Does This Look Like ANYthing to You?

Now, does this look like anything to you people?

Seriously, take a close look:

Yeah, I don't think so either and it's starting to scare me!

I'm told that this is the way with lace. It looks like a jumbled mess until you block it. But, I've seen a few WIPs that actually DO at least resemble what the final product should look like and this worries me. Being my first foray into lace, how do I know whether this little shawl is on the right track?

I guess that's all part of the fun, right? RIGHT?!

Anyway, this is my attempt to finally tackle that Misti Alpaca laceweight I purchased a while back. It was so hot on Sunday and I couldn't knit any of my WIPs due to size and general heat-inducing features, so I decided to cast on for the Lace Leaf Shawl from Fiber Trends.

I was immediately drawn to this pattern before I knew it was Estonian. Those Estonians! I just love their textile motiffs!

So, past attempts at lace had proven less than fruitful and MORE than frustrating. I literally threw the needles onto my couch the last time and just packed the Misti Alpaca away, never wanting to lay eyes on it again. However, since I'm falling in love with all of these lace patterns I see floating around lately, I had to give it another try. But this time, I had a plan...

After giving it much thought and coming to the conclusion that the reason I was having difficulty had to do with not being able to control tension or see the actual stitches I was producing -- making it extremely difficult to tink back when I needed. I figured it had to do with weight.

So, I came up with the idea of placing some of those nifty Staples silver clips on the ends as I worked the first few repeats in order to anchor the piece.

Success!

I also purchased some INOX needles which have a slightly sharper tip and which aren't as slippery as Addis but not as annoying as wood.

So far so good.

I know I've made at least one little boo-boo already. I mean, I don't know for sure (otherwise I'd rip it back), I just FEEL it. So it does make me nervous that I can't actually see the design yet.

But, I like living on the knitting edge! So I'll knit on. Hehehe.

Comments

[anmiryam]

Yeah, that lace stuff is addictive and does really look better when blocked. Promise.

I can't believe you knit w/o A/C in this heat. I am impressed.

[Em]

I love those INOX needles.

I'm sure you've done this already, but I "finger block" the shawl-in-progress--stretch it out while on the needles to see what it has a chance of looking like. If you're happy with that, then you're on the right track.

Maybe you could do a small swatch on smaller needles, just to make sure?

[Dani]

This is beautiful! I have two shawl designs I want to start and have issues knitting shawls in the heat... I know, I know.. Nice light laceweight, but the concentration kills me! I love the color you chose for this... its beautiful!

[grumperina]

Well, I can see the little leaves, but then I looked at the blocked one on the Fiber Trends website, and it's a whole other animal! Hehe! I think you'll get there when you block... it's all in the blocking :).

[Colleen]

A leaf! Now I see it.

[Emily]

The picture on the fiber trends website is pretty small, but it looks to me like you are doing it right. It looks great! I definitely see a leaf. When you block lace, you end up stretching it A LOT. That is the only way you are going to see the pattern. Use your fingers to strech out what you have so far. I think the leaves will become more obvious to you.

[Teresa C]

Actually, to tell the truth, I think the leaf might be off center a little. Give it a good big stretch and make sure you have the right amount of sts and yos on each side of the center vein of the leaf. The center decreases should be centered over those yos underneath them and it doesn't really look it in your photo. It could be me, could be the photo. I hate to be the only one to say double check, I could be wrong and really hope that I am. Let me know.

[Christina]

Paula, you could try putting your WIP on some waste yarn and stretching it out to see if you've made any mistakes. As if you are blocking, but dry.

[sandy]

I think it looks great. I love the color you've chosen and the leaf lace shawl is one of my favorites out there right now! Whether it's right or not is for another person!
:)
Lace is my challenge. I don't love it. It takes all of my concentration. Makes it satisfying. IF I ever finished one, that is!
haha!

[sandy]

Oh, and HOT wasn't the right word for the weekend. Torturous is more like it!

[Melissa]

Yes, I think it looks just as lace should! I like to say that the magic happens when you block it. You'll be absolutely amazed at how much different it will look. Use lots of markers, and keep knitting. Misti Alpaca is one of my favorite yarns for lace. Deliciously soft. Like knitting a cloud.