Marlene in Cashmere

I'm taking a break from knitting socks and cabling... I fancy something pretty and theatrical and extravagant.

So I'm knitting up a twirly scarf in some 100% British Spun Cashmere in a very flamboyant red.

The yarn is a Posh laceweight called Josephine in the colourway "Red Admiral".

 The pattern is called Marlene and is a very clever design using short rows and lace to create ruffles by the German designer Anne Lorenz-Panzer, also know as "Arlene's World of Lace"

At the moment it's looking like a scrumpled rag... but I have learnt to trust in the powers of blocking and my scarf will transfrom from an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful Red Admiral butterfly

As I'm knitting my Marlene, I often think of a  favourite actress of mine, Marlene Dietrich, in one of my favourite films, "The Devil is a Woman". The film is black and white but beautiful and captivating none the less.

It's about beauty and desire and how a woman can use these as weapons to control men, often with tragic consequences.

I love the scene in the cigarette factory best. There is something that fascinates me about Marlene Dietrich's cool beauty. 

Perhaps my scarf will bestow me with some of Marlene's magical powers?