Wow, We're Off and Knitting
Hi all - I'm Becky, and this is my very first KAL. A huge thanks to you, Eunny, for getting it off to such a great start. I've been spending the last few days trying to pick a yarn for the Sampler. Strangely, the Sampler had never grabbed me when I would page through A Gathering of Lace, but I'm so thrilled by the idea of knitting along with a group that I can't wait to get started. So...here is what I might try; working with this linen thread that I found in a thrift store a few years back. I first attempted the Forest Path Stole from Interweave Knits, Summer 2003, but only got as far as the seed stitch border. I know that working with linen is going to create issues - it has no give whatsoever - but I'm starting with it. I'm using a Clover circ, Sz 3 that I sanded down to get sharper points.
(If I get too frustrated, I have have a back-up yarn, a rich red cobweb weight Cashwool from FaRe Baruffa. The only reason I'm not using it from the get-go is that I have 3700 yards of it, and would like to save it for a circular shawl one of these days.) Can't wait to see all of your choices.
Comments
Lucky you, to come across such a find in a thrift store!
The start looks great! What kind of cast-on did you use?
Posted by: eunny | March 1, 2006 12:28 AM
Eunny, I don't know what the cast-on is called or even where I learned it, but it's basically a variation of a long-tail cast-on, except that you loosely tie the waste yarn and the shawl yarn together, and proceed to draw the shawl yarn loops through the waste yarn that's held around your thumb and onto the needle. I usually use a needle two sizes bigger or it gets too tight. Not as easy to rip out as cable cast-on, but so much faster and I don't have to worry about having enough yarn for the cast-on. Anyone know what it's called?
(Sorry I was slow in responding - still getting used to a KAL - I love it!)
Posted by: Becky | March 2, 2006 05:25 PM