n's lace testbed

n · n's lace testbed

I have sent a few people laceweight as swaps and things over the last week. I'm not going to say who, as although it's not a secret, I don't think that's up to me to reveal.

Anyway, this is the first to leave the Yard. As you know I do test the sock yarn dye spacings etc to make sure they don't pool and the effects are pretty, but I just can't do this for the lace, I'm just not good enough at it.

This is a FINE lace yarn, not an almost-four-ply-but-it-will-do-for-lace.
I have no idea about needle sizes etc.
One person has been knitting a project in it already.
I thought it might be helpful to have a thread for sharing experiences, suggesting needle sizes, etc.

One thing I would say is that I don't think it will take a ferocious blocking, so I'd bear that in mind.

Jean at

http://www.jeanmiles.blogspot.com

likes it, and she's been knitting lace for more than 40 years, so this is high praise...

Hope this thread is okay and not too "shoppy".

n

Woollywarbler

Well as soon as I'd written to you, I wound the gorgeous skein of exquisiteness, found my beads, dropped said beads on floor and watched in slow motion horror as the lid popped off as it hit the kitchen floor, located most of beads and am about to test drive on some new addi lace needles delivered this week (3.5mm)

I only hope my lace knitting can do this skein justice Smile

Once I have something to show, I'll pop a picture up. Oh and I've two patterns in mind, both on a sea theme, as my skein is in soft shades of pastel blue, The Print O'The Waves Stole (my first choice) or The Crest of The Waves Scarf. I'm just going to sit down with large mug of coffee and both patterns to make my decision before committing needles to yarn.
Thanks again n Very Happy

Tracy

Catknit

It doesn't need 'ferocious' blocking
'fessing up to being another tester for n, it's so soft, it blocks really easily- or the sample I knit first did anyway.
And mine is 'wicked'colouring which is funnily enough the word DD2 used when she saw the beginnings of the stole I'm designing Laughing

When I have some batteries later for the camera, it might just make its' forum debut, can't promise though, I have the in laws and an elderly neighbour round for supper later and the house looks like the wind outside yesterday swept through it!!

Auntie Noo

n

Just check the weight of the skein, WW.
The one I sent would either have been 48 or 52 g, I was hand winding so it was a guess.
The "real" skeins will be 60g which is about 1000 yards or 950m undyed. I think you should have about 700m minimum. Just don't want you to run out!

Gosh I never imagined it would be used to knit such grand and famous things!

n

Woollywarbler

I've got 51gms left and have done one repeat so far, scattering tiny silver rocaille beads (crikey they're small little critters) haphazardly as I go so that I can get a shimmering water effect. The pattern calls for 500 yards cobweb or 800 yards laceweight....could be exciting and it is quite fine isn't it? I'm sort of hedging my bets and keeping my fingers crossed I'll have enough.

It's looking quite lovely so far.

The idea is to have this done before Mystery Stole 3 makes an appearance....or not as the case may be Wink

Tracy

YarnAddict

Can't wait to try this lace yarn. It sounds very interesting. with regards to colours n, I prefer solid or almost solid colours for lace, or very subtle variegated as very 'busy' or strong colours variegated can make the lace pattern 'invisible'.

Piglottie

A very luscious parcel arrived on my doorstep this morning Wink

I shall be taking some pics tomorrow and casting on as I have the day off (which seems quite rare atm). I'm going to knit Eunny's Print o the Waves (is that what you done WW?). I've been wanting to knit it for awhile and after Shoalwater sunk, I decided to start this one. The yarn is gorgeous, so soft, and the colours are divine - shades of green Smile

Thanks n

n

The delivery which should have been here on Friday has been delayed by the weather in the north of England, so I am hoping for Monday and there should be some in the shop by the end of the week.... and plenty for Woolfest.

WW, I will put pics of Mr WW's things on the blog on Monday (!) ... they are perfect!
All of these were swaps so I am now the proud owner of a few books and a bespoke pair of sock blockers.... isn't barter a wonderful thing?!!!

It is a fine yarn, but I think that's a good thing because it's different from the others which are available... It's good to have variety, and if everyone sold the same yarn....or if we all knitted with the same yarn, life would be pretty boring.

n

Woollywarbler

Ah yes Piglottie.... the Print o the Waves....slight delay there on the final row of the second repeat as I bogged it up last night. The light was fading and I had 79 stitches on what was supposed to be 80...don't you hate that Rolling Eyes

I put it to one side and will tackle it this afternoon. I had a quick look and couldn't see it for the life of me, there's a yo astray somewhere. I thought I was being clever not using stitchmarkers, poo is all I can say. I've only ever done 2 Kiris and a Branching Out if we're talking real lacyness here and I used them then! Serve me right, will definitely be using them from now on though. Dagnabbit!
That'll be good if you're knitting it at the same time...I need all the help I can get Laughing

Lace is something which I want to do more of (hence The Mystery Stole) but it slightly scares me, lots of stitches, fine yarn and counting...and I was a bank clerk in a previous life!

Tracy who is really looking forward to seeing more of n's laceweight whilst trying to sit on her credit card as its edges smoulder Wink

n

I've been looking more closely at this pattern, it is just fabulous.... but I scrolled down to look at the supplies list and it says

Needles: 1.75mm (US00) Susan Bates Silvalume DPNs

She doesn't really mean dpns, does she? Surely it's on straights or a circ?
The mind boggles at the stitch-dropping possibilities of something so fine on slippy dpns!

n
feeling rather weak at the thought!

chrissy

n,
tecnically a circular is a dpn just a bloody great long one, so it will mean a circ and not a straight. I would never attack a lace shawl on straights. most laceweight is so soft and slippery that using anything else is suicidal.

I am using a 60cm one for my creatures of the reef one and it is definately managable as the bfl is too silky for anything shorter

n

I suppose you are right... never thought of it like that!!

I have been around socks for too long, obviously...
n

Piglottie

Oh dear Tracy! Not good when you are one stitch missing Sad

You can sometimes pick up a missing yo from the row below if you can find out where it is missing from, but I think its usually better to tink back cos I find its usually a bit tight where you pick up.

What needle size are you using for the Print o the Waves? My plan today (after tinking back a sock heel Sad

and untangling some very tangled yarn Sad

) is to play around with needle sizes. And as for help, this is my first laceweight project and I'm petrified of the border so not sure how much good I'll be Smile

Woollywarbler

I'm going with a 3.5mm which really is giving a lacy effect, but very floaty which is exactly what I'm looking for. I did think about going smaller after I bogged it up but now I'm onto my 3rd repeat, it's definitely easier. I started all over again in the end as I messed up the tinking soooo badly, frustration broke out and I just destroyed the whole caboodle Crying or Very sad

I was using stitchmarkers for the first few rows but ended up having one right where a ssk or a k2tog would be, so they were all over the show. I also wrote the chart out too as I'm still at early stages of lace following and charts are a bit like double dutch to me, I don't tend to remember patterns easily, fairisle no problem but a row of lace, not a chance Laughing

What with scattering these little silver beads around using a .60 crochet hook (I'm getting in training for the Mystery Stole) this is quite absorbing. The sock is on hold whilst I play...as for the border, I ended up madly giggling to myself at the thought of all those stitches on my circular (I giggle when I'm stressed happy6

)

Tracy who still promises to post a prgress picture later if she doesn't mess it up again!

Woollywarbler

Ok a progress shot....big drum roll

There's not too much to show but you get the idea.
....if you look really carefully you can see those pesky little silver rocailles scattered about. They really catch the light, but as usual, Tracy is unable to capture the effect on camera Rolling Eyes

I'm using the 3.5mm addi lace needles, just because they were lying there and I wanted to try them out. I didn't really have a clue where to start and it seemed like a good idea. Honest opinions? Be gentle with me, remember I'm lacephobic Wink

Tracy

CJ

that looks lovely Very Happy

Catknit

StunningNo need to be lacephobic anymore! Very Happy

gilraen

Woollywarbler

Do you know what....I nearly didn't click back on this just in case someone said I should have used smaller needles or something, I'm a real chicken. You've made me feel so much better, thanks girls!

Tracy

craftylady

Wooly, that is absolutely superb. I love the random effect of the beads and the pattern is kind on the eye too. I'm trying to do the Swallowtail shawl from IK at the moment. Like you I'm really scared of "getting one yarn over missing or too many". I just don't seem to be able to count either once I get to 150 sts. I must have knitted the whole shawl's worth and tinked it back because I don't have the right stitch count only to examine it and find I was right in the first place. I'm on the 12th repeat out of 14 of the second lace section (the easy bit) and am dreading starting the next section!!

If mine looks half as beautiful as your work I'll be well pleased with myself. Keep the photo's coming.

LittleBerry

I found this tutorial on Nupps very useful Craftylady when I did the Swallowtail

YarnAddict

Wow, love the Print of the waves.

LittleBerry

forgot to say before very nice colouring n... and the print o'the waves is looking nice.....

KnittingLadybird

that is just beautiful...well done!

n

Oh, really pretty, WW.... I'm sure Mr WW will enjoy wearing it after all that work on the sock blockers! WW did promise him a lace tie, girls.....

Seriously, it's lovely, and the variegation has worked well, just enough shading for this particular shawl I think, and I can't see any pooling, Phew!

n

Very Happy

Woollywarbler

She's a wicked one that n Wink

lacy tie my ****!

This yarn is seriously beautiful, it doesn't need alot of help from me and thanks girls, your kind words are making me think this lace knitting could be quite fun Smile

Tracy

Wildpurl

Oooh that is fab, beautiful neat knitting and I think the needle size is perfect, the pattern is showing up really well. And I love the colour! Mmmm my laceweight stash is a little restrained at the moment, that could be about to change...

Nevisknitter

WW, the stole looks great, love the idea of the random beads on it too. n, the colour is gorgeous too.

Piglottie

WW its looking great!!! And how much patience to knit lace and do beads?! Hopefully I shall have some pics soon Wink

Woollywarbler

Had another little mishap and lost myself big time, ending up tinking back 5 and a bit rows, now that really is patience Mad

DH took the boys out power kiting this evening whilst I corrected my mistakes (I was a little grumpy) and knitted on for another 3 repeats. It's definitely growing and I like the randomness of those beads. I just pop one in every now and again after a few rows. It's quite an easy process now I've done it a few times. I want this stole for my holidays.....7 repeats done, 27 to go and then that border Shocked

Are you still with me Piglottie? We can do this Wink

Tracy

Woollywarbler

Just wanted to show you how fine n's laceweight is as I don't think you can tell from closeups of actual knitting.

The top one is of course the new laceweight
The second is JaggerSpun Zephyr wool silk (using for Mystery Stole 3)
The third is Opal Krokodil sock yarn
The fourth is HipKnits Sock yarn. The bottom two are obviously for comparison sizewise as lots of us use those so would be able to judge for ourselves.
I think n's is most certainly finer than the JaggerSpun, it really is a delight.

Tracy
(who is trying to get her housework out of the way really early today so she can go out to play later Wink

)

n

What an interesting photo.
I had wondered how it compared with Jaggerspun, which seems to be what many people are choosing for the Mystery Stole.
It looks fairly similar, perhaps a little less fuzzy?
I'll be putting some in the shop later, there are photos and details on my blog. There will be 22 skeins to start with.

n

franney

*gets hubby's credit card ready* Laughing

I really love the soft tonal changes in your shawl WW, it's so delicate that in a poor light i would guess that you'd miss them but it really adds depth i think and doesn't detract from the lace pattern at all Smile

Thanks for the yarn size comparison too, i do like a visual aid, i'm not good at visualising things in my head Rolling Eyes

Piglottie

YarnAddict

Quick, close down my Paypal account. I've jsut had a glimpse of the lace photos on the blog dn they look gorgeous. I'm seriously drooling here.

Woollywarbler

Whoops, there goes a skein of sage and pink dusk solid....I was only checking to see if n had added them yet and my credit card dived commando style out of my handbag, raced over to the pc and pressed checkout Wink

Hohum.

I'm going to have to be very good this month

Tracy

YarnAddict

I love the Morello Twist and the Pink Dusk. They're gorgeous. I'm going to go and sit on my hands now. Laughing

Woollywarbler

I tried that, didn't work....I think I'd better use a set of pliers on the broadband cable, it's my only option Wink

Tracy

franney

Mmmmm, i love Sage, and Stainless Twist and Pale Turquoise and Lilac Twist and Lavender and and and OHHHHHHHHHHH! I wish i had enough hands to be able to knit everything up so i can buy moooooooooooooore!!

I might buy one skein, just one, and knit someone a shawl, maybe, would that be bad?
Surely buying wool to knit presents with doesn't count?
And i'm not going to Woolfest or doing any other wool shopping at all and i really do love7

them

Piglottie

I have finished swatching now but cannot decided between using a 2.5mm or a 2.25mm. I have put pictures and full details on my blog (and am rushing around like a headless chicken today trying to get sorted for hols so dont have time to repost on here). I would love to hear your comments as I am dithering, but think I need to live with the swatches awhile http://piglottie.blogspot.com/2007/06/latest-news-in-lace.html

franney

doesn't it look lovely knitted up! Very Happy

LittleBerry

For Eunny's laceweight she used 3.5mm and 1.75mm for the cobweb yarn... the yarn she used came out at 12.5m/g and your yarn yard is 14m/g. When I did this stole I used PY ARabella which was also 14m/g and I used 3.0mm needles to get the effect I liked.... out of your two swatches I prefer the 2.5mm but it really is down to you which you like the look of best...

Woollywarbler

Not sure if you'll get this before you go on your holidays, but if so if it's anymore help, here's a progress picture of mine so far

20 more repeats to go and then I'll have a think about that scary border eh?

LittleBerry stand by, don't go too far from your keyboard Laughing

Have a wonderful time and "see" you when you get back Smile

Tracy

n

Oh my word....
I had to sit down quickly there.
That is just.... well....
dunno what to say really!

n

Shocked

but nicely!

LittleBerry

that's looking beautiful... if you're stuck and I don't seem to be around just pm me.... I will do my best to help....

franney

Isn't that just GORGEOUS! Shocked

A perfect marriage of yarn and pattern notworthy

Blossom

The colours look so beautidful together...what a fantastic yarn for the pattern....well done n! Smile

Woollywarbler

Thanks LittleBerry, every time I read how many stitches there are, my mind fogs over and I feel a hot sweaty panic start, pathetic isn't it Sad

Knowing I can speak to someone who's been there done it, read the book etc is quite comforting.

Saying about the panics though, my little foray in lace knitting is turning out to be quite fun really and it'll be nice to have something really feminine to play with. Seeing how pretty it looks is really spurring me on.

Thanks for the comments girls.

Tracy

LittleBerry

I as the same Woolly and it wasn't until I was sat there with the needles and about to join the border to the shawl body it made snese so no don't feel wooly headed about it I was doing the same as you knitting the shawl, reading the border instructions and thinnking Rolling Eyes

then thinking what to do if the border won't work etc.... but it was like someone turned the light on once I was actually at that point....

cazzie

Wow - that is beautiful Very Happy

pjmck

Thats beautiful. I've just bought a skein of laceweight from n after reading this thread but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it.

Paula

LittleBerry

I'm going to have a look at woolfest if she has any left!!! but I am trying to buy yarn with people & colours in mind though....

terri

Its gorgoeus!!! The yarn goes so well with that pattern doesn't it Very Happy

KnittingLadybird

wow isn't that just beautiful. Very Happy

n

I'll definitely have it at Woolfest. There are a couple of dozen drying outside at the moment.
And there is ONE skein left of the blue twist that WW is using here, looking for a home if anyone wants it!

Been dyeing roving today.... totally different thing, from one extreme to the other, thick as a pencil!

n

LittleBerry

well I stand a chance (fingers crossed) if I'm going on Friday Wink

YarnAddict

I felt the same as you LittleBerry when I started the border on my Mum's Victoria Shawl but once you get going it makes sense and I quite enjoyed it although it took much longer and used a lot more yarn than I thought it would.

love your shawl Tracey. It looks gorgeous and the yarn is stunning too. Can't wait to see it finished.

And Piglottie. Have had a look at yourswatches on your blog and they both look great. And your yarn is gorgeous too.

I'm dyeing lace tomorrow and just hope I can come close to doing as good a job as n. Very Happy

chrissy

I am sure you will do a great job Anni, I have also been doing laceweight, my final batch before woolfest, and am now swatching for the mystery shawl with some.

ww, the shawl is looking fab, your knitting is stunning
Chrissy

Piglottie

Tracy its looking beautiful, and dont you just love the way the colours gently flow through the pattern? You have knitted it soooo quickly as well!

I still haven't decided *roll eyes* I think I may also do a swatch with 3mm as I'm dithering again (although maybe make a decision in pre-holiday chaos is not such a good thing Smile

).

KnittingLadybird

I like how it has turned out on the 2.5mm PL...it has 'holey defintion' without it being too holey...the 2.25mm was also very neat but the slightly larger needle gives it it's laceyness.
Is this yarn very fine??? as I used a whopping 4.5mm on the kiri using the parisienne.

Piglottie

KnittingLadybird

I have to admit...I like holes...and I have usually gone up a needle size than that suggested lol.
Although tracey has thrown a spanner in the works cos hers is just gorgeous and not too holely either. But you have a good tension on 2.5mm and it's your tension that counts as it may be too holey on 3mm. But you could use up all your yarn on tension squares Laughing

I like how YOU have knitted on the 2.5mm btw

Woollywarbler

That's me all over, spanner in the works Laughing

The only other real lace I've done is a couple of Kiris which were on 4.5mm's like KnittingLadybird said. I only used the 3.5mm's because I've just bought them for the Mystery Stole 3 along. I liked the definition so stuck to it. Eunny's was a cobweb on toothpicks wasn't it Wink

And thanks again for the compliments, it's a lovely start to my weekend Very Happy

Tracy

n

My lace yarn is on Jean's blog.... and she likes it!
This is like Gordon Ramsay saying your Chocolate mousse is scrummy (or ******* scrummy, I suppose), or Kaffe Fassett admiring your choice of colour for that Afghan.

I sent it off to her before I bought a big wholesale order, just to get an opinion, knowing full well that if she hated it, the whole world would know because she is scrupulously honest. And then, because of Woolfest, I ordered it before she gave me any feedback.... so it was a bit of a gamble.

http://www.jeanmiles.blogspot.com

I love that she describes herself as "old... with a husband who is even older".

n

Glynis

The gentle colour is simply lovely n. and it obviously knits up a real treat!

Well done Smile

Woollywarbler

Never doubt yourself again young lady Smile

Tracy who is really glad it's raining as it means she can sit and knit for as long as she wants!

gilraen

Well done n Smile

Woollywarbler

Just a quick update on my stole which is now 33 repeats long (I think!)
The original pattern calls for 34 repeats but I'm supposing Eunny is more Kylie than I'll ever be at 5ft 10, I'm making mine a fair few repeats longer and recalculating the pick up stitches down the sides for my punishment Smile

It measures 41 inches just lying here limply on the floor and about 12 wide. If I were to follow the pattern to the letter and stop here, it would be a very similar size to the original (before blocking) I haven't thought too much about the border yet, but that's something a little in the future. I know this is not going to be a wide stole but my goodness it will be a pretty one Very Happy

By the way, I still have 24gms left from the original 52gms n sent me, with another one on standby as I've a feeling I will be needing it (thanks ladies!) I think my nerves would be in tatters by now if I didn't Laughing

Tracy

CJ

that looks gorgeous, Tracy. Very Happy

YarnAddict

wow, that's stunning Tracy. Such a gorgeous colour too. Make sure you leave enough for the border though. I found on my mum's Victoria Shawl form VLT that the border took a lot more yarn than I'd calculated.

Piglottie

Tracy it looks beautiful! I adore the way the colours have come out Smile

ClaireUK

Lovely, truly beautiful. I love the way the colours flow and it is so neat too.

Claire UK

Woollywarbler

Thanks everyone....my only problem is the Mystery Stole 3 clue number 1 is sat looking at me now so I'm going to start that shortly. Mind you there's no reason why I can't do both is there? What's another WIP amongst friends Wink

Tracy

Piglottie

I want to cry crybaby

The Print o the Wave pattern hates me! I have now spent over 10 hours (not including swatching time) on this project and have nothing to show as I have just ripped it all out for the 4th time Sad

I dont know why, but the pattern is just not sticking in my head and I keep ending up with an extra stitch on row 5 Rolling Eyes

I got so fed up with tinking back again today that I've pulled the whole lot out and walked away from it!

n - Sorry that I have nothing to show atm but I can tell you that your yarn tinks back very well unlike other laceweight yarns I've tested and the colours look lovely Smile

I think I need to cast on something mindnumbingly dull as all my knitting is proving a pain atm (toe up socks especially).

A fed up Piglottie

Sprite64

Tracy - that looks great! I don't think I'd every wear anything that fine / lacy - and having seen the laceweight irl I'm not sure I could knit it either! I think I'd end up in a tangled mess.

Woollywarbler

Piglottie don't cry, I'll let you into a little secret....I don't normally work from charts it's all double dutch to me until the Mystery Stole that is. For some reason Melanie's chart is sticking, not so this little blighter. I had to write the pattern out manually as I was all over the show. Would you like me to email my written instructions for this bit or have you had enough of it?
I'm toying with doing a different edging at the moment. I've picked up the border all around my centre today and as I've made it longer, I have a total of 724 stitches Shocked

I've done the eyelet border in the last couple of hours and have to make the edging, something which I'm not completely decided upon yet. I may do something different from Eunny's, Whilst Wimbledon is on, I'm sort of looking through Heirloom Knitting. Let me know if you want them anyway, you may find it easier

Thanks Sprite64, I'm really pleased with it so far. The idea is to have it finished for my hols in Spain, something for late evenings by the sea when I'm sipping my cooling drink. With a household full of men, I want something very floaty and feminine just for me Smile

Once I sort this edging out I'll do another photo update pre blocking with a bit of luck!

Piglottie

Oooh WW! You have made me feel so much better Smile

I dont think I'm having a problem with the charts but maybe I should give it a go with the written instructions and see if that helps. Thank you so much for offering and I shall pm you my addy!

I cant wait to see your border choice Tracy and you have done it so quickly! Smile