Sunday, March 06, 2011
The Marschallin
Of all my designs, I believe that this one is the most regal: The Marschallin from the Opera Season II Collection.
It actually began life as a commissioned design for a club called "Women in History" run by Woolgirl.com. It had originally been called "Empress", named for Catherine the Great, and used a delicious yarn from MissBabs called "Yowza".
I have since revised the pattern, made it somewhat larger (more a shawl than a scarf), and had it re-worked in one of the yarns that I carry, Fleece Artist Woolie Silk 3-Ply in "Amber".
When looking to re-name the piece and match it to an opera for inspiration, I had to look no further that Richard Strauss' lush and sensuous (not to mention, funny) opera, Der Rosenkavalier. Equal parts a romance and comedy of manners, it has the lavish mood this shawl evokes. Highy textured and opulent, it reminds one of the richly brocaded garments of the Austrian Court in the 19th century.
Worked from one long scalloped edge to the other in one piece, the Marschallin incorporates decreases and then increases to give the over-all piece an hour-glass shape. This allows it to be draped and worn in different ways.
The upper border can be folded forward, forming a collar.
The stitch pattern is fully reversible, with the "underside" showing a structured relief pattern.
I recommend a solid colour for this piece, to show off the textured stitch pattern. I'd love to see it worked up an any of the mottled solids, such as "Moss", "Pixie" or "Polar Sea".
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