Stephen West's Itaca Shawl

Yes, I very recenly finished this shawl, yay! It is a Stephen West design, called the Itaca Shawl. You can buy the pattern here.
I used Fyberspates Gleem Lace, which is 55% superwash Bluefaced Leicester Wool and 45% Silk (800m/100 grams, so very thin yarn). I bought it in a truly great shop : Wool-on-the-Exe in Exeter. If you're ever in Exeter, do go there!
The other yarn, the white one, is a very rustic 100% wool. It was given to me without specifications, no weight, no yardage. I just thought the two yarns would match so I got on with it.
Because of the completely different yarns (one soft and manageable, one rustic and much less manageable) I used, the shape of the shawl was, when finished, a little odd. I loved the look of the fabric, but to be honest, it was hard to find a way this shawl could be worn at all… But no worries, the pattern says to wash the shawl and then stretch the fabric extremely and that did the trick!
"Simple garter stitch plus simple shaping makes a simply beautiful and casual shawl!", I couldn't agree more!
And notice I added glass beads, which I think are lovely!

It's finished! (And I'm showing of a bit...)

Before blocking and stretching : The white and purple yarns react completely different to the pattern.

Before blocking and stretching : beautiful texture, not so nice to wear

Nicely stretched : softer and bigger shawl

Knitting pictures...always lovely!!