"I don't understand Lace Knitting"

Yep, my DH said to me last night that very thing..."I don't understand lace knitting." At the time I was fussing a bit about a stupid error I'd made in my Lace Ribbin "wrap". He went on to say that he thought it was "interesting" just why would you want to knit it? I laughed because I really have no idea why I find lace so fun, yes I said fun to knit. Maybe it's the fact you have to pay attention and keep focused on your knitting. Let's face it I do enjoy that piece of the puzzle because I'm a totally obsessed knitter. A project gets into my head and I cannot put it down until it's complete. The lace has been that way for me the last few months. First, it was Laura of Dragonwing Arts Summer Radiance Shawl that I completed in March, now it's the Lace Ribbon. My other projects are suffering from neglect.

There are a few other reasons. I love to watch how the simple act of a yo becomes this complicated looking twist in my current project. When I've messed up and dropped a yo I've tried to recreate the twist 2 rows down...does not look right, but is it oh so simple when you remember to just wrap a loop and on the next row knit or purl it.

Lace has taught me a few things along the way. The first is to use a life line if you don't want to pull your hair out with a major error full of lost yarnovers. I've become much better at both "reading my knitting" and using charts to knit. When I first starting knitting I figured no way would I be able to read a knitting chart...too complicated looking, symbols to remember, etc. Now I adore using charts vs written instructions. I now prefer the charts, but will read through the written directions for anything that may not be clear on the charts. Why do some designers use a chart, but write extra instructions buried in the written? Drives me crazy...then I am a bit.

Sunshiny Day for Summer Radiance

I'm not sure that 'sunshiny' is the proper use of the English Language, but it's fitting today. It has been quite a few days since the sun has shone as brightly as today. I took the opportunity to get a few pictures of Summer Radiance in natural light.

The darn thing is difficult to get a nice picture of due to its size, but I certainly tried numerous times. Don't you just love the digital camera! The full length size really does give an idea of how large the shawl is. If I were to do another shawl I might consider dropping charts 10-11 & maybe a portion of the fern leaf pattern...not sure it would work, but I'd prefer a shorter triangle if I were to keep & wear it.



The shorter length would allow me to wear it sideways rather than down the back. I don't really like the peak going down the middle of my back...yes, I'm one of those that thinks it makes me look/feel like an "old lady". Only my personnel preference and not a reflection of the original design which has been my obsession these last 2 months. I'm hoping that the intended receipient adores it as much as I do...

We'll see about that in a few weeks time...stay tuned!

WhooHoo I'm Done!

I have finished the lace test knit for Laura at Dragonwing Arts. She is calling her design Summer Radiance which is fitting since it has a few nature inspired elements...fern leaves is the first element to be knitted. The ferns plus a little "vine" started basically from the tip upwards through the first 9 charts. The section definitely reminds me of a maiden hair fern leaf.

My favorite section was towards the end (charts 12 through 14)...not because it was almost done, but I loved what appeared to be leaves marching two by two upwards. Those charts were very easily memorized and any error was quickly noticed...I loved that part. NO TINKING of frogging back to the life line for the entire 3 chart sequence...a first for me.

The worst section for me to knit was the last chart, but I think that my brain was still on sick leave and wasn't as focused as I could have been. It was this area where I made an error by forgetting to YO and I didn't catch on that the patterning on that particular element was a wee bit off. My decision to not rip back 3 rows is something I can live with...although I may try to correct it with some creative manipulation if it starts to bother me. Can anyone see the error?

Overall I thoughly enjoyed knitting lace...my first big lace project. Everything else has had small bits of lace thrown into the mix. Must have liked (loved) it since nothing else really was knitted on while this was underway.

Details:
Pattern: Summer Radiance Shawl designed by Laura of Dragonwing Arts

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Indigo

Needles: Addi Lace size 5 on a 60" cable

Size: Unblocked- Top 64" Sides 62" Blocked- Top 64" Sides 62"


Once the sun comes back out...if it ever does I hope to do the shawl justice with a great photo of the blocked rendition.