An Orenburg shawl

 This shawl was a gift from my mother.  She bought it at the Orenburg lace knitting class she went to last year - it is an authentic Orenburg shawl.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  It is a "wedding ring shawl," meaning that it is fine enough that one could pull it through a wedding ring.  I had a hard time getting a good photograph, but here it is spread out on our double bed - it's quite large!

Here is a close-up of the center motif:

 and one of the edging:

My mom has a Russian shawl in a similar style, and I can remember her getting it out to wear it on special occasions throughout my childhood.  I can see myself doing the same thing with this shawl in the years to come.  Thanks, Mom!