Mar 23 2005
Tell-Tale Knitting
Beauty, thy name is Blue Heron…
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1050 yards of this mercerized cotton from All About Yarn in order to make a Flower Basket Shawl… Froggy and I were going to cast on together next month… but last night I looked at the pattern, and it scared the bejeezus out of me. I am not very skilled in lace, and while I don’t mind a challenge, this looks hard! I know several of you have made it–any tips for me? |
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I made some yarn tuffetts with all of the hanks in my stash. What am I planning to do with these? Don’t know, but I sure like the way they look on my shelf. You can always get a better view of the variegation after tuffetting. (L-R) Colinette Mohair, ReKAL wool tweed, Lorna’s Laces, Wool in the Woods beaded rayon, Rio de la Plata, and Manos (hard to tell the difference in the last two, eh?) |
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Lest you think that all I did in my absence was "tuffetting"… here is what I have been doing on the train:
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A Dulaan Project wool scarf with my very own Kool Aid dyed yarn. I am really happy with this variagation, and I hope a Mongolian child will be too! This is the 5th scarf I have made for the project, and I hope to make several other items before the July 1st deadline. You can join too! Go visit Ryan at Mossy Cottage Knits and sign up. (FYI: the Kool Aid combo is Black Cherry, Cherry, and Blue Razz) |
… and Lolly finally casted on for Lucky Clover Wrap! 
Donna, Megan, and I worked on the cardi this past weekend at Folk Art Studio, and we were joined by some other great girlies…
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It was so cute to see Donna’s daughters, Sarah and Lauren, and Heather’s daughter, Jenna, play together! Almost enough to make me want kids… (nope, not that much…) Make sure to check out Heather and Donna’s sites to hear about (and see) the other shenannigans.
| I knew from the beginning that Lucky Clover was going to be a labor of love. Megan and I were discussing the armholes (they are so small! Only 12.5"!) and some of the challenges with this sweater. It is definitely the hardest thing have taken on to date… but I started the knitalong to help me not give up (check out the blog! There is some great progress over there!) |  |
Hurdle #1: My lace looks bad. The YOs, and PSSO are not big enough, and the lace pattern is barely visible! Should I frog it? or would a good blocking do the trick? *sigh* At least it is just the sleeve, and I am only about 2" in as you can see…
… and on a more optimistic note: Spring is finally here! I have really been looking forward to it! It was rainy today in Maryland, but I know that that means better soil for our garden… and it also means pretty flowers:
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Happy Spring! I am no Cara with the camera, but this picture just needed to be taken before the pretty petals fall off! |
…and I did not finish all of the interview questions… I will write some more and post them in my next entry. This is harder than I thought it would be… Click on your name to get your questions: Illana, Jackie, Diane, Cara, Jaimi, Kathy, Heather, and Toni … I look forward to reading your answers… more interviews tomorrow or Friday, k?
Hi! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The first DVDs I got from Netflix were Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow, The Whole Wide World, and Frida. We have only watched Sky Captain so far, and Elephant Man is now on its way. My queue is still small, but I expect that to change.
The yarn for your shawl is lovely, I haven’t attempted lace yet, though I’ve thought about it. I’m wading through sleeves and socks at the moment.
Have a nice night.
“tuffetting” I like that! Your yarn looks yummy. Good luck on the shawl…I haven’t done it but the whole lace thing makes me a little crazy just thinking about it. Someday when I don’t have so much else going on!
Don’t know what to tell you about Lucky but it will *probably* block out. And I’m so glad to see at least SOMEONE has spring! You wouldn’t believe the crudy wet sloppy gross snow I drove home in tonight! 
Lolly..it’s so great to hear you talk about how challenging lucky is..I honestly thought it was just me. I’m starting to into the grove but still get wonky donked everyonce in a while. I’m starting to feel like the village idiot so don’t want to post my questions on the KAL only to find out it was something obnoxiously stupid I was forgetting.
Anyway..enough about me! Your yarn for the flower basket shawl looks AWESOME and I so know that you are going to do an outstanding job!!!
Your Kool-Aid dyed yarn is wonderful!
Love the color of your FBS. There is a KAL for the shawl - I’m listed as one of the participants but I of course haven’t started yet. You may have joined already but I am sure others can answer questions.
I’m struggling with Lucky as well. I have gotten off on the pattern so I am going by sight.
Have a great Thursday!
Hey there Lolly-good luck with Lucky! I started the FBS a few months back, and became so frustrated I almost was in tears. I started it again the other day, and I am LOVING it! I read, read, and then reread the pattern-and I also looked at a lot of different resources on the web to help me better understand lace charts, since nobody around me knows how to knit. My biggest suggestion is to make sure you absolutely understand everything about reading a lace pattern (like pattern repeats). I was always intimidated by charts, but now I know why people love to knit from them. I am sure with all the great knitty friends you have, you will be knitting it up in no time. The blue yarn is so gorgeous!
I like the pink and green tuffets. All you’d need is some dark purple and you could make an argyle sweater that matches your blog background.
I love the colours of the Kool Aid yarn! I know what you mean about the FBS. I have started about 3 times and just haven’t got it yet. Ho hum - maybe next time I will have better luck. Let me know when you and Froggy start so I can pick your brains!
oh no…WERE. i haven’t really looked at the pattern, but i know you can do it. we can just dive in. i’m no lace knitter either. actually, i hardly EVER know what i’m doing. believe me i’m froggy for a reason. i just try to go with it until something clicks. or rip and try again. you can warm up to lace with lucky and i’ll continue to warm up with my scarf. and of course its up to you, but i’m up for giving it a whirl. maybe we can just wait until you are out of luckyland. take care!
I love your Kool Aid colors! I need to try to do that one of these days. I keep forgetting to buy Kool Aid.
The Flower Basket Shawl will look so beautiful in that color - Fear Not the Flower Basket Shawl. The Beautiful Yarn Force is with you.
Good Morning Lolly,
I love your Kool Aid colors. I’ve never attempted any lace, but I’ve read that you should run waste yarn through every ten rows or so. That way, if you need to frog (which I’m sure I would have to), you won’t have to do the whole thing.
All you Yankees (*wink*) should come down south. Today the high is 75 with not a cloud in the sky.
Amy
I am working on the FBS now. My biggest advice to you would be to put in a lifeline after every pattern repeat! I just threaded some embroidery thread throught the stitches on the needle (after the lower FB, after the 1st upper fb, etc). THat way when you rip back (and I think you probably will if everyone in the FBS redux is an indication) you won’t rip into the previous repeat. It has worked for me so far…
Hi Lolly,
My knitting friend, Cindy just cast on for the Flower Basket Shawl. Her blog address is http://www.knittingpark.com/blog.html I hope that helps. I love your kool aid died yarn! Thanks for your comments on La Chica! I can’t wait to finish it up and see how it looks!
Lauren
Hi Lolly! I love that little sneak peak into your stash. Those yarns are fab! I’m so excited that you started Lucky, and I LOVE your color!
I want to make the Paisley Shawl from spring IK soon, but I’m a little scurred. We need lace therapy!
Hey Lauren!!
Ive missed you too! It was so great to come back from Cali and see so many great posts from you! Yes, I’m graduating in May, and I can’t beleive it is almost here!! I’ve been stepping up the knitting to relieve the stress…
I love the colors in koolaid yarn you made. I dont know why, but mine did not come out that nice! It must have been a combination of the yarn and the fact that the yarn was a little darker. oh well maybe next time.
looks like you had fun at folk arts studio!! Miss you too, and cant wait to see you again!
Happy Spring!!
Just wanted to say that Flower Basket Shawl pattern scared me too, lol! Hope to see you at Folk Art sometime :o)
Don’t knock your camera skills! Love the high contrast and dark background - and since it freaking snowed up here, it’s nice to see there is Spring somewhere in the world!
Thanks for the questions too - I’ll get right on them!
Your Kool-Aid colors rock! I’m thinking of dyeing some kool-aid yarn with my nephew. Fun craft projects with Auntie!
Ohh, I love the colors of your Kool-Aid scarf! Sounds like you have been super duper busy with the Dulaan project.
Thanks for the sharing the lovely flower picture. It is still gross and rainy and cold as ass here in Kentucky.
Don’t rip it out! It’s so pretty. Lace ALWAYS looks funky and weird before you block it, and then when you block it it turns into a beautiful garment. I think it’s one of those things that you HAVE to block. I keep typing “blog” instead of “block.” Your Kool-aid yarn looks awesome! I’ll go check out my interview now
what pretty kool-aid yarn you did there! that’s awesome that it’s your fifth scarf. you’re a true sweetie!
good luck with your lace. i find it very intimidating! you’re a smart cookie, and i know you’ll do a great job. your fbs yarn is simply beautiful!
hey, did you get my email? i sent it when i got your fun box! thanks again. i am beside myself waiting to show the girls. thank you!
have a good day
Call me dirty minded, but the word “tuffeting” makes me think of Cynthia Plaster Caster–”fluffing” the castee to get ready for his close up.
The results of tuffeting are a lot prettier, though.
Loll…all your new yarns are so pretty.
You dyed that scarf yarn? Wow. I really want to try that. Love it!
You know…Laurn & Pixie look like sisters in the picture…don’t you think?
I LOVE that flower basket shawl. Is it ok if I knit it with you? It’s so beautiful!!
See you tonight!
such lovely yarn! i need to get me a ball winder …
i made the fbs last year and i can’t remember having any real problems with it. just remember to count, count, and count again all the time, to make sure you’re not missing any stitches.
as for the lucky clover cardi, i’m sure blocking will help a lot. all lace patterns look horrible before they’re blocked! i’m actually considering dropping that pattern, i’m afraid. i have to be honest with myself - i’ve never found a wrap cardi that i look good in! argh!
For the FBS, I suggest using post it notes to mark your spot on the chart. That always helps me. Also, if I think about it, I’ll post a tutorial on how to create a yarn over when you’ve messed up and missed it. I used that technique multiple times when making my second FBS. I guess my mind just wasn’t all there. And definitely use stitch markers. Also, be aware that for the first couple rows of the second chart (the one you do over and over and over again) you will need to remove the stitch markers to be able to do your double decrease, otherwise you’d be decreasing and catching your stitch marker in there too.
M
Lolly - i made the FBS for my mom in December - it really wasn’t hard, you just can’t do it while talking or anything else that requires your attenteion. I enlarged the charts and kept track row by row the whole time. I’d be happy to answer any questions - I’m thinking of doing another one for me!
When using cotton for the FBS I really go up on the needle size. The yarn won’t stretch much and you really want to lace to show. You might use an 8 or 9 needle and see what you think. It’s not a hard pattern and the repeat across the row is easy to remember after awhile. Enjoy it..it should be beautiful out of that color!
Hey Lauren, I would highly recommend doing a little swatch of your Lucky Clover lace and blocking it to see how things are REALLY going. Lace is so deceptive, it changes so much in blocking! It’s quite addictive, though, watch out.
The Flower Basket Shawl is really a fun knit, I made 2 and enjoyed them thoroughly, I will almost certainly make more of them. The way it’s begun is pure genius, too. Try it, go slowly, and see what you think. I will be more than happy to give you any help I can, I can even begin a new one now and photograph things if you want. (It would be a good excuse to start another… ;)) If you find the pattern really isn’t where you want to be, a rectangular scarf with a simpler lace chart to follow may be a good choice. Or, I have heard from several sources that Charlotte’s Web is a great introduction to lace - you can ask Indigirl Amy about it, I think she’s made 3! Good luck. xox
Hey Lolly! don’t frog just yet…I think that blocking will really open up the lace pattern. My holes didn’t show up super well either but blocking helped a lot.
I am thinking about doing the FBS, too with some lace weight alpaca thatI have. I know what you mean about the pattern…It’s worth a shot, though.
Have a good weekend!
Don’t stress over FBS, Lolly. It’s easier than it looks. It’s easy to psych oneself out of a project my overworking the pattern in your head. And there are plenty of us out here who’ve finished it who can give you a hand. xoxox
The yarn you chose for the FBS is lovely! I just finished mine and want to make another one in cotton. I love this pattern, it really is much easier than you might think ( I made some mistakes in the beginning but learned a lot in the process) Two things I would definitely recommend - a life line after every 10 row pattern repeat and enlarging the chart and putting it in a plastic sleeve. I did this so I could tape a thin plastic ruler under each row of the chart I was working on. Once I did these 2 things, I didn’t have anymore problems with the pattern. I love the shawl I made and wear it all the time!
I am going to have to get do All About Yarn. And you can interview me if you want to.
My advice for any new lace knitter - post-its, post-its, stitch markers and swatching. I have different sizes of post-it’s for different projects, if the lace repeat is small then I use the small post-its, for the larger repeats I use the larger ones. And stitch markers, they are my best friend when I’m knitting lace. I try to count every few rows or when I’m purling back just to make sure I’m not off count. When I’m purling back is usually when I find my missed yo’s and make them up. I’ve become the queen of make-up yo’s. If I could explain how to make-up the yo here I would, but I’m not that good at explaining without demonstrating. I always do a swatch for the lace pattern then I can figure out where I’m going to have to pay the most attention to the pattern.
Good luck with both projects, I know they will be beautiful. I may just have to break down soon and make the FBS, it’s so pretty. As if I needed another lace shawl project.
Your yarn is sooooo beautiful! I want to steal it. Good thing I live far enough away where I’m not too tempted
I’ve been thinking about doing flower basket as my first real lacy shawl too…we could gripe together?
I think you have all the fun down there in MD. Leave some for the rest of us, will ya?
BTW - do I get to go to FAS when I’m in MD?
Have a great weekend, Lauren!
Hey! My answers are up on my blog - and it looks like I may be coming down for Sheep & Wool afterall. Yeah!
YUMMY YUMMY YARNS!!!
And look at you getting your knit on!
Great stuf you’re working on there Girlie!
And ahhhhhh — the tulip… I’m afraid that all of my tulips and dafs and lupins etc…they may all come and go before I get back…wahhhhh! Time will tell!
I was “tuffeting” a lot yesterday too! More yarn for mittens, go figure! By the way, I’m sure your lace will look a lot better blocked. Lace tends to look pretty crappy on the needles and then when you block it it finally looks good!
I’ve never thought of using mers.cotton for the flower basket shawl,I bet it will be really nice.Good luck with it!
Lauren, If I can make a flower basket shawl, so can you! It is really rather easy! Just keep track of the repeats. DON’T BE AFRAID
wowl, beautiful blue! i know you’ll have that fbs down in no time. that lucky clover wrap is so tempting….
your dulaan scarf is lovely — and thanks for the tulip! we haven’t quite gotten to real spring here in nyc, but i live in hope.
have a wonderful weekend.
Hey Lolly,
As always it was great to see you last night:0) I had fun…I’m thinking about those yummy drinks…I could use a margarita right now!
The yarn that you got for the Flower Basket Shawl is beautiful! Don’t be discouraged by the pattern. You are a great knitter…if you want to make it, I know you can do it!!
Your Kool Aid yarn is very impressive. Great job!
Bye :0) xoxo Donna
the koolaid colour way is totally awsome!!! I wish we had cool aid here :’( The scarf came out perfectly. Also I feel your lace pain and I will be sending you good lace vibes to help you through lucky clover lolly!
I love the color you chose for your Lucky Clover. You are doing great. I really like that one and also the flower basket shawl.
I stink at lace work. Every time I try to do a pattern like that I end up with not enough loops left on the kneedle. I must be doing my yarn overs or something incorrectly. I think once I have more time I will have to go to my local yarn shop and ask for help so they can show me what is going wrong. I am looking forward to seeing more of your progress. you give me hope.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Warrick is SO mine. Hands off!
hey lauren
i wanna do the flower basket shawl too. just came across it recently and fell in love with it. but just my luck, the mag is sold out and i can’t find the pattern anywhere. i’ll be hunting.. but maybe you can host another KAL for it and i’ll sign up on it too!