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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
 Posted - 04/12/2005 : 11:33:30 AM
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Actually I was searching around this forum for a cowl/scarf that could be knit in the round and came across this shawl pattern by Fiber Trends. I’m wondering how complicated it is. I pretty much straight knit/purl I know a few increases and Make one stitches and a decrease or two but I’m dyslectic when it comes to complex patterns. I have done a few wash cloths with patterns just to see if I could do it. Not too much of a problem if I make out 3 X 5 cards and flip them as I progress.
I would like to knit this project for my wife for Christmas out of my home spun wool. What weight should I spin?
I guess if I get the pattern I can figure out how much yarn I would need but does anyone think I could do this? Any encouragement would be appreciated, I know I’m going to do it, I’m just kind of wondering if I’m starting early enough.
The shawl in question
http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com/images/Knitting%20Kits/Leaf%20Lace%20Shawl.jpg
Mike |
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2201 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 11:44:13 AM
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Mike - the kiri shawl (a free online pattern) has a similar leaf pattern and uses approx 900 yards of a lace-weight on 4.5 mm needles.
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 11:50:55 AM
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Hi Mike,
I just did this pattern as a sample for my shop. I did it in a sport weight yarn you could also use lighter yarns for a lacier effect. The shawl can also be done in 2 sizes, you could spin enough yarn for the large one, and then stop knitting at the small one if you run out of time.
Let me know if you need more info.
Martheme
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com & http://martheme.blogspot.com/ |
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 12:07:28 PM
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I have this pattern but I have not made it yet. I have heard that it is pretty easy and a good project for beginning lace knitters. I say go for it.
Anita
Anita
My completed projects |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 2:28:36 PM
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Thanks, I have about 7 maybe 8, 6 to 8 oz skeins already spun. I think 3 or 4 of them would be thin enough. A bin of baby alpaca just arrived in the mail which complicates things a little, man that stuff is soft. I think I can do in time.
Mike |
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MeezieGirl
Seriously Hooked
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 4:48:57 PM
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MMario
Do you have a link to the Kiri shawl?
Thanks, Dee |
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Calamintha
Permanent Resident
USA
2886 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 5:16:25 PM
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I haven't done that particular pattern but judging from the picture it looks pretty straightforward. No knitted on lace borders and anything like that.
If you are still interested in cowls, Heartstrings has some nice patterns although they call them smoke rings for some reason:
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/coverings.shtm#a49 |
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anang310
Chatty Knitter
USA
208 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2005 : 7:17:46 PM
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I just finished one in dk weight yarn...took 7 120 yd. skeins. It's a fairly straightforward pattern. Once I got it started, I just had to carefully follow the charts and keep track of my knitting. If you take your time, use lifelines, and follow the instructions (they're excellent), you'll be fine!
http://www.anitaderouen.net/knitnut |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2005 : 04:02:03 AM
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Thanks for the cowl link. I'm just finishing up the Spring Fling Bag in purple (from Pursenalites)I just need to finish the I cord and cut 3 buttons from a piece of "Purple Heart" wood I have under my bench. I thought a cowl would go great with the bag. It's for a friend who is nuts about purple and furry stuff.
I'm still trying to get a good understanding of yarn weights but I have a general idea in WPI.
Thanks for all the input, I'm getting a good start on my Christmas list for this year.
Mike |
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2201 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2005 : 06:12:54 AM
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Dee - Kiri pattern is posted on the alltangledup blog
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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SurfinSandy
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
473 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2005 : 12:06:42 PM
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I just followed the link, and got diverted to the home page. On the homepage is a link, but it says "corrected Error, Jan 10, 2005." So if anyone got the pattern before then, look again.
Oh, Mike.... (as I pat you on the back)we need more guys like you in this country. It would probably save a few marriages! (he he he  ) What an awsome hubby you are, and person as well. That shawl looks gorgeous. Go for it, if it doesn't work out, she'll love you for trying!
Ok gals, lets help him choose between homespun (or he-spun, lol) or alpaca. hmmmmmm......alpaca sure is soft, but yarn you spun yourself.....wow! I'm no help...you're right, tough choice. (I'm still knitting walmart yarn  )
Surfin'Sandy
No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
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galleylama
Seriously Hooked
753 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2005 : 05:46:23 AM
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mike,
this is a simple shawl, I just count as I move along and you shouldn't have any problems with it. If my husband knit me something I would just fall over- you have a lucky wife.
It is easier to be forgiven than to receive permission. |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2005 : 05:58:06 AM
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Well, the alpaka needs to be spun. It may not happen fast enough. Also, its brown but man is it soft. I like the looks of the one at Fiber Trends in off white trimmed in cranberry.
I've knit my wife a sweater and a few hats, I think this shawl will blow her away.
I just finished this for a friend of ours. It turned out pretty cool. I know our frind will love it its her color and furry.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/82890704/321856343zsEEDQ I was going to use "Purple Heart Wood" but it needs contrast and I desided to make the buttons out of maple.
Mike |
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knittin away
Seriously Hooked
880 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2005 : 06:03:16 AM
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| I bought the leaf lace shawl pattern because of its ease in making and one can use a variety of yarn sizes - the pattern picture shows 2 different sizes. If I think I can tackle it you can - it's really not a difficult pattern. Let us know how it's coming out. |
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FluffyKnitterDeb
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2005 : 06:57:42 AM
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Hi Mike!
I recently made the Leaf Lace Shawl in Neon (hot pink, bright orange and sunshine yellow!) Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport. It came out GREAT!! I made the large size and added one pattern repeat and used 5.5 skeins.
It's a pretty easy knit but looks so impressive!
One word of caution, when doing the K2tog or the centered double decrease you can "lose" the one knit stitch and have your shawl unravel!! It happend to me but I caught it quickly so no great damage, thank goodness!!
I did read on some blog tho, that it happened to someone but at the BEGINNING of her shawl but she didn't find it until she was blocking it! The entire top started to unravel and being knit from the top down, she was unable to salvage it and had to frog the whole thing!!
Be safe and "stretch" your rows at least after every pattern repeat to make sure you havent dropped stitches! And use lifelines to save your sanity if you do need to frog!
One more thing, BIRCH from Rowan #34 is a lovely shawl as well but unlike Leaf Lace, is made by casting on 299 stitches and decreasing as you work the pattern to one stitch! KIRI is a combination of BIRCH and the LEAF LACE shawl...it uses Birch's leaf pattern in a top down version of Leaf Lace! I've made 2 Birches (pics of #2 on my blog) and one Leaf Lace and I see a Kiri in my future so now you have even more decisions :)
I *heart* lace knitting, can you tell?
Good luck in whatever you choose!!
Fluffy Knitters are well rounded :)
Read my blog at http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com |
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knittin away
Seriously Hooked
880 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2005 : 05:33:43 AM
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http://www.alltangledup.com/
This is link to the blog site/Kiri pattern of the knitter who designed Kiri, as mentioned above. Very nice shawl. |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2005 : 06:15:50 AM
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Hello Deb, I swung by the LYS on the way to rehearsal last night, the owner sat down with me and got me started on this project. I felt pretty stupid once I saw what was to be done. Two or three things I didn't understand were cleared up in just a minute or two.
I see you live in the county just north of me.
Mike |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 08:26:20 AM
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I could never have guessed how insane I would become trying to knit this leaf Lace Shawl. If it wasn’t for the fact that I really want to make this for my wife’s Christmas gift not only would I have given up by now but I would have put the whole project through the shredder.
I am glad I kept at it. It has caused strange things to happen to my mind. I have major trouble with numbers and keeping tract of things. Twice I had to run down to the LYS for rescue.
Row 29 alone came close to destroying my sanity. It was this row that sent me back to the yarn shop the second time. I couldn’t get past it. In a few of my earlier attempts at row 29 I frogged the whole project because I botched it up so bad trying to un-knit and figure out the problem. The wonderful women at the LYS were more than happy to help me out but it soon became apparent that they also had trouble with row 29. The woman is so skilled that she could see the problem and that it existed in the pattern itself. She fixed it and wrote the correction down for me.
I am now up to row 81, I can see a slight mistake in my early rows but guess what, I wasn’t made perfect and neither will this shawl be. I have learned more about knitting in this one project than in the last two years. I have learned more about how my mind works than in the last 20 years. I can see the pattern and know what series of stitches need to be under the row I’m knitting. I’m still making mistakes but I can see them now and no latter than the next row. Some of them I have been able to fix without frogging down to the event. I really have to pay attention to “YO” they where killing me. I learned that I can slip stitches to a missed “YO” and not have to un-knit to it.
When I look at the lace patterns you guys are doing I am absolutely in awe, I won’t say I could never do it but I can’t say I have a lot of lacey projects in me either. It is getting easier and I’m making less mistakes. I wouldn’t go as far to say that this leaf lace shawl has changed my life but it has effected me and opened my eyes to the amazing things you all are doing and that hurdles that seem too great can be overcome, well at least with knitting.
Mike |
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azknitter
Honorary Angel
5539 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 09:06:33 AM
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Mike...I love my husband and he does everything he can for me, a very, very unselfish man...but I can't imagine him ever making a lace shawl for me for Christmas!
I want to cry just reading that you're even thinking about doing that, much less that you've forged ahead and come so far in your project.
I said in another post that got lost in Tuesday's crash that I'm amazed that you run a motorcycle business, make guitars (those pictures are amazing) and ghees....you even knit (probably much better than me).
I would just melt if my husband knitted anything for me!!!
Forget diamonds and Mercedes....a knitted shawl for Christmas...made by my husband?....I'd be putty in his hands for the rest of my life.
Your wife is a very lucky woman.....and, no doubt she knows it!
Trish |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 10:22:53 AM
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Well, I don't know about all that, I still have to be reminded to take the garbage out. She was pretty happy with me when I dumped a bunch of cash on a new Consew 205RB-6 for her a few weeks ago.
Usually she is very supportive in my Christmas projects for my family. I usually get her what she likes, I know what she likes better than she does some times. I was going to make her a shawl last year at the rendezvous but Carol Leigh couldn’t make it. She has always been there in the past and in her event list she will be there next Jan. She brings her triangle looms and teaches you this technique as you weave a shawl. On those cool evenings as we take a last walk around camp before the sun sets it would be nice for her to have an elegant shawl to keep off the chill. She will next Jan.
It’s hard to have a secret big project as a gift for her. Knitting has made this a possibility, it’s not like she’ll notice one set of circle needles missing from my worm bag, or even all the sets missing :o)
I have produced enough wash cloths over the last 2 years knitting at work that I can use them for checking the oil in the truck with out a problem and it’s time to move on to bigger and better stuff. This is a cool project and she will be floored when she opens it on Christmas morning. For once it won’t be the huge project for mom, or my sisters but for her. Ha! The guilt will keep me out of trouble for at lest 3 or 4 weeks :o)
Mike |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2005 : 10:30:02 AM
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We all knew she was a lucky woman to have you, Mike. I'm sure she'll LOVE it!
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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