Monarch Butterfly

After eighteen months, three continents  and one marathon finishing session, Butterfly takes flight.
Specs: Butterfly from Rowan 37, main body knit on Addi Turbos, US 7.  Straps knit on Addi Natura wooden double points, US 7. Knit in just over 2 balls of Kid Silk Haze in color 589, Majestic and approximately 250 seed beads from Rowan, color J3001006.   I followed the pattern for size XS, blocked to different measurements.  Gauge: 18.25 stitches and 24 rows per four inchs (not the gauge specified in the pattern)  Finished measurements: 25 inches from neck to bottom, 36 inches at bust and hips, 33 inches at waist

Pattern Notes: Like so many of Rowan's pattern writers, Jennie Atkinson has written "guidelines" more than actual patterns.  As many people have noted, you cannot end a row on a yarn over, which this pattern, when knit in size XS, directs you to do so, twice.  To accomodate this impossiblity, I began the next row, a wrong side purl row with a yarn over.  In the end, this didn't matter since the two edge stitches always disappeared in seaming so I could have a consistant edge to mattress stitch.  Atkinson also directs you to reverse the arm hole shaping, a personal pet peeve of mine, since the complicated lace makes shaping difficult, if not impossible to take into the pattern properly without a large span of stockinette filler. I only realized this when I was knitting the first piece; I attempted to shape what became the back of the garment and while I'm not wild about the edges, the funkiness is only about a half inch from the seam or less, so I can live with it.  Because I didn't like the look of the shaping and I wanted the lace to drape, I knit the front unshaped from the picked up start to the arm holes, which I shaped as follows:
1) k1, yo, k2togtbl, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k1, k2tog, k1 (11 st)
2) co 4 pwise, p across
3) k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog (5)
4) p2tog, p3 (4)
5) k2tog, k2togtbl (2)
6) p 2
7) k2tog (1)
Cast off center 26 for neck and then repeat.  To shape the other armhole, I reversed my shapings (hypocritcal, I know).

To finish Butterfly, I first did the directed picot cast off for the the arm holes and neck, but after all the wrangling, the yarn looked deflated and floppy.  After two more tries, I elected to use a three stitch attached i cord and then picked up appropriately for three stitch i cord straps.  I worked all four straps to 20 cm and then bound off, tying them in the back in a (relatively twee) bow. I did this deliberately since I wanted to make the length of the dress flexible.

I hard blocked in lukewarm water where the dye bled very slightly and most of the dirt accumulated over eighteen months of knitting (London Underground schmutz, Egyptian desert sand...) rinsed out easily.  Before putting Butterfly in the wash, I ran fingering weight mercerized cotton through the side stitches, the lace edging, midway through the edging, the border of the edging, the points of the edging, the arm shaping and the neck shaping.  Once Butterfly was wet, I snapped the cotton to my  measurements on my hallway and left it to dry.  I did not use pins; the cotton held the edges perfectly taut.  Henceforth, this will be my go to blocking method because the edges were shave-your-legs-on-them-sharp.  People always say that blocking lace is a breathtaking experience and I whole heartedly concur.  After hauling this project around for long, I'd lost sight of my original intent: to create something to breathtakingly beautiful I'd work on it for 18 months and still want to look at it.
Final Thoughts: After having Butterfly on the needles for so long, it's almost anti climactic to finish her.  After spending about six months in a plastic bag, I took the front with me on a trip this weekend, and realized I was less than four inches from being finished.  The ensuing frenzy, coupled with a newly returned infatuation with Kid Silk Haze contributed to some intense knitting and finishing time over the past few days.  I'm thrilled Butterfly is finished and it's easily the most beautiful object I've ever created, but I'm almost a little sorry it's over.

Comments

[Gina]

I am utterly speechless -- Butterfly is so beautiful, and you wear it well.

[Carrie]

Dude. Wow. It's so, so beautiful! And you look beautiful in it! Congrats on finishing it!

Amazing, seriously.

[molly!]

Ditto, that is really beautiful. You did such an amazing job!

[Amy]

Hubba Hubba! On both the dress and the way you look in it! Congratulations on a job well done!

[Jenny]

HOLY SHIT. Elspeth, that is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. Very flattering. Lovely knitting. So impressive. Enjoy!

[Genia]

*****speechless*****

[Lola]

Wow . . . this is Simply Stunning!!!! Truly beautiful - congratulations.

[Julia]

It's freakin' gorgeous. You look stunning. I've been wanting to knit this forever and now I HAVE to - so great is your beauty. Brava!

[Cheryl]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

[Lolly]

E, this is truly amazing! Beautiful outcome, and great photos to show it off too!

[janice]

Elspeth,
This is just magnificent and you look gorgeous in it.
I am amazed at your persistence in adapting and finishing such a difficult project.
Janice

[Dani]

Everyone else used all my adjectives, so all I can say is that Butterfly is one fine piece of handiwork. Good job!

[Ann]

Wow, it's beautiful. Positively amazing.

[julia fc]

I love it. Especially on you. vurrrrrry nice.

[Deb]

What a beautiful piece! I looked at the pattern wistfully when the book came out. I thought it would just take too long. I must remember the process is just as beautiful.

[Monika]

oh, wow, that's just gorgeous!

[Brenda]

Very beautiful dress, and it looks lovely on you! Thanks for submitting this to Yarnival, because now I have found your blog.

[Kim]

Breathtaking! And I am so glad you still love it - you should!