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Not Knitting
May 05, 2005
Behold...
Behold, the power of blocking.
[Cue awe-inspiring music.]
Before: The linen swatch, measuring 13" wide x 8" tall. It looks respectably lacy, but the pattern isn't what you would call "crisp":
After a day-long soak and an overnight block, the swatch had somewhat of a growth spurt. It's now 14" wide and a whopping 11.5" tall:
And, the lace pattern stands out much more. [As do my mistakes. I suddenly see very clearly where my stitch count got off by one. Couldn't see that in an unblocked state.]
Other things to note: I switched needle size on the swatch halfway through. [as marked by the green stitch marker on the left.] I used US8s on the bottom and US7s on the top, because I worried that the lace wasn't tight enough on the bottom. I don't think that the bottom ended up looking nearly as bad as I expected, but I can't decide which I like better. Thoughts?
And: The linen yarn [MaggiKnits Irish Linen] changed texture fairly substantially. Before, it's totally like knitting with twine. [Read: not so pleasant.] It's a pretty heavy yarn and was somewhate stiff. After the block, it felt decidedly more like linen -- still a little rough and slubby, but it acquired a nice drape and softened up considerably. Definitely needs to be blocked, but worth the result.
So, I'll be figuring out the maths and casting on for the lacy stole-wrap-thing soon. [The one referenced in this entry, and I will try to get a better picture of the pattern at some point.]
***
In cardi news, the ties are done! I finished them last night at late night. And then, the fantastic Laura [who has a new blog, but I don't remember the name! d'oh!] showed me how to do the crochet around the edges. So, the end is actually in sight. No, really! I had planned to finish it to wear to MDSW, but now I'm not sure. I will finish it this weekend, but I'm not sure I want to wear it on a sweaty day when I'll be lugging around a backpack. Still, mark my words: the next cardi picture you see on this site will have me wearing it. Yay!
***
Programming note: I am going to MDSW! Very excited about it. I'll be there Saturday with some of the other Knit Happensians. Looking forward to meeting other bloggers as well.
Then, I'll be traveling next week. This blog will resume the week of May 16 with pictures of MDSW, a finished cardi, and maybe even more animal-shaped knitting (if it cooperates).
Posted by Ann at May 5, 2005 06:24 AMHi Ann, thanks again for being such a wonderful Secret Pal.
Your lace looks great!
I'm really jealous though, first, your're close to Knit Happens, now you're going to Maryland. Have fun!
What a difference the blocking made--lovely! I've found that linen softens with use and have washed/thrashed things repeatedly whenever I'm doing a load of laundry. But would I do that with a shawl--eek!
Posted by: Toni at May 5, 2005 07:53 AMNice lace! I have yet to knit with linen, but having spent a summer in Montréal where the absence of sun means the need for some kind of wrappy thingy, well...I need a summer wrappy thingy. Good to hear that linen loses its crunch, because that's exactly what had been turning me off to it.
No matter what my mother says about status wrinkles, I still can't bring myself to wear linen pants...I feel like I'm wearing the laundry pile.
Oh, and that elephant was hilarious...my kid immediately recognized it..."pourquoi elle a tricoté un elephant, Maman?" :-)))
Posted by: Lee Ann at May 5, 2005 08:04 AMPretty lace swatch! Did you really have to soak the swatch for 24 hours! WOW! I think each size (7 and 8) has its use and its place. Personally, I think the smaller 7's look tidier. But it's really personal preference. =)
Posted by: Rossana at May 5, 2005 08:42 AMAre you coming to the big meet up at 12:30 at building 1? Cara's got a list on her blog (www.januaryone.com) in case you aren't already there!
Posted by: Anmiryam at May 5, 2005 09:13 AMWish I could be there and meet everyone. It would be more fun that buying up all the fibery goodness.
Posted by: margene at May 5, 2005 10:56 AMWow! See how well lace responds to blocking? Knitting lace is what turned me into a blocking fiend.
Posted by: Carol at May 5, 2005 11:34 AMWow, the lace looks great. I, for one, cannot see the mistakes.
Posted by: Colleen at May 5, 2005 07:22 PMThat settles it: I must knit more lace. Isn't it an amazing thing? Each row makes the design look different right there in your hands as you knit it, then when you block it, it changes even more. Love you swatch; can't wait to see the whole project develop.
S.
Posted by: Sara at May 6, 2005 05:07 AMI, personally, think that the size 8's look better. They seem to allow the lace pattern to be the focus, the yarn overs are more open, and it doesn't look so "garter-stitchy" which makes the top part look really "handknit" (in a bad way). I would say that if you're going to use the size 7's, work the swatch in stockinette lace, but the 8's look better for garter stitch lace.
Posted by: jade at May 7, 2005 02:32 AMtotally jealous of the Maryland deal... hrmpf :)
And while I dont know about the yarn, I love the pattern for that stole. I think I wanna copy it... but really if I do, so have to find it a better name!
Posted by: stinkerbell at May 9, 2005 09:23 AM