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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
 Posted - 05/06/2006 : 11:43:12 AM
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I have played around with lace before trying to learn how to put all those yo,ssk,psso etc together, but always got so confused I would quit trying.
Now I'm making something for REAL and I'm so excited.
I'm making the dayflower scarf found online, and up to the 3rd repeat with no errors! Its a simple repeat pattern and I can memorize the rows. I think it incorperates all the stitches I would use in a bigger lace project. Its a simple project, but I have to start somewhere.
And you know what? Lace is fun. I love the consentration and only thinking about the the next stitch and watching the stitches come together to form something so pretty.
I may become a lace lover.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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desi_knitter
Gabber Extraordinaire
507 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2006 : 12:04:38 PM
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Ah, welcome to the world of lace, its rhythm, its incredible lightness, its simplicity. You'll never look back!
Visit my new blog:
http://desiknitter.typepad.com |
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busypainter
Chatty Knitter
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2006 : 2:03:49 PM
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I am also hooked on lace. The feel and weight is so nice.
So many lovely colors for lace knitting now that you want to use all the colors.
After a while you will get used to the yarn overs, etc. I just have to be very careful to purl the yarn overs when I am working on the back side. Sometimes they do become one stitch instead of 2 separate stitches. But do lace does teach you to be careful and have patience!
Just love to do lace. |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2006 : 05:38:14 AM
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Beware beginner lace question.
Seems to be I will have to brake down and learn to read a chart.
What is the best way to color code a chart?
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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maribelaprn
Permanent Resident
USA
2033 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2006 : 07:43:24 AM
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The "best way" is the way that works for you!! Here's my system...
I bought a set of 6 different coloured highlighters at the local office supply store and developed a system I can remember. I always use blue for k2tog, green for ssk, pink for purl, and yellow for YO. I tend not to highlight knit sts and if there are many purl sts in sequence, I tend not to highlight those as I find a long block of colour distracting. If there are other sts, I use orange or purple to highlight those and I always highlight the symbol key so I have a reference. And if I need more colours, I'll not highlight the purl sts and use the pink for that. In addition to the knit and purl sts, this system accomodates up to 6 more sts that need to get my attention. By doing this, I can get a quick cue from the colour and know what the stitch coming up is without having to remember what the symbol stands for, especially since there isn't only 1 symbol to relfect a given stitch.
When you really become a chart addict, you can download a knitting symbol font from Knitter's Magazine (scroll down to Symbol Font) and create your own charts in a spreadsheet...then you know your addicted! When a chart isn't included in a pattern, I create my own chart using Excel and the Knitter's symbol font and I highlight each cell on the chart using my favourite colour scheme. And to think a year ago, I refused to get into this chart thing! You can indeed teach a very old dog new tricks!
Mari
2006 shawls/throws completed: 11
2006 socks completed: 4
WIP: Baltic Sea shawl (Fiber Trends) in Rowanspun 4 ply
My blog: http://maribelaprn.blogspot.com/
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mamacita
Chatty Knitter
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2006 : 12:01:15 PM
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I realize that I should probably ask this question elsewhere but this lace thread (with experienced lace knitters) seems like the appropriate place to post this question.
I am VERY anxious to try Ene's Shawl from "Scarf Style" but have never tried lace before. I am a left-handed knitter who holds the yarn in my left hand and moves the stitches from my right needle to my left. I have recently taught myself cables and was so excited that they were so easy (I feared them for some silly reason). However, I recognize that my cables are all a mirror image of what the pattern shows. Exactly how would I read a pattern for lace to make it turn out as it should? One fellow knitter told me that I should just teach myself to knit "the right way". I realize that I may have bungled when I found a little book to teach myself left-handed but would hope that I could just adjust my patterns and not completely reteach myself to knit. Any suggestions to save me???
Thank you,
Cheryl |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2006 : 9:15:51 PM
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Thank you very much Mari, I will try to color a chart for my next SIMPLE project. It would be easier to just look at a color and know what to do next. I'm tired of enlarging written patterns to 16 or 18 point to be able to see them while I knit.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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DeAnn
Seriously Hooked
USA
831 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 06:00:14 AM
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Hi Karen,
Welcome to the wonderful world of lace.
Just wait 'til you block it out---then you'll really be hooked!
DeAnn
Ms.D's Knitting Knotebook
When the chips are down.....
The Buffalo is empty. |
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AuntyNin
Seriously Hooked
USA
772 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 07:28:00 AM
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Cheryl, I'm working on Ene's right now. Since it's symmetrical, you should be able to knit it without a problem, no matter which direction you're going.
If you're uncertain, try this: cast on about 50 stitches and swatch each of the patterns. That'll tell you whether you need to make any adjustments.
AuntyNin
Everything happens for a reason, except possibly football. --- Terry Pratchett
http://home.earthlink.net/~lradiga1/ |
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mamacita
Chatty Knitter
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 09:25:59 AM
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AuntyNin,
Thank you so much for replying. I am so anxious to try this scarf but was told by a fellow knitter that lace was more complicated than just "reversing" the pattern. I will give it a try and see how it works.
Thanks,
Cheryl |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 11:10:56 AM
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Boy, I sure spoke out of turn. After 3 repeats you would think I would have the pattern down wouldn't ya? Well messed up so bad I had to rip rip rip.
I tried to start over, but couldn't get it right after that.
Looking for another easier pattern. I'm not giving up!
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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busypainter
Chatty Knitter
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 12:23:08 PM
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Good for you not to give up!
Before I begin a new pattern, I usually study the directions a few times. Then I start making a sample piece with odd ball yarn. Sometimes I use the needles that the pattern calls for or whatever I feel will go with the yarn. Remember it is only for practice and for me to get formailar with the pattern.
I knit it as far as I want to go. I iron out the bugs this way and when I knit with the good yarn, I am more experienced.
I save the practice piece. So later I can refer back to it or add on to it to iron out more bugs.
If in doubt, I always make a sample.
Hope this helps.
Lace is so much fun! |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 2:15:49 PM
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Why is lace so hard to do?
I mean I can do the stitches correctly, but when I try to put them in a row I get all messed up.
Practice practice practice, and a little prayer thrown in.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2202 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 06:11:14 AM
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One stitch at a time...One stitch at a time...
I find I mess up when I get too comfortable...especially when I get confident and stop double checking my stitches.!!!
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 09:53:29 AM
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I've never color coded a chart.
If there is a long string of knit stitches, say, more than 5, I will write in the number of consecutive knits so I don't have to count them every time I get to that section. That saves a ton of time.
For the lefty knitter: do you know what way your decreases lean? When you knit 2 together, does it lean left or right? I knit backwards sometimes for entrelac, etc, but I have not done any shaping so I don't know. As long as your decreases lean the way they are supposed to, I don't see why it would be a problem. I guess you would read the charts from left to right instead of right to left like normal right handed people. I say, go for it! There is nothing you can't do just because you are left handed. Except maybe use certain scissors.
Anita
My completed projects
and here
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 09:54:49 AM
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OK, now let's all stand around and watch while these new lace knitters join us in the vortex of lace knitting addiction! Heh heh heh!
Anita
My completed projects
and here
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2202 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 10:05:22 AM
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shhhhhhhhhhh....If you scare them off before they complete a project they might not get fully addicted, uhm, indoctrinated , err, acclimated
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 12:17:02 PM
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Can't scare me off, I'm going to get lace down if it brakes my needles or my yarn is fit to be tied.
If I can shuttle tat, I can knit lace.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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mwyn
Permanent Resident
USA
1419 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 12:54:38 PM
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Did you see the Lace Extravaganza post a day or so ago?? Oodles of tips & just plain fun reading. Here's the link for the site.
http://www.knittingbeyondthehebrides.org/lace/schedule.html
I spent way too much time & copier paper there  !
mwyn
One who works with his hands is a laborer. With hands & head; a craftsman. With hands, head & heart an artist. (Paraphrase St. Francis of Assissi) |
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busypainter
Chatty Knitter
USA
115 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2006 : 1:27:22 PM
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| Lace knitting can be addictive. I'm so glad I got hooked. |
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AkamaiKnitter
Warming Up
71 Posts |
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