Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Another Retro Redux Shrug



Hi All...this is my first post on this KAL. I hope to have more pics once I can get my blog together. Here's my Retro Redux Shrug. It is a surprise gift for my Aunt, whose in her 70's. She was looking through Lace Style and saw the shrug. She had mentioned how much she liked it and would like to have one...hint, hint. Since she lives outside of Washington, D.C. and doesn't get to come home (TN) often, I thought this would be a very nice gift for her. I had fun knitting this and it took about a week to make. I hope to make a few more with different yarns. I saw the yarn at JoAnn's and decided to try it out. I thought it was a nice soft yarn, holds it shape well and easy on my hands. I haven't been able to find any info on this yarn from anyone else who has used it before. If you have used this before, what were your thoughts on this yarn. Anyway, happy knitting.



Yarn: Moda Dea Washable Wool



Color: 4418 - Real Teal

Lilly of the Valley Shawl

Okay, I've gotten through one set of 28 rows, so the pattern is finally visible - yay!
Lilly of the Valley Shawl from Lace Style

Now I just have 13 more of these to do before I can start the edging (and get rid of my lovely brown acrylic worsted contrasting yarn... SO does not go with my lovely lavender wool-silk!). More pics on one of the other blogs I have. (Granted, there's not a lot to see just yet, but I'm very excited about it!)

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Essential Tank Top

I finished the essential tank top and love it! There's another picture and some more details on my blog.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Retro Redux Shrug Part One

Here are the pictures for my Retro Redux Shrug. More info on my blog!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Not retro redux shrug

This is my first time posting and the first item I've knitted from Lace Style. I am afraid I made a mistake while reading the pattern and put 2 knits after each yo, ssk. I didn't realize until I had bound off! I couldn't figure out why my shrug pattern was so different than that shown in the book. Oh well, I think it still looks nice. I used Knit Picks Shine worsted in blush. I really like all the patterns in this book. Living in Florida makes it hard to wear any thing knitted. These lace patterns are just great for the balmy weather we have here. I plan my next project from the book
to be the Shetland Shawl Turned Vest. I have Shine Sport in sand for that. Maybe this time I'll get the pattern right! Terry G

Monday, August 6, 2007

Marker use

I am new to knitting lace. I made the Retro shrug and as simple as the pattern is I still made several mistakes sooooo before embarking on something harder ( I absolutely adore the Essential Tank) I would love some advice on where to put the markers that will help keep me on target. I noticed that the person who posted the beginning of her Lily of the Valley shawl found markers very helpful. Thanks!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Another Retro Redux!

Me too!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Mine's Knit Picks Andean Silk in Cream. Loved the pattern... I knit it smaller than me because I'm trying to lose weight (20 lbs. down, 40 more to go!). It's the perfect pattern for this because it stretches so I can wear it now if I want, and it doesn't have to stretch across the dreaded boob-age territory...

Lily of the Valley Shawl Finally Clicks


Three months ago, I purchased the Handmaiden Sea Silk in ivory. I mastered the provisional cast on, done for the first time; I easily knit the first border edging rows. Then, screech. You see, my lace knitting experience is limited to socks; I have never before attempted a shawl. I knit; I frogged. Repeat as nauseum. Many pairs of socks tempted me away as I occasionally glanced askance at the very little I had completed on the shawl, which is a gift for my mother, otherwise known as "The Meem." She picked it out herself. It was a substitution for the Hug-Me-Tight from Knit Two Together which, I am ashamed to say, was supposed to be a gift for, gulp, last Christmas. It defeated me. The gauge looked screwy; the pattern seemed cursed.

As I switched to the lovely Lily of the Valley shawl, I thought the curse was broken, then convinced myself it dwelled within me and my incompetence. Just this past weekend, however, as the Tour de France was ending and with it Harry Potter, the curse lifted and it all made sense to me. Use plenty of stitch markers; get yourself a pattern keeper from KnitPicks. Happily, I am making progress! My inner glee cannot be contained!

After posting a photo of the shawl to my own blog, pretendingtofarm.com, I got numerous compliments and much interest in joining the quest for lovely lilies. Finally, I am a knitter of lace. The only caveat? Alcohol and lace do not mix. When imbibing, just say no to lace!