Over the past few months, as I've attended various knitting groups, I've noticed people doing some beautiful things in lace. Some people seem to knit lace almost exclusively. So, I decided to try it out for myself...
I picked a relatively simple pattern in the sense that it didn't include any instructions I wasn't already familiar with. The most complex stitch is probably the ssk, and I had already done that!
After the edging, the pattern is a 27-row sequence, repeated three times.
This is a really lovely, delicate, and above all simple shawl to knit and you get a magical scalloped effect along the sides which is really beautiful. It's 300 stitches long, but it only took me a week and a half to get through half of it. And then...well, I dropped my pattenr on the Tube and wasn't able to knit it for a few days until I could print another. And I completely lost my momentum so that in the past two weeks I have only knitted about five rows. Disgraceful, isn't it? However, I need the needles for another project I intend to start before the month is out, so I shall be returning to my dancing cranes very soon!
Almost forgot, it's called the dancing cranes stole and is free on Elann.com.
Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Cardi #1: Tempest
Having cut my knitting teeth (so to speak) on hats, scarves, mittens and tea cosies, I decided to plunge right in and make a cardigan. I saw a lovely pattern on knitty and finally found the perfect yarn to make it with.
The cardigan is knit flat and I chose pale yellow and turquoise shades for the stripes. Knitting it up was quick, fun, and easy - took me less than three weeks.
Sewing it up was a nightmare! I never want to sew seams again! Ever... I sewed it up according to the instructions, but my slipped stitches were quite loose and there were gaps. So I undid it and had another go. Then did the button bands and they were too tight so I had to have another go....nightmare!!
It looks fine now and I am proud of it, but it screams first-time handknit garment - i.e. a bit rustic.
However, I have learned from the experience! To begin with, I've decided that it's really worth the effort working out how to knit things in one continuous piece, which is what I'm doing with my current project.
I've also decided that I will probably give this pattern another try in the recommended weight (lace) at a later date.
With all that said, I am really enjoying wearing my new cardigan! And perhaps only I notice its faults because when I wear it I get a lot of compliments, especially on the shades which are beautiful.
The cardigan is knit flat and I chose pale yellow and turquoise shades for the stripes. Knitting it up was quick, fun, and easy - took me less than three weeks.
Sewing it up was a nightmare! I never want to sew seams again! Ever... I sewed it up according to the instructions, but my slipped stitches were quite loose and there were gaps. So I undid it and had another go. Then did the button bands and they were too tight so I had to have another go....nightmare!!
It looks fine now and I am proud of it, but it screams first-time handknit garment - i.e. a bit rustic.
However, I have learned from the experience! To begin with, I've decided that it's really worth the effort working out how to knit things in one continuous piece, which is what I'm doing with my current project.
I've also decided that I will probably give this pattern another try in the recommended weight (lace) at a later date.
With all that said, I am really enjoying wearing my new cardigan! And perhaps only I notice its faults because when I wear it I get a lot of compliments, especially on the shades which are beautiful.
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