Tuesday, May 01, 2007

It is charity to teach (lace infection/inspirations)






















I believe we all learn from each other. Not just the actually hands-on teaching of knitting, or publishing a pattern or book for others to enjoy, but the inspirations by example that we unconsciously set as we knit for ourselves and those we cherish. I love reading every one else's blogs because I really do get inspired. Missalicefaye is busy finishing her Wedding Ring Shawl and serial knitting other projects just as stunning. She just posted her next project at her blog and it's a pattern I have myself. I bought it years ago and did not think I could knit it at the time because I felt daunted by stitch techniques I did not recognize. I pulled my copy out and now I wonder what the heck I was so concerned about. Time and experience march on. If you like the "Lace Christening Shawl" by Gema Ord, you can get a copy at Shetlandtoday though I got my copy from Jamison Smith originally. I bet they have them still though they don't advertise specific patterns for shawls/wraps etc. at the site. I have not thought of this pattern in many years but now I am interested to see how it comes out for missalicefaye. You never know, it may go on my long list of things to knit. Opal has put" Spider Queen " by Hazel Carter, on her list too so maybe my pictures gave her a little nudge. As you can see, I've posted pictures of a pattern I just had to buy to add to the conga-line of shawls I want to knit. The "Reflections Shawl" by Sharon Winsauer was designed to go with The Alpaca Yarn Company's Suri Elegance line of alpaca yarn. I love it and I know it will likely drive me mad, if her "Heere Be Dragone" shawl, also by Sharon Winsauer, doesn't kill me first that is. I know some people might not have tried any lace yet, but I'd like to think that watching those of use have fun with our lace might make some others give it a try! I have posted some pictures of my sister-in-law Melinda's knitting. The first thing she ever knit that she considers "lace" is the scarf you see with the hearts that she made her daughter. She had learned to do a "yarn over" to make eyelets in a vest and this scarf was her second knitting project after that vest. Melinda discovered, as many of the rest of us have, that lace is just knit, purl and yarn-over stitches that are being manipulated one way or another. Everything else is just a little practice. The pretty pink variegated lace is the"Estonian Garden Wrap & Scarf " pattern by Evelyn Clark published by Fiber Trends. My sister-in-law is making the scarf for a co-worker from variegated merino singles she bought at Stitches West from "Tess". I think her work is just beautiful and she says she is really enjoying making the lace. That's the part I really like, that she is enjoying herself and hopes to bring pleasure to someone she really likes. I wish everything I did had that kind of a result! As for the pictures of plants, we have not had time to do much in the garden, but even then it gives us great beauty and inspiration, if you take the time to look! Good Knitting and Inspiration to you all!

14 comments:

missalicefaye said...

I actually got my copy here: http://www.yarnbarn.com/grid.asp?partNoLike=KP-JAS&page=1

I wanted to try a Gladys Amedro pattern, since her book seems to be held in such high regard, but is, alas, unattainable for me at the moment. We'll see how it goes--I'm sure the most challenging part will be the fact that the pattern has no charts....

fleegle said...

I ordered it just now, but I am so swamped I can't think of when I can work on it. thanks for the info, Jane! The Dragones shawl is not so difficult, really!

Lacefreak said...

Dear missalicefaye,

I'm looking forward to seeing how that shawl comes out. I've done a shawl from the Gladys Amedro book and not only is it written rather than charted, it is not using standard knitting abbreviations so you have to learn those too! I gave it away, of course :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear Fleegle,

Since I've looked at the tutorial on the horizontal stitch, I think I can do Dragonne now! Which pattern did you buy? Lace Christening Shawl or Reflections?

Opal said...

You know the Estonian Garden Wrap shawl is also on my list of shawls to do. Just like the Spider Queen shawl, I just can't say where on the list it is. What I can say, is don't hold your breath! :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear Opal,

I want to do the Estonian Garade Wrap Shawl too. I wonder if everyone else has the same shawls/stoles/scarves on their "To Do" list? Hmmm. Maybe I will list mine on the blog and see who else has the same ones!

Kathy said...

Dear Jane, and Alice specifically you inspired me at the same time as driving me batty!!!! I will 'splain

I started the WRS. Then I stopped after the plain garter stitch rows, I think reality hit in, and I should finish Princess first.

I made the Estonian garden stole ( at least I think it was that) last year in misti Alpaca. As with most of my lace shawls it found a home with my sister. I also made the STS last year that went home with my Mom.
Thanks for the new enabling Jane, I don't know what on earth I ever did for enabling sisters before I came across your two blogs.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Kathy,

Heh Heh Heh. But you looked for the two of us, didn't you my pretty? It's good to know that we are helping to enable you with your knitting of lace. I can't wait to buy the pattern for the Princess Shawl when it comes out later this year so I guess I'll be in the same boat as you! I have two shawls out of all the lace I've knit. All the rest have been given away. However, a good friend is now lusting after Mountain Pines and I may have to give it to him. Occupational hazard!

fleegle said...

Dear Jane--

I bought the Christening shawl. I can't see enough of Reflections to see if I want to knit it. So you go ahead, then if I like it, I'll follow in your learned footsteps!

Lacefreak said...

Dear fleegle,

It's difficult to see the design/pattern and I can't tell from the charts what it will look like once it's done up. I'm planning on making it in a solid color so the pattern will be more easily seen than with the varigated she used.

Colette said...

Dear Jane,

Thank you for commenting on my blog and for the info on the Hazel Carter book. I decided not to get it.

Your blogs always inspires me. You can take credit for enabling another lace knitter. ;) I too shall wait to see your completed Reflections Shawl.

Tia Glória said...

que tricot tão bonito
beauttifull

Lacefreak said...

Dear knitsanity,

We lace knitters need all the support and encouragement we can get! If looking at other lace work can help someone else along then I am all for it! I hope I'm up to the challenge of making Reflections in the future. Thanks for checking in on me!

Lacefreak said...

Dear tia gloria,

Thank you!