I have so many lace patterns I want to knit. Unfortunately, things are conspiring this year to stop me doing any lace knitting other than socks. My Dolphin Scarf has barely grown and the list of patterns I am coveting just gets bigger. As does my stash of laceweight yarn… 
I think I’ve found my shawly nemsis now, though. I have bought The Princess Shawl pattern from Heirloom Knitting.
It is absolutely beautiful. And terrifying. Seriously, it tells me so on the back:
The Princess Shawl is inspired by one presented to Alexandra, Princess of Wales by Shetland in 1863. It is one of the most challenging projects for lace knitters available.
*whimpers*
The pattern comes in a 24 page booklet AND with four A3 charts. The recommended needle size if I knit the pattern in the suggested yarn is 1.5mm. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Probably! But when I do knit it, it’ll be the most rewarding knitting I’ll ever do. 
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ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!! nah seriously thats sooooo pretty and I bet if you take it slow it cant be too bad…..can it….. *gapes*
… holy crap.
That could be one of the most gorgeous lace things I’ve ever seen. And yeah, you’re out of your mind, but can you imagine how you’ll feel when you can look at it and actually revel in the fact that you knit it?
It’s very very beautiful!! And I’m sure if anyone can do it, you can.
It makes my ambitions seem very modest.
Its lovely,it will be beautiful when its done.:)
This shawl is gorgeous – it is almost like a painting. Great work!
O, that is absolutely gorgeous! And I think it can be done, albeit very slowly and with lot of patience. Wish I was good enough to join you: I love challenges and this could be the KAL of KALs…
ohhh pretty, pretty!!!
And I think you’re absolutely insane to try it, but I know you can do it!!! I can’t wait to see it!!! 
Beautiful yet terrifying!
So when will you be casting on?
Nut.
But I mean that in a nice way
You are definatley mad
But it is beautiful. I just wouldn’t have the patience (or the eyesight) for something like this!
It will be such an accomplishment when you finish it — well worth the effort. Enjoy it!
Oh holly hell. You are one brave lady. I mean it’s really lovely, but . . if a simple sock is annoying me!
(thanks for stopping by and the comment – I whole heartedly agree!)
And I thought I was crazy! I have this Lucy Neatby shawl I think of as the “pregnant and 5 months of bedrest” shawl. But this… it’s incredibly beautiful, run lots of lifelines, take lots of time, and don’t knit when you’re sick, inebriated or tired. It’ll be stunning.
Wow, they don’t call them heirlooms for nothing! If anyone can do it, you can
Hey, I know someone who has almost finished this. AND we’ve got one of the first copies in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (or did up to quite recently.) And she’s got a piece about the history of this on her blog.
http://jeanmiles.blogspot.com/search?q=princess+shawl
http://jeanmiles.blogspot.com/2007/03/readership-down-weight-up-and-its.html
She’s nice, is Jean. And a demon knitter. She’d help you if you get stuck, I think.
And there’s another one here…Kathy and Jean did a bit of a KAL, I think.
http://thepointofknitting.blogspot.com/
OMG!!! I am so glad you are knitting that and not me!! Can’t wait to see it finished, its stunning.
Awesome! If you do that….wow. Just wow!
Oh wow. That is stunning. And you are crazy. But in a good way. I can’t wait to see how it comes along–I think you have to go for it now, since you’ve told us all about it.
Have you picked out yarn yet?