To say that the "Dragon of Happiness" has been my most complicated knitting project to date would be an understatement. I have done more tinking on this project than any other project I've ever worked on. The first part -- the stockinette border with the Chinese characters knit into it -- was relatively easy and I managed to accomplish that without any serious problems. But the second section which contains the dragon uses "ring lace" as the background lace stitch. There is pattern work on both sides, making it a true lace stitch. And you would think that 30 six stitch intervals would not be that much of a challenge to get right row after row, but I've run into just about every problem. I miscounted once on the base row and had to rip and re-start. I've run into problems with maintaining the pattern (in other words, I started out doing one thing and ended up doing something slightly different) and I've just plain gotten confused with something and had to tink back until I could resolve the confusion correctly.
I think the resulting ring lace is lovely, but at the rate I am going (I have just finished row 41 in the picture) I am destined to finish this project sometime around when Z heads off to college.
I finally decided to put stitch markers in every 3 repeats to help keep myself on track. I had put in a life line (it's just barely visible in the picture) at the start of the lace motif region, but learned quickly that using a fine sewing thread wasn't the best idea. Next line I set will probably be with a thicker perl cotton
All that said, I think the ring lace is quite lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing how things continue to develop.
I think the resulting ring lace is lovely, but at the rate I am going (I have just finished row 41 in the picture) I am destined to finish this project sometime around when Z heads off to college.
I finally decided to put stitch markers in every 3 repeats to help keep myself on track. I had put in a life line (it's just barely visible in the picture) at the start of the lace motif region, but learned quickly that using a fine sewing thread wasn't the best idea. Next line I set will probably be with a thicker perl cotton
All that said, I think the ring lace is quite lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing how things continue to develop.
or you could try dental floss ...
This is a comfort to me. I tried to do a shawl with that pattern, and I finally gave up. I could not even get three rows done correctly. Actually, probably not even one row. It was the most difficult thing I had ever tried to knit. And the finished result looks so easy. Just like playing Mozart! Sounds easy when done well, but is hard to do.
I was going to suggest dental floss for the lifeline, but I see that Nat already did. I use dental floss for many things including stabilizing the neckline when blocking a sweater on a woolly board.
Stitch markers rule! I know a lot of people think using them is cheating but I think they are life savers. Or sanity savers.
Joanna's comment about using dental floss to stabilize the neckline on a wooly board is brilliant! I have a wooly board and my necklines always look wonky. Thanks for the tip.
Just like Z, the Dragon is fabulous in progress. This project might have to be one where you learn to enjoy the process rather than keeping fixed on the product...
I'm glad I'm not the only one with problems with 6-stitch repeats. I am doing a Swallowtail and I am having a terrible time with getting the repeats correct. Couple that with laceweight alpaca and I am losing my mind. I'm not having nearly the trouble with Flirty Ruffles from Fiddlesticks with it's 17 stitch repeat and Jaggerspun Zephyr laceweight.
The ring lace is gorgeous. I wonder if there is a shawl pattern other than the dragon of happiness that uses it.
I use dental floss for my life lines. Sometimes the minty smell throws me for a loop but I just smile. Stitch markers are also a must for me when knitting lace. I am sure it will be stunning when it is done!
I love lace, but would go crazy without stitch markers and life lines! Your Dragon is gorgeous.