Barbara wants to know how does she find the right pattern row after ripping out a lot? 

She’s feeling frustrated with following a chart.

Great question!

And Barbara, congratulations on stretching yourself to try what sounds like a complex knitting chart!

Been there, done that!  When starting to knit lace or any pattern with a knitting chart, it’s easy to get lost.  Especially when knitting with interruptions or to relieve stress.

Some charts have over 20 rows of knitting in the pattern repeat.  Yikes!

Is it any wonder knitters get frustrated?

Many lace knitting instructions suggest marking off the chart as you go.  That makes sense, although it can still be hard to find your way.  And if you drop a stitch or are just having problems challenges with the pattern, it can be frustrating.

Especially when ripping and knitting, ripping and knitting.

Wondering if there’s an easy solution?

Well, there is.  It’s called a lace lifeline or just a lifeline.

Basically, you thread a finer yarn or thread through the stitches on your needle, and then knit around the thread.  I often like to use crochet cotton or crochet thread.  It’s often a good thickness, and will slip in and out easily without catching on the yarn.

Putting your lifeline in a row that’s all knit or all purl stitches is often easier than trying to thread it through the fancier yarn overs or baubles or knots in lace knitting.  And if you make a note of which row you’re working on, you can find your place easily.

And you can put in as many lifelines as you feel you need.  You could insert one the same row of each repeat if you like.  They can be left in until you’re finished, or pulled out when you’re satisfied you don’t need it any more.  Just be sure you really are satisfied before pulling it out.

Yes, that is the voice of experience.

If you’re a member of the Knitting Yarn, you can click on the link below to view a How To Knit Video on Lace Lifelines I made…

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To see this video, you need to view this post on The Knitting Yarn and be logged in.  Not viewing this on The Knitting Yarn?  Then click here now to read this post on The Knitting Yarn.

Lace lifelines can be an important safety net for all lace knitting, and for knitters starting a new level of knitting.  They can also be helpful when you’re learning how to read your knitting.

Reading your knitting is a skill all knitters should develop.  One of the best books on the subject is Knitting for Anarchists.  It explains the different ways the yarn loops around the needles, and should be part of every knitter’s library.

Click here right now to get your own copy.

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

This week I was wondering what to include in the next episode of my how to knit videos.

While finishing knitting my shawl, inspiration struck – in the form of a bind off especially nice for some lace knitting.  While doing the picot edge bind off, I realized it’s actually two techniques in one.

It is a combination of the cable cast on and a traditional bind off.

You start with the cable cast on. The cable cast on can be used as an initial cast on.  Usually though it’s used when you need to add stitches to an existing row.

I explain the cable cast on in two tutorials.  One for right handed knitting and one for left-handed knitting or mirror knitting.

Leave a comment at the bottom of this post on The Knitting Yarn, and you’ll get instant access to the free tutorials of how to knit the cable cast on.  You can choose either one, or both.

If you’re not reading this on The Knitting Yarn website, you’ll need to go to the original post to leave a comment and get your free download.  Click here right now for the original post on The Knitting Yarn.

And if you’re a free member of The Knitting Yarn site, you can see the right-handed knitting version in one of my free how to knit videos below.  Click here right now to join. 

Once you’re a member you can log in by clicking here right now.

Remember: Leave a comment at the bottom of the post to get your free tutorial.  If you’re not reading this on The Knitting Yarn site, just click here right now to get to the original post.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider. Full Disclaimer and Disclosure.

My mother never considered herself a knitter.

If you asked her, she’d say she sewed, quilted, and crocheted.  She did many other things, including some knitting.

As Mother’s Day 2011 approaches, I decided to look at the baby set she knit for me.  I haven’t looked at it in several years.  I recalled vaguely the knitting patterns included lace, although I wasn’t quite sure about it.  And I’m not sure I ever really studied it.

Well, was I surprised!

It’s a diagonal lace knitting pattern.  The cap is knit in one piece, with two seams going partway up the back.  The sweater was knit in five total pieces—two fronts, two sleeves and the back.

And each seam lines up perfectly.  The diagonals match precisely.

Baby cardigan shows precise seam matches in knitting patterns

Even more amazing is the yarn and needles she used.  The stitches are smaller than what I make when knitting socks with size 1 needles!

There’s a cap, cardigan sweater, booties and even mittens.  The mittens are in block stitch with a garter stitch edging.  They may have been knit at a different time than the rest, or maybe just from a different pattern.

The rest of the pieces are a combination of the diagonal lace, and seed stitch knitting patterns.  Seed stitch takes concentration, because the stitches change every row.  At least I think it takes more concentration than some other knitting patterns like stockinette stitch.

What did I learn from looking at this set and its knitting patterns?

• Well, if one of my first knitting projects was a lace baby set in this fine a stitch I wouldn’t consider myself a knitter either!  I probably would have run from knitting.  This is one of those knitting patterns that look easy but are challenging.
  
• I can see the love she put into every stitch.
• If there ever was a doubt as to where her children got their tendencies towards perfection, it’s now obvious.  And whether she called herself a knitter or not, she was an accomplished knitter.

I remember her showing me how to knit a pair of mittens as a child.  And when the wool sweater kit I received as a gift was too itchy for me, she finished it.  She not only finished it; without a pattern she cut and sewed a lining so I could wear it.

That’s a mother’s love.  While her final days were not all roses and sunshine, I choose to cherish the love, the memories from long ago, and their evidence in her crafts.  I learned from caregiving and am now sharing what I learned with other caregivers.

I was privileged to be her primary caregiver at the end of her life here on earth.  Out of that experience, the experiences of other caregivers, and my experiences in caring for others “A HEART PLAN” was formed.

The white square and heart are knit.  The letters are cabled yarn and embroidered.  It’s a way to help caregivers showing them how to to make caregiving more positive and to help themselves while caregiving.  Caregivers are often voiceless, and care for everyone else but themselves.

Maybe you’re a mother or a father or a son or a daughter.  When you give of yourself and your time you’re also a caregiver.  Maybe you help someone with shopping or cooking or cleaning.  You may not fit the conventional mode of caregiver, still you need to care for yourself.

A is for Accepting and claiming your caregiving.

 

H is for Healthy Humor Helps!

E is for Eliminating negativity.

A is for Avoiding isolation.

R is for Reducing your stress reaction.

T is for Thankfulness and thanksgiving.

 

P is for finding your Purpose.

L is for Love and forgiveness.

A is for Advocating.

N is for Nurturing yourself.

I’ll have more information in future posts.  And I’ve just opened a Zazzle Shop with the “A HEART PLAN” logo.

Just click here for A HEART PLAN Shop.

Or go to: http://theknittingyarn.com/shop.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

Ina

Ina Gilmore
“The Knitting Dr.”

Ambassador of Elder Care, HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, CaregivingWithPurpose.com and TheKnittingYarn.com

Disclosure

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider. This site does not advocate medical or other health-related self-care, and encourages you to obtain advice from your own personal physician or other health care provider.

This web site is not intended to replace medical, financial, legal, or any other professional advice. Please use your own good judgment and consult with your own professionals before applying any ideas found within this website.

The first time I knit lace, I didn’t know it was lace.

Good thing too, because I’m sure the idea of lace knitting would have stopped me. Not that it seemed too hard. No, at the time I associated lace knitting with doilies and  lace collars & cuffs on elderly relatives.

Image via Wikipedia

My first lace project? An afghan for an elderly friend. With that simple lace pattern, I became fascinated with using increases and decreases to create patterns in the knitted fabric. In other words: I discovered lace knitting.

As a first project, an afghan is not the wisest choice. Even in the simplest pattern, knitting a blanket or afghan in one piece is unwieldy. And hard on the arms from the shoulders to the hands!

What kind of project is good for a knitter just starting to knit lace?

• Knit a small project. Scarves are often recommended because they usually can be made with one skein or less, and are flat.  Dishcloths or washcloths are also often suggested. They are smaller than a scarf, and can be used year-round. They’re also flat so less complex than a 3-dimensional article such as socks. While complicated or circular projects are gorgeous they can discourage anyone who’s new to knitting lace.
• Pick a simple pattern. One that has increases and decreases alternating with straight knit or purled rows. Save the more intricate patterns where you increase and decrease every row for a later project.
  

  Knitting tip: If the basic pattern is garter stitch rather than stockinette, you’ll be knitting most if not all your straight rows. And most knitters find the knit stitch easier than the purl stitch.

• Avoid knitting graphs without written instructions. Unless you’re an experienced knitting graph reader, be sure you have written instructions — with or without a knitting graph. Lace knitting graphs can be challenging for the beginner to follow. When you’re first learning, written knitting instructions are often easier.
• Simple repeats: A pattern of a few rows is much easier to knit than 28 different rows. And much easier to keep track of! If you haven’t yet learned to read your knitting, a simple repeat leads to much less frustration.
• Use needles in a size that you’re comfortable with. Most beginners start with worsted weight yarn and size 8 or so needles. If you’ve been knitting with very large or very small needles, you may find changing an added challenge. One you may or may not want to add to the challenge of learning to knit lace.
• Choose an easy yarn to knit. What’s an easy yarn to knit? Well, one that fits your needles to start. A yarn you like and is easy for you is best. Fancy yarns such as ribbon yarns are probably best left to a later project.
• Choose a comfortable yarn. One that doesn’t itch or bother you, and one that’s suitable for the time of year you’re knitting. Unlike wool, cotton yarn can be comfortably knit all year long. Even in air conditioning, knitting wool in July in South Carolina is not pleasant!

I’ve designed a beginner’s lace knitting dishcloth. It uses a garter stitch variation of the first afghan I made:

Lace Knitting Image by The Knitting Yarn via Flickr

My Garter Ripple Kitchen Set includes instructions for both a dishcloth and a hanging towel.

Garter ripple kitchen set

Included are two buttonhole options with instructions for the hanging towel. The instructions are all written (no graphs!). The knitting pattern repeat is 4 rows, and is based on garter stitch. It uses increases and decreases in only one of the four rows.

Size 6 needles are suggested. Because the knitting gauge is optional, the final choice of needle size is yours.

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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I used to think I was allergic to wool. Every time I used it, my fingers would itch and it felt very scratchy.

More recently, though I’ve found it’s not the wool: it’s the processing!  Some processed fibers still are too scratchy, but the lesser processed fibers work just fine.  Good thing too, or I wouldn’t have been able to finish my latest project.

Here’s what’s left of two balls of handspun that wasn’t dyed. It’s from Brown Sheep Mills mill end roving, and is very soft to knit.

Homespun yarn natural colors

It was a real pleasure to knit this yarn.

I decided upon a lace scarf.

As you can see, the lace pattern isn’t very prominent:

Close-up of lace pattern

That’s because the handspun yarn “blooms” and fills in the spaces. It does, however, make a very nice warm scarf.

The original knitting instructions made a very wide scarf in this yarn. So, I ended up frogging a bunch of it, and re-knitting it in a narrower width.

And yes, knitting a swatch first helped me to decide the pattern, yarn, and needles worked well together.

The pattern comes with instructions on how to resize it. It’s The Columbine II Seamen’s Scarf in Stahman’s Shawls and Scarves: Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Neck Down & Seamen’s Scarves. This book has multiple levels of skill for the projects. I may just end up knitting several of the projects as I practice my lace knitting.

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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When I read about a bride’s purse in Knitting Daily, I knew I wanted to try its free knitting instructions.

However, I didn’t have enough white crochet thread, and the correct size needles were in use for socks I started a while back. I did, however, have a purse I’d started which was sitting on a shelf. Sitting alone because I found it too hard to knit. Not wanting to give up on crochet thread, the Knitting Daily pattern was just what I needed to try again.

Knitting with 2 strands crochet thread

I like the way the two colors of crochet cotton blended, and wanted to use them. The new purse started by ripping the “old” purse, and reusing the crochet thread.

So how did I customize the knitting instructions?

• By changing the colors
• By changing the thread from one strand to two and adjusting the sizes of the needles accordingly
• By stopping when I was satisfied with the size of the purse
• By creating my own edging
• By changing the crocheted cord to an I-cord

After ripping and winding crochet thread, I started my new purse. On size 3 double pointed needles since that’s what I had. When I needed a circular needle, I used my size 4 because I don’t have a size 3. And I wanted to make the purse now, not wait until I could purchase a circular needle.

So that’s what I did. Using the larger needles, because I have 2 strands instead of the one from the pattern. It also makes a larger purse, of course. My solution was to only do two repeats of the lace before adding my own edging.

And, I didn’t want to crochet the tie. Instead, I decided to try Elizabeth Zimmermann’s I-cord, from her book Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop.

The result is a purse large enough for a cell phone, small wallet and keys. I added a lining made of two circles of fabric sewn rights sides together then turned and slip stitched in place. This has the right side of the lining peek through the lace and the right side of the lining also be inside the purse. The lining doesn’t show up well on my pictures.

Here is the final result:

Lacy purse

For the edging, I made up my own. A close-up:

Lacy purse edging

And, yes, that’s an I-cord cast off also from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop.
.

Knitting with crochet cotton isn’t so hard. My earlier attempt at creating my own knitting instructions for a purse was complicated by knitting too few stitches on the circular needle.

All in all, it’s not so hard to customize the knitting instructions for a lace purse.

Want more detailed instructions for customizing a knit bag? Grab your free custom bag pattern by subscribing today!