| 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 |
| CJ |
What should I knit? *DECIDED*Well, now I'm really stumped. After the disaster last night with my kimono shawl (again ), I really can't face casting on with laceweight at the moment - maybe never.  So far, I've attempted kiri (laceweight), kimono (laceweight), shoalwater (laceweight), and swallowtail (4ply), but each one has been frogged. I just can't seem to be able to concentrate. What I need is a pattern with small, regular repeats where I can put in a stich marker for every repeat. Preferably rectangular, as I can't seem to manage increasing in lace. 
Please can someone recommend a good pattern, cos I have loads of 4ply and laceweight and want to knit something pretty. The one pattern I did manage was the FCS. 
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| loobyj |
CJ - have you tried Branching Out (from Knitty)? It's rectangular, a simple lace pattern and designed for lace beginners 
I think there's quite a few of us on here that have done it - so we could be your cheerleaders!
lj |
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| CJ |
hadn't thought of that one. I did try it once before last year. Does it need aran weight, cos I definately haven't got any of that or DK? 
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| pictish |
Have you thought of Birch?? It's just like Kiri without the scalloped edge but you start at the top edge and decrease - massive cast on tho  Or the Slinky Shawl in Inca Cloud alpaca? That's just Feather and Fan - really straightforward and is rectangular.
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| CJ |
*faints at thought of huge cast on!!* Birch is lovely though. Maybe I should make my own pattern up using the stitch book? Is the inca pattern a free one, cos I'm determined to stashalong. 
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| carolinne |
that branching out is lovely i am adding that to my list | ||
| pictish |
No it's £2 I think the Slinky Shawl but you could easily make up a rectangular F & F one just the same - it's presumably just a case of getting your multiples right and adding a little border - she says confidently  But there MUST be other free rectangular ones somewhere surely. I remember Cazza doing a nice Tigers Eye scarf last year on AY - you could do a bigger version of that maybe.
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| CJ |
ooooh, I know, I think knit picks has a free feather and fan shawl - thanks pictish!!!! will have a look at that. failing that, I'm going to pick the easiest lace pattern in my book and add a garter stitch border. although I fear more frogging may insue. 
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| pictish |
Keeping my fingers crossed for this time!! Let me know if you DO find another F & F one
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| cazzie |
There is an 'Old Shale' one here - whch is the same as F&F | ||
| malteser |
I sympahise with you. I have knitted lace in tops. baby cardigans and socks without any bother but as soon as I start with laceweight my fingers all turn to thumbs. I have some KSH that is almost bald as I've tried to knit with is so many times and end up frogging it in  .
I have the pattern and the yarn to do a Forest Canopy which I aim to do sometime over the summer. Have you got a Harmony pattern guide - that gives instructions for basic lace patterns |
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| pictish |
Just got the Knitpicks one if anyone interested - there is a scarf and throw too here 
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| CJ |
ta cazzie and pictish.
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| LittleBerry |
I'd do the FT estonian garden scarf in 4ply / sock yarn. If you dont want to do the nupps there are alternatives....
perhaps you're getting seduced by all the patterns that everyone is doing so perhaps when you start you're thinking about other patterns...... and thats causing the problems... perhaps go back to the FC and use the sock yarn..... |
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| Seahorse |
Lots of rectangular patterns here (scroll a bit for freebies):
http://lovetobikeandknit.blogspot...5/rectangular-shawl-patterns.html Claire |
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| CJ |
thanks for more advice/links.
I've thrown caution to the winds and cast on Anni's Ocean Waves shawl. Anyway, I've done the set up rows and one and a quarter pattern repeats, so about 46 rows now, and it's going great. Am using my hand-dyed 4ply and it looks nice, if I may say so myself.
Fingers crossed for this one - I am using a lifeline this time, don't want any small boys bouncing on me again.
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| KnittingLadybird |
I hope this one works for you CJ...once you get a finished item, you'll definately make more
Anni's pattern is lovely. |
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| Piglottie |
Ooh, I was going to suggest Anni's Ocean Waves shawl as its such a lovely shawl. Glad you found something you like, and using a lifeline is a great idea. Maybe set aside sometime when its quiet to just do a little bit now and then? I tend to only knit lace when I'm in the mood and with it - otherwise disaster strikes. Socks I can knit and not really think, but lace shawls, I need to concentrate much more
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| LittleBerry |
looking forward to seeing photos.... soon please
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| Alice |
If you're finding the lace weight really too fine to handle comfortably you could use it two strands together. With Cazza's teal laceweight I used three strands together.
And you can never have too many Forest Canopies! But Annie's Ocean Waves sounds lovely. I do think you need quiet time for lace - even FC can go wrong if you're distracted. I love early morning before anyone is about. |
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| CJ |
I'll try and get a photo later when the kids are out of the way - don't want any more disasters!!
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| poshdee |
How about the Comfort Shawl? I have that on the needles, and its very easy. You could do it in one yarn, or do it in a few, like I'm doing.
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitt...feather-and-fan-comfort-shawl.htm I have 3 shawls on the go, how shameful! |
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| CJ |
that looks lovely Dee, my DD would love that
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| CJ |
I've just put up a progress photo on my blog of Anni's pattern.
it's great to knit, and I've actually done a bit more since I took the photo the other day. 
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| Glynis |
The "Ocean Waves" looks great CJ and I love your hand dyed yarn, they go really well together, don't they? | ||
| Blossom |
That is looking fan-blooming-tastic CJ...your hand-dyed really shows the pattern off a treat! 
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| CJ |
thanks. it's really a good second shawl pattern to go on to from the forest canopy one.
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| Wildpurl |
It's gorgeous CJ and your yarn colours are great
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| franney |
What a combination! That shawl looks fabulous CJ
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| cazzie |
CJ - your shawl is looking fab - must start one soon
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| LittleBerry |
that's looking really good CJ and your yarn works well with the pattern.... really pleased taht you're enjoying knitting the lace sometimes it's just about finding the combination of pattern, yarn & needles.... | ||
| CJ |
I've only got 4 more edging rows to do now on Anni's shawl, then it will be one massive long cast-off. The FCS cast off took me about half an hour, so am guessing this may be the same.
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| LittleBerry |
looking forward to seeingthe finished object
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| CJ |
Well, I've finished it now, just got to block it tomorrow evening. But how slow am I, it took over an hour to cast off about 450sts? Thankfully that bit is over now. It does look a bit small though, so I'm hoping to block it ferousiously.
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| LittleBerry |
think it took me nearly an hour with break in the middle when casting off Swallowtail.... It doesn't matter how fast you are as long as you enjoy it!!!! | ||
| YarnAddict |
Sorry about the cast off. It's a bit of a long job. Took me ages on my initial shawl then I changed my mind about the edging adn unpicked it and did a new edging and cast off again. Talk about punishing. In the end i did my cast off late one evening and decided I wasn't going to bed until it was done. Nearly fell asleep doing it.
Looking forward to seeing the blocked version DJ. And I'm so pleased you enjoyed knitting it. It's an easy lace project with plenty of plain rows too. And the GS areas are very quick to knit.
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| CJ |
oh yes, casting off was immense fun. The shawl was nice and quick to knit too, which is important for me - no chance to get bored.
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