Projects in Process

I have a number of soon-to-be finished projects in the queue, most with deadlines, some still to come and one past due.

First, inspired by the Thursday, October 6, 2005 entry at I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can, I started the Hyrna Herborgar shawl from Three-Cornered and Long Shawls (Þríhyrnur og Langsjöl) by Sigrídur Halldórsdóttir. Per Susan's notes, the shawl takes slightly more than one ball of lace-weight Misti Alpaca.

The pattern had been going well up to where it is now, but I think I'm off a stitch, so I need to go back a couple of rows. I hope I can fix it. Susan finished her shawl in a week (!) but I certainly won't be.

I need to sew up and block some knitted Barbie outfits for my niece's birthday coming up. I'll post pictures when those are done.

My hemp shopping bag is finished except for sewing it together and knitting and attaching the two shoulder straps.

Finally, I finished knitting and blocking a piece for a gift. I also picked out the fabric it needs. Now I just need to figure out how to assemble it. Again, pictures will be posted once the project is completed.

Knitted Lace Books

On my recent trip, I was in Berkeley for half a day and was able to squeeze in a short trip to Lacis. I had come prepared with a list as I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to stop in. But if I can shop efficiently for anything, it would be books!

First I found two sets of miniature double-pointed knitting needles, 4 inches in length, .75mm and 1.25mm.

Then I hit the bookshelves.

Knitted Lace, by Sonja Esbensen and Anna Rasmussen. This is the first book of Danish knitted lace patterns by Esbensen, and it has been translated into English. So now I can consult it when I have questions about Kunststrik II.

Creative Knitting, by Mary Walker Phillips. When I had seen this book earlier, I didn't think I'd be too interested. But after seeing Janice Rosema's freeform knitting and crocheting at the LA County Fair, I am intrigued with the possibilities of "non-traditional" knitting ideas.

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls, by Martha Waterman. Techniques, history, stitch patterns, finishing, ideas for wearing shawls.

Creating Original Hand-knitted Lace, by Margaret Stove. Construction techniques and patterns.

Knitting: 19th Century Sources, edited by Jules & Kaethe Kliot. My favorite! Excerpts from Weldon's Practical Knitter. Patterns for everything just as they were published (and illustrated) in the late nineteenth century in England. Counterpane squares, socks, edgings, doll clothes, baby clothes, anti-rheumatic kneecap cover, knickerbockers, petticoats, barrister's wig in puffed knitting, etc.

The preface includes a short quote from Weldon's Practical Needlework:

[Knitting] does not distract the attention or check the powers of imagination. It forms a ready resource when a vacuity occurs in conversation; it impairs neither body nor mind, and requires no straining of the eyesight. It may be interrupted without loss, and again resumed without trouble. [...]

My hemp string bag proved to be an excellent project for traveling as it has just two simple pattern rows that can be easily interrupted and resumed, the hemp doesn't show dirt, and the tension/gauge doesn't have to be exact.