Knitting Daily with Sandi » Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!

Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!

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What The Front Looks Like

So, my lace-loving friends: I made a list of the more than 30 questions you asked in the comments from Monday's post. About a quarter of those were promptly addressed by your fellow commenters...which is a Very Good Thing, seeing as it would take me several weeks of posts to answer all those questions myself! And whilst some of you might be in Lace Knitting Heaven during those weeks, I know that some of you want me to get back to the bust darts, and others of you want to chat about cables, or sock toes, or intarsia. So: I'll answer as many of the questions as I can this week, and then we'll have another Lace Week every now and then to talk about the rest!

Don't forget to take our survey: What Kind of Lace Knitter Are You?

Now: On to the questions!

What does the front of the Summer Shawlette look like? It looks the same as the front of the Comfort Shawl! Same front, different backs, plus the Comfort Shawl is a bit longer, and done in merino instead of cashmere.


A not-too-scary lace chart

We want more charts! Many of you asked for charts of the lace patterns we offer on Knitting Daily. Charts are definitely on my own wishlist, so let me see what we can do. It may take a while to pull together the resources on our end, but be assured that charts are on The List.

Can you please go over reading charts? They confuse me! Charts are the maps of the lace world. To start getting used to charts, find a lace pattern in your favorite knitting magazine (Interweave Knits, right? Right!), and compare the photos of the finished lace to the charts. Notice how the shapes formed by the chart symbols look like the shapes of the stitches in the photo? Bingo! There are standard stitch symbols used by most knitting patterns, so spend some time looking at the symbol keys included with the charts and you'll soon be able to recognize yarnovers, decreases, knits, and purls. Practice reading the symbols aloud, in order, and then trying knitting along as you chant, "K2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2..."


Reading Charts for Lace Worked in Rows: The first stitch of a lace chart is at the bottom of the chart, at the far right side. Each box is one stitch. Right-side rows on the chart are worked from right to left. (Try saying to yourself: "Right Side Starts Right Side".) Wrong-side rows on the chart are worked from left to right. This is because when you are working back and forth in rows, you are turning the fabric around--so think of yourself "turning around and going back the other way" to work the next row of the chart. Get to the end of that row of your knitting, turn your knitting around, and on the chart, turn around and go back the OTHER way again!

Reading Charts for Lace Worked in the Round: In this case, each chart row represents a round. For knitting in the round, you read ALL of the chart rows from right-to-left (starting with the bottom row of the chart), because you are always knitting in the same direction, around and around.

How do you keep track of where you are? Over time, most knitters come up with a creative way to keep their places in their lace knitting. I use stitch markers obsessively between repeats on the needles; I use a sticky note aligned with the row I am currently working to keep my place on the chart. Some people write each row of the lace pattern on a separate index card, flipping to the next card as they complete each row. Some people use little chants to help keep the work flowing between markers, as the rhythm of the chanting helps avoid a missed step in the pattern. For example: For the first row of the lace chart shown, try: "Two, toga, YO!, one, YO!, essssKay, two!" (Get it? "toga" for "k2tog"?) Don't be afraid to make the chanting a little silly--besides increasing the fun factor, it actually helps you to remember the chant better!

What does "no stitch" mean? (I always giggle to myself at this one, because this was one of the questions the senior editors asked me in my first job interview here. Yes, of course I passed--I'm here, aren't I?) A "no-stitch" box is just a placeholder, as follows: If you decrease a stitch in Row 1, you have one less stitch in Row 2. Charts are boxy and linear, so in order to make the little boxes line up properly (and to keep the roadmap clear so you can visualize the pattern), that "lost stitch" is greyed out in Row 2. (The reverse is also true: If you increase, you will have a new stitch in Row 2 that was not there in Row 1--so Row 1 may need a grey "not-there-yet-but-will-be-soon" placeholder box.) Just skip that greyed-out little no-stitch rascal. Ignore it. "It's just there to make the chart square."

How do I fix mistakes? There is a Truly Great pictorial explanation of how to fix forgotten and dropped lace stitches (yes, including yarnovers!) in the book Lace Style--and I'm not saying that just because I work for Interweave, I really, really mean that. I couldn't do a better job of explaining how to fix lace mistakes if I tried, so I won't. Go get the book! In fact, the entire last chapter covers practical tips on lace knitting, so it's really invaluable. (Plus, the book has pretty lace thingies to knit! I cannot restrain myself from pointing out that one of the 21 projects in there has BUST DARTS: the Lace-Edged Corset by Michele Rose Orne.)

If you really want to become a mistake-fixing guru, then take a look at Lisa Kartus's Knit Fix. Pictures, graphs, photos, step-by-step...everything you need to feel like a knitting genius!



On Friday: Hot Tomato Progress, Batman! Plus Lace Survey results, and more lace knitting fun. Plus, a preview of an exquisite lace shawl pattern we thought was lost in the Piecework archives...but it's BACK (soon), exclusively for Knitting Daily members!

Posted Jul 11 2007, 12:00 AM by KD Sandi
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Comments

Beehappynow wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 7:52 PM
The best way I ever discovered to keep track of rows is to number a plain piece of paper, lay it on the chair or sofa next to you, and poke through the paper w/the tip of your knitting needle every time you finish a row - WONDERFUL method!
Ashley / doggedknits.com wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 8:02 PM
Ooof, that no-stitch thing. First time I came across that? Deep and utter bafflement. Once I knew what it was it all made sense of course, but I tinked and reknit that raw a ridiculous number of times before it clicked.
AmandaG wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 8:11 PM
I may actually knit a lace shawl after reading all about them here lately. I made a lace scarf last year for my mom and it turned out well, so here goes me looking for pretty yarn!
Courtney wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 8:46 PM
You mentioned methods of keeping track of where you are in a lace pattern, and I've never known anyone who does it like me! For patterns I know I'm going to keep I have the charts laminated, and use dry erase markers to cross off rows as I go. This way, when I finish a repeat, I can just erase the lines on the chart with a cloth, and start at the beginning again! Plus, the laminated paper is a lot harder to wrinkle, lose or destroy.
JulesK wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 8:47 PM
Thanks for explaining the "no-stitch" concept. I found a lace+cable tank pattern that I like to try but when I read the pattern (non-chart), the size I would attempt has "p0" and "k0" ! When I Googled up on this, I found on knitters' Blogs that they stand for "no-stitch". Then the mentioned of "stitch marker" but nothing about the technique ! Wish there were most techniques / videos / photos shown on this "no-stitch".
Sherry wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 8:59 PM
I love the explaining of the "No Stitch" just wish it had come on Saturday before I had to wake up on Sunday with my mental lightswitch finally going on. Yes, it took this one overnight to make sense. Thanks for a wonderful web site. I love it!! SPope
AdcockJ wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 9:06 PM
I love Courtney's suggestion, the only problem I have is that I would go broke laminating all the patterns I want to do! lol
My biggest problem is that I get lost in the middle of the row sometimes from my adult onset ADD :~) Usually what I end up doing is frogging back to a stitch series that I recognize. I hope to see more about how the different stitches create different effects. I'm about halfway to understanding it, but need that boost the rest of the way. I have to say again, I love Knitting Daily and Interweave Press! Great Job Folks!
Juli
TomlinsonA wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 9:18 PM
I love the laminate idea. I bought a box of clear plastic sleeves at the office supply store. I put my photocopies in it and use a dry erase marker to mark off my progress. I like the sleeves because it can hold multiple pages and you get 100 in the box for a few bucks.
Anne Kaelber wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 10:48 PM
I don't know if this will help lace-knitters, but once I understood my favorite "basic sock" pattern, I abbreviated it as much as possible and created a document on my computer. Now I can print the pattern as many times as I need to (one for each of my sock bags!).
Sherry wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 10:54 PM
I have limited work space so where to place the pattern I am using became a real issue. I found a computer copy holder with a clip at the top that is on an adjustable arm that attachs to the end table by my chair & has the clear ruler that slides up & down. Works like a charm & is not in the way. I also use the clear sleeves for the pattern I am working on,they are reuseable which is also handy :-) SPope
Charmaine wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Wed, Jul 11 2007 11:58 PM
I'm having trouble with the "lace" survey. Every time I click on the link it says "page can not be displayed". Grrr!
Meeb wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 1:04 AM
i adapted a method anne bourgeois suggested for keeping track of a regular increase. when knitting combinations of patterns that may well not have the same row count, i use a yarn marker between each pattern. the marker is a series of knots, with needle sized open spaces between them - one open loop for each row in the pattern. place the start end of this chain as a marker in front of the pattern, and then as you come back to the marker on each succeeding row, slip the marker in the next loop. when you get to the end of the chain for that particular pattern, slip back to the first loop, and start the pattern over. this way i can always tell what row of any individual pattern i'm working on, and where the patterns are in the row. works for cable patterns, too.
SaraJ wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 1:12 AM
Sherry, I really like that tip! I don't have anything near my loveseat I can clip a thing like that to, but it's got me thinking.

Professor Harold Hill asked Tommy Geliss to work on a music holder for a marching piccolo player . . . we need the same thing, for knitting (hee hee!)

Meeb, that is AWESOME! See, I actually have ADD (it's hard to tell when people do or don't, as so many "joke" that they have it, or say it as a way of describing feeling scattered) and in a dolphin dishcloth I'm making, it's sat for awhile new early in the "waves" portion, because I forgot where I was at in the lace pattern. I'm going to use your tip right away to finish this (as soon as I tink a few rows so's I know where I am, to begin with, lol!) Thanks!
Meeb wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 1:32 AM
hope it works for you, sara. like many knit things, i found it much harder to explain than it is to do. :)
Anonymous wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 1:47 AM
My favourite lace tip is to use "slippery string". Slippery string is anything that is thin enough to be threaded into the stitches on your needle as if it were a another needle, strong anough to be pulled out and moved up a few rows, and slippery. I found some great synthetic string in a hardware store and I've used "knitters silk" - no idea what it's made of.

The trick is to thread the string under your knitting needle using a darning or tapestry sewing needle along a whole row/round when you're pretty sure what's below it is ok. Then if you make a mistake on a row higher up, you'll only have to rip back to the slippery string row. All your yarn overs, and knit2togethers, and everything else will be captured exactly as they were on your last perfect row.

If you've ever tried to unpick lace and correct a mistake, you'll understand why I never knit lace without slippery string.

Lindy
Alicegold wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 3:13 AM
For a real challenge try knitting from a German magazine chart pattern. Not only do they show you only every other row, but only half of the row. You are supposed to figure out the rest of the row out as it is the opposite of the first half of the row and in the even numbered rows you knit the stitches as they are presented. Plus the directions are in German unless you find an English translation. And don't ask a German friend who doesn't knit to translate because the vocabulary for knitting terms is confusing.
KateC wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 6:15 AM
Thanks for explaining charts in PLAIN ENGLISH!!! I have been feeling foolish about not being able to read them -I'm a word person through and through. With your wonderful explanations in hand I'll be able to try some of the easier patterns using the charts.

Thanks, Kate
DonnaB wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 7:26 AM
I have lace knitting problems when I have to decrease or increase and continue pattern( mostly the decrease). any tricks?
PaulaH wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 7:39 AM
HELP!(sorry for shouting) you are scaring me to death with this lace knitting and so on. As my very appropriate password indicates, I am very much a beginner. And while I realize most of the folks on this are far more advanced than I, there must be a few beginners, too, who would appreciate a few basic, simple patterns to start them off. Absolutely love the chat, cheers me up every time, but could you consider a few relatively simple patterns in future? A basic pullover, perhaps? I am happy to wait as long as it takes, but maybe one or two in time? Would be most appreciated. Paula the Beginner
Jody wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 8:20 AM
When I am knitting a lace pattern where it calls for say 12 repeats of a 30 row pattern, I will make 12 copies of that repeat and highlight or cross off each row as I do it. When I get one set of the repeats done, I throw out that page and move on to the next (I number them as I go along). To keep the front and back from getting mixed up (if you purl every wrong side row it's not hard to figure out, but if you do actual lace on the wrong side rows it can get confusing) I use a white ring marker a couple of stitches in on the right side, and a black ring marker a couple of stitches in on the left side. Then I just remember that 'white is right' and 'black is back'. It has saved me more than once.
AdcockJ wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 8:22 AM
Meeb,
I absolutely love your idea with the yarn "row marker"! I am currently working on lace anklets(leisure socks) for Socks For Soldiers. I will be making your row counter to make it so much easier. Thanks for a great idea!
Juli in NM
MichelleC wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 8:30 AM
Love to knit lace. Just completed a baby blanket with a lace border. It had 18 repeats. I purchased one of those things that cross stitchers use. They are the magnetic boards with the long straight magnets. I then enlarged the chart so it's easy to see. I have a magnet above and below the row I'm working on and at the end of the row I count the number of stitches I should have and the number I do have. If they aren't the same then I know it's the row I just completed. Once I made this a habit I sailed through without a problem. I agree--frogging lace is about as much fun as dental work!!
KrisK wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 9:11 AM
I agree with the German magazine comment. I like to knit doilies and I once ordered a book that was all in German (which I didn't know till I received it!) _Sometimes you can surf the web and find alot of those patterns translated to English or charts quite nicely. Yes, frogging lace is terrible. I will have to try that "slippery line" thing. Heard of it, but never tried it before.
TanyaB wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 9:31 AM
I'm sure that it has been mentioned before but its worth saying again. I would never knit lace without using a lifeline. I weave in a piece of scrap yarn on an important row (and also mark that row on my pattern) so if I royally goof, I can safely rip back without frogging the entire project.
Pat wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 9:50 AM
I use a modified laminated method for carrying patterns with me when knitting away from home. I use colored pencils to chart the pattern repeat on large graph paper and cover front and bake with clear packing tape, then cut out the chart. This both enlarges my pattern repeat for my aging eyes and makes it indistructable and portable. Thanks for all the lace tips. I need them.
Dr.M wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:07 AM
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy this newletter. I find it very informative & it's nice to get the patterns, too.
drMolly, the BeanQueen
MaryF wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:13 AM
I'm a beginner lace knitter and have difficulty with shaping a garment(increasing and decreasing) while maintaining the pattern when you don't have enough or even too many stitches to make a complete repeat. Instructions are often vague--simply "maintain" the pattern". Mary
MandiR wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:13 AM
As far as knowing which line I'm on for knitting lace patterns....I use a sheet protector (that you use when you do a report in school)put my pattern inside and use a dry erase marker to mark off what I've done and can simply erase it when I need to start all over again.
RuthS wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:14 AM
Please don't go to lace charts exclusively!! I like the instructions written out.
NinaT wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:40 AM
Since I chart my pattern out in Excel (downloaded graph paper), I just print it out, then use a highlighter to mark off (usually) every 2 rows finished. I'm going to start using the slippery line trick, since I've yet to knit anything without frogging part!
Joanna wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 10:53 AM
Considering my love affair with office supplies, it's amazing I never thought of using clear plastic sleeves and dry erase markers. LOL Thanks guys for the awesome tip. Now I can have a clean copy of a pattern after I've used it (I'm all about making tic marks along the edge of a chart).

I like to use dental floss as a lifeline in more complex lace.
DeloresG wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 11:17 AM
Re: Summer Shawlette - Could you make this longer if desired instead of your pattern length? Also I cannot find this brand yarn. What could be used in its place?
GJabouri wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 11:28 AM
Hi all, I do enjoy this newsletter, and have already seen many good tips that I will incorporate in the future. As to German instructions: I am German and had to figure out what the English expressions and abbreviations mean after I came here. Anyway, I believe it's in Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns, where she has a glossary of French and German knitting terms, together with their English translations.
CarolL wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 11:31 AM
The best stitch markers ever: years after the nest emptied and I was immersed in a lace project, I found an old stash of tiny rubber bands (from our son's braces). They're perfect for color-coding different repeats as well as circular row starts. Hmm, a dental theme is emerging, as I also use floss for lace lifelines.
Carol
LindaM wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 11:39 AM
Lace knitting is obsessive. Once you start you will find it hard to walk away from. I'm just finishing a cashmere lace shawl from the book Victorian Lace Today for my 93 year old mom's birthday. I'm so excited to give it to her! I was sort of overwhelmed when I made the decision to make this but once I started it's really not difficult. If you can do a YO, K2tog and SSK you pretty much have it made. Give it a try!
JuliaK wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 11:52 AM
Thanks for the comment about some beginner patterns. I really enjoy the inspiration this newsletter brings, but I'm only on my second sweater ever! Maybe the website and the posts could be divided into categories or tabs, so there was a beginner tab, an intermediate tab, etc. so that the beginners could get help from all you wonderful experienced knitters, but those who don't need the help at that level could go right to their own tab and not have to sift through the simple stuff. Thoughts?
Susanne wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 12:14 PM
alicegold, I would be glad to translate German knitting patterns. I love knitting lace and I love the many hints and tips I have found here. Floss as a lace lifeline, wow, I could have used that on my last project where one mistake after another just seemed to be noticed too late. Thanks, Susanne
CristoforoW wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 12:22 PM
Hi,
Yes, I am Cristoforo Wealth=
wealthtextileart@gmail.com
Just recently subscribed to this page. Enjoy it abundantly.
I am a Fiber Artist. At the moment am using strictly fine
Australian fibers to weave
very fine luxurious cloth.

I have a hint,(am sure many
people already knows it).
I have used for many years a
small metal "board" which
comes with little magnetic
bars to keep track of rows,
etc. It can be purchased at
the needle art dept.

Thank you for all the help
and all the patterns.

Lucia
ChristyB wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 12:47 PM
I'm just working on my first "charted" project (namely the Stag Bag in lovely cream and lavender alpaca wool...even my cat loves to cuddle with it!), but being a former cross-stitcher, I immediately went to my magnetic board (as a few others have mentioned). It's especially handy for portable projects because the magnet holds the row you're on when packed away. (And the magnets are surprisingly strong!)
KimberlyN wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 1:30 PM
Do you think you could release the Amana Star Pattern from Piecework Nov/Dec 2000 too? I think I'm the only one that has made it, but it's a really great, small lace pattern, and a great gift!
DanielleK wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 2:15 PM
I really like the Charm Wrap, however, when I looked up the price of the yarn, my mouth dropped open ($320!!!). Are there any suggestions on nice substitute yarns for the blue collar knitter?
DotT wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 2:26 PM
I'm a new lace knitter and LOVE it. I was always too intimidated to knit lace patternas, but now that I've started on my first lace sweater, I'm hooked for life!

I keep track of my patterns by chanting...in my head, not out loud or my hubby would probably gag me! :)
Annporotti wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 2:38 PM
i am enjoying the intensity of Knitting Daily, but I never received my summer issue of Interweave Knits. Has it been sent out yet? Please advise; I treasure all my back issues and would hate to miss one. thanks ann porotti
Anonymous wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 3:01 PM
Everyone's comments are interesting. I've used the sticky note method of keeping my place, highlighting each line after it's completed, and others. I've used the plastic sleeve and dry erase marker method, but it didn't work so well when your paper moves around inside the sleeve. However, if you have those plastic report cover binding things (the little plastic part that holds it all together)...genius!

On other notes: lifeline=slippery line (or whatever it was called above) (And everyone should try this)
I think they're not sending out the Summer issue of IK until late in July, according to what the email said when I subscribed. This is silly, because it's been in the stores for nearly 2 months by that time! Now I'm sorry I subscribed, because it's going to drive me nuts knowing it's out there but I have to wait to get mine. Ugh.
Deb H - Scarlet Zebra wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 3:28 PM
I loved today's issue, this Blog(?) is awsome! I felt compelled to share my favorite correction tool though. It's called a "life-line" most of the time and I'm sure it's mentioned in IP's Knitter's Companion and some of their other books. Simplified; it's a fine, smooth yarn on a darning needle (I use pearl cotton) that you thread through every stitch on your needle (across a whole row), making sure not to twist or split any stitches. I always do this before a difficult area (like adding bust darts ;o) or at the beginning of a lace pattern repeat. Then, if I mess it up, I can rip back to my "life-line" and not back to the beginning of the project.
CrystalS wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 3:36 PM
I agree I never subscribe to knitting mags as they are always out in the stores much sooner than subscriptions. The suspence of waiting would just be too much and if I peeked in the store and saw something I just had to start right now I would end up with 2 of the same mag.
MissMarnie wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 3:44 PM
I can't tell you how often people ask me what "no stitch" means. I think it's because people really do think lace is hard and so it can't be so easy to just have knits, purls, yos and decreases. That no stitch must be something fancy shmancy.

Thanks for the tutorial.
Alicegold wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Thu, Jul 12 2007 5:06 PM
Susanne | July 12, 2007

Thanks for your offer to translate, but my German friend did translate the pattern for me or how else would I ever have knit the sweater. Incidentally, all you knitters out there who only look at American knitting magazines ought to spend some time looking at the sweaters in German knitting magazines. The styles are much different and yes they do come with English translations. I happened to have borrowed the mag from my German knitting friend which is why the pattern I wanted was only in German.
Homebody3 wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Fri, Jul 13 2007 7:18 AM
I am a continnental knitter and sometimes have difficulty with lace patterns. Does anyone know of a web site that has a good video on knitting 2 tog. vs. SSK---the continnental way? It's really hard to see the difference when I do these two stitches! I'm not convinced that I doing them correctly.
ChristyB wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Fri, Jul 13 2007 8:52 AM
Check out wwwDOTknittinghelpDOTcom. Click on the "basic techniques" tab, then just below that, click on "decrease". The site has some great videos of various stitches and techniques for both continental and english knitters. It's one of my first go-to resources when I need help.
Lynn G. wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Fri, Jul 13 2007 6:56 PM
I'm currently making a basic feather-and-fan patterned mini-shawl with a garter-stitch border on the sides(just rectangular, for a petite woman) in a wool/silk handpainted (cost-a-fortune) yarn. I had to start it many many times to get a good gauge and put it away for about a year in between, but it is finally progressing (and I've decided not to care about the sudden pooling of color that began to happen in one section...I know the correction involves using yarn from more than one skein simultaneously, but I don't want to rip back that far and don't really know how to neatly carry two yarns up the side). I've already had one scary ripping episode to correct a very small error, so I'm going to start using the stitch markers and "lifelines" recommended by others on this forum. Here's what I do need help with: Unfortunately, the bottom edge is curling upward in a way that will bother me, and I'm not sure if blocking will correct that. I suspect this is because I only ever learned one way to cast on (my Mom taught me...I think it might be called long-tail cast-on). Is there a particular cast-on edge (or other method) that can be used to help keep the starting edge flat on a ripple-style pattern? If so, I will learn it for my next attempt at a lace project. Thanks!
Sally wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sat, Jul 14 2007 9:20 AM
I am in desperate need of lace help. It's my first project, and I have started it TEN times! (I'm an expert at frogging. I don't even cry). It's a simple pattern--CO 43, row 1P; row 2: k3, *k2tog, YO* and knit the last 4 stitches. EVERY time I end up with 42 stitches. No matter how careful I am not to miss a YO, I always end up 1 stitch short. What am I doing wrong?? Thank you!
Sally wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sat, Jul 14 2007 3:22 PM
I am in desperate need of lace help. It's my first project, and I have started it TEN times! (I'm an expert at frogging. I don't even cry). It's a simple pattern--CO 43, row 1P; row 2: k3, *k2tog, YO* and knit the last 4 stitches. EVERY time I end up with 42 stitches. No matter how careful I am not to miss a YO, I always end up 1 stitch short. What am I doing wrong?? Thank you!
KellyP wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sat, Jul 14 2007 3:40 PM
I am SO excited to get started on the Summer Shawlette. I received my yarn in the mail today - Cashmere's by Kate - from an e-bay purchase. It is gorgeous, and I cannot wait to knit this beautiful lace piece (it just got bumped up the "to knit" list). :-)

Thanks for sharing the pattern with us!
Meeb wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sun, Jul 15 2007 12:31 AM
sally - do you still have 43 stitches after that first purl row? it's easy to lose one(or pick up an extra stitch) at the beginning or end of those first few rows. have you tried counting and marking every ten stitches or so to identify exactly where you're losing the stitch?
JoanH wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sun, Jul 15 2007 6:23 AM
To keep track of where I am and to write notes to myself I use TEMPOTAPE removable higlhighter....it stays where I put it until I peel it off and move it to the next row. (I have had sticky notes fall off on me!)
(Keepsake has the tape.)
JanB wrote re: Lace Knitting: You Have Questions, Everyone Has Answers!
on Sun, Jul 15 2007 6:35 AM