As our scholarly daughter continues to soar in her chosen field, Medieval Spanish, I searched for an appropriate commemoration of her Masters Degree.

Her work involves long hours transcribing and translating ancient manuscripts. All of the writing was done using quill pens.

The ink used in these documents has faded over the centuries. The color of this shawl approximates the current look of the inks used those many years ago.

She completes her Masters Degree at Lincoln College, Oxford, defending her dissertation in a couple of months so I must knit fast! Recently she learned she has been awarded a Clarendon Scholarship, (for which the National Bank of Mom & Dad is most appreciative!) which will finance her entire doctorate degree at Oxford!

Hopefully this elegant shawl will keep her comfortable during all those long, cold hours of study, as well as demonstrate our congratulations for her accomplishments.

I was gifted with some beautiful cashmere fiber, so will use it for this project….spinning, spinning, spinning, superfine singles with my Michael Wilson wheel….this cashmere is a dream to spin…..then 2-plied, also seemingly forever…..now have 1165 yards completed 2-ply….must mothproof and dye it……better photograph before I begin knitting….so much to do! so little time!

June 9, 2011 update--Today she handed in her completed dissertation, an amazing work of research!!….she defends it in early July, so I must knit like mad!! Cast on and made it through the first 30 or so rows---LOVE the look already! Knitting with this luscious cashmere will not be a hardship! Must get off the computer and back to knitting….

June 22 update--Knitting madly, I am now working the 8th row of fountain pen nibs!! It is so much fun…all is going well, as long as I pay attention---playing with the cute little stitch markers removes any hint of tedium!! And of course there is all that cashmere to fondle!!!!!

June 26 update---Finished body of shawl!!! She defends her dissertation on the 28th, so I hopefully will get the border done before the end of my knitting day on 28th!

I just ADORE this pattern--looks so good, all the little pen nibs!!! Now, I better get off the computer and back to knitting!!!

7-4-2011 Update DONE!!! Note: I knitted the last row of pattern and cast off with the yarn doubled for the sake of durability. All thats left to do is block it. This will be done at the home of a friend, as my cat loves to unpin blocking pins as fast as I pin them!

7-6-11 Update---HOORAY!!!!! Just heard the results from Oxford---scholar received the highest possible score on her Masters dissertation!!! They call it a Distinction, with publishable work---we the parental unit call it WOW!!!