Opthamologist swears that I can do this folks! I had my yearly eye exam and asked if there was some reliable magnifying device I could attach to my coke-bottle-bottom glasses so I could see up-close when I make knitted lace. Practical man that he is, he told me to "Take off your glasses and just hold it up close. it will be OK". I don't take them off, I just peer over the tops of the glasses. If anyone else is doing this shawl, word to the wise. Do not knit it when tired and stupid. It won't work, I tried. See my sample after I had a little rest.
And now to confess that I am a stubborn git! I tried to knit that Silk again. I took an emery board and sanded all my fingertips smooth and tried that swatch again. It was like a bad comedy skit about safe-crackers. The yarn did not stick to me so badly this time but it was still not a pleasure to knit it. And I guess that says a lot about why I knit. It can be a challenge, it can be frustrating, it can take a long time but ultimately, all that still equates to pleasure for me for some odd reason. Knitting the silk was just not satisfying.
You can see above, a picture of the lace in the Shetland cobweb weight yarn ,up to row 22. I have placed the small ball of yarn in a plastic container to avoid snagging and when I'm done, I just snap the lid on and it keeps everything in place. Though I an currently using Susan Bates metal needles, I did pick up some bamboo needles to try out as well. Sharon Miller suggest the use of talcum powder to dust hands/work so it won't stick and will slide on the needles more easily. My sister says there is something bad about inhaling talcum powder however. The advantage of straight needles using this thin yarn, is that there is no "join" for the yarn to get hung up on as with circular needles where the needle meets the plastic cable. It was easier than I thought it would be. Just like riding a bike! In fact, being able to brace the needle while sitting enables better finger manipulation of those tiny stitches so that there is less threat of them falling off the needles while working. See also above my "respite" knitting. The Mountain Pine's shawl. On US 3 it feels like I'm actually knitting sportweight instead of laceweight after using US 0 needles. I will be working on the peacock shawl again and I bet it will be easier now after working even smaller!
Until next we meet!
Until next we meet!
4 comments:
I love that plastic container idea! Another one on the shopping list. LOL
I'm liking the silk swatch you are doing too! You seem to be knitting really fast with complicated pattern. Wow!
Jason,
The example you see is the Shetland Cobweb weight yarn, NOT the Silk. Sorry to be confusing anyone. I only tried out the silk again and I will not be using it because it's too fine for me right now. Of course, the Shetland used to be too fine for me but I worked my way down to it! I'm not all that fast a knitter actually, compared to people who really knit fast that is. But it's not about the speed for me. Glad you like to container idea. Lots of people use them to confine the yarn and keep it from harm. Just call me paranoid!
I too peered over my thick glasses, being incredibly nearsighted. Alas, after a while, I got a cramp in my shoulders from holding the knitting to close to my face. So I had the eye doctor make me a special pair of glasses. He measured my vision at 2" from my face, then made me a pair of glasses that gave me the same vision at 15" from my face. They were a little strange at first, because I can see so clearly to my lap, but don't try to look around the room with them!
Dear fleegle,
Only those of us with truely awful vision can appreciate what a wonderful thing your eye doctor did in making those glasses for you! My eye doctor just told me to "take your glasses off and just knit". I works but is a little annoying. I like your solution better!
Post a Comment