Surprise! Lace Knitting!
It's January, so for some strange reason I get into "finish it" mode. Perhaps it's because it's year-end books time, perhaps it's because I'm wishing for an end to winter.... nevertheless I've picked up a project I started shortly after I started blogging, nearly two years ago!! Amazing, really, that I hadn't ripped it an put it away, but this project had great sentimental value. This skein of Alpaca/Cashmere came in the first lot I ever ordered from Wild Geese and I dyed it the first week I had it. It was also the very first lace project I ever tried in fine luxury yarn, a completely different kettle of fish compared to the worsted and chunky weight knitting I have been doing for most of my knitting life!! Too many very good reasons not to give up!!
When I picked it up again I told myself, it's only a small ball of yarn - and it's a mini-shawl, more like a kerchief really, just a soft snuggly little nothing to toss around my neck if it's a blustery day outside; no pressure at all! So every morning I try to complete one full pattern repeat, if not, no big deal! Yet slowly, inch by inch, it is emerging withno almost no mistakes and (to me) a pleasing amount of both pooling and striping. I even keep it in a cute little, brightly colored basket - aesthetics add so much encouragement! LOL!!
A small surprise was that I was able to change a little something in the pattern - nothing spectacular - but the entire pattern called for K 2 together decreases. Since this pattern is only on 2 edges it meant all the decreases lean one direction, making a nice ridge on one side and nothing on the other, so I changed the left side decreases to slip slip K 2 together and now I have a nice ridge on both sides. Like I said, not spectacular, but it made me feel good that I knew what to do to produce the effect I wanted - something I couldn't do 2 years ago when I started. Progress - it just plain feels good!
I figure in a week or so I'll be done and I'll post finished pics. Totally amazing how much easier I'm finding it to follow that darn chart! Can't help but wonder if my new bifocals have anything to do with that..... ROFL!!!
When I picked it up again I told myself, it's only a small ball of yarn - and it's a mini-shawl, more like a kerchief really, just a soft snuggly little nothing to toss around my neck if it's a blustery day outside; no pressure at all! So every morning I try to complete one full pattern repeat, if not, no big deal! Yet slowly, inch by inch, it is emerging with
A small surprise was that I was able to change a little something in the pattern - nothing spectacular - but the entire pattern called for K 2 together decreases. Since this pattern is only on 2 edges it meant all the decreases lean one direction, making a nice ridge on one side and nothing on the other, so I changed the left side decreases to slip slip K 2 together and now I have a nice ridge on both sides. Like I said, not spectacular, but it made me feel good that I knew what to do to produce the effect I wanted - something I couldn't do 2 years ago when I started. Progress - it just plain feels good!
I figure in a week or so I'll be done and I'll post finished pics. Totally amazing how much easier I'm finding it to follow that darn chart! Can't help but wonder if my new bifocals have anything to do with that..... ROFL!!!
Amazing what a couple years more experience can do, even at our age! and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks! Looking forward to seeing the finished project. One more off the pile!
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Oh, I'm sure it's just the new glasses! ;o)
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That is going to be so pretty! and cozy. You do realize that now I will nag at you to knit more fine yarn? (If you do lace on big needles it's almost like chunky yarn...really. Trust me) I love the colours you dyed that too. And good on ya! with the pattern change. Another step in knitting freedom.
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