The triangle is a many splendid thing ... a three sided figure which will not change shape unless it's sides are bent, extended or broken - so there is inherent strength in a triangle. Take a look at the great pyramids of Egypt or Mexico and you can see how the humble triangle has stood the test of time. So when my brother announced his intention to marry about 18 months ago I turned to the triangle for inspiration. I knew I wanted to knit something; something which could eventually become a family heirloom and my initial thoughts were around a 'chuppah', the lace canopy under which a Jewish couple marry. But as the wedding was being held in oldest Catholic Church in Chicago (long story) what would the happy couple do with a frilly, large, lacy, white canopy held up by four poles?
I, of course, turned to Ravelry, (for those unsure - Ravelry.com, the facebook for yarnies) and stumbled upon the bedspread-counterpane-with-leaves. I can now knit this pattern in my sleep! It's been knitted on the underground and in the car; whilst waiting for ballet or swimming to end; at the back of assemblies and in governing body meetings; on the beach and in the garden. At any one time there have been three triangles on the go, one upstairs, one downstairs and one in the car so there has never been an excuse not to knit! There are exactly 100 triangles and each took about 3 hours to complete. There is a knitted-on edge taken from the splendid "Victoria lace today" by Jane Sowerby and beautiful silver crackle beads knitted in and sewn on. Each triangle takes roughly a third of a ball of Patons 4ply cotton and the whole project weighs about 8lbs. Needless to say, the quilt became my hand luggage on the flight to Chicago!
Wherever the triangles have been worked they have caused comment and discussion. I have made friends through them and many, many people know of the Wedding Counterpane. Its progress has been followed on Facebook and across East Anglia as it's been used at Yarnsmith talks and demonstrations. It has been with a great sense of satisfaction and love that each triangle has been completed and it has been all-consuming get! So forgive me for not blogging for a while!
