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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
 Posted - 12/28/2005 : 12:00:17 PM
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I'm almost through one skein of three for the birch shawl. I believe I've made some missteps that I couldn't quite fix. Is this going to totally mess me up? It does look pretty so far...... I took someone's advice on this forum to place markers every 10 stitches and that's helped, but still, whether it's because it's night and the room is a tad dim, or that glass of wine, or whatever, I know I've made some mistakes.....
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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KarenB
Seriously Hooked
750 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 5:12:59 PM
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You might want to pin out your completed portion over a high-contrast background and have little look-see. That way you'll be able to determine if any mistakes have caused a major problem (pattern not lining up correctly, etc.).
If you're still "on track" with the lace pattern, don't worry about it. But do get yourself some good lighting!
Karen
My knitting photos: http://photobucket.com/albums/a100/karenknits/
My blog: http://dispatchesfromtheinterior.blogspot.com/ |
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MeezieGirl
Seriously Hooked
USA
623 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 7:33:22 PM
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I find that my Ott light (no affiliation) is worth its weight in migraine medications. What a difference! I could even work black lace with it on.
Dee
You can take the girl out of New York, but you can't take New York out of the girl. |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2005 : 10:44:39 AM
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In the light of the morning I discovered a couple of dropped stitches, <I>Way Down</I>--an inch or so anyway, which seems like miles in this lacey piece. So, my question is, is it even possible to frog it to that point, or when you see mistakes, is it better to just start over? Ugh--I hate the thought; this took hours, Days, even.
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2005 : 12:42:09 PM
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I've been reading up on lace knitting (all morning) and learned at least one essential tip: Use a lifeline, a thread of a different color that you weave through purl rows so that if you have to rip back, you don't have to go all the way back.
Any other tips re: lace knitting?
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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gerimcbeth@earthlink.net
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Posted - 12/30/2005 : 10:10:43 AM
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Inkmama,
I too am starting Birch and have ripped back to the beginning once already. Thanks for the tip to use place markers every 10 stitches. I'm not sure I'm a lace knitter either but I love the look of this shawl. I am making a two ball Birch that I saw on knittinggeek.com Good luck on your shawl and please do post a picture when you're done.
Geri |
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KarenB
Seriously Hooked
750 Posts |
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abbierose
Seriously Hooked
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2005 : 03:21:48 AM
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I frogged two entire repeats of Birch, because I was doing the garter version and decided I didn't like it as much as the stockinette version. If you're going to frog, put it in the freezer first. The cold calmed down the mohair, and I was able to frog it with no problems! I wish I could take credit for the freezer idea, but I read it on a blog somewhere...I just can't remember where. But the freezer idea really did work for me!
Good Luck! I made two Birches, and it's a really pretty shawl. You'll love it.
Melissa
Tia Knits |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2005 : 08:46:16 AM
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That's a great idea about the freezer, Melissa. I may try to do that, and go back a couple of rows. Then again, on this pattern, it seems so impossible to locate an actual row, since it's wavy--y'know? It's funny--there are two schools of thought when it comes to frogging (I was at my LYS yesterday and there, like here, received varying opinions.) A couple of knitters said, "All that work! Don't start over! Weave the dropped stitches in." Others said, "Start over! You want it to be perfect!"
So.....
Has anyone read Annie Zilboorg's KNITTING FOR ANARCHISTS? I wonder if she'd say, "Don't worry about perfection. Weave!"
Geri, I looked for that 2 ball Birch on knittinggeek.com and couldn't find it. ; {
Oh, and I'm using Madil's Kid Seta, just like Kidsilk Haze or Kid Merino, except cheapter and with colors I love. I'm using a salmon color that is a knockout.
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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gerimcbeth@earthlink.net
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Posted - 01/01/2006 : 09:57:27 AM
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Barbara,
Go to knittinggeek.com and click on Gallery of Finished Objects 2005. You'll find the 2 ball Birch. Click on it and Erica explains some of the changes she did to the pattern. I like it because of its smaller size and will be perfect for my mother who is very tiny and under 5'.
Geri |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 10:15:00 AM
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Thanks, Geri.
And I must say, I frogged the Birch. I had to. I found too many dropped stitches. So, I washed the wool to get the kinks out and will begin again. But I won't do it while watching the Food Network or TCM with my 11-year-old son. I will do other more mindless knitting then. Hey, my first New Year's resolution!
I just went to check it out. I'm also using Kid Seta, as she did. But I'm unclear as to how she made her's with only two balls. Less cast on, is that what you did?
Thanks,
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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procrastiknitter
Permanent Resident
Canada
1415 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 10:36:55 AM
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| For those struggling with the Birch shawl, I highly recommend using the sister pattern, the Kiri shawl. It is worked in the opposite direction, so you can learn the stitch pattern on fewer stitches. The pattern is free at www.alltangledup.com . Just click on the left of the page. The instructions are clear, and it is easy to adapt for a smaller shawl. I have made two of these. It is infinitely easier to start with a small number of stitches. Hope this helps. |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
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procrastiknitter
Permanent Resident
Canada
1415 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 3:02:01 PM
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Barbara- You're welcome! I'm touched by your saying that - you've made my day [also my birthday!].
What would chairs look like if our knees bent the other way? |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
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maribelaprn
Permanent Resident
USA
2033 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 7:25:49 PM
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Barbara, it's GORGEOUS!! This shawl is on my list of things to make...soon! Just beautiful!
Mari
WIP: Besotted scarf from helloyarn.com (in Candide)
My blog: http://maribelaprn.blogspot.com/
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 7:33:37 PM
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It IS gorgeous, isn't it? I'm going to do the Kiri...starting it tonight, in fact.
Mari, *Your* shawls are gorgeous. (I've bookmarked your blog so I can drool regularly.) The Cathedral shawl is stellar. Difficult?
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
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gerimcbeth@earthlink.net
Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 8:25:02 PM
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Barbara,
I asked Erica what she did assuming she cast on fewer stitches and less repeats but she replied that she followed the pattern as is and stopped after 2 balls. I hope this makes sense because that's what I'm going to do. I had to order tons of stitch markers online as our local craft store doesn't stock these items (I live in Hawaii) so I haven't started Birch (for the second time). I'm using Kidsilk Haze in Marmalade.
Geri
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procrastiknitter
Permanent Resident
Canada
1415 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 9:03:46 PM
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Regarding the provisional cast on:
1) it is not as hard as it sounds. Do a google search and I am sure you will find a tutorial.
2) If you aren't too fussy, I think that you can cast on cable-wise/knit wise and pick up the stitches from your cast on edge. I have done this successfully, but I am not a purist. |
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