The inspiration for this piece came from five balls of matt-and-shiny ice blue yarn and the desire to adapt the Fountain lace pattern (BGW.II.252) for the “spine” of a triangular shawl. I followed my theme and improvised slowly cracking and melting ice, using a couple of my favourite lace patterns found in Barbara G. Walker’s great treasuries of knitting pattern.
The resulting shawl was a tribute to the melting ice in the poles, and absolutely stunning. I took a couple of photos to show it in Ravelry, and gave it to a good friend for her 40th birthday.When asked by many ravelers to publish the pattern, I first thought it was too complicated to explain precisely how to knit it, and didn’t want to simplify it.
Finally I was convinced to give it a try. I had to recreate it, and took lots of note to make sure other knitters could obtain the same result. This pattern can be tricky sometimes, but I think it is worth the concentration

Techniques

This shawl begins with my own special technique to obtain a strong, perfect and invisible cast-on. It features a fluid pattern in the center, adapted to incorporate the central increases of a neck-down triangular shawl. The two different lace patterns of the lower end melt into each other. The ending is a simple knitted bind-off on the wrong side.
Appart from the basic knitting techniques, you only need to know two advanced techniques:

• Judy’s Magic cast-on (see http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html)
• Knitting lace from chart.

Credits

This pattern was tested by six wonderful ravelers. They where all quick, nice and knowledgeable knitters. Thank you so much Amie, Elizabeth, Hatice, Linda, Marylin and Pauline. :)