Jane Austen Lit-Wear

I love participating in the EtsyFAST monthly challenges, but I thought I was going to sit this month's out. I had zero ideas about "Heros" as a challenge. I think it's a great idea - bold and creative, definitely a challenge. I've been finishing this shawl/capelet for the last week and finally it dawned on me that a capelet is just a small cape and heros wear capes... so, why not? Add to that a comment from a friend/customer referring to her shrug/capelet as a queen's cape, and you've got hero ready-to-wear. Or, more like Jane Austen heroine-wear. Which is where I've decided to tie in my new fluttery capelet. Think of it as lit-wear. I couldn't decide on just one of Austen's characters, so I'm going for her body of work (Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and more). Here I am trying out some decidedly dramatic poses!

Here I am rebuking suitors, pondering my future, alternately making my own way then pining, all while navigating difficult social circumstances, expectations, and family loyalties.

 
This is the most challenging piece of this type that I've attempted. The pattern was designed on the fly and kept me on my toes because of my decision to cluster -- alternating stitch counts in order to create groupings for better hang and fluttering. The top, bottom, and ends are reinforced with additional stitches for better structure. The tie is separate and loops through anywhere on the shawl and is, of course, a spiral for more drama! I started a champagne version that is going to make this one look simple - more draping, puffing, and fluttering, but smaller in scale, so far.

From the EtsyFAST message board someone posted a fabulous link to a quiz that determines "Which Austen Heroine Are You?". It's great! I'm Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility - which makes sense, right?