Knit in one of my favourite yarns of all time…though the label says “baby” pay no attention to that ! The bamboo/wool blend of this Sirdar yarn is soft, drapes like a dream, and is washable (by hand of course) In short, it is just a fabulous yarn ! It can be a bit splitty if you use a blunt point needle, so a pointy lace needle will save you tears.

The story of this shawl -
Lady Peter Wimsey, (aka the former Miss Harriet Vane) was given a magnificent ruby solitaire as an engagement ring by Lord Peter, when she finally consented to his ever-patient proposal. It was early fall, 1934, in Oxford, England, and after solving the mysterious and quite scandalous goings-on at Shrewsbury College, Harriet and Lord Peter reconciled their differences and acknowledged their deep affection for each other. (Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L Sayers, pub 1936.)

This brilliant red shawl is sprinkled with ruby-red beads in each of the lace medallions, as they drift across the width of the shawl, and in the border edging. While Harriet was not one to wear frilly lace or glittery baubles, she would appreciate the elegance of such a shawl, as she cherished her ruby solitaire ring and her beloved Lord Peter.