First to answer a few questions:
1. From Lisa - Where did the Leaf Lace Pattern come from ?
The Leaf Lace Pattern is a Fiber Trend Pattern. The patterns written by Evelyn Clark are fantastic. There are written instructions as well as charts. Charted lace patterns are much easier to read.
2. How do I knit lace so fast?
I haven't actually done the leaf lace shawl very quickly. I started in back in October. It was also my primary knitting project. Repetitive patterns go very quickly once you've learned that patterns. The beauty of these shawls are that they are written from the neck down, so you learn the pattern on small numbers of stitches and are less likely to make mistakes (which is what is so time consuming when working lace patterns. Nightmare when you have to unravel).
Oh and when work stresses me, I sleep less and knit more.
Knitting on the run
If you're starting to panic about your Christmas knitting, then may I suggest socks? These are my commuting project. I only work on them when I have spare moment (sipping my weekend coffee at Starbucks, waiting on line, waiting for a train, on the train, etc). It makes me think of how much time we spend in our lives either waiting for something or traveling to somewhere.
I like simple patterns and textures for socks. Stocking stitch is OK too, but I don't do colourwork socks because it's hard to take it out for 10 minutes and stuff if back into your bag. Come to think of it, I haven't done any colour knitting this year, maybe 2005 will be the year of colour. 2004 was definitely the year of lace.
Socks are really the perfect present. So utilitarian, so comfortable and unlike a scarf it's got a personal touch. So what are you waiting for? Go make some socks for someone special....
(I know, I sound smug and like all years before, by December I will probably be calling Colinette in a panic for something to knit on my 15mm).
Let me know when you are about to call Colintte and we can put in a bulk order... A. xx
Posted by: Amelia at November 14, 2004 10:06 AMSTILL not knitting socks (wink). But so glad others do. You have succeeded in changing my mind about lace though. Definitely see lace in my future.
Also avoiding novelty yarn scarves this year.
Also avoiding most knitted gifts this holiday season. I need at least another year to recover from last winter's binge of hat-knitting.
xoxox Kay
Posted by: Kay at November 12, 2004 04:35 PMThanks for the pattern name Polly and the idea of working neck down sounds wonderful! I'm off to surf for the pattern.
Lisa - Who is finishing her 6th pair of Christmas socks.
Posted by: Lisa at November 12, 2004 12:25 PMI don't know about that scarf comment. Last year I made novelty scarves because everyone seemed to want them. However, this year I'm doing scarves in lace or cable patterns in beautiful yarns and can't imagine why these won't count as a personal gift, since each is handknit with the recipient in mind. To each his own I suppose. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, makes the world interesting!
Posted by: Gaile at November 11, 2004 07:42 PMHI Polly,
I'm afraid my nephews are getting a bit fed up with their aunt's home knitted socks year after year ...but, poor kids, that's what I do.. Easy to bring, easy to finish. Right now, I'm mostly into the textures as well, being a bit tired of the selfpatterning yarns. Must try the blueberry-pattern soon, it looks lovely.
IDA
Polly, when you are knitting these socks on train etc. do you still knit them on 5 needles, or 2 circulars? I would worry about losing or dropping a needle......
Posted by: Jill at November 11, 2004 08:59 AMValentina -
of course, you're right, there are scarves and there are scarves. I'm thinking of my approach to scarves though. Novelty yarn, knitted on jumbo needles, done in approx 2 hours. While I think that they are nice and the yarns are a good quality, knocking up 5 identical scarves in different colours just doesn't seem personal to me. Of course, if it was 1 scarf it would be. I find this a bit hard to explain, but we knit to have something individual and special and the uniquesness is lost when it is mass produced. OK, that and memories of flourescencing orange acrylic scarfs crocheted by my auntie for me when I was about 10. My mom made me wear it and I felt like the world's biggest dork.
Heather - it's great becasue it's so portable. Start counting how many minutes a day that you're waiting or travelling and aren't doing anything. I tend to only work on socks during these snatched minutes and find that I can get a pair done every 2-3 weeks.
Amy - speed is a relative time. Anyway with lace you work with big needles and small yarn, so you don't use much yarn and it grows fast. Honest.... if you saw the pattern you'd understand. Child's play .... :-)
Posted by: P at November 11, 2004 08:05 AMOkay, from your answer to Question #2, you stated that you started that shawl way back in October. Do you mean 2 weeks ago? Or Oct. 2003? {grin} I think that counts as fast knitting!
Posted by: Amy Lu at November 11, 2004 05:21 AMOh, yes Heather, SOCKS. I'm a new convert and loving them! Gimme 3mm and skinny yarn every day of the year! And Polly, until very recenlty, I would have agreed with the scarf comment. But I had my mind changed. Scarves can be very nifty and personal. That's all I'm saying for now.
Posted by: valentina at November 11, 2004 02:40 AMSocks ??? Socks ????? Have you completely lost it Polly ? Millions (well okay, 4) teeny little needles and skinny yarn. From my wealth of experience (one whole pair !) these things take bloomin' ages to knit ! ;0)
Posted by: Heather at November 11, 2004 12:23 AM