Socknitters Forum

[BusyJ]

May 1st - Omelette KAL Aug 1st - sock KAL
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http://busyj-jka.blogspot.com

[tracyknits]

Based on the poll results, I think the interest is in running consecutive KALs so we will have:

May 1 - July 31: Omelette shawl KAL
Aug 1 - Oct 31: Sock KAL using a sock pattern from the SpringSummer knitty.com (your choice of the four patterns available).

Ready? If you're doing the Omelette KAL, let us know what yarn you're using, needle size and any other info you think pertinent. Plus, you can do some swatching if you want (although I never much worry about that with lace myself - meh, it's a little bigger or smaller, whatever! ).

I'll take a gander at the pattern this weekend along with anyone else so inclined (lace knitters! even if you're not doing the KAL we'd love your input!) and weigh in on potential adjustments, suggestions, etc. for anyone who's interested.
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REVISED 2011 Knitting Resolution: 6 "big projects" - shawls and/or sweaters ('cause I'm just too distracted by other patterns to do only VLT patterns this year!)

[tracyknits]

Omelette notes

OK, I just printed out and looked at the pattern. I think this is doable for anyone who is (1) comfortable with charts and (2) comfortable with yarnovers.

What is tricky: (1) the instructions that begin at "Establish the Pattern" leave a bit to be desired. Be sure to read everything through FIRST. What you are doing is really creating four sections so each chart is done four times per row....but there are also edge stitches and single knit stitches between the repeats. This is how I think of it in my head

EDGE | row 1 | k1 | row 1 | k1 | row 1 | k1 | row 1 | EDGE

| is a marker and I would use a different color for the one on each end (I always like those visual signals that I need to do something different in case my brain has gone on automatic pilot)

The places that are EDGE are 3 stitches that are worked in garter - so, knit on both the right AND wrong sides.

(2) I don't personally find the charts all that daunting (I think) , although I can see that Chart E will be harder to read (both visually, and in seeing the pattern emerge in project to "read my knitting"). I can personally handle both issues by enlarging the chart and using a highlighter to mark off completed rows and by paying attention to what is happening between markers.

(3) we will need to reset the markers with each repeat of a chart and when starting a new chart. I just remove the markers on the wrong side row and then reset as I go across.

(4) the shawl starts with a tab. This was confusing as all get out to me the first time I did a shawl with this kind of start (Evenlyn Clark's swallowtail). However, we are in luck because Jimmy Bean's Wool has a youtube video showing you exactly how to do it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p300ODqDWjA


What is nice: (1) all the wrong side (even numbered) rows are a breeze - so you get a break from having to think about the pattern - it is always knit the edge stitches, purl ALL the way across to the other 3 edge stitches and then knit them.

(2) the shawl is very, very easy to resize. The pattern calls for four full repeats of Chart B, and then just rows 1-10. You can make the shawl bigger or smaller by adding or omitting full repeats.

So....this means that if someone wants to do the shawl in fingering weight yarn, you might do 2 full repeats and then rows 1-10 of Chart B. In fact, I might do it in fingering weight - it's certainly more relaxing! The original pattern calls for US3 needles; depending on how tightly you knit, anywhere from a US4 to a US5 (or even US6) would be fine. If you want a denser, heavier weight finished shawl, go with a 4 or 5; for an airier look, a larger size. (and of course you can always swatch to see what kind of look you would like). NOTES: if you do fingering weight, you'll have to do some guesstimating for final size - both for width and depth. Your yardage will also differ from what is given in the pattern. You will probably need MORE yardage - or certainly the same, even with fewer repeats of Chart B.

Yes, this means you can do some sock yarn stash busting if you have a couple skeins of one color (or if you would like to use coordinating colors and maybe change out colors with each chart).

I checked Ravelry and the pattern isn't listed there yet.

Anyway, hope my notes didn't scare anyone off.

Tracy
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REVISED 2011 Knitting Resolution: 6 "big projects" - shawls and/or sweaters ('cause I'm just too distracted by other patterns to do only VLT patterns this year!)

[NeedleQ]

I find your notes very helpful. I have looked at the pattern but have not yet taken the time to print it yet. Still have to finish plying the yarn I plan to use as I finished the second bobbin last night. Need to let it set for a day or two before it is plied.
For all those who are joining the KAL read Tracy hints and remember to count, counting is very very important when knitting lace and it can mean the difference between frogging a row or two or more and just tinking a few stitches. I have made several shawls and just finished the Peacock Feather shawl. I have also done the Icarus, Swallowtail and a few others who's names I can't remember. Check out my projects on Ravelry if you can.
Put in life lines, ideally after every repeat, they can save a lot of grief, trust me on this.
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needleq

Ravelry: NeedleQ

[BusyJ]

Tracy and NQ, thanks for the imput.

Judy
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[appaloosa]

Awesome analysis Tracy! Didn't scare me off actually it encouraged me to have a closer look at the pattern. I think I can do this. Yay!
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Appaloosa

May you always run with the wind at your back and good friends by your side.

[BusyJ]

I never read a pattern through first, it always scares me. LOL But this time I will. I am sure I can do this but I will still give it a read through first.

Judy
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http://busyj-jka.blogspot.com

[tracyknits]

Hey Lou and Judy - of COURSE you guys can do this!!! I've always thought that anybody who can do socks can knit just about anything they want to
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REVISED 2011 Knitting Resolution: 6 "big projects" - shawls and/or sweaters ('cause I'm just too distracted by other patterns to do only VLT patterns this year!)

[BusyJ]

Thanks for the pep cheer, Tracy.

Judy
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http://busyj-jka.blogspot.com

[appaloosa]

I'm all pep'd up. Thanks Tracy. Bring it on.
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Appaloosa

May you always run with the wind at your back and good friends by your side.

[appaloosa]

I printed off the pattern and have started reading and studying it. I think I can do this. I just need to make sure I make time for it. Now to go and finish all the UFOs that I want out of the way before I start = 1 more week to go.
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Appaloosa

May you always run with the wind at your back and good friends by your side.

[BusyJ]

Ok, oh lace guru .... I am planning on doing mine in a fingering weight yarn. So would I need around 150 to 200 grams? Isn't it around 420 or so for 100g of fingerweight? So needing 560 yds/ of lace weight my poor little brain said.... it just told me to go have another look and then told me that it had malfunctioned.

Let me try again..... I think I will need 200 to 250 grams. Is this right or did I manfunction again? Geesh.

Judy
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http://busyj-jka.blogspot.com

[tracyknits]

Hey Judy - I would think in terms of yardage, not weight for this. I'm hoping Needleq will weight in as well....My best guess is that 1200 yards of fingering, used with a US5-6 needle (a 6 if you are a tight knitter), and omitting 2 repeats of chart B will probably work out.

I need to pick out my yarn this weekend too
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REVISED 2011 Knitting Resolution: 6 "big projects" - shawls and/or sweaters ('cause I'm just too distracted by other patterns to do only VLT patterns this year!)

[NeedleQ]

If using lace weight you need two (2) 560 yds skeins/ball for a total of 1120 yds is the way I read it. The yarn I spun totals 1134 yds. so I will be 14 yds over the total needed I hope. All this is based on my calculations which maybe off one way or another. I am hoping not by much though. I do have a bit of roving that I did not spin, so can spin that if I have too.
It may depend on what brand of yarn you use. The Knit Picks Stroll is 460yds in a 100gram skein, so that would mean you would need 3 skeins for a total of 1380 yds. This is just an example and I could be way off base on this. Hopefully Tracy will put in her thoughts and get us straighten out on this.
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needleq

Ravelry: NeedleQ

[tracyknits]

I was thinking that with fingering weight you need close to the original yardage, but will be knitting fewer chart repeats (and in the end, having a shawl about the same size as the original even with fever repeats).

I have to admit that I personally tend to usually start with 15-20% extra on many patterns to allow for adjustments or designer miscalculations. I sort of started this with the Victorian Lace Today patterns because those are WAY off on yardage estimates. For other projects, it's just handy to have extra and there are lots of ways to use up the extra yarn (coordinating mitts or hats).

There is a free pattern on ravelry called "Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf" that I have for my "extras." I keep a vintage glass jar on my dresser and put all my leftovers (often with quite a bit of yardage) in there. I plan to make this scarf several times for Christmas gifts in semi-coordinated colorways. I know there are different versions of it - I think it's just linen stitch (or a variation). I need to pick up a spare set of tips and a long cable so I can just devote a needle set to this and then add to it whenever I have more yarn. Probably a good tv project
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REVISED 2011 Knitting Resolution: 6 "big projects" - shawls and/or sweaters ('cause I'm just too distracted by other patterns to do only VLT patterns this year!)