Wednesday, October 17, 2012

How much is too much?



I cast on the lace shawl.  After reading the pattern for Rue, I felt in over my head. I signed up for a lace knitting class by Laura Nelkin at craftsy.com, and am knitting Clarus.  At the moment, I feel very confident.  Since putting in a life line, I have not had to go back even once, isn't it ironic?  Just knowing that it would not be the end of the world if I made a mistake, has made it possible for me to focus on what I should do, just row for row.  The Sparrow Linen yarn is beautiful, even if it feels like rope.  They say washing will render it "handkerchief soft".



This is just a gauge swatch for the Abigail Cardi, that I want to knit for a friend, and for myself, if all works out well.
It is in Stroll Tonal, I love the colors.  As you will soon see, I will have to wait a while before I cast on, I do not have enough needles free...



This was a mistake.  Some yarn was left over after I finished the Basketball Jersey, and then I cast on a Henley Sweater, adapted to be a cardigan,  for Christian.  I did not knit a gauge swatch, so the sweater on the left will be Jean's, and I had to start again with the sweater on the right, for Christian.  And then I had to buy some more yarn, of course...



 In the mean time, Halloween is upon us, and while I sympathize completely with those who do not want to participate, we do.  'Cause I get to knit Chain Maille for three boys.  If all goes according to plan, I will also crochet helmets. Ha.  (What? I have two weeks, I can easily manage that.)


And then there is my bright honey cowl that is a nightmare to photograph.
How wide do I want it?  They say you should use two whole skeins, but then, they sell the skeins...




The Linden Caps. (The title is plural, which is a bit confusing.  It is only one hat.)  I have a feeling that I am going to run out of yarn.  And if I buy one more skein, then there will be left over, and it might be enough for a beanie, and then it might be just not enough, and I will have to buy one more - so maybe I should just save on shipping and buy three? I love the pattern and the yarn, it is a beautiful hat.



And of course, the Park Street Cardi.  I am done with the lower part of the body - it is knit from the bottom up - and the right front panel.  I had to sit down and make notes to stay on track, but even the short rows worked out fine.  This has to be perfect, I am taking my time, and so far I have not made one mistake. I think. Considering that you have to slip every first stitch purl-wise, that is more impressive than lace knitting!

Thank you for not asking about the reading.  Clearly, I am not reading at the moment. Now I will knit one sleeve while I look at all the different projects linked to Ginny's Yarn Along, where I am sure to find some with even more hay on their forks!


11 comments:

  1. Little wonder that you are not reading!!
    What lovely knitting, I don't think I will ever be brave enough to try lace knitting like yours, it looks so complicated. Love the colours of the honey cowl.
    Sometimes it's hard to buy just the right quantity of yarn, you are quite right to save on shipping and buy three skeins!

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    1. Sure you could. But you should also look at those classes, it is very comforting to me when someone explains to me what to do next :)

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  2. :-) Emma! How are you? I really missed being around.
    You projects are impressive. How do you manage??? And they are all so very lovely I never coul decide on what to continue next. Brave you :-)
    Liebe Grüße, Gesche

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    1. And we missed you! (So funny that you say you could not decide, I could not decide anything during my pregnancies. And commercials/ads made me cry. Those were my pregnancy symptoms :)

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  3. Oh, Emma!!! You have more active projects on the needles than I do (and I was SURE I held the record!!!!) (Can I tempt you with a little embroidery, too!???) They are all absolutely beautiful...how do you decide which needs your attention when? I've been eyeing that Park Street Cardi. I just might have to add that to my queue.

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    1. Thanks :) Luckily every one requires a different type of attention, e.g. lace can only be knit while the twins sleep. But I think the Chain Maille is going to dominate the next two weeks!

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  4. wow! emma, i wish you lived near me i would love to help you with the lace. i'm so glad you were shown lifelines. i was wondering about the sparrow, i'd love it soft, it's the knitting of it i was worried about. everything looks lovely, what beautiful knits all. good luck finishing for the boys, that is so cute!

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    1. Wouldn't I love to attend one of your classes! The sparrow does not knit like any other yarn that I have knit with, it is a bit like dental floss, it does not hug the needle at all. But then, I have never really knit lace either, so maybe it has to do with all the yarn overs? I'll keep you posted :)

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  5. WOW so many projects!! I love the colors of your Honey Cowl! And I believe I have the same ball of Stroll Tonal in my bag right now! I hope you find time to relax with all of those projects going at once!

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    1. I'm just telling myself that knitting = relaxing. That way I'm almost always relaxing! :)

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  6. Oh my, such lovely projects here! That first lacy project is very pretty, I love the color. And the honey cowl, too. I've been looking for just the right cowl pattern for me - yours is great! :)

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