Where I Share My Secret Thoughts and Ask For Yours
Jun 1st, 2007 by jae
I was incredibly touched by the overwhelming response I received from the last post about the peacock shawl.
Touched? That’s how you are going to describe it? Let’s try flabbergasted. Bowled over. Need to sit down from the shock. And the response – I think unexpectedly huge sums it up nicely.
The encouragement from all of you was wonderful.
Maybe you’ll believe me now. I know you were worried that it was only nice in your mind. I have been saying all along that it was nice, period. Telling me that I am biased does not make me wrong. It took all of them saying it to believe? Humph, I see where I rank.
Tonight is the last night that I will be knitting on the shawl. The fact that the moment has come to bind off seems almost unreal.
Technically, yesterday was the last time you knit on the shawl. Tonight is all about the CROCHET bind off.
This has made me realize that I am faced with a decision. What color should it be? Throughout the process, much wavering has occurred. Even among the comments there has not been consent.
I’d speak up with an opinion, but we have seen how much you don’t listen to me.
I think this calls for a poll. The options are to leave it solid ivory, dye it a solid color, or handpaint the different sections.
Isn’t photo editing wonderful? You can pretend all sorts of things.
Your thoughts on what color the bird should be is most welcome and encouraged. I am honestly of two minds about whether to dye or not dye, paint or not paint the shawl.
I think they’ve figured out the two minds thing. Let’s hope they haven’t already dialed for the men in white coats.
I had to say plain Jane because I’m just not sure. It’s so beautiful on it’s own. I love the ivory color on it already, it’s a soft elegance.
Oh honey it turned out wonderful! It’s been while since I checked in – wow! Amazing :) I vote the two colors…
I love the ivory. Why gild the lily? I’m with Teresa. I think coloring would detract from the elegance.
Ivory! It’s perfect as is. Well done!
I voted to leave it as is since you didn’t give me a solid colour choice that I agreed with!
I refuse to vote. It’s your shawl. You should do the thing that will make you the most happiest. If that means leave it plain, so be it. If it means painting it wildly, even though you’re worried it will be ruined, then I think you should go for that too. Sometimes taking a risk feels dangerous, but I think that it’s also a place where something really good can happen.
But ultimately, I vote that you try to find a moment of clarity so that you can decide what it is that YOU really must do to make this shawl exactly what it was meant to be.
I made a poll today too!! I think it looks very lovely! And the decision making is really hard!!
I love the hand-coloured version – but it would be oh-so-much work. It’s lovely in any case.
I love the painted look. Lots of work, but wow!
It’s so gorgeous, I’d be afraid, but I am all about color.
From a design perspective: the painted shawl representing a true peacock — think haute couture – where the designer presents a unique and true work of art. You’re showcasing (selling) a dream.
From a practical, everyday perspective: undyed and unembellished simplicity.
When choosing colours for knitted things that represent something (leaves in particular) I tend to go for colours that match (ie green, or perhaps autumn colours). But for this, while I initially thought handpainted, on reflection you know, I think it is obvious what it is, and the ivory just makes this more so. In the end, you have to be happy with it, so whatever you want will be the best choice (as they are all great choices and you won’t go wrong)
One vote for Ivory…
simplistic perfection
It’s a peacock shawl—definitely hand painted. Of course it’s lovely no matter what you decide.
I really think this is your decision..what was your vision?..but IF you really want a vote..the ivory is just perfection..what more could you ask for!
It is ridiculously beautiful as it is, swoon worthy indeed.
But I kind of want to see you carry the vision out – how about dye the thing peacock blue and then hand paint the eyes with bronze and green?
I think I’m in the minority here, but the idea of this as a subtle bluish-green, with the innate variations that only hand dyeing can bring seems irresistible to me! And I love – absolutely love – Juno’s suggestion of accenting the eyes with bronze and green. But, all that said, it’s a stunning piece no matter how you decide to finish it and it will be gorgeous in any color.
(I’m (okay, not so) patiently waiting for Gnorm or Gnuman.. I have all kinds of goodies already waiting to accompany one of them to your doorstep!)
Yep it’s stunning – Jae – so clever. Dye it peacock colours ! I think that would be such a feat to get it right and so worthwhile….. xx Shaz
Have you painted a swatch? Either painted or plain. If you leave it plain you can paint it later. But you can’t undo… so it’s up to you.
I’m sure it will be fantastic no matter what. :D
*OtterHuggles*
My sister in law wants to know if you are going to sell the pattern :) beautiful! still lovin it
It is absolutely beautiful in ivory, and it would go with almost everything if left that way.
It is achingly beautiful just the way it is, but I agree with Laurie M. Its yours and you should do what makes you happiest.
Hiya,
glad to see it nearly completed :)
I voted 1 single color although I do love the 2 color version too, but I was thinking that if you will be selling this pattern I doubt that a lot of people are going to try and do the handpainting thing themselves. I certainly wouldn’t… it scares me :)
Cheers Eva
You know – it’s a one of a kind. It’s not a lovely lace shawl made up of a few different stitches – it’s a PEACOCK! It looks peacock like and it is an amazing amazing shawl. Personally you and I LOVE teal or a deep Peacock Blue…but you have impeccable taste – you will do it justice whatever you choose.
BTW – I did vote – teal of course. Solid. Wonderful. But I see I am in the minority.
PS you know that Stripey Tiger loves the same colours as us so I wasn’t surprised when I saw her answer.
I love the ivory! Although the peacock colors are great, I tend to go with the simple and elegant.
Oh, I love this shawl. It is simply stunning. I love the beauty of the white and the pattern as it is now. My question for you would be, however, how would you get the best use out of it? Will you use it more if it is coloured? I know I use my white shawls less, that’s why I ask. And it would be a shame to leave a treat like this in the cupboard. So if you will use it more when coloured, the colour it. And then – dye or paint, you say? I think one solid colour will show the pattern off better, than lots of colours. But that’s just me…
Regardless, this shawl is stunning! WOW!
For the record, albino peacocks do exist.
http://www.37signals.com/svn/posts/285-albino-peacock
And they are beautiful.
I voted for ivory but it would be a close tie with a solid rich teal color. I felt the option you gave, on my monitor at least, was too light.
I think while the handpainted version could be nice it could also come off looking kinda costume-like.
It is truly a thing of beauty Jae and you should be very very proud!
Oh, Jae, it is so gorgeous!! Who could possibly choose for you ? The ivory shows off the incredible design, and is go anywhere, with anything, but handpainting it with really vibrant peacock colours would really strut your stuff… I coudn’t poll because I couldn’t choose!
It will be beautiful no matter which you decide on.
Truly extraordinary.
[...] the mean time, about the color…what to do about the color? The poll is showing a slight favorite for leaving it as it is. Even my SIL chimed in with a [...]
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