a maker on my round. I only use it at the beginning where I started. The pm is put where each round starts. Now on your pattern, you have me move the maker one stitch to the left. If I don’t use a maker, then what do I do?
I love this shawl and I have started it. I don’t understand the Madeira row 12. How do I move the marker to the right when I have an ssk at the end of row 11? In most other instructions that I have used, I left the last stitch unworked and then started the next round. I do not see how this is possible with this pattern.
Please help!
Toni
This is beautiful! Will you be continuing the blog? Have you switched to another blog? I’ve just found your blog and especially loved your tips on how to choose yarn.