Friday, August 31, 2007

At the sharp end

My knots on a stick have progressed into some curly wurly scribbliness hanging from a stick. If you look closely you can see some sort of order to it, which is a good sign. This is hopefully going to become the curved shoulder shawl from Victorian Lace Today (page 71) if I can keep it together. It is the first lace pattern that I have attempted that doesn't have a plain knit or purl row on the wrong side for me to collect my thoughts along as it is a very open lace pattern - but luckily the stitch repeats seem fairly simple and I'm hoping that they will stick in my brain ok and it should grow quite fast.


And when it does, I shall be ready! I have my brand new Addi Lace Needles!

See the points!
Top to bottom: Addi Lace 3.5mm circ, Pony 3.25mm metal straight, Addi 3mm metal dpn

I have been trying my hand at braid making too. Super Monkey brought me presents (huzzah!) from her holiday in the Peak District and one of them was a lucet. This is a mediaeval way of making cords (basically a two pronged knitting-nancy) and I although was a bit wobbly at it to start with, I think it will be useful for making straps and ties, etc, as an alternative to twisting or i-cord. Super Monkey also gave me one of her cool swirly crocheted bookmarks, which will definitely come in handy the next time I pick up a book (which hasn't happened in a shamefully long time and is something that I really should rectify).

I have been doing a bit of knitting-related reading, having bought the 25th Anniversary edition of Vogue Knitting. It is a bumper thick magazine this Fall, packed with lots of patterns and stuff from the last 25 years. Obviously there's a lot of retro stuff (big jumpers ahoy!) and some updated versions of old patterns, there are also some good articles - in particular the interviews with the knitting elite from way back when, including Kaffe Fassett and Alice Starmore, and from now, with Debbie Stoller and the Yarn Harlot. The one pattern that jumped out at me was Iris Schreier's Mesh Lace Cardigan, which I think is just beautiful. I also think VK should give their patterns slightly more imaginative names...



12 comments:

belaybunny said...

I love that shawl pattern from VLT - bit scary for me at the moment though ;) Your's looks lovely, I really like pale blue!! The braiding looks interesting too.

Linda said...

The shawl will be great, it will be OK when you get into it. I have found that mine has become easier as I go along. Thank you for the bit on the Vogue mag, I hadn't considered getting it until now, I like a few interesting articles!

Piglottie said...

The lace is coming on well, and like Christina I love that pattern too. There really is a difference with the Addi lace points isn't there? I cant usually use metal pins, but I am tempted to try a pair of these.

And I agree, the Mesh Lace Cardigan is beautiful but needs a better name. :)

Kai said...

ohh that Cardi is lovely. I spotted it too! The shawl is looing great too.

Ang said...

The shawl is looking great, a really pretty lace.

Fiona Reynolds said...

The shawl will be ace and the cardi is lovely. I like the look of the braid making tool.

Cinders said...

Hi Helen, I'm fairly new to blogging and am finding new blogs every day! Like the look of that lace cardi . athe shawl looks interesting I must go and invetigate my VLT book!

woolydoodles said...

I love the top from your prev post and also the cardigan pattern.
The shawl looks fab so far, I'm looking forward to seeing it as it gradually grows!
My kitts go to their(fantastic) new homes on Sunday :(.....I've taught them well....they love playing with yarn!!!!!
Take lots of care
Love n hugs
Mel x

Badger said...

Is that the PY laceweight?

blog-blethers said...

Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your progress with the shawl. And Artemis is just beautiful - I love the soft hues of the yarn and it works so well with the lacework.

Kath said...

That lace is looking good - looking forward to seeing it blocked! I like that cardi too - v pretty!

florencemary said...

Hope you're getting on ok with your knots on a stick? I've just bought VLT as everyone seems to have knitted something from it, and I felt left out... but it's certainly got some wondrous knits.

And I love the Vogue Mesh Lace cardie!