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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Taliesin

Fair Elffin, cease your lament!
....Though I am weak and small,
On the wave crest of the the surging sea,
I shall be better for you
Than three hundred shares of salmon.
Elffin of noble generosity,
Do not sorrow at your catch.
Though I am weak on the floor of my basket,
There are wonders on my tongue....''

-from the Book of Taliesin

Most of us recognize the name Taliesin from the architectural work of Frank Lloyd Wright, but in actuality, the name is much older.

Taliesin was a renowned Welsh bard who is believed to have sung at the courts of at least three Celtic British kings. The Book of Taliesin is one of the most famous of Welsh manuscripts, dating from the first half of the 14th century - though many of the fifty-seven poems it preserves are taken to originate in the 10th century.

Taliesin was also a shape shifter, which is why I am naming this cowl/scarf design for him.

This pattern can be worn many different ways, and knit in many different variations. It too, is a shape shifter.

I have written up the directions, but many of you who volunteered to test knit in January did not leave me an email and all I got from blogger was the dreaded "no comment."

So, if you want to test knit and you haven't already got the pattern in your "in" box, drop me a line at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I will reply with your free pattern.

Remember, I am looking for completed projects in January so to paraphrase Johnny Cochrun,

If you want to knit, you must commit!

Thanks to all who are helping me bring this pattern to a wider audience.

Just to spread the joy around, I will be giving away a free pattern (of your choice - Spruce excluded) to one commenter a day through Christmas, randomly chosen by Mrs. Claus (just me - don't get too excited).

I'll announce the previous day's winner in each post this month, If you are the winner, email me your preference at susanpandorf@comcast.net and I'll email your pattern right out to you.

Doesn't that sound like a lot of fun?

Yesterday's winner is: KayKatrn. Email me, girl...

Now aren't you glad you left a comment?

NO STASH SALE NEXT TWO WEEKS DUE TO HOLIDAYS
MAY DO ONE ON THE 3RD
HAVEN'T DECIDED YET.

45 comments:

  1. That scarf looks so pretty. But - I am in Los Angeles and have no use for more scarves...

    Altho, I may change my mind and knit one for sis who lives in more wintry climes...

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  2. Hi Susan, I am so buried under a ton of knitting. Not for Christmas presents though. I just find myself perpetually buried. Secretly, that's the way I like it. I get bored with knitting one item at a time--lol! Merry Christmas to you and looking forward to your next de-stashing.

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  3. Beautiful as usual.have a Merry Christmas &a Happy New Year

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  4. I wish I could test knit for you,
    but unfortunately or may fortunately for you, I can't.
    Your new cowl looks very good.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year.

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  5. OK, I surrender... I would like to knit one for my sis in Canada.

    My email is bcastiel @ hotmail.com

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  6. I was going to suggest the shape shifter but of course you were already there, beautiful pattern.

    happy holidays from the Caribbean where we do wear scarves and shawls and love to knit.

    kathy

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  7. Your new piece looks amazing! What kind of a stitch is it? Looks a little bit like cabling or so!?

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  8. I am really curious about the stitch also. I see little x's in there somewhere. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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  9. I love the abalone yarn. I'm wondering if I can justify the splurge.

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  10. I love that scarf - the color and stitch are a perfect match.

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  11. 300 shares of salmon - I don't know........

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  12. I'll leave a comment because I love your patterns. Your knitting is inspirational.

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  13. Can't wait to knit it for you. I sent an email to the comcast address.

    Yesterday was Shabbat and I didn't get to post a comment but I love what you had to say. I sometimes lose track of that simple truth. Thanks for reminding me.

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  14. I've just sent you an email...I'd like to test knit this project. I was looking for a new project.

    teresa mccusker

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  15. ooo I want a free pattern!! I'm currently snowed in and hoping the snow won't stops so I have a good excuse to stay snuggled into my apartment knitting tomorrow rather then going to work.

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  16. I love this!! The stitch pattern is wonderful! It'll be interesting to see how this knits up in different yarns. I wish I could test knit, but too many projects circling the airport. Still, I look forward to buying a copy later!

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  17. love the name of the new pattern...and loved your post yesterday! It was worth waiting for, and a little one is always a good excuse to come late to a party. ;-)

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  18. Quite interesting how you name your projects.

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  19. Excellent design - love the texture

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  20. I love how the names for your projects have so much meaning to them. I will e-mail you about test-knitting right away.

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  21. Ah, the new pattern looks lovely. It's your own fault that I can't commit to knitting a sample--I bought "Byzantine" a few weeks ago, and I haven't been this excited about a pattern in years! All yarn-buying is on hold while I scrimp and save for a bunch of Noro Silk Garden Lite. So as you see, you have only yourself to blame (-;

    Natalie K.

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  22. I would love to knit your new scarf in January. I am always inspired by your creativity, and the deep thought that you put into all of your designs.

    lisegray at gmail dot com

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  23. Those of us with Welsh heritage thank you! The knitting does evoke the traditional Welsh weaving patterns I've seen.

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  24. I wish I could be a test knitter for this beautiful pattern but I just sat down with my husband to figure out all the things we've got going on in the next 4 weeks. I needed a nap just talking about it all. Oy.

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  25. Hi, I downloaded your pattern this am. and plan to have a go at it this evening. Thanks for the opportunity to knit this. I am looking forward to it!!

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  26. I loved your post from yesterday. A wise man once told me, "Christmas doesn't have to be perfect to be good." Life is good, living in the moment and seeing the holiday through a child's eyes are all examples of "better than perfect." Enjoy. Lake Michigan looks lovely.

    Nebraska Knitter

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  27. I wish I had time to knit for you. Taliesin looks really lovely.

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  28. Your work is always so beautiful,and your quotes are always so thoughtful. Thank you for such inspiration!

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  29. I cannot test-knit but look forward to buying the pattern when you see it. It's wonderful.

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  30. Its gorgeous! If you still need test knitters, let me know. We could always use scarves in snowy connecticut and this one is so beautiful! Just let me know what yarn etc....

    email: HAnnUlrich@sbcglobal.net

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  31. Oh, only a few more days till Christmas! Gotta finish my wrapping. skyhert

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  32. Your blog/knitting site is great... I always enjoy reading it. If you ever need a test knitter count me in! :) The Celestial re-mix looks great.

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  33. The east coast has a lot of snow so they will have a white Christmas. No snow where I am thank goodness. We fall apart when it snows.

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  34. christmas gives us some extra knitting time, maybe a sunflower design ?
    Wishing you all the best
    Angela from Germany

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  35. Oooooo! I love the pattern, especially since it is reversible. I missed the offer to test-knit sadly, but thanks for the Christmas in the Country Cowl pattern. Happy Holidays!

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  36. If you still need a test-knitter, I'm your gal! Bring it on! Looks like just the ticket, so pretty!

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  37. It's such a beautiful pattern and I can't wait to knit it. I've ordered my yarn and I'm anxiously waiting for it to arrive so I can cast on!

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  38. Love the look, wish I could commit to a test knit; but, I'm not sure I could finish it in January. February would be doable. . . LOL I'm sure you had plenty of volunteers :)

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  39. love this stitch!
    would love to test
    lucki67@hotmail.com

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