Last night I finished off Lilith and I love it! Once I got into the rhythm of the 10 row repeat, this just flew off the needles (and also because I started working on it exclusively).
I only made one little mistake near the beginning. Otherwise, all of the lace holes line up nicely in little rows and columns. Completing this certainly boosts my confidence for tackling a more complex lace pattern.
Of course, the problem now is that I need to block Lilith. I've blocked sweater parts before, but never a 60inch long, 20 inch wide shawl. And not anything that was lacy and delicate. So I need some advice and tips from those with more experience. Where to you block a large piece when you have very little space? Does lace like this need to be pinned? (I'm thinking not really because it is fairly simple).
Thanks for all of the congrats on the pattern. It is for another SnB book that's in the works. I had submitted the idea to Debbie Stoller waaaaay back in October, and when I didn't hear back I figured it was a no-go. But it turns out she got busy with a calendar project and loves the idea (which my faithful readers you have seen here, but now has been taken down). As typical, I don't expect the finished pattern to be too similar to the original, but I'm awaiting more details. Likely, it will mean very few knitting updates once I get started because the sample needs to be finished by the end of February, and it will likely require nearly all my knitting time. And so, until that gets start I need to start chugging my way through the Circle of Friends Blanket because I need to send that out sometime in February too!
Comments (6)
Lovely Shawl. A good blocking usually makes a difference. I have a blocking board. You can block on some towels on the carpet. You can block on some towels on a spare bed. Soak it good in some wool wash and gently get as much water out of it as you can - pretty much the same procedure with your other knits(roll it gently in a towel or your best water removal method of choice). But I might stretch that shawl out a little bit and pin it to see the lace pattern a bit better - try it and see if you like it more open or not. But I would pin it, even if it was lightly just to keep the edges straight - I use blocking wires also, from a welding shop.
And you just might have to look for a perfect shawl pin - he he!!!
Posted by chris | January 14, 2007 5:57 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 17:57
i'd suggest pinning it. or following the harlot's method here http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/08/23/walk_around_the_block.html
lace is so thin so it will only take a few hours to dry. if you're tight on space, put a few towels on your bed and pin it there. i always put a fan on too -- it really speeds things up.
ps - i really do want to get together soon. i keep thinking "this is the week" but it never happens. which night of the week are you guys getting together now?
Posted by jody | January 14, 2007 6:24 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 18:24
seriously you are my hero... you were the first blog i ever read and i have been reading every post since then (over 2 years ago now i believe) and i am so happy for you that you are getting another pattern published. in my favorite series of knitting books too... so i can not waite to see it! i know it will be great! i have always wanted to knit the top from snb nation but cant afford the yarn... think theres another good alternative for it?
your shawl looks great too by the way!
Posted by christy | January 14, 2007 7:26 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 19:26
Congratulations! The lace looks beautiful. I'm curious as to exactly WHICH of your ideas you got in! You've had a lot of good ones. :)
Posted by terby | January 14, 2007 9:28 PM
Posted on January 14, 2007 21:28
Eunny Jang also has an excellent tutorial on washing and blocking -- or should I say "dressing" -- lace.
http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/12/how_to_be_happy.html
Your shawl is beautiful. Isn't lace fun to knit once you get in the rhythm!
Posted by nona | January 15, 2007 3:58 PM
Posted on January 15, 2007 15:58
Oh wow! That came out beautiful!!! Don't fret the mistake, what's a lace knit without that little personality-filled boo-boo. ;)
(That's how I justify my f-ups in lace, anyway!)
Posted by pam | January 16, 2007 3:14 PM
Posted on January 16, 2007 15:14