OK. I have made a decision to try lace knitting. I’ve gotten a couple of patterns from Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill. Violets by the River Shawl and Lotus Blossom Shawl. And a book, A Gathering of Lace, is on its way. But I want to know what you think is a good beginner’s pattern? What yarn choice is appropriate for a first-timer? I’d appreciate any recommendation you can give. Thanks!
Archive for April, 2006
Heel Flap Experiment
2006
04.30
04.30
I did an experiment to find a better way of doing selvage stitches on the heel flaps for easy stitch pick up. I knitted 3 samples. First is the common way. Second is done with a tip from Ted (a.k.a. Knitterguy.) Third is a technique I learned in my first sock class.
1. The common way
The usual way is to slip the first stitch of each row then knit or purl across. Creating selvage stitches that are not aligned horizontally. They are staggered.2. From Ted’s tip
The selvage stitches are worked this way: right side rows, slip 1, work to last stitch, slip last stitch. Wrong side rows, purl across.For the bottom half of the test sample I slipped the stitches purl-wise. The top half knit-wise. You can see in the photo that top half’s selvage stitches are neater.
Working this way creates selvage stitches that are aligned horizontally.
3. Sock class method
Work the heel flaps this way: WS, sl 1 k-wise with yarn in back, then purl across. RS, sl 1 p-wise with yarn in front, then knit across.You can see in the photo, this method creates little beads on the edge. You insert the needle between the beads when picking up stitches. Easy to see. But these stitches are also staggered. Not aligned horizontally.
What do I like? I would like to combine method 2 and 3. That would make me happy. 
Many thanks to Ted for the tips!
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Moving the Tarot Journey
2006
04.30
04.30
I’ve decided to create a separate blog for my Tarot lessons. The daily readings are making the blog’s size growing rapidly. So, I think it will be easier to separate it. That will also make it easier for me to follow when I read back on the cards.
Abandoned Heart
2006
04.28
04.28
This happened before Valentine’s Day. It was a class project and I really thought it was going to be THE perfect Valentine’s gift! I was so excited and looking forward to see it completed. But things happened. It just wasn’t meant to be…
1) I never got the correct chart for the heart. I got pieces of the charts, a big section in the middle was missing. 2) Heart pillow class didn’t teach how to make a real pillow. The finished heart has to be sewn to a pillow and I don’t know how to sew. 3) I feel that I wasn’t taught the correct way to do Intarsia. There are trouble spots. Really ugly spots.
Now what to do? Finish and find a way to make something out of it? Frog it? I didn’t even save the yarn labels. I only remember that these are two balls of Merino and one Superwash Wool.
Anyway, we are heading out of here in an hour. We are attending a So. Cal. University orchestra’s rehearsal and performance. They are using our products and I was asked to take some photos. Me? I’m no photographer. I hope they turn out OK. It’s going to be a long day. We won’t be home until 10 pm the earliest! Yikes! And I have to get up by 4 am so I will be ready to leave for the temple at 5 am!
I’m visiting Wat Metta in San Diego county with a friend. The alms-round starts at 8:30 am at the temple so we have to hit the road by 6:30 or so. And that means I have to leave home around 5:00 so I can meet my friend at our temple before 6:30. Phew! I’m very excited. I’ve never been there before. Hopefully the weather will be nice so I can take some pictures.
Oh! I’ve been doing Continental knitting! Yay!!! I started a Duulan hat and thought why not get some practice with Continental. That’ll make Fair Isle knitting easier, right? So, I just sat there and tried to figure out the best way to do it. It actually got really enjoyable. And man, talk about speedy. I couldn’t believe how much I got done. If the hat wasn’t a double thick, it would’ve been done last night. But I still like knitting the English style. I feel more in control that way.
Help Needed!
2006
04.27
04.27
Elemmaciltur is in a bad situation. Please go over to his blog and see if you have any suggestion. Thanks!
LTKA Square Seven
2006
04.26
04.26
Garter and Rib Pattern
Techniques: k, p, k-b, p-b
Finished this square last night. It required the most stitches by far. 49 x 56. It was a joy to knit. Needed a lot of attention. At first it seemed a little too wide compared to the other squares. But the k-b and p-b stitches pulled the fabric in quite a bit after 4 or 5 rows. Phew!
Notes to myself: 1) Listening to podcasts, especially the funny ones, and learning a new stitch pattern at the same time can spell disaster. 2) Pay attention to a new stitch technique. See every step and every twist and turn. That knowledge will be needed when undoing stitches one by one. 3) Make sure to use the right color for each square! I realized that I used the wrong color for the this square and the last square. ARRGGHHH!!! I will have to remember to change the colors for two of the future squares so that I won’t risk running out of any color.
Here’s another shot of the square that shows the texture better.
Next square is named Rose Fabric. Two colors will be used. I can’t wait. But this needs to be interrupted momentarily so I can finish the feet of the socks before the class next week. I’m a Virgo. Just want to get them done so I won’t worry about it. You can see them in the photos. They are never too far away! I also want to do a couple of small experiments that I’ve been wanting to get to. I will post on them!
Oh! Almost forgot! There’s a Knit-Along for Learn to Knit Afghan. Check out this Yahoo Group, Square-A-long.
