Another repeat in the lace section of the Thistle scarf was completed in the wee hours last night.
Thistle scarf: 2 lace repeats done, 5 to go
The lace knitting is going fairly well and no major accidents occurred so far – just some minor unravelling here and there. The pattern is not exactly easy with its 28-row repeat and requires concentration.
I’m pondering whether to begin another item of a different sort, something that would suit better for those times when attention may not be at hand. It could be some geeky knitting (a fractal shawl, a Klein Bottle hat), or a Kate Davies’ pattern (Sontag, for example), or some quick and easy knit… Is this the beginning of a startitis?
Fractal shawl – Original photo of Miss Julia Sett wearing her shawl (source: theladiesofmischief.wordpress.com)
What projects are you working on? How many ongoing items do you usually have?
weestorybook 
Thistle is looking great and something on the needles that doesn’t require as much thought is always nice just for some downtime knitting. A bout of startitis is always great I think. Really love the fractal shawl !
Hi Ruth,
Thank you! I think you’re spot on… probably an easy knitting project would be a nice alternative for those times when lace is not really suitable 🙂
I think the fractal shawl idea is just great… looking into more maths/quirky projects, found a few interesting websites 🙂
I’m loving the scarf! I haven’t yet mustered up the courage to pick up my knitting needles again, but I’m going strong with my crocheting projects. Have a lovely afghan to enter in the County Fair next week.
Wow, that’s great, I love the idea of participating in a fair 🙂 is it a competition?
I used to do a bit of crochet, before the knitting bug got hold of me 😉 but i still have a few nice projects i’d like to try at some point, including a tartan blanket
I love the shawl – I love it all! 😉
thank you 🙂 xx
Lovely work! The details are beautiful.
Thank you, that’s really kind 🙂
Tin Can Knits have some graceful lace patterns, I may try something else in the future, they have a lovely lace blanket made in squares… maybe 🙂
That’s beautiful. I met Tin Can Knits recently and got her to sign the same pattern book you have. She’s great to speak to.
I usually have far too many projects on the go than I care to admit – usually around six or so plus a queue in my head. I think it’s a good idea to have lots of different types of projects to keep your interested but only if you are self-disciplined enough to pick up the more challenging work. I have a lace shawl I haven’t touched in four months….
LOL, i see what you mean! you’re absolutely right 🙂
My trick to avoid having many things going is to save the item details rather than to start with the actual project… then come back later on and choose one of them from my “database”…
On the other hand, I wasn’t quite that successful in keeping my stash under control, luckily my budget is now under restraints so that got the purchasing to a halt 🙂
Yes, it is official: you are an excellent lace knitter. And you go ahead with startitis, no fines for that;0) I always have different projects at hand. A sock/mitten for daily yoga and than something more intricate for challenge and beauty. At the moment amigurumi is the thing for me: short but sweet projects, but the techniques are quite difficult. And I am knitting a large stola…ohoh when will that be finsihed??? ♥ Johanna
Thank you, Johanna. Hugs
I always felt that if I had one piece that required concentration that I’d need a simple project – even a dishcloth – to do during those frustrating moments when concentration is low. It prevents me from losing interest in the first project and tossing it aside completely.
I think the shawl is gorgeous!
What you’re saying is so true! sometimes is just too difficult to concentrate and an easy knit fits the bill much better 🙂
Thank you for your comment and the kind words!
absolutely gorgeous! i love the progress!!
thanks a lot 🙂
It’s been sitting since, as i have a submission deadline today…
Have a nice weekend!
That is stunning and what a gorgeous color!!!
thank you 🙂 very kind!
your thistle scarf is coming on really nicely. well done. love the purple lacey texture and its delicacy. you will love it in autumn. how difficult is the pattern to make on a scale 0-10? 🙂
as for the UFO projects – mine are mostly cross stitch ones. Ive got 2 bigger xxx projects started at the moment (a peachy rose stitched half way through and a nordic stocking – not even a half way there!) and a few smaller ones- motifs for xxx cards. I get bored very quickly and sometimes struggle through a big projects.
also need to do some machine sewing and finish my xmas bunting and a cushion cover – i have a “slight phobia” of a sewing machine and always leave sewing as the last thing to finish. should really try to build up my confidence by getting my sewing much out more often. can you sew?
Hello Martha,
Thanks for your comment!
The scarf pattern is not too difficult, the only thing is that it’s fairly long (28-row for each repeat) so it’s not easy to memorise and you have to pay attention to the instructions. Also, stitch markers and often checks of the pattern will help prevent issues (=frogging). About a third of the scarf has the thistle lace pattern and the rest switches to a smaller normal lace, which should be easier. Finally, I made a few mistakes in the beginning, like misreading the chart. Apart from that, it seems to be a matter of having enough patience to keep going 😉 (I know what you mean about getting easily bored!!).
On a scale 0-10, I’d say it’s probably 5, because there are no special techniques (like short rows or the like) and the item is knitted in the flat with RS and WS.
xxx looks very nice, but it seems to take a lot of patience and attention? I bought a few patterns while ago, but never attempted anything… I just liked the pictures 🙂
I could sew and used to do in the past (for things on a relatively easy level)… but that was long ago, and I should practice again… also, my sewing machine is not here in the UK…. that’s not helping 😉
I’m considering trying hand sewing (like here http://whiljascorner.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/basic-stitches-for-handsewing/ and her other items)
♥
getting my sewing machine out*
OMG so stunning!
thank you!!
I’m leaning towards giving the fractal shawl a go… we shall see 🙂
Thistle looks lovely – I do find lace a little exhausting though… I have just taken a break from a Japanese lace project, yo and decreases in EVERY row, phew! Looking at Thistle gives me motivation to pick up my lace again!
thank you 🙂
have you blogged about that Japanese lace project yet? i’d be curious to read more! sounds really interesting, although I understand the issue with a long and attention-demanding knitting project 😉
Thistle is looking fabulous! And I love the way it looks in purple. One more thing to add to my queue, it seems. When in doubt (or all laced out) I almost always start a pair of socks – I find round and round knitting on short sticks very soothing.
Thank you!
I haven’t yet attempted socks, but should do at some point really 🙂
I’m also thinking of a shopping bag, a sort of a net tote…
[…] a new project (or two?)…. a large project (the herringbone thing from my previous post), the fractal shawl, a sweater, a smaller project? As usual, knitters have about a zillion ideas in their […]
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