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Mermaid Knits
Permanent Resident
USA
1129 Posts |
 Posted - 04/09/2012 : 7:39:35 PM
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Hey if you were teaching knitters to do lace, what would be the top three things you would tell them?
I have a workshop coming up soon and want to see if I'm still current on the hot lace trends now.
Arctic-mermaid
How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterwards. (Spanish proverb) |
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purlewe
Permanent Resident
1867 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 07:49:00 AM
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I always tell people learning lace about the lifeline and how to use it.
Life is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming. ~Myrna Loy
http://purlewe.typepad.com/ |
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NutmegOwl
Gabber Extraordinaire
562 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 1:06:27 PM
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The math does not lie. Period.
It all comes back to that. When in doubt, the numbers do not lie.
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Nutmeg Owl
Quaecumque sunt vera
http://www.owlwaysknitting.wordpress.com |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 2:36:58 PM
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Use markers between each pattern repeat. So much easier to check on your stitches one section at a time.
Also, how to read your knitting so if the stitch count is off, they can figure out what the problem is. Some problems are easily fixed without taking the knitting out - for example a missed yarn over can be picked up on the next row. Saves time and frustration.
See My Stuff: Here
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Milinda
Permanent Resident
USA
3816 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 2:55:15 PM
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yarnlover, NutmegOwl and Purlewe are totally spot on. Those would be the top basics of lace knitting.
I cannot stress the lifeline thing enough, especially if one is knitting a circular or large Shetland shawl. I learned that lesson on the Civil War Era circular shawl.    Nothing like having to tink hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of stitches to learn the lifeline thing is a necessity.
And the math NEVER lies.
My lace projects are covered with markers between sections because counting is so much easier that way and lifelines. 
M L
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ClimberKnits
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
559 Posts |
Posted - 04/11/2012 : 3:50:37 PM
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| I also would encourage them to begin to read charts, if they can't already. I know some hate this, but I really do think that lace goes so much more smoothly when you can "see" the pattern on paper. It's also easier to see which stitch should be in the row directly below the particular stitch that you are executing. |
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2201 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 09:09:41 AM
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The CORRECT math nevr lies; reading your work is essential; and it's one stitch at a time, just like any other knitting.
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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donnawatk
Seriously Hooked
661 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 09:39:16 AM
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| I would tell them how life lines work. The first shawl I made I didn't know why I needed them but found out quickly why. I use them all the time now when lace knitting. Donna |
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Mermaid Knits
Permanent Resident
USA
1129 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2012 : 6:43:18 PM
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Thank you so much everyone, for the quick replies. You've reinforced my thoughts. Although I have never used lifelines, and have done very complicated laces, I can see the value and will be teaching that for sure. I even got a set of the new Addi Long Lace Turbo clicks that have the lifeline "slit" in them. I will try it out in front of the class for the first time.
Actually, I may have done it in another class way back...
It was really good to hear your top advice. Mega thanks
Arctic-mermaid
How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterwards. (Spanish proverb) |
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emmyc
Chatty Knitter
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2012 : 04:08:11 AM
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What a helpful thread! I'm taking my first lace class in about a month and I feel like I've just done a starter course!
emmyc
winchester ma |
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neraksenrab
Chatty Knitter
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2012 : 04:16:08 AM
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| Lace classes usually do not teach blocking -- which just makes (or breaks) your lace project. Many students don't know about how to use pins, blocking wires, spritz water bottles, etc. I actually bring my blocking board to class and we take turns actually blocking a lace piece. Showing them examples of unblocked and blocked lace is also helpful. Karen |
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Ann2Knit
Warming Up
50 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2012 : 06:22:51 AM
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| Yes...thanks to everyone above. I am about to start my first lace shawl and am intimidated by charts, which seem essential. Sounds like a class will help me get over that hump. I've posted a topic asking for advice on the best blocking wires and no response. Maybe someone reading this thread can offer some advice. |
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emmyc
Chatty Knitter
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2012 : 11:30:23 AM
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I was once intimidated by Charts as well, but cant live without them now. I find Charts are actually easier to keep track of then lines and lines of pattern. I often highlight the even rows to make it easier to follow
RE wires, Clara just reviewed wire tor lace. Can't get better advice than that!
emmyc
winchester ma |
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Marie E
Chatty Knitter
USA
185 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2012 : 06:26:18 AM
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I enlarge the Charts for easier reading. Sometimes the charts are so small it's difficult to read-(older eyes don't read small print easily=mine). Also by enlarging I'm not marking all over the original.
Marie E NC |
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marjotse
Permanent Resident
Sweden
1018 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2012 : 12:21:48 AM
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One other thing is to show how lace repeats are "balanced". What I mean is that if you have a lace repeat, within that repeat yo are matched with decreases somewhere (unless your goal is to increase/decrease overall, e.g. in the case of a shawl). I do a lot of lace knitting for sweaters, and shaping in lace is tricky but once one realizes how the patterns are balanced it is perfectly do-able.
Marjolein
http://kantajour.blogspot.com
my photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98299499@N00/
On Ravelry: Marjotse
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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
Posted - 04/23/2012 : 5:22:14 PM
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Can someone explain the Addi needles with the lifeline slit? How does that work?
Sharon |
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noallatin
Chatty Knitter
257 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2012 : 4:27:06 PM
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| Instead of using a tapestry needle to run a lifeline through a row after it has been knit, The lifeline slit allows a knitter to place a lifeline into a row while it's actually being knit. That works really well as long as safety pin type markers are being used. Otherwise, standard circular markers end up getting knit into the project until the lifeline is removed. |
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On teaching lace knitting
