Swallowtail Progress
I'm making inchworm progress on my Swallowtail shawl but it's such a thrill to see an honest-to-goodness lace pattern emerging!! 
The first thing I did was add stitch markers. Yup, it's kindergarten lace knitting but it works for me! LOL!! Since the stitch repeat is only 6 stitches it's going to take a gazillion markers but it also means any mistakes I make will only affect that tiny segment, not the whole row. This is a HUGE improvement for me. The other advantage is that I can drop it and come back to it and not have to count from the beginning or some such other torture to figure out where I left off. It's VERY safe to say that lace knitting will never hold priority passion on my knitting list but I really love this shawl and this yarn and it just plain feels good to be finally making some progress (2 years after I cast it on!!). Maybe I'll have it finished before the end of the summer and I'll be able to wear it before it snows again!! ROFL!!
I thought I'd mention I've been updating my sidebar again. I found some noteworthy books that might tickle your fancy! The two from the Woolmine are totally unique! Sheep & fiber related stories with pictures made from felted wool. Amazing! Not very expensive either. That's about all for now until I can get some more pictures taken! Cheers!
The first thing I did was add stitch markers. Yup, it's kindergarten lace knitting but it works for me! LOL!! Since the stitch repeat is only 6 stitches it's going to take a gazillion markers but it also means any mistakes I make will only affect that tiny segment, not the whole row. This is a HUGE improvement for me. The other advantage is that I can drop it and come back to it and not have to count from the beginning or some such other torture to figure out where I left off. It's VERY safe to say that lace knitting will never hold priority passion on my knitting list but I really love this shawl and this yarn and it just plain feels good to be finally making some progress (2 years after I cast it on!!). Maybe I'll have it finished before the end of the summer and I'll be able to wear it before it snows again!! ROFL!!
I thought I'd mention I've been updating my sidebar again. I found some noteworthy books that might tickle your fancy! The two from the Woolmine are totally unique! Sheep & fiber related stories with pictures made from felted wool. Amazing! Not very expensive either. That's about all for now until I can get some more pictures taken! Cheers!
Your reasoning totally makes sense to me. I think I may try this pattern and do the bazilliion stitch markers because i have the same complaint... i really need to be able to drop the project and pick it back up without spending have my time counting where i should be! I like that shade of orange as well.
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The only thing I can add is not to use any huge bead stitch markers or the piece will weigh a ton! LOL!! The yarn is a cotton-silk blend. Normally I'm not big on cotton but this is soft and smooshy.
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No one is counting how many markers we use, so knock your socks off if it works for you. This is a common problem and maybe we need to take the low road and do what works for us. It really is turing out nicely. I just saw the pattern in the new Patternworks catalog.
I have a great fire retardant wool story for you. When I was in college, Mom and I knit an Aran sweater with fisherman wool for me . She did front and back and I did the sleeves. I was on the phone with my boyfriend and stirring a spaghetti pot on the stove when the front of the sweater caught fire. I told him very calmly, "I have to hang up now, I'm on fire." I then patted it down with a wet dish towel. He called back frantic and I explained. I took my hair brush, brushed off the char and it was good as new. I wore it many years after. It was from a free with the purchase pattern that I wish I had now.
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GO wool!! What a super story!! Thanks for sharing!
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That is going to be awesome wonderful when it's done. So you use stitch markers? Great. Shows you have brains. (Once you get going on it, if all the markers are getting in your road, you can always go down to say marking every 3rd repeat)
another good thing to do .... use a lifeline. Every now and then, when you know that row was just perfect, thread some slippery yarn (some people use dental floss) through the stitches on the needle, and leave it. If, horror of horrors, you totally screw up a row, you have a place you can safely and savagely rip down to. (Ask me how I know about the savagely part..hehehe) Repeat as you work.
Can't wait to see the finished product!
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Mistakes? What mistakes?? I just close my eyes and wish and there aren't any!
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Ah, beautiful organge! This shawl will be stunning when done. It doesn't matter how many stitch markers you use, as long as YOU can work with it. With this success you might even start to like lace more. :o) I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, so you'll be wearing it soon. :o)
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I has a feeling you'd like it!! LOL!! (How did I know that??) And after all you were the one who inspired me to try when I saw your Swallowtail two years ago! I fell in love with it and just HAD to have one!
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