| Archive for Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns The Friendly UK Board that invites Knitters, Crocheters, Dressmakers, Quilters, Patchworkers, Jewellery makers and Paper Crafters to join in our chat about Craft |
| Sprite64 |
Shoalwater progressFeeling pleased with this so far - I was brave (stupid?!) and decided to stick a lifeline in and take it off the needle so I could see it properly - it's so scrunched up when I'm knitting it. It's safely back OTN now! I've decided it needs another full repeat - I hope Get Knitted have some of the colour in when I go this week
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| Cathie |
Thats beautiful, I've lent the pattern of Chrissy, but I can't decide what yarn to use for it
Cathie |
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| Glynis |
Oh my! Isn't that beautiful!
Which yarn are you using? |
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| murdo |
Beat me to it, Glynis!!!!! | ||
| Sprite64 |
Thanks! It's Colinette Jitterbug in Jay. | ||
| Glynis |
Well, I really like the colour. It suits the pattern wonderfully.
Is Jitterbug nice to knit with? (Silly question really I suppose  )
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| Sprite64 |
Well, I really like it! I think I'll need an extra skein though which is a bit worrying. I bought 4 (erm, I think it was 4!) - wish i'd got 5 now - although I still find it hard to know how big it will be when it's blocked - I haven't done any lace stuff before. | ||
| Glynis |
I would have thought that 400 grams of a 4ply type yarn would give a decent sized shawl. What does the pattern recommend? | ||
| gilraen |
Jitterbug is very short in the yardage department! compared to other 4 ply/sock yarns.
Good luck at Get Knitted getting a match.
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| janice |
It's lovely, have been thinking of knitting this for a while 
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| Sprite64 |
It says fingering weight needs 1400yds and sport weight 1150 yds. I thought I'd do 3 repeats but now I think it needs 4. There are 267metres a skein on Jitterbug. Someone has done it here with 4 skeins:
http://knittiotherapy.typepad.com/a/2007/04/just_about_the_.html I might be ok - but it seems to be going down awful quick!!! |
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| pictish |
The colour is perfect!! I have some Jay for socks and it's gorgeous. | ||
| minniemoll |
That looks lovely! I've just bought the pattern, so it's on my list of things to do soon(ish!), I seem to have been bitten by the lace bug recently, I can't stop making shawls, even though I don't know when I'm going to wear them 
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| CJ |
that's looking gorgeous, I love the jay colourway. | ||
| KnittingLadybird |
The colour is perfect for this pattern and you have knitted it beautifully sprite, well done
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| chrissy |
that is looking beautiful, I love that colourway | ||
| Sprite64 |
Thanks! It's taking me ages to do a row now - and it's getting quite heavy too. I'm a bit worried about finishing it - just been reading about doing the icord edging and I don't really get it! Nevermind. Got a bit to go yet! | ||
| chrissy |
the I cord edging I found easier than I thought it would be, if you are struggling knit a square in any other yarn and practise but if you follow the instructions blindly you will get it no problem. | ||
| Piglottie |
Its beautiful. I've given up on mine in laceweight, but still love the pattern so might give it a go in 4ply
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| Wildpurl |
it's really lovely sprite, jay is an inspired colour for it too | ||
| Jobo |
That's gorgeous - I adore that colour
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| YarnAddict |
Beatiful. Got the pattern just need the time.
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| Sprite64 |
Right - I've just done the last 'pattern' row - just got to knit 3 rows now and then cast off (EEEEK!). Bit miffed as I'm going to have to start a new ball of yarn - there's only a little bit left and I'm sure it won't be enough to do the next 3 rows and finish off. I can't decide about the icord edging. I have got some large DPN's but I think they might be too fat (I bought them for shoalwater - long story but I was going to use different yarn and the next needle size up in the pattern) - I don't really want to buy more just to finish this off. | ||
| Glynis |
Ooh, I am looking forward to seeing this one finished! The start of it looked gorgeous! | ||
| Nevisknitter |
Sharon, I just slipped the I cord back onto the other needle each time rather than using dpns. I picked up a about 30 st from the edge and worked the I cord, taking in 1 edge stitch each row then sliding the knitted stitches on the right needle back onto the left needle before knitting the next row. I made I cord for my booga bag like that too and its quick once you get into the hang of it. | ||
| Sprite64 |
Hmmm I'm going to have to try the icord thing first somehow. I'm going to put a lifeline in tonight and then knit the last 2 rows and do the cast off - I'll take pics then! | ||
| Sprite64 |
Well, I've cast off about half of it tonight - getting quite excited now! Bit surprised at how long it's taking me to do the casting off bits - but we did go out to get fish & chips at one point! I've ordered my blocking wires today so hopefully they'll arrive soon. I was quite worried about the picot cast-off but it's turning out ok. | ||
| ChattyJo |
I am looking forward to seeing the finished pictures too. You will enjoy the blocking wires - so much easier than pinning and measuring and repinning etc. | ||
| Sprite64 |
Well, I've done the cast-off - haven't done the icord bit yet. Hope it's going to be big enough - I think it will get a bit bigger when I block it. I tried it on and OH and I couldn't decide if it will be big enough - it's quite heavy though - I think it would be enourmous if I did another repeat.
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| KnittingLadybird |
that's beautiful...and the colour is just fab for this pattern. well done sprite 
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| chrissy |
that is really lovely, I am sure it will be big enough, If you are not too sure about the i-cord edging block it first. the icord edging makes the edge more solid and not at all stretchy, so if you check the size first blocked you can see if you want to add the icord if that makes sense.
I shall look forward to teh blocked pics |
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| Sprite64 |
Hmmm might be a plan - thanks! I haven't made anything like this before. Didn't think of blocking it before doing the icord bit. Just need my blocking wires to arrive now
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| Wildpurl |
It's really lovely, and I am sure it will be big enough - it does stretch quite a lot when blocked. Fab colour | ||
| Nevisknitter |
That is beautiful, Mine stretched when blocking and I didnt block it hard, going to redo it now I have wires. | ||
| craftylady |
That's looking fantastic The blocking will make all the difference but the colour will still be perfect.
Makes me want to finish my swallowtail......one day! |
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| YarnAddict |
It looks beautiful Sharon. Can't wait to see it blocked. most lace shawls grow quite a bit when blocking. | ||
| Sprite64 |
The blocking wires arrived today. It was awkward pinning the thing out and I haven't done a perfect job of it but my dodgy knee starting complaining about all the kneeling and clambering around on the floor! So - here it is blocking - on 2 single mattresses. It's still damp. I'm a bit worried it's not big enough - but I guess it's quite wide - I don't think I could have blocked easily it if it was much bigger! I haven't done the icord edging yet - haven't decided whether to add it or not. I think I need to knit a little swatch and have a go at it first Need to have this finished by the 29th as we're seeing OH's SIL that weekend and it's her birthday early August.
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| KnittingLadybird |
Sprite, that's blummin gorgeous!!!...does it need the i-cord?? I think it looks stunning as is tbh. | ||
| Sprite64 |
Thanks! I've got a real dilema about the icord - I know lots of people have left it off. I wonder if it might make the edge a bit stronger though - which is probably a good thing! |
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| KnittingLadybird |
Well I have never done and i-cord edging in my life so i don't know lol but i've only ever made FC and kiri shawls, so i'm unsure how shoalwater stands.
It does look beautiful but if i-cord offers a more stable edging and is part of the pattern maybe you kind of need...I don't know, I just want it 
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| Sprite64 |
LOL! You can't have it! I want it too but I have to give it away to SIL. | ||
| Glynis |
Isn't it gorgeous!! Your choice of colour was a stroke of genius.
(The i-cord thing is a bit of a mystery to me, so no wisdom to add I'm afraid) |
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| KnittingLadybird |
I know hun and i admire you all the more for making it for your SIL....one question? Do you like her lol
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| chrissy |
Sharon it is absolutely beautiful, in my opinion and if I was doing one again I would not do the i-cord edging, I don't think it needs it, but others might disagree, it is totally up to you, but regardless of the edging it is really stunning and she will love it. | ||
| Sprite64 |
Yes I do - I wouldn't have made it if I didn't! |
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| cazzie |
Wow that looks fab - must be hard to give it away now
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| Sprite64 |
Well, I just decided to knit up a swatch and try and do the icord edging. The instructions didn't make a lot of sense to me - but I figured it out and did it just fine with the one circular needle (well, I *think* I figured it out haha - it looks ok anyway - don't know why it says use a DPN, pick up a stitch on a spare needle etc. All I did was pick up the garter 'ridge' on the 'left' needle, slip the 3 from the right needle to the left - k2, k2tog with the picked up stitch - then repeat). I think it finishes it off nicely so I'm just about to start it on the shawl. Hope I don't mess it up!!!! | ||
| Blossom |
It's beautiful...a perfect perfect colour! Lucky SIL! Going to make one for yourself too??!
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| KnittingLadybird |
Good Luck Sprite but i'm confident you will be fine and the shawl will utter fabulous...did i mention I really like it hee hee
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| Sprite64 |
It's going to be hard to give it away I can tell you! I've never really thought of myself as a shawl type of person (whatever one of those is!) but I'm itching to cast on for another shawl now - I want to make one NOW for me haha! I was looking at the forest canopy shawl - think it might look nice in some autumnal colours. Don't think I can make another shoalwater just now. |
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| Wildpurl |
It's gorgeous sprite, and I personally like the i-cord edging, I did it on mine and I think it does firm upthe edge a little.
The colours are gorgeous. Re an autumnal forest canopy - how about some of the beautiful trekking sock yarn colours? I have some which is a gorgeous autumn leaves colour and it would be a lovely shawl IMO once you are bit by the lace bug you've had it I'm afraid LOL |
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| Sprite64 |
Thanks! I'm really glad I've decided to dothe icord edging - mind you, it's taken me about an hour to do around 6 inches - EEEEK! |
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| YarnAddict |
Wow, the shawl looks gorgeous blocking. and hte colour suits it perfectly. Which yarn did you use again? | ||
| FatCat |
WOW  Sprite that's absolutely gorgeous!  Is that the Jitterbug you bought at the GK day?
Can't believe you've finished it already .... puts my effort to shame, I really must dig it out again 
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| Sprite64 |
Thanks! Yes, it's the jitterbug I'm waiting nervously for SIL's birthday now - it's next week - to find out her reaction. Never made anything this big!
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| KnittingLadybird |
hey sprite...she'll love it! and remember, if a thing ever needed a loving a home lol.
I'm only joking hun...you SIL will adore it i'm sure, it's fantanstic
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| loobyj |
Missed this earlier - that's fab Sprite, worth all the hard work you put into it! Really lovely.
lj |
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| Sprite64 |
Thanks lj! | ||
| FatCat |
so ..... what day is SIL's birthday this week? I'm sure she'll love it - let us know? | ||
| Sprite64 |
Hi! It was yesterday. I *think* she likes it! I don't know if I'd make something else quite so big (well, it was big for me anyway!) for a gift again - it's quite stressful and I don't think you will ever get the fabulous reaction you hope for - well, maybe you would from another knitter? Anyway, I'm really pleased with how it turns out - I just hope she uses it. She's really into music (plays sax / clarinet) and we also got her a nice 'treble cleff' shawl pin which she liked. | ||
| FatCat |
Aha, it's been and gone! Hmm, it sounds like you're a bit disappointed  But if she's not a knitter then she couldn't possibly appreciate how much work and time went into it. She's probably absolutely delighted with it and be wearing it constantly - it's difficult to tell when you're not there to see.
But you always intended it to be for her and it's now out of your hands and hers for her to do as she wishes with it, which was the plan all along. Personally I think you did a brilliant job, if it'd been given to me I'd never take it off!
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| KnittingLadybird |
neither would I ...We know how much hard work went into it Sprite {{{{hug}}}}
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