New Lace Project
Knit One Crochet Too Filigree Lace Jacket
About 6 months ago, I noticed this Knit One, Crochet Too pattern at Knit Picks. I thought it was a lovely pattern, but wasn't feeling very confident with my lace knitting skills and while the Douceur et Soie looked lovely, it was a mohair blend and I had a great fear of yarns that couldn't be ripped out easily. After all, I started Charlotte 3 times before I got past the first color. This yarn was expensive and mohair so I passed. Hoping that I could find something else for it that would be the right weight and a little more user friendly. Or at least cheaper. Well, eventually Knit Picks decided to clearance the pattern, so I picked it up for a song when I was making a bigger purchase. But I still hadn't found the yarn.
Enter the yarn sale at Colourway. Initially, I didn't think I wanted anything. And then I realized that Kidsilk Haze is almost a dead ringer for Douceur et Soie. Same composition, same weight, same yardage. But I still had mohair issues (not made better by what I consider the "Plymouth Fusion Bullseye Disaster"... which is still so disturbing to me that I haven't discussed it here). Certainly it would be itchy. And then Mary brough her wonderful Kidsilk Haze project to the KIP. And I didn't encounter any itch factor.
So... casting aside what little restraint I have (and I have very little, so it isn't too hard), I ordered my Kidsilk Haze and got the nice little bundle a while back. I was working on Banff so I promised myself I wasn't even going to open the bag. Oh yeah. You know where this is going. You know that I clipped open that bag, "just to show John how soft Kidsilk Haze is" last Friday and that I suddenly developed a need to knit lace. Right then, right there, Banff be damned. I admit it, I'm a project polygamist. And after so much stockinette, I just needed a little time off.
Filigree Lace Swatch in Kidsilk Haze "Chill"
I never before appreciated the comments about "knitting with cobwebs". Now I do. I can't believe how fine and soft this stuff is. I am glad, however, that I paid attention to all the people who suggested that knitting Kidsilk Haze on bamboo needles was a good way to go. I love my Addis, but I think they would have just been too slick and fuzzy little stitches would have been falling off needles all over the place. Which would not have resulted in either a happy knitter or a pretty swatch. I was wishing that size 8's could have had needles sharp points. But that may be too much to ask from a 5.0 mm needle
It's been time for me to take on something more challenging. Almost all my recent projects have been simple stockinette and complicated yarn. Now I'm back to simple yarn (simple from color perspective) and it seems appropriate to knit it into a more complicated pattern. Given that this jacket is light and airy, I am hoping that it will still be something nice for spring -- and that I'll be able to get it finished. That swatch took me the better part of an evening, so this jacket could be slow going
Fortunately for Banff, I finished the body seaming tonight, so almost nothing will keep me from getting that collar on it tomorrow night. But you can see what's going to be hitting my needles over the weekend. I've gotta start this project with an invisible cast on. Any suggestions as to what a good yarn would be to do that with?
If you want sharp points on your bamboos, you could always file them down (or maybe use a pencil sharpener followed by sandpaper?)
Theresa, your swatch is beautiful! And I can just imagine how it must feel. I think it's so wild how, when you pull the yarn off the ball, it just kind of floats down. That lace pattern is really lovely! You're off and running. I'm sorry I don't know of a good yarn to suggest for the invisible cast-on....although I do have almost a full ball left of the color I used, which you would be very welcome to if you thought it would work.
Beautiful swatch. I have the Enchanted Lace Cardigan kit in my stash, but have had the same reservations as you re: mohair. Perhaps I'll revisit it now, after being inspired by your latest.
Hooray for complexity! Your swatch is a dream.
I wear my Birch shawl as a scarf (a kind of bunched-up scarf), and I love it. The Kidsilk Haze is so worth the trouble. I think you'll be delighted with it.
You will do a lovely job. The lace is spectacular.
lovely and a wonderful yarn choice.
the lantern moon needles have very sharp points and are even made of wood, albeit they are hard to get a hold of. I did a lace scarf on them and it made a big difference with the nice sharp points. They are pricey too but beautiful! here is their web site http://www.lanternmoon.com/fourwoodsknitting.asp
latifa
A really beautiful swatch.It will be a gorgeous cardigan.You'll enjoy making it too.Really ! Once you get used to it KidSilk Haze is a joy to work with.
Sometimes we all need to stretch ourselves a little bit,and get over some of our fears.In knitting as in life ! ;-]
x
The thing I'm learning about lace is that it gets quicker as you learn the pattern...although I'm not knitting with cobwebs it was what i noticed doing some lacey practise dishcloths and now the lacey type socks i'm doing.
still...they're not as intense as that.
that jacket will be so beautiful! i will have to come back and knit with you and bonne marie on a thursday night to see it!
KSH is very difficult to work with at first, but it so grows on you. With Birch the first repeats were a constant battle against stitches clinging velcro-like to each other, thin thread-like yarn on thick needles, all that. But then after adjusting to that it almost knit itself. I can recommend two things though: 1. markers, markers and even more markers! 2. rescue lines, thin fine smooth cotton threads drawn through all stitches on the needles after pattern row repeats to return to if anything bad should happen. And yes, KSH is not the easiest to frog, you have to carefully tink it.