I did something yesterday that I almost never do any more - I bought a knitting magazine :) Interweave Knits Spring 2009. I’d like to tell you it’s because it had several patterns I was interested in - and it’s reasonably true that there are at least three things in there I’d like to make. That’s my basic magazine rule; there has to be at least two patterns (and preferably three) that make my pulse pound before I’ll buy a magazine.
But really, I bought it for the Fountain Pen Shawl. Not only is it a beautiful and not-too-difficult piece of work, I happen to love fountain pens - always have.
I’ve had 4 hanks of Kntipicks Gloss just waiting for the right project to sing for them and I have been thinking about a lace weight shawl for a long time now. I’ve even started a couple at different times but eventually I lost interest in them or they otherwise told me they weren’t interested :) So the yarn was there and any number of appropriate needles - all I needed was some inspiration. And I got it when I saw the photos at the above link.
I even dragged out my Harmony wood needles for this. My only complaint ever about them was that they are dark and a little difficult to use with dark yarn. I thought I’d give it a shot though, since I imagined combining this yarn (wool/silk) with my lovely, slick, Options needles would be a recipe for dancing, screaming, cursing disaster :) And you know what? If I turn the light on over my shoulder, it isn’t too bad after all!
I very much like the way this looks, though the scale is smaller than I had imagined. On the other hand, I have plenty of yarn and can do a couple more pattern repeats if I’m not satisfied with the length when I get to what the pattern suggests. It is simple enough not to be scary (I’m easily threatened by lace) but, I hope, not so simple that I get bored with it.
In fact there’s only one thing about it that I don’t like - nupps. I know, I know - time honored technique and tradition and all that. Trying to purl a bunch of yarn-overs together is not my idea of a good time. So I’m using beads instead. While they’re not terribly apparent in the photos, they actually look very spiffy!
Just an aside… I’m liking the Gloss lace weight but I have the feeling that it’s a bit heavier than usual for lace weight. Not that I have any objection to that - heavens no! I’m really very grateful because my fumbly fingers would have a tough time with something really fine. I’m sure cobweb would just make me cry :)
I think I’m going to have to order some of this in the undyed form to play with in the dye pot!
No trackbacks yet.
Hi Robbyn, reading back a bit to catch up. I have a lot of Knitpicks Gloss in a gorgeous dark red, but I think it is a fingering weight, not lace. I keep waiting for the right project for that stuff too. And I have a comment about folks who think bloggers respond to comments just to increase the number of comments on their blog:
The bestest part is the dialogue.
Hi! Trying to do some lace knitting to get out of my slump. The pattern looks good. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy 
Rob - I think it was your enthusiasm for the stuff that motivated me to try it in the first place :) I have to say I’m really pleased with it so far :)
Of course, now that the idea of ordering some to dye has occurred to me, I can hardly sit still :)
Kathy -
You go girl! Lace can be very gratifying and, of course, gorgeous :) I hope it helps get your mind movng again!
oh the fountain pen shawl is beautiful! i can’t wait to see how yours looks further along. :)
Opal -
It really tripped my trigger too :) I’m working through another repeat today and I think it’s coming along pretty well. I don’t know where I’m going to wear it - but just making it will be a real acheivment and I can be happy with that.
I think it is fingering weight - sure looks like it.
Donna -
I suppose it’s possible - anything is :) But the label said it was lace weight. Doesn’t really matter to me - it works up beautifully, feels nice - whether it’s fingering or lace weight seems immaterial to me :) I might be tempted to work it on bigger needles next time though…
what tyoe of stone is in the pix of the week?
Patti -
That’s a citrine crystal. Citrine is the yellow/orange form of quartz.
