In the last several months I've been reading a lot of Jane Austen. And the same evening I was feeling very accomplished having blocked my new shawl, I happened to re-read this, one of my favorite passages from Pride and Prejudice:
``It is amazing to me,'' said Bingley, ``how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.''
``All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?''
``Yes all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.''
``Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,'' said Darcy, ``has too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse, or covering a skreen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished.'
``Nor I, I am sure,'' said Miss Bingley.
``Then,'' observed Elizabeth, ``you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished women.''
``Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.''
``Oh! certainly,'' cried his faithful assistant, ``no one can be really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.''
``All this she must possess,'' added Darcy, ``and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.''
``I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.''
I've often thought that I and many of my friends would fit in very well with Jane Austen's society; I'm surely not quite up to Darcy and Miss Bingley's standard, but like many of Austen's heriones, I enjoy needlecrafts, playing piano and reading books. And wouldn't it be something to be able to spend my days doing only those things, rather than having to work for a living? True, I wouldn't have any choice of having a career, instead having to depend solely on the men in my life for my financial stability, but still. It has its appeal.
(On a week that I'm less stressed out about work I might think differently on this matter.)
I am very pleased with this shawl (click for bigger), which I began in August. It's my own design, using charts adapted from Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller.
Yarn: Skacel Merino Lace
Needles: Size 3 (3.25mm) Addi Turbos
I think I'll submit the design for publication in one of the magazines, so the pattern won't be available anytime soon... not that I've followed through on self-publishing any patterns anyway. Must get on that; I've already done much of the pattern-writing for many of my designs. But finishing what I started has never been my forte, and I'll make the excuse that I have three jobs. And that it's not as much fun as just knitting the things.
Now - no more shawls for a while! Really, how many shawls does a girl need? It's time to get back to sweaters.
You would definitely fit in with Elizabeth's accomplished society! And the shawl! Stunning! And I knew it when it was a mere babe.
Posted by: Teresa C | October 13, 2006 at 09:55 PM
Oh - I DO hope you get the pattern for this shawl published. It is absolutely gorgeous and I want to make it!!! You have done an amazing job.
Posted by: Pat | October 14, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Your knitting is fabulous. I'm still agog at the last post, with all the wedding shawls. What a beautiful gift to your friend.
Posted by: jen | October 15, 2006 at 12:55 PM
Absolutely lovely! The design is terrific!
Posted by: The Purloined Letter | October 16, 2006 at 01:23 PM
Very nice! I would like to buy your pattern. Good job.
Posted by: Lisak | October 16, 2006 at 04:14 PM
What a lovely shawl. And P&P is my absolute *favorite* book.
Posted by: Romi | October 22, 2006 at 06:02 PM
Oh! Your shawl is lovely. I especially love how the design flows all along the length. Great job at designing (and knitting!).
Posted by: sonja poor | October 26, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Gorgeous shawl. I love it!
Say, I got your name from Ann at Mason Dixon and I would like to email you. Would you send me a note so I can get in touch?
Posted by: larissa | November 16, 2006 at 07:45 PM
That shawl is gorgeous! I sure hope to see it in print soon.
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