Wednesday 12 August 2009

Done!

Lace KnittingRemember that lace knitting I showed you a couple of months back? Yeah, that lace knitting. The knitting that was doing my head in and I could only work on it in absolute peace and quiet. Well, it's finished!

I am so pleased with how it's turned out. I blocked it last night - blocking is a process that totally brings lace knitting to life. You wash the crumpled piece of knitting and then pin it out on a board to dry and the lace just unfurls itself and you gaze at it lovingly and go 'Ah! I actually made that!' and you feel an enormous sense of achievement.

Lace KnittingMuch swearing happened during the knitting of this - many expletives are woven into the fabric. I also unpicked and re-knit parts of it countless times. At one point I was knitting two rows and then unpicking three but I got there in the end.

Lace KnittingThe yarn is just b-e-a-utiful and it feels so soft. It came from Vikki at Wild Fire Fibres. If you're a knitter and you haven't worked with Vikki's yarn yet, do get yourself over to her Etsy shop and choose something. You won't be disappointed! The stole pattern is by Val Campion and is based on the ancient Shetland 'Print O' The Wave' lace pattern and it's available for free. Just click here and scroll down the page to see it.

I have lots of other projects on the needles. A top for me, a pair of socks (oh what a surprise!) and a couple of stealth Christmas Present Box pieces. I'll show you what I can as and when .....

13 comments:

  1. that is absolutely amazing. i cant believe you knitted that. im just trying to learn crochet and it looks like a big mess. you are just too good at everything :) xx

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  2. How beautiful does it look. Are you going to keep it? I hope so. It really does look fantastic. Well done for sticking with it....I think I may have put it out the window!
    Love Txxx

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  3. This looks beautiful. The last time i knitted anything with wool was when i had my kids, and it was easy as they where hats and little cardigans. I could not finish anything on the scale. well done,

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  4. Wow, that is beautiful - well worth the effort!
    I recently bought a book called Victorian Lace Today - it's become my current obsession!

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  5. wow! laura that is AMAZING! so pretty :) so, did you go blind in the process?! i wouldn't be surprised...! ;)

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  6. Caz - Thank you. Ha! I'm not good at everything. I wish I could do numbers! ;o)

    Tina - I nearly threw it out of the window several times but I would just not be beaten by it!

    Eve - I've had this on the go since May. Just been knitting a few rows every day.

    Caroline - Thanks! Such a huge big compliment coming from you. Lace knitting is addictive, isn't it? It's the challenge. Planning my next lace project already.

    Steph - I almost went blind at one point but that was probably just the urge to poke myself in the eye with my knitting needle out of sheer frustration!

    Thanks for all the lovely comments, ladies!

    Laura x

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  7. its very lovely...how ever did you do it? I would have set it on fire on the torch before I finished it...course that is not very safe...

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  8. Holy moley girly girl. I can't do lace knitting because I have a six year old. And that requires me to get up every five minutes for some catastrophe or REALLY IMPORTANT thing.

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  9. That is lovely!! If you attempt another lace pattern, you might find this helpful http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/lifeline.shtm

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  10. Jelveh - You know me. Crazy!

    Lori - A six year old is not conducive to lace knitting!

    FrayedAtTheEdge - Thank you. Yes, the good old lifeline. Believe it or not, I did actually use the occasional one. Will definitely get into the habit for the next piece. ;o)

    Laura x

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  11. WOW I'm so impressed not only with the beautiful knitting but your dedication. I think I would have thrown it out of the window.

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  12. Gosh, that is absolutely lovely! A tribute to determination and strength of character :-)

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  13. Blooming heck Laura! That's absolutely gorgeous work :)

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Your comments are much appreciated. Fire away!