Thursday, June 30, 2005

I am writing it

I ended up froggin my first attempt at the Branching Out Wrist Warmers and this time around I am writing down what I am doing:

Wrist Warmers

I figured out that some planning is necessary!

progress pic and lifeline explanation

Hi there! Sorry I didn't get a picture up sooner, but at least I remembered to bring the camera and scarf with me today. I'm now 9 repeats in and going strong.



The weird looking green string is my lifeline - DMC embroidery floss. For the person who asked the other day a lifeline is an extra piece of string/yarn that you run through the live stitches on your needle at a particular point (of your choosing). If you manage to mess up your knitting or a needle falls out the lifeline stops the stitches from unraveling any further so that you pick up and start over again with stitches that you know to be correct. It's recommended to use string/yarn that won't stick to the yarn you're using for the project. I'm using the lime green floss because, really, what else would one use that color of floss for? =) When I started putting in the lifelines I was putting one in every repeat and leaving them there. After about 6 times of doing that I got tired of looking at all the funky green strings on my scarf and removed all but the current one. Now when I get to row 10 I go back and remove the line and reinsert it on the current row. So far it's working beautifully.

branching out


branching out
Originally uploaded by DandyLion1974.
Hi everyone... I just joined a couple days ago, and also just started BO a couple days ago too!
I'm using Twinkle Toes yarn (yep sock yarn) and I had started out using 4.5 DPN, they were so heavy so when we were in the city yesterday I treated myself to some clover bamboo needles... they are light as air, I just love them!!
It's my first time knitting lace and I really must say I love it.... I'm at 20 repeats so far, and think I'll have to do at least another 20... maybe a bit more.. I have 440 yards of the yarn so I don't have any worries of running out, I'd love to make this scarf as big as possible!

I love seeing everyones BO's...
inspirational!!

Thanks for letting me join

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

progress and a question... or few

I'm about 30 reps into the pattern now, at 20 or so, I decided to start following the chart instead of trying to keep track of the written rows. No idea why i didn't decide that much sooner, as it would have led to not as many half-row tinking fiestas in the first 20 reps. Ah well, live and learn I guess.

Questions: Is my figuring correct in that once I'm all done with the scarf, one end will be more stitches wide than the other? If so, is that fixed with blocking? And how the heck am I supposed to block this thing? It's long. Really long.

change of plans

Apparently the knitting gods were not pleased with my progress so somehow during the 6th repeat I screwed up and couldn't for the life of me figure out how or where. So I frogged it and started over using smaller needles and putting in a lifeline after every repeat. I don't think I'll *ever* do lace without a lifeline again. Already I've used it twice and it's been a total blessing. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have progress pictures. I'm up to repeat 9 now and it's looking pretty spiffy if I do say so myself. =)

Hello and Help!

Hello,

First, I'd like to thank Yarner from knitty.com for sending me her Silky Wool yarn. I've tried this pattern about 6 or 7 times now and it is definitely showing up better on the Silky Wool than my initial attempts on alpaca yarn.

I've sat and analyzed a bunch of knitting clips/videos online and it appears I am doing everything right on the pattern instructions. But after looking at the scarves that some of you have finished, I realized that something is going wrong w/mine. The "holes" in my scarf aren't as pronounced, thus the leaves don't really stand out in the pattern and they sort of blend into the background.

I hope Lizzie doesn't mind that I'm going to borrow a part of her picture for this! (Your scarf is coming out pretty fantastic btw.)



As you can see in Lizzie's scarf, the blue and orange pieces are 'twisted' together. All of those corresponding parts are nice and twisted which is why the "holes" are nicely formed. On my scarf however, my 2 pieces aren't twisted. So if you were looking at my scarf the 'blue' and 'orange' pieces would be separate and side by side. This is why my "holes" aren't as defined.

Does anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong? I'm not an advanced knitter so I don't know what part of the pattern I'm messing up on. I hope my post at least makes some sense and that someone will be able to help me out on this.

Many thanks in advance!

Slowly but surely...


I haven't made a lot of progress on the Cascade 220 BO scarf, but here it is. Hmmm. I just realized that "BO scarf" sounds pretty bad.

Monday, June 27, 2005

Hello!

Hello, and thanks for letting me be a part of this KAL. This is my first time knitting lace, and my very first KAL, so I'm extra excited.

This morning I started Branching Out. I'm using Red Heart Soft Touch yarn in an offwhite colour (I'm not sure what the exact colour is called -- perhaps it's just called "Off White", though it looks quite different IRL than it does on the linked page) on 4.5mm needles. It's going to be a Christmas gift for my Grandmother. I have 4 repeats done (no pictures yet -- sorry!) and so far its knitting up wonderfully. Quite enjoyable really. I have plans to knit another one for myself once I'm done this one.

Happy Knitting!!

Friday, June 24, 2005

My Branching out Progress

Hello all! I'm glad to have stumbled upon this site because I just started Branching Out last night! Here are the pics:








Lizzie

It's finally here!

My yarn finally arrived today, I was starting to get worried. One skein of Alpaca Cloud in "Mist", and six skeins of Shimmer in "Grape Hyacinth" from KnitPicks. Wow, this is thin yarn, makes me a little nervous. *eek*

I need to unearth a set of #8 needles before I can get started, seems they all have something on them. I have so many sets of 8's you wouldn't think it would be an issue.

I'm excited to start my first lace project!

Thursday, June 23, 2005

hi there!

Greetings from a new member and new lace knitter! =) I've not gotten too far with my scarf yet, but here's a pic of my progress so far...


I'm using size 8 needles and Alpaca Cloud yarn in "Sunshine" from KnitPicks. This is two repeats in and so far I have to say that I'm enjoying working from a chart a whole lot more than I thought I would!

Here is mine so far!

I LOVE this pattern! I can't wait to get some different yarn to make this in! Right now I am knitting it in a cotton. I am not sure what to get to use next but this will be made again in something silky feeling! I hope to have more pictures in the future!!!

I have a pic on my blog dated June 22nd!

http://www.knittingsolo.com/blog

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

I Started (Twice)!

I successfully cast on and knit two repeats and then decided that I really, really love the blue Silky Wool, but I really, really don't think it makes good leaves. I also decided that the cheap circulars I was using were too irritating to continue with. I wandered into a wonderful LYS and picked up a pair of Addi Turbos (natura -yummy) and spotted some Silky Wool in Moss. Today, I cast on and knit three repeats in Moss and love it! I haven't yet ripped out the blue. I may give my sister a peek at the pattern and color to see if she likes it. If she does, I may just keep knitting it for her. Onward!

Monday, June 20, 2005

Hello to all

Hello -- I'm new on the Knit Along, but am enjoying seeing everyone's scarves. This is my first attempt at lace, although I did learn some of the techniques with my clapotis. I'm enjoying it so far! I'm also knitting from a chart for the first time. I'm happy to have gotten the hang of it.

I'm using black silky wool that I (can you believe it) already had in my stash. I had the yarn and the needles, and only needed to print out the pattern. Unbelievable.


I'm still trying to figure out how to include a photo in a post, but if you would like to see one, it is posted on my blog. Any hints on how to include a photo with a post? I'm actually enjoying learning out this "blogging thing."

Kim in WV

Newbie and question

Hi. I just started my Branching Out scarf (it's a surprise for my mother...) using Schoeller Esslinger Merino Soft, in colour Arabesque. I have knitted 2 repeats (with no mistakes) using 3,5 mm needles, and now I will knit another sample with 4,5 mm needles.

Anyway, I would like to know how much should I expect the scarf to grow lengthwise and widthwise, i.e., if before blocking it measures, say, 10 cm width and 120 cm length, after blocking how much should it measure?

If I find it too narrow for my mother, I will think of some solution.

Thanks a lot and happy knittings,

knit_tgz

P.S. I have taken a picture of my BO, but it's very blurry and the colour is not very true.

fully grown

branching out c'est fini! actually i finished a while back but didn't get to take pictures until recently. so here she is! a gift for a friend made out of jo sharp cotton. hope everyone else is having/ had as much fun making it as i did!

one or two more photos on flickr :D

Intro and Progress

I just joined the kntialong, but I thought I'd post my progress thus far. I am using Blue Sky Alpaca in New Pink and US 10's (the yarn is thicker than the pattern suggests and I am a notoriously tight knitter). So far I am about 4 repeats in because this is my first lace project and I really have to concentrate on what I am doing. In this picture it is laying on the keyboard of my 12" Apple Powerbook (to give you an idea of the actual preblocked width).

See more of my project pictures here.

I tried

I'm sorry but I have tried and tried to get this thing right and much as I hate it, I'm conceding defeat--temporarily anyway. Everyone's scarves and shawls are so very beautiful. What great jobs you have all done.

I am feeling a little guilty and not a little inept about not finishing but perhaps this pattern just isn't for me.*sniffle*

Good luck to the rest of you.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Just Starting

I am just about to cast on. I have some gorgeous blue Silky Wool and simply must start this today!
I'm done! Pictures coming soon..

Friday, June 17, 2005

another jumps on the wagon

Hi--I've finally decided to start working on my Branching Out. I got yarn yesterday and I'm going to see how it swatches up before I decide if I'm going to use it--it's significantly larger than what was used in the model and it's varigated. It may end up being more of a wrap than a scarf :)

Happy weekend and happy knitting,
Aloha:)

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Not giving up!

So this is the newest Branching Out... the other in the Kolibri olive cotton just was not working out well.

I'm using Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in the Sunlight colorway. Very pretty but very thin and I'm thinking I should have gotten an evtra skein and doubled it. It's only about 3.5 inches wide, but maybe it will be bigger and behave a bit better after its blocked. Any thoughts?

Oh...and I made it to three pattern repeats without frogging! A milestone! LOL

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

New to Branching out

I recently decided to jump on the bandwagon and make branching out. This will be my first lace. Ok, that's a lie. I have been working on the opera scarf for a few months now (it's my mindless knitting project that I always have nearby, when I don't want to think to much). I am hoping to start in the next few days. I am a little unsure about the yarn I bought for this, Kid Seta. Has anyone else used this? I'm pretty sure it's lace weight, definately the thinnest yarn I have ever used. Kind of intimidating to be honest. But the color is just beautiful! A dark mossy green. Anyhow...So what do you guys think?

Latecomer just started

Hi everyone,

I hope it isn't too late to join in. I'm very excited. This is my very first knitalong! I haven't yet figured out which "nice" yarn I will use for this, however I have started the pattern in the meantime with a different yarn and have completed 3 repeats so far. I have a hard time seeing the pattern, it shows better against this white background.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

After 4 tries, I finally got a photo posted correctly. Yay!

Is there a trick to taking pictures of our knitting? This didn't seem to turn out very well.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Phew!! BO #2 is finished!!

Hurrah! BO #2 is finally finished. This is knit in Rowan KSH shade 589.

I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out. I stopped at 25 repeats as I didn't want it to be a really long scarf. Pre blocking it was 45", post blocking 53.5". This is for my sis-in-law, Deb, who is such a good friend, and who has had a bit of a traumatic year so far. I hope she likes it!

I felt by the end I'd finally got to grips with knitting with this yarn, and it was worth the effort! I also got the pattern repeat down from almost an hour per repeat to 20 minutes!

I love lace knitting!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Friday, June 10, 2005

Finito!

After many hours of painful frogging and reknitting BO is finally finished, blocked and ready to go to its new home. I am really proud of this piece, the written instructions were easy to follow and it was a really good knit!!! For more pictures click here.


Thursday, June 09, 2005

Hi!

Thanks for letting me join your KAL. This will be my first attempt at knitting lace and I am very excited.

I ordered my yarn today so it should be here early next week. I chose Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Mist after seeing several others had good results with the Alpaca Cloud. Since I was placing an order anyway I went ahead and ordered some Shimmer in Grape Hyacinth, but I did hold it to just those two, this time.

~JSC
http://justsewcrafty.blogspot.com

Just started!

I just wanted to say hello to everyone. My name is Gina and I have just began my lace addiction.. lol

I just started this pattern last night and it is looking good! I am just using a cotton I had sitting lonely in a drawer... Its done in Lilac. I will post pictures today or tomorrow! Glad to be here!!!

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

all done!


branching out
Originally uploaded by turtalia.
I finished my branching out. here is in all its blocked and ready glory. It grew quite a bit with blocking which was cool. and I hope my mom will love it!
I used a hand spun/dyed 100% silk yarn from The Yarn Tree in Brooklyn, NY. They are awesome. happy knitting!

First lace attempt

This is my first attempt at knitting lace, and surprisingly it's easier than I thought it would be.

I started Branching Out a few nights ago using Caron Simply Soft because I couldn't wait any longer for my silky wool to come in. Here's my progress thus far:



I'm looking foward to working on it some more tonight!

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Finished!

All blocked and ready to go out on the town. Er, I meant ready to be given to a very nice, prim Kindergarten teacher.



The Silky Wool relaxed a lot after blocking. It became even silkier and softer, and stretched and bent with ease, which helped me get the curve out of the starting repeat. It's surprisingly light and airy, and looks wonderful.

Friday, June 03, 2005

Progress!! FINALLY!

I've finally made progress!! I had to start and rip and restart this thing so many freaking times, but I finally made it first the past repeat.. in fact, I'm 5 and a half repeats in! :)

Here's a photo:



Isn't she cute? :)
I'm using the Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool - I think the color is sage. :)

Bah!!! I'm an idiot.

This is my very first lace project AND my very first time using a chart. Well, I've been reading the chart from left to right! I don't know how I missed the right to left thing in the directions but, ack...how dumb. And hey, surprise, surprise, it's made a huge difference.

Are all charts read from right to left, or is this one different? Obviously, the moral of the story is to READ the pattern before jumping in.

It got longer?

Just finished reading the post below. Very pretty scarf, that.
But the comment that the scarf "got longer" after blocking surprised me.
I was thinking that the stretching out width-wise in blocking, to make the leaf lace really stand out, would result in a wider, somewhat squatter scarf. No?
This is my first all-lace project, so I have no expereince to draw on. What say all of you with finished Branching Outs?
Janina in Red Deer

Thursday, June 02, 2005

The finished product!

Branching Out 060205

I never got to post a picture of my finished BO because I ended up giving it to my mom almost immediately afterward.

This is my mom wearing the scarf (my guess is for the photo shoot my brother held, as opposed to her actually wearing it somewhere ;)

I think she was happy that I made her something for Mother's Day, even if it was several weeks late.

The scarf became substantially longer post-blocking - I didn't measure, but it added maybe 6+ inches to the length. I personally liked the original length, but that is something to keep in mind for the next project!

Moving right along

It's getting longer, I swear. Not sure exactly why, but as I knit this up it never seems to get any longer although I *know* I have finished many more repeats. I've taken to counting leaves and comparing with the last time I picked it up. Need to be done by next week, so there should be a finished picture very soon.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

new brancher here

hi all. i started my "burning branches" a few nights ago, then had to rip the whole thing once i realized that the slip2, k1, p2over part means i'm supposed to slip 2 AT THE SAME TIME. silly me. now that i've got that all figured out, i've got 8 repeats re-done and i think it looks much better than before (though the picture is all scrunchy).



i'm using knitpicks "color your own" merino that i dyed with kool-aid. the yarn was slated for another project, but branching out made me change my mind, and i'm glad i did.

thanks for letting me play along.

betsy.

Update

Well I haven't been knitting the scarf for a while but thought I would post an update. Am just over half way through. The loose ends on the scarf are exactly 18 repeats in so the 2 balls will knit a perfect 36 rounds. Still frogging at least twice a repeat- I must remember to concentrate when knitting this.
There's even a picture!! (excuse the backdrop- the best light is over the computer!)


Kate