D'NALI

It’s not like I’ve never done lace before; about two months after I learned to knit, I did my first “Feather and Fan” sample.  I was pretty proud of that sample especially when my knitting guru commented that she’d never been able to keep the patterning right even after years of knitting.  Go me!  I didn’t finish that scarf, I just kept the sample as something I’d done then moved on.

Fast forward about 18 months later.  I was involved in a swap that required a handmade gift.  I was sending my giftee 2 books and thought a bookmark could be a quick, easy gift.  I searched patterns and the best looking ones in my opinion were all lace.   The one I loved the most was not only lace, but it was all charted (no written instructions).  Err … whatchutalkinbout Willis?  I’ve only ever knitted using written instructions.  😯   Added to that, even if you’ve never done lace, every knitter knows that the beauty of lace is in the blocking.  Post blocking the patterns really shine, but errr … I’d never blocked anything before.  But hey … I’m crazy like that, so I decided on the yarn then it was all guns blazing.

Since I started knitting, I’ve gotten frustrated at times but NEVER have I swore at a project and tossed it across the room.  I heard that lace could reduce Mother Theresa to a crying mess, but I didn’t think that that comment related to small projects.  How could that be?!  Well, I found out!  I started that project over 7 times.  It seemed that the more I knit it, the less I was able to count!  Really?!!!  Get outta here!!!!  I didn’t do like other knitters and have multiple cussing episodes.  I just stopped, swore, had some fruit, cooled off, then came back to it.  Like an arrogant so and so, I was trying to do it without using lace help — aka lifelines, stitch-markers or my trusty pattern holder.  Nut!!!  How arrogant was I?  🙄

I whipped out my pattern holder and used the magnets to block out the lines above and below the one I was working on.  Eureka!!!  After cooling off then doing that, I was able to knit through the first section.  Break.  Knit the second section.  Shorter break.  Then the third section, make the tassel, block the project, wait two days for drying, add the tassel, admire the little beast, ship said beast to recipient then wait for the reviews.  I opted not to starch it but the recipient can if she wants to.  Reviews: she loved it!!!!!!  😀

Just to prove that I’m not making this up, here’s the little bugger in all its lacey glory. 

Look Ma — lace!!!!!

Project Details

• Name: Leaf Me Alone — I’m Reading (Lace Bookmark)
• Pattern Designer: Leigh Myers
• Pattern Modifications: None technically, except I knit the project on the wrong sized needles (5 instead of 3) so it came out longer than the designer’s sample.  Next time, I’ll do it my way but only do one repeat then the ending chart to shorten it up a bit.
• Yarn: Knitpicks Felici (in Tyrian Purple)
• Yardage Used: 27 yards (excluding the do-overs)
• Number of “There’s only room for one of us in this house, yield or be broken!!!!” episodes: 1
  

And whatdoyouknow … even after all that, I’m getting ready to do some more lace.  A wash-cloth next time — that should be interesting!  😛

Stay tuned.  🙂