Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Sampler Stole & Legends of the Shetland Seas (Progress of a Sort)
















Though I have not touched my Wedding Ring Shawl of late (I just sit at my computer and admire missalicefaye's shawl instead) I have not been totally idle. I have been doing some spinning but have stopped for the time being so I will have more time to knit. Since some madness seized me and I joined the "Spun Stitches" spin/knit along, I have started yet another stole. But these stoles go quickly as you can see from the progress on the "Sampler Stole" by Hazel Carter. At the top of the page you can see the first repeat of "Legends of the Shetland Seas". Yet another stole by Hazel Carter. I am knitting the Legend Stole out of hand spun yarn I made from Lisa Souza fibers. I plied BFL with Merino in the "Petroglyph" colorway and got a yarn that ended up being 36 WPI. I'm using US 2 needles to knit it and the colors are very earthy and quite subtle. I did not skein the yarn but wound it straight from the bobbin with a ball winder. I put a toilet paper roll that I had cut down to fit over the core of the ball winder so that my yarn will not get all messed up as I use it. If I left the ball alone, it would eventually block the yarn, but I don't have that much over twist in my plied yarn so it's not difficult to knit with and the stole will have to be blocked anyway so what the heck! As for the "Sampler Stole' I have completed the 162 row border and will now pick up the reserved stitches at the other end and do it all over again. It goes very quickly and I really want to get this done so I can give it to Yarn Place and then focus on my other shawls. I feel a little guilty about not working more on the WRS but I still hope to work more on it this weekend. I hope everyone out there is having fun knitting. I know I am. Have a Good Evening!

23 comments:

fleegle said...

I should tell you to stop posting these pictures. They are making me sick with envy. The sampler stole is particularly envy-worthy.

Opal said...

when i grow up i want to spin and knit like you do. :-)

missalicefaye said...

ooh--I really enjoyed working the legends of the shetland seas pattern--and it looks fabulous in your yarn!

Every time you post the sampler stole, I think, "That looks fun to knit!" Maybe I should... hmm...

Ceme says said...

Your work is absolutely beautiful. I purchased the pattern for Legends last year, but am just stumped as to which color to do it in.

And your spinning is positively mindboggling. I've taken several spinning class, but still haven't mastered the art of spinning yet and I get even more discouraged becuase I can't spin lace weight right away - hence, spinning is on hold.

Keep of the good work and please don't ever stop posting the beautiful pictures.

Ceme

Janice in GA said...

That's gorgeous. Love the color shifts!

Sheila E said...

WOW is that beeeeutiful! I too love how the color moves. You are truly Amazing...and such a model to aspire to.
Thanks so much for taking me along!!

Carol said...

I think the lace is lovely. As I contemplate what lace-like pattern to knit my lovely new yarn into, your blog inspires me! The problem is what to knit up....

Lacefreak said...

Dear fleegle,

Now you know the same envy I frequently have when I look at your knitting. In particular that lovely Dragone Shawl! Seriously, this is a fun knit if you are in the mood for a project that is not as massive as some of your other lace knits :-)

Lacefreak said...

Dear opal,

You already spin and knit beautifully! I admire your socks in particular since I don't do anything but a basic sock that doesn't stay up! I have convinced myself that I prefer "slouch" socks LOL.

Lacefreak said...

Dear missalicefaye,

I am really enjoying the Sampler Stole but if you go to do it and you are knitting from the hardcover edition of "A Gathering of Lace" you should go to the corrections page from the publisher as that stole pattern has corrections in it. As for Legends of the Shetland Seas, I am making it because I admired the one you did in that lovely red color so it's only right to tempt you back in return!

Lacefreak said...

Dear Ceme,

Don't be discouraged with the spinning. It took me a long time to get my spinning down to this fine a single and I'm still working on consistancy. I too bought the Legends pattern over a year ago and it's only recently that I decided to make it with this yarn. Sometimes I think we just have to give ourselves time and cut ourselves a little slack.

Lacefreak said...

Dear janice,

Yes, I love the color shifts myself. After seeing how the Sampler Stole looked with the changes in color I thought I'd take a chance with this handspun. I'm glad you like it too.

Lacefreak said...

Dear sheila e,

Welcome back from the Black Sheep Festival! I'm going to use my lovely circular needles to make one of the shawls from "Wrapped In Comfort" so you will have more eye candy to enjoy! Nice to have you check in!

Lacefreak said...

Dear Carol,


If you are talking about that beautiful pink yarn you just got, maybe others out there have a suggestion. I think you said it's about 840 yds? Very pretty. I'll have to look around.

Laritza said...

How many do you have going? This one is another beauty!

Anonymous said...

Jane,
Beautiful work - it's nice to see that others spin very fine laceweight to knit with. A thought to help your international viewers - a coin does not really help us to judge the size because (I for one) don't know what coin it is, and even if I did, I don't know how big it is! A small piece of tape measure would be of more assistance in either inches or centimetres!
Leigh

Lacefreak said...

Dear laritza,

I have listed the things I currently have "On the Needles" in my side-bar on the left side of the blog with a small picture so I have seven lace projects in various states of progress. Of course, the amount I knit on them is in direct proportion to the "Irritation vs Pretty" factor. I will explain that in a later post:-) Is it wrong to have so many going at the same time? I will admit. Peacock Feathers is at HIGH RISK of being frogged because I am not at all happy with the yarn I picked. Finish it or frog it. I can't decide.

Lacefreak said...

Dear Leigh,


Thank you for your suggestion! It did not really occur to me to use a tape measure for scale. I guess I use the coin because it has been "traditional" but you are very correct. If you are not familier with the currency used in America then the "dime" shots don't help you out. I will give that tape measure idea a try:-) Thank you again for that suggestion.

miyamojo said...

When you mentioned that you will spin more solid of a color for the border... a light came on for me!
(yes, I'm lurking at Spun Stitches!)
That's another reason to learn how to spin! More control.
It will look lovely. I usually shy away from varigated yarn, but I love your work.
I too want to be as good as you when I grow up! m:)

Lacefreak said...

Dear miyamojo,

You don't really need an excuse to learn to spin :-) I've had more sucess with varigated yarns when knitting lace as long as I don't go for big color shifts. I'm glad you were tempted to de-lurk. Welcome to the party!

June said...

Wow, Jane! I am late to this party but you are truly an inspiration to all of us! :) I love the spinning and I am currently working on getting to lace weight myself!

Ellen said...

Just so beautiful...all your lace just takes my breath away. Beautiful spun wool...I'd love to learn to do that...lovely blog!

Lacefreak said...

Dear ellen,

Thank you for your kid words. If you enjoy spinning, eventually you get to spinning thin. This is great if you like to knit lace like me but sucks if you are trying to spin a decent sport weight yarn or something. Glad you are enjoying the blog.