I haven't entirely forsaken my favorite hobby, though. There's been some progress on the cable lace vest (sometimes known as The Vest From Hell) this week. I finished the back, and have picked up the stitches for the final front panel.
As soon as I can sit down and write out the directions for it so they make some kind of sense, I'll get it knocked out. Then only the ribbing around the arm holes and the shawl collar to go (that's still kind of a lot isn't it? sigh.)...
I also got started this week on my Super Secret Citron. Here are some things I've learned so far:
- Lace weight yarns vary A WHOLE BUNCH in gauge.
- The tension caused by using a size 6 circular needle to knit 3 stitches of eensy-skinny yarn will cause the stitches to go flying off the needle. Repeatedly.
- It's okay to let the guru from your knitting group show you how to get started after you've cast on and flailed about 37 or 38 times.
Okay, really it's not as bad as I make it sound. It is a learning curve though, using lace weight for the first time to knit one's first shawl. It turns out that I needed to double the Filatura, and once I did, things looked much more promising. I think I've got a good start going now, and am super excited to see it come together. My guru also suggested a provisional cast on to make it easier to pick up the first stitches, and that was completely brilliant. It made life SO much easier -- I highly recommend it. Here's how my bit-o-shawl is looking so far...
And here's how it looks really close up (the first pic is better for color, though)...
I'm having oral surgery on Friday morning (Boo!), so I'll either have a metric ton of progress to share with you all next week or else none at all, depending on how much vicodin I'm forced to swallow. Funny, but this reminds me of that viral video that went around a while ago with the spiders on drugs. If you come back next week and my citron looks like the crack spider made it -- be kind, okay?
And on that note, go check out all the other WIPW-ers and see what they've been up to lately. It's some seriously good stuff!
Hope the surgery goes ok, and the drugs don't make you too unhinged.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips about lacework. Please keep them coming - I aspired to kitting a Citron one day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Friday! (Maybe you should start something a little more mindless to knit this weekend?)
I hope the surgery goes well on Friday & that you're pleasantly surprised at your lack of pain and total alertness afterward :-) As for the Citron, it's good to know when to ask for help... and even better to have a guru on call when you need one.
ReplyDeleteSurely you are in the home stretch (or almost?) on the vest from hell? Keep on going - you can do it!
The vest from hell is looking amazing. I can't wait to see it finished and on you! I'm sure you can't either. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the color of your Citron and thanks for the tips. I'm so not ready for lace weight. LOL
Good luck with the surgery on Friday!
Good luck on the surgery. Be a good girl and take your drugs!
ReplyDeleteThe vfh is gonna be gorgeous...keep going.
I have some yarn tucked away with the Citron in mind. Thanks for the heads up.
I love the colour of the little vest :-) its going to look fab!!
ReplyDeleteI hope your surgery goes ok. I love the vest even though it is from hell ;-). I did a citron last year and I hear you on the laceweight. It does get a bit better as you get used to it, but give me worsted any day!
ReplyDeleteLove the color of your Citron. Knitting with lace weight yarn requires a lot of patience at first, but you'll get used to it. The sweater vest is really coming along beautifully. Good luck with the surgery.
ReplyDeleteYou're really making progress on the vest! You're almost done!
ReplyDeletei can't wait to see the finished vest! it looks awesome so far:)
ReplyDeletei had the same problem when i cast on my 1st citron...i must have done it like...a lot! but it is such a fun knit! how are you liking that yarn? i have some and haven't used it yet...it is sooo soft though!