Lace

22 July 2009

The ultimate mystery for me - lace knitting. I have tried before and failed - kidsilk haze, I curse your beguiling beauty and impossible levels of fuzzyness. You really put me off trying again. But I found a new yarn.

And it might have taken more than a few weeks and with a long hiatus while I waited for my mother-in-law to arrive and correct a mistake I had made. But it's done. My Juliet. I put a lifeline in every six rows of that lace - that's how nervous it made me. And I mumbled through many an evening on the sofa counting stitches. But oh how I love it.

So all the time invested reading about other people's versions and modifications on Ravelry really was worth it. And I am glad that I listened to Monica (for a change!) and knitted the bottom section in a size small, so it wasn't too flarey. The yarn is Rowan cocoon in Seascape and it is the most perfectly soft squooshy, fuzzy choice.

My favourite knitted item ever. Yes, for now, at least.

Posted at 15:54 in knitting stuff | Permalink

Comments

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wow, i love you cardi, its gorgeous, make me wish i could knit xx

Posted by: louise | 22 July 2009 at 16:09

Oh it's brilliant, really gorgeous and definitely not too flared.

Posted by: Rebecca | 22 July 2009 at 16:29

Lovely job - and the little hint of your hair suggests that is also looking fab at the moment.

I love Kidsilk Haze - sorry! - but it has to be on bamboo needles ...

Posted by: dottycookie | 22 July 2009 at 16:45

Love it! Too many things I want to do, but not enough time!!!!

Posted by: Karen J | 22 July 2009 at 17:04

Oh it is pretty. And how toned your upper arms are! Are you 14?

Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 22 July 2009 at 17:26

It's a gorgeous cardi. I can see why you are so glad you perservered. Lovely colour too, perfect with jeans.
Lisa

Posted by: Lisa | 22 July 2009 at 17:35

Oh my, my that's a delicious piece of knitting goodness.

And might I add, you have lovely arms. No "bingo wings" for you!

Posted by: lizandrsn | 22 July 2009 at 17:46

It's beautiful and you look fabulous wearing this wonderful creation. I love the color, too.

Posted by: Junie Moon | 22 July 2009 at 17:52

That is such a nice cardi... perfect for summer evenings. How I wish I was that talented - I can just about manage a square right now
Take Care
xx

Posted by: Clare | 22 July 2009 at 19:13

That. Is. Gorgeous. I love everything about it so much I am tempted to go and buy the exact same yarn immediately, if it wasn't for the fact my stash is sitting looking accusingly at me as I haven't knitted anything for ages.

Posted by: Kathryn | 22 July 2009 at 19:42

Beautiful! I've had a lace knitting book for a while now (with shawl intentions...) but not taken the plunge quite yet, can't quite decipher all those pretty shapes on that grid :)

ps. the free graze snacks arrived today, brilliant! (thanks!)

Posted by: sarah | 22 July 2009 at 20:58

Oh how fabulous! And very impressive. Actually feeling quite pathetic now, as I just gave up on my first lace pattern... K x

Posted by: kristina | 22 July 2009 at 21:43

Ali, that looks absolutely exquisite on you. What a truly lovely color of yarn. You did a fantastic job...no wonder you are so proud of it.

Posted by: cathleen | 22 July 2009 at 22:38

Love the colour, love the yarn, and love your clever stitchiness! xx

Posted by: Top Bird @ Wee Birdy | 22 July 2009 at 23:03

Wow, it's gorgeous! I love Cocoon too and that's a great colour.

Posted by: Dragonfly | 22 July 2009 at 23:24

This is a feat amongst feats here. I also am an enemy of lace but it looks like she is now a friend of yours!

Posted by: Sachi | 23 July 2009 at 00:51

Well done you! And what a fabulous fit.

Posted by: lina | 23 July 2009 at 01:59

killer figure in a lovely lacey top!

I've just given up lace knitting in mohair- ripped out half of the back of a jumper in fact. It was no fun at all, far too frustrating, couldn't see what was happening to what.

Posted by: janet clare | 23 July 2009 at 08:28

It's turned out beautifully - great colour on you!

Posted by: Julie | 23 July 2009 at 09:54

You say you've only been knitting for a little longer than me, you must be joking!! That is absolutely amazing, I would have been way to worried to start it in the first place! It's really beautiful, well done!
Thanks for the blocking advice by the way!

Posted by: Louise | 23 July 2009 at 10:13

I love it!
I wish I could knit - well more than half a scarf anyway :)

Posted by: lazylol | 23 July 2009 at 11:03

Gosh, that's gorgeous. So soft and feminine, just lovely.

Posted by: rhubarb | 23 July 2009 at 12:18

Love the colour, total respect for your lace knitting prowess.
What a trim figure, looks fab in it!

Posted by: French Knots | 23 July 2009 at 14:02

Beautiful and inspiring! I've failed at lace before but am working up the courage to try again. I'll be life-lining like a madman, believe you me.

frances

Posted by: frances | 23 July 2009 at 15:47

it's absolutely gorgeous, the colour is really great. Well done!

Posted by: Fancy Elastic | 23 July 2009 at 17:02

It's gorgeous, well done you!

Posted by: Thimbleina | 23 July 2009 at 17:15

wow.. this is fabulous. I can't believe you made this.

Posted by: Hena Tayeb | 23 July 2009 at 18:45

It's gorgeous! But I'm so glad you knitted it and not me - I would have been a gibbering wreck!

Lucy x

Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 23 July 2009 at 20:51

Please will you make me one? I love it!

Posted by: Lucy | 23 July 2009 at 21:01

it's absolutely lovely, ali!!

Posted by: beki | 23 July 2009 at 21:08

Lifeline? I have my first lace project waiting and it sounds as if it could be useful.

Louise

Posted by: louise williams | 24 July 2009 at 09:56

oh it's super gorgeous!

(just got back from 104C in Italy and I do need a jumper....) this is amazing. I think I might have to re-do mine. As it flared....

Posted by: monica | 26 July 2009 at 20:07

I love it! You clever crafty lady. Can it be only two years ago that you were knitting dishcloths?

Posted by: Alice C | 27 July 2009 at 22:10

Oooh Ali - it's gorgeous!! I knitted one for Minx and got into such a mess with the lace that I had to admit defeat after ripping it back four times. I eventually found another similar lace pattern that worked just fine.
She even wears it!

xxx

Posted by: Lesley | 29 July 2009 at 21:47

Oh well done for perservering! Your description of the knitting process reminded me a lot of my first lace top, also recently completed! It looks gorgeous.

Posted by: Zyle | 04 August 2009 at 11:33

I love it too!

Posted by: blackbird | 15 August 2009 at 12:51

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