so what have I been up to then?
For starters this is the almost finished not knitty project:
The first lace pattern I’ve really designed, I sketched a rough idea on graph paper and then worked it out properly while knitting. I did that while on the plane to Venice, and my mum thought it looked like I was writing in some kind of hieroglyphic (sp?) code. Which in a way I suppose I was. While my sketch was sort of what I wanted I really needed to actually be knitting to work out the kinks. When I find that swatch I might post it. It’s kind of interesting to see how it progressed. Obviously it’s not a particularly original lace pattern, clearly derived from other leaf patterns. It may well be found in other places, but I don’t really care, I’m still proud of myself. I love how this pattern sits contentedly on the line between organic and geometric too. Construction wise, as you can probably tell this is (another!) top down raglan pattern. You propably can’t tell but I’m using short rows to shape the bottom in a gentle curve towards the back. I’m not quite sure about whether I’m going to put an edging on this or leave it as is. I like it how it is, although I might try a simple edging and see how I like it. If I do that the edging will probably be crochet. Picking up sts all the way around this doesn’t exactly thrill me. I’ve also got no idea what to fasten it with, possibly a brooch although I’m toying with a row of butted up against each other pearl buttons. I have some pretty greenish ones that might work. Input on both the edging and fastenings issues very much appreciated. The dressform is my new best friend. I can try things on her, check the size and share them with you without being a contortionist. She arrived on Wednesday and I spent all morning waiting excitedly (and impatiently). Of course I also have dressmaking plans, but I’m not sure what will come of those.
While I decided not to try the two different socks at once thing right now I still might. The only reason I’m not doing it now is that the two socks I wanted to do would be on different needles and obviously that wouldn’t work out. So for now my two socks are (almost) matching. These are in the Hill Country Yarns sweet feet self striping I posted about a while back. Still love the colours.
Becuase I started each sock from opposite ends of the same skein the stripes more or less match up on the toes, but go in different directions. There’s something about this odd matching that I’m inexclipably fond off. The stitch pattern I’m not so sure off, I almost ripped it out a few rows back, but forced myself to continue and I think its growing on me, thoughts?
What have we here?
Weee! New wool :) While lost in Venice (which happened frequently but was always interesting) we stumbled across a little knitting/ sewing shop. My mum bought me this lovely bright green 100% merino worsted. Australian wool but made in Italy. I’ve got 8 50g balls of it, which might be enough for a small sweater. Hmmm… I have plans, but they’re vague. On Wednesday I went to the John Lewis sale while killing time and came out with 10 balls of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in a this great crimson colour. It makes me happy, but again isn’t really enough for a proper sweater. I’m toying with the idea of ekeing it out with some pink and doing a stripy hoodie. But I love the red all by itself too, and the idea of cables with it. Weirdly I’m craving stocking st at the moment. I need something mindless to work on when doing other things too, and I don’t have anything.
More shots of the yarn, just becuase it’s pretty:
Back to checking the exam results page obssesively. They said today at the latest. It’s getting pretty late.
Posted: July 7th, 2006 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 11
Comments
Comment from abi
Time: July 7, 2006, 5:51 pm
Well that’s all very exciting. I just bought some alpaca silk but it’s not for me. I like the top down lace boob holder that you’ve got going. Where did you get the dressform?
Comment from Lien
Time: July 8, 2006, 1:28 am
You bought Australian yarn in Italy and I bought Italian yarn in Australia. Small world isn’t it?
Comment from purlpower
Time: July 8, 2006, 2:45 pm
loving the lace design, is it knitted in KSH? I would fasten it with a brooch because I love brooches always. Brooch is a funny word isn’t it, however I spell it, it looks wrong.
At first i thought that australian yarn said ‘irresistable’ on the label - but now I see it is ‘irrestringable’ - what on earth does that mean?
Comment from Cookie
Time: July 8, 2006, 8:04 pm
Pretty lace, pretty socks, and pretty yarn! I know what you mean about straddling the line between organic and geometric. I tend to like organic, but geometric patterns have a nice simplicity to them. The perfect combination is the most fun to knit.
I *must* go to Italy someday and search for yarn. I’m jealous!
Comment from Ignoble Jen
Time: July 8, 2006, 8:16 pm
I hope the comment relpying is going well.
I really like your lace pattern and look forward to see the cardi finished.
As for the Alpaca Silk, it is my favourite yarn right now and am planning a long v necked ribbed jumper for lazy days over my pj bottoms.
More Ignoble everyday Jen
Comment from av
Time: July 9, 2006, 11:53 pm
That lace top looks great; is it going down to the waist or is it going to be a bolero/shrug type thing? Personally I think it would make a gorgeous vest/waist-length type thing. You’re so lucky to have a decent John Lewis at your disposal to find the Alpaca silk in that gorgeous red; My local (they call it Robert Sayle in Cambridge) only had alpaca silk in a weird pale orangey colour and ONE ball of it in red in the sale. They did also have some dk in the taupe I am currently knitting another top in, so I bought some more up *just in case*. It is the nicest yarn I’ve found so far. The rowan yarns were also a bit sparse/disappointing; only the yorkshire tweed 4ply was worth getting. I also trekked up to Peter Jones (the John Lewis of Sloane Square) in London and that was even worse, though they did have one or two skeins of Noro kureyon. The first night of the Liberty sale was a real joke… Polly of ‘all tangled up’ pretty much sums it up perfectly. Keep us posted on that lace top; it looks fantastic.
Comment from clementine
Time: July 10, 2006, 5:27 am
Hope your results are all good! I hate waiting for exam results.
The lace looks great, well done! I’ve been trying to make some lace charts with little success? everything I churn out is a) full or errors and b) erm… ugly! sometimes ugly *and* unoriginal. it’s fun tho!
Most Australian wool is exported. it’s actually really hard to find decent wool over here now! Specialist yarn shops will have it, but nearly everything in the standard craft shops is acrylic. The local Spotlight (craft superstore) has three aisles full of awful novelty yarns and 100% acrylic, not a natural fibre in sight.
Comment from Christabel
Time: July 10, 2006, 12:16 pm
Not to be a copycat, but I’ve been getting into lace this past week myself–which is ridiculous as it is middle o’ winter weather over here.
Best of luck with exam results!
Comment from Roo
Time: July 10, 2006, 1:40 pm
The lace pattern is amazing and I love the blue and brown sock yarn. Yum. Thanks for letting me know about the cotton angora - no wonder it was on sale. I’m off to check out JL’s returns policy!
Comment from Dorothy B
Time: July 13, 2006, 4:09 am
Your lace is beautiful and I really love the colours of the socks.
Very pretty yarn score.
Comment from clementine
Time: July 14, 2006, 2:50 am
i hope you’re out celebrating your exam results right now! :)
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