Any tips for lace?

boyforpele13 · 01-26-2006, 12:00 AM

Hi all!

I have decided to try lace as I am no longer in love with that shawl I was working on for my sister. I was placing an order from KP and 2 hanks of Shadow and this pattern fell into my shopping basket mysteriously. I feel like I am getting more advanced in my skills, but am I in over my head here? Any pointers anyone has for working lace would be super appreciated, as I'm virtually clueless in the lace department. Also, fingering weight on size 5's, fast or slow? Seems reasonable in my head, but, again, clueless.

Thanks bunches!

Julie · 01-26-2006, 05:05 AM

Three words: INSERT A LIFELINE

boyforpele13 · 01-26-2006, 05:08 AM

i have tried inserting lifelines and i manage to flub that up as well. when going back to a lifeline, are you actually knitting from the lifeline or attempting to insert your needles there? is there a suggested place or time to do this? what would you use for a lifeline with lace weight? told you i was clueless.

Julie · 01-26-2006, 05:15 AM

:D I use dental floss!

It is a little tricky -- I tape the floss to the shaft of my left needle and just knit it in -- in the beginning after every repeat of the lace pattern, then once I'm more confident I'll do it every 2 or 3 repeats. If you have to frog back to the lifeline, I've found it helpful to have someone else hold the piece up (with the lifeline taut) so I can re-insert my needle where it belongs. (A lot of people insert lifelines with waste yarn and a tapestry needle, too -- whatever feels most comfortable to you!)

Have you watched Amy's lifeline video? It's really good.

boyforpele13 · 01-26-2006, 05:17 AM

dental floss! that is brilliant! that is what i will do! thank you for the concise instruction, as well! i appreciate it! :-D

BonnieM · 01-26-2006, 12:58 PM

Oh, that shawl is beautiful

Two words of advice:

STITCH MARKERS

I use them after every repeat or two in a row. They help to keep track of your stitches. They can save you a lot of row ripping. Coupled with the lifeline, you should do just fine. Size 5's and fingering weight? Well, it wouldn't be a fast knit for me, but when I knit lace, I tend to slow down to make sure I'm concentrating (I distract easily LOL). Good luck to you!!!!

boyforpele13 · 02-02-2006, 12:16 AM

Ok, first off, Shadow from KP is GORGEOUS and I have been sitting here playing with the pattern (and ripping), I find it also to be very forgiving of the ripping. In reading the chart and stuff, I think I'm going to do just fine as long as I stick with the lifeline and stitch markers, but I have a question about the stitch markers. Are there ones that aren't so thick and big? I have the small size Boye, the little plastic rings that come in the little clear box in red and blue. They seem a bit cumbersome for the lace yarn. I'm thinking dental floss for the markers too?

P.S. I LOVE working with this weight of yarn!

Ingrid · 02-02-2006, 12:21 AM

You can just use loops of a different colored yarn. Just tie them around your needle and cut the ends--perfectly flexible markers.

boyforpele13 · 02-02-2006, 12:24 AM

come to think of it, i have some sock yarn i hate that would work perfect for that, Ingrid. Thanks bunches! (This pattern calls for *38* markers, so I really wasn't wanting to buy lacey markers. Like your idea MUCH better!) :-D

Ingrid · 02-02-2006, 12:33 AM

38

wow!