Branching Out

How to remove yourself from this blog

2007-05-15T20:35:00.000-05:00

this was posted as a comment on the previous post.... I'm about to delete myself. Thanks for the info Kim.

Kim said...

You can delete yourself now. Go to your dashboard, then click on settings for this blog, it will give the option to delete yourself. Click away :) I did--otherwise I would have written this as a post instead of a comment.

2007-03-14T00:13:00.000-05:00

Has this blog been abandoned? You can move to the new blogger now!

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-08T11:58:00.000-06:00

remove me please or at least answer your email.

seriously?

2007-01-19T18:50:00.000-06:00

ok what do we have to do to get removed? I'm emailed the admin as well.

-Amber

Finished

2007-01-15T12:30:00.000-06:00

Yarn 2 Balls of Patons SWS
Needles 10.5
Started Jan 9
Finished Jan 14

Delete Me from this Blog

2007-01-15T12:10:00.000-06:00

I've emailed the admin and received no response and apparently I'm not the only one.

Branching Out #2

2007-01-10T18:22:00.000-06:00

This is my 2nd Branching Out. The first one I made took me about a year to finish. I used Lace wt alpaca and it was one of my first lace projects. This time around I'm making these to match my wristwarmer from SNB Nation. I'm using size 10 needles and Patons SWS in Natural Pink. I have to say the pattern is much easier this time around, and I'm enjoying it much more!

Please Remove Me

2007-01-04T04:54:00.000-06:00

Please remove me from the list as well

profile/5393783 or Kate

Thankyou

remove also

2006-12-20T14:53:00.000-06:00

I'd also like to be removed. Thanks!

also remove me please

2006-11-29T17:36:00.000-06:00

http://www.blogger.com/profile/4509556

my name is amber and my info is above. Let me know if you need anything else from me for this.

thanks,
Amber

Remove me?

2006-11-02T05:53:00.000-06:00

Hi, I'd like to be removed from this blog. According to blogger only the admin of a blog can remove a member. My name on the Member's page would be either nonokitty or Danielle.

Thank you so much.

C'est Finis!

2006-08-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

I picked up knitting needles for the first time, about a year ago. And almost immediately my desire to knit this pattern got ahead of my ability to do it. But I jumped in with both feet, only three short months after my very first knit project and, five repeats later, I abandoned it for nine long months. Too slippery on the needles and too sticky for frogging, the mohair yarn was leaving me with nohair and a slightly defeated spirit. Since that modest beginning, I've learned much, especially an appreciation for other's finely honed knitting skills, and I decided to give it a go again. So I put this baby on a circular needle and rested easy that this was going to be, at worst, a learning project. Just not an abandoned one, anymore.

finished

2006-07-31T20:13:00.000-05:00

I cast on in February and it is finally done. In my defense I put it down when it was half finished, also in February, and didn't pick it up again until last week. I do like the pattern it is easy enough without being mind numbing, and the results are pretty.

yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, dark purple

my blog

Here's My Second One, Too!

2006-06-17T15:34:00.000-05:00

I offered to make a scarf for a friend and showed her pictures of seven different options and she chose Branching Out and wanted it in black. I wanted to make sure I would make something she would love!

Jenny

My Second Branching Out

2006-05-28T18:13:00.000-05:00

I loved this pattern even more the second time around. This one is made with a pale green Silky Wool.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are even more of these in my future! They make beautiful gifts.

aleta's branching out

2006-05-18T19:11:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! I'm finally done!!

Branching out is my first lace scarf. I started in November and crawled along for months. Even joining the knitalong didn't quite help me get over my delay. Ultimately, the only thing that helped was beer, episodes of Lost on DVD and a deadline.

Not only is this my first lace project (although I started and finished another lace scarf in the time it took me to finish this guy), this is also the first time I've found it necessary to use a lifeline (good ol' dental floss). That 13th repeat was a bitch: I had to frog it twice and have cried more tears over this scarf than anything I've knit thus far.

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, the dark purple. And off it goes to my mother in law.

2006-04-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

It took over a year but it's done

I Thought I Was Finished

2006-03-19T20:25:00.000-06:00

I really thought I was done with the Branching Out pattern when I finished my first B.O. back in January.

A few weeks ago I had nothing on the needles and did not want to go out and buy yarn at the time, hah that did not last long. Anyway I had a nearly full ball of Knit Picks Palette in Blush in the stash so I whipped out my nifty color coded Branching Out chart and started a second scarf.

The pattern was so much easier the second time around. I think knitting in wool instead of cotton helped somehow. I knew the pattern better and felt more confident in my knitting. I just knit till the ball ran out so the scarf is a bit short, but it fits my three year old daughter just fine.

Happy knitting everyone.

Two Down!!!

2006-02-27T06:36:00.000-06:00

A few days ago I posted a pic of my first partially complete Branching Out. I inquired here about trying a second with Douceur et Soie. After a few ill-fated attempts, I scrapped that idea and purchased some Frog Tree Alpaca fingering weight yarn and started a second scarf with that.

Inspired by the Harlot and others, I decided to try and double my original Olympic goal. (Since I finished the first B.O. only halfway through the Olympics I felt guilty and obligated to keep going. There was another reason...keep reading.) I finished Saturday and had it blocked before the closing ceremonies.

Anyway, here they are. The green one is Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, and the blue one is Frog Tree Alpaca. Both on US size 8 needles, 27 and 30 pattern repeats, respectively.

OhByTheWay: Three repeats from the end of the first B.O. I had a moment of enlightenment and realized I was DOING THE DAMN YARNOVERS WRONG!!!! The purists among you would have frogged the whole thing and started over. I rationalized that the pattern was more or less "emerging" and that as long as I remained consistent, it would be OK. So I finished it. The second one is done correctly, and it was in some way pay back for the faux pas on the first. Wrong yarnovers don't make me a bad person, just a crappy knitter :^)

This was my first attempt at lace. I already have the ingredients for a bigger lace project, so I guess it wasn't too bad once I got the hang of it. I have to say that the invention of the "lifeline" is right up there with fire and the integrated circuit!

Slow Going

2006-02-23T04:12:00.000-06:00

This is Day 12 of my Branching Out. I am knitting this for the Kniting Olympics as part of my first lace project. It's slow going because I keep frogging rows, but I'm getting there. I am using Merino Style in Moss from Knitpicks and am on my second ball which I felt-spliced.

I only have a few days left to complete this thing, wish me luck!

Almost Done

2006-02-17T06:16:00.000-06:00

I will be completing my first Branching Out today or tomorrow. I chose this project for the Knitting Olympics. Since I'm finishing with a whole week+ to go before the end of the Olympics, I was thinking about starting a second Olympics project. I'm looking for some input on this.

My first Branching Out is in Elisabeth Lavold Silky Wool. I also bought some Douceur et Soie (these are the two yarns mentioned in the Knitty pattern as most of you probably know - so I wasn't too adventurous I guess!)

After a few rough moments and some frogging in the beginning, I didn't find this pattern very difficult even though it was my first lace. The Silky Wool was fine to work with. For yells, I cast on the Douceur et Soie and knit a row or two this morning to see how it feels. Am I imagining it, or is this yarn tricky to work with? I ended up frogging the couple of rows and found that very prone to shredding the yarn.

So for those of you have used this yarn (or Kidsilk Haze, which I imagine is about the same thing), would I be nuts to try to work with this? I have a fantasy that I can finish TWO Branching Outs during the Olympics, but having tried the ligher yarn I'm not so sure.

My alternative is a Clapotis in Lion and Lamb. I know I can't finish that before the closing ceremonies (unless I quit my job and cut back on sleeping) but I don't think it will be hard (famous last words).

So do any of you B.O. fans have any words of wisdom on this? Shall I forge into the D.e.S. yarn, or give it a rest?

BTW - here is a picture of my Branching Out a few days ago. I expect it will look much better blocked.

here she is!

2006-02-11T07:18:00.000-06:00

My first Branching Out. What a lovely design, especially after blocking! I'd like to knit it again, in a different yarn (not that I didn't like the Silky Wool, I did--I'd just like to see how it looks in a laceweight yarn). But for the moment I've got to focus on the vest I'm making for the Knitting Olympics.

Everyone should knit Branching Out!

Just Getting Started

2006-02-08T15:57:00.000-06:00

This week I started Branching Out using Andean Silk by Knit Picks. So far I like the way it looks and I love the way it feels!

Finally I have it!

2006-02-02T19:23:00.000-06:00

The right yarn for my branching out. It spoke to me, whispered sweet nothings to me, would not let me out of my lys without it. Sooooo, after the Knitting Olympics are over...(or if I can't get gauge!).... I will be casting on finally. Oh forgot to tell you! It's Kid Merino from Crystal Palace in a pale pink close the shade used on Knitty. Can't wait!!!

Voila`

2006-01-27T16:33:00.000-06:00

Finished! I must just need to be in the mode. This was fun and relatively easy, definitely a good learning piece. I don't know why I had to frog so many times the first time I tried it. All I can say is, knit on and you will get it. Oh, and when blocking, use lots of pins, LOTS--especially on the cast-on edge. They really do make all the difference in eliminating the fish tail look. What a fun project!

"Fish Tail" ends

2006-01-24T08:10:00.000-06:00

The "fish tail" end will block out if you make certain to run something through the stitches at the end - kitchen cotton a la Harlot or a thin straight needle like a blocking wire.

I'm on my third and this really does work!

New to the Team!

2006-01-23T11:22:00.000-06:00

Hi Guys! I'm new to this group and I'm loving looking at all the gorgeous scarves everyone is making. It's great to see how different they all look using all the beautiful yarns. I'm posting a picture of my first one (I plan on making another...they make beautiful gifts!).

I used Cascade 220 in a dark purple and a heathered-purple and I was really happy with the results!

I had a problem though...and I'm hoping that someone can shed a little light on this:
I had a "v" shaped cast on edge, BUT my bind-off edge ended up straight! I had a feeling this was going to happen because it happened in another lace scarf I did...so I did a really loose bind-off...and it still happened! Darn it! Can anyone help me with this?

BO #2 - Finished!

2006-01-21T18:24:00.000-06:00

I finished my mom's birthday gift just in time. This is my second Branching Out; I have really enjoyed making and giving these scarves. Thanks for all of the encouragement! Now, to tackle my first sweater!

My First KAL

2006-01-18T14:28:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to take part in my first knit-a-long! This is the third time I have cast on for the scarf and I can't tell you how many times I have frogged and "unknitted" sections in my previous attempts. The suggestion of adding a life line was a godsend for me. I seem to be zipping right along now. Maybe it helps with the confidence level--all I know is I'm not making as many mistakes with the line in there as backup. Love the Silky Wool! Have about ten repeats completed so far.

Fin

2006-01-16T18:44:00.000-06:00

Hooray!!! My Branching Out is done! I'm so happy with the end result. Blocking Lace is so satisfying. I have a few other pictures over at my knitting blog.

My 3 year old daughter was SO excited to help take out the pins this morning. She was a very careful helper. "Oh Mommy your scarf is so pretty."

The foam letters are technically her's. They are great for blocking knits. I use yellowed headed quilt pins to pin the item during blocking. Since the foam letters are modular you can make just about any size and shape for blocking. I saw the idea online somewhere sometime last year, but could honestly not tell you where.

I bought this set of foam letters at JoAnn ETC for around $20.00 but you can find them at Babies R Us, Toys R Us and the like. I've also seen people use the large foam floor pads that you can buy at Target and Lowe's/Home Depot for blocking.

I've really enjoyed participating in this knitalong. It's been great fun to see so many versions of Branching Out.

It's Finished!!!

2006-01-15T21:18:00.000-06:00

I have finally finished my my Branching Out!!!
This scarf took me forever to finish. Finally now that I am finished it, I have the pattern memorized. Go Figure.

This was my first knit-a-long and it was awesome. I learned about "life lines" here, I got inspiration to keep knitting on even though I kept having to rip it out in the beginning, and I even got the idea to knit it in two pieces and kitchener it together here.

Unfortunately though, It didn't work out so well.

I don't really know how to kitchener and I totally messed it up. But that's ok. It's still pretty.

If you want to see more pictures of the finished product, and the mishap of the terrible grafting, you can find that here.

Thanks everyone!

Blocking

2006-01-14T21:31:00.000-06:00

I'm done knitting Branching Out.

The scarf is currently blocking in the basement. I use my daughter's foam alphabet squares and quilt pins to block knitted items.

The picture to the left is the scarf just laying out on the foam waiting to be pinned. You can see that it extends from the K to the 1.

The picture to the right is the scarf all pinned up and starting to dry. The scarf still starts at the K but extends past the one and on to halfway into the Z.

Blocking lace is really amazing. You start with this shriveled up mass of stitches that wondrously morphs into this beautiful, open pattern.

Overall it was a fun knit. I'm glad I tackled Branching Out. I'll post a final picture once it is finished blocking.

Greetings

2006-01-11T19:07:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone. My name is Karen and I am new to the knitalong.

I started my Branching Out back in September 2005 but put it aside after about thirteen repeats. It's in purple Reynolds Saucy Sport Mercerized cotton. You can sort of see how I color coded the chart in the picture to the left. The color coding really helps me follow the chart.

As part of my 2006 knitting resolutions I decided to not start any more projects until all wip's were complete. Branching Out is all that remains of the four wip's that helped me ring in the new year. I thought that joining a knitalong would be fun additional motivation to finish up Branching Out.

Thankfully I set it down at the end of a repeat so it was pretty easy to get back into the pattern.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my Branching Out with everyone.

Here she goes

2006-01-11T18:57:00.000-06:00

Here's the very beginning of my Branching Out. I'm using Silky Wool and size 6 needles rather than size 8, as the pattern calls for, because I'm a loose knitter. I'm glad I've got Bryspuns, with their nice pointed tips--I don't know how I'd manage those k3togs with blunter tips! This is an enjoyable pattern, quick and easy. I'm planning on doing 1-2 repeats a day. More than that, and I'd probably start making mistakes.

all done

2006-01-11T09:27:00.000-06:00

She measures just about 60" long. Light and airy as advertised. My daughter can now get her hair cut whenever, as this was done on a request by her oh so favorite hair cut lady.

I'm thinking of making another; I have some Peruvian Baby Silk, that would be nice.

Branching Out all wrapped up!

2006-01-08T20:43:00.000-06:00

I have been admiring all of the beautiful FOs on this blog. Congrats to all! I finished mine just before Christmas and my mother loved it. I made an i-cord with the green yarn and some scrap red yarn to create the bow. I used Elizabeth Lavold Silky Wool and I was able to get 27 repeats. Good luck for all of you fellow Branching Outers!

About Half way

2006-01-05T08:45:00.000-06:00

A Branching Out "beauty shot" with Shiloh. We are about halfway done. Daughter is pleased; this will be a gift to her beloved haircut lady. The staff at the salon are fascinated at the knitting I do while I wait for daughter's haircut.

The mohair is more purple than shown; the flash sort of fades it to periwinkle. It's light and fluffy, and about 9 inches wide instead of the 7 inches specified. But hey, it's a scarf!

Scarf done, gone to auction

2006-01-04T13:52:00.000-06:00

I finished my scarf sometime in October of 2005, but I haven't had time until now to get in a post with the all important picture. The scarf was successfully sold at a silent auction, which benefitted the Jasmine Charitable Trust. I was a bit sad having to part with it, but it was for a supremely worthy cause. If I get the time and come across some more yarn I like, I'll just have to knit another for myself. Until then, happy New Year!

Branching Out #2

2006-01-02T21:45:00.000-06:00

I finished this scarf a while back but hadn't gotten around to posting a finished picture. Well, here it is, looking a lot like it did while it was blocking. :) I still love this pattern, so I will go on to make a 3rd scarf ... probably a pink one for my mom to match (well, only in color & yarn) the roll brim hat I made for her a while back. Hmmm... wonder if it is possible to make a hat using the Branching Out pattern so that we can get a matching hat & scarf set? However, a lacy hat isn't exactly warm though...

http://smariek.blogspot.com/

.

Progress on a new BO Scarf

2005-12-31T12:08:00.000-06:00

Here is knitting progress (at last!!!) on the Branching Out Scarf:

It's actually a very pretty fuschia & aubergine combination, but no amount of cajoling could get the colors true. :( Please take my word for it, it's really really pretty. It's in a Mohair blend yarn that's just as soft and light as air. I'm making this for my mema, who wants a nice scarf, as they're all the rage this season. Check out that lacework!!! I'm about 5 repeats in I had a little difficulty at first, but this seems to be a no-frogging yarn, so I'm just kind of having to work my way along and be less critical of my work. Aside from the vein that's supposed to go straight up the middle, I think the rest of the little ooopsie's are not too terribly noticeable.

Finished my second Branching Out

2005-12-28T06:12:00.000-06:00

And I even finished it in time to give it to my mother-in-law for Christmas. She likes it a lot, and couldn't get over the fact that "it must have taken such a long time to knit." :) Actually, I only spent about 10 hours total knitting this scarf. And since it was my second Branching Out, I had the pattern memorized after the first few repeats, that sped things up a lot.

The yarn I used is "Silana" by Lana Grossa, 70% Merino, 30% Silk. Amazingly soft, but also a bit loosely plied. I only knit 1,50m/ 5' before I cast off, but after blocking the scarf measured 2m/ 6,5'! It's a good thing I didn't use the whole 100g of wool as I'd originally planned, because I'd have ended up with an 8 feet scarf for a very short person.

Completed Branching Out

2005-12-27T08:31:00.000-06:00

Yarn: Knitpicks Gossamer, in Trail. (Matches rather nicely with Ripley the cat, seen here in tortoiseshell.)
Needles: US 7
Pattern repeats: No idea! After blocking, it was 66" long and about 6" wide.

The colors are beautiful, and go very nicely with the pattern IMHO. I did my best to block it, using mercerized cotton stretched along the sides, but I only left it out long enough to dry completely (six or seven hours--I needed my bed to sleep in!) When draped around the neck, the center panels stretch a bit and the pattern in that section gets a little bunched, but I think that might just be the nature of super-stretchy merino. But the rest of the scarf stays very open and lacy, so no big deal.

This pattern was a lot of fun to knit, I'll definitely be making another. I bought some Silky Wool to start one for a friend, but I'm rather annoyed at how much chaff is in that yarn! I might just use the rest of the Gossamer that I have left over from this one to knit it.

Froggery hijinx at grandmother's house:

2005-12-26T14:19:00.000-06:00

I've frogged (for the 5th time) the BO scarf. Again. I don't know what it is, but I can get about 8-10 repeats in, and then I fozz the whole thing and can't remember what row I was on, EVEN THOUGH I was marking down notes about it, and where I thought I was. I may just not be cut out for a lace scarf yet. Argh. How is it, how is it that I can do cables no problem, even without a cable needle, but I can't keep my rows straight for this scarf?! Maybe I'm a perfectionist (check that, I AM a perfectionist), but this is just driving me to dixie!!! arg. Feh. I'm only worried that I'm going to knit and frog the yarn into fuzzed up sadness that I can't reuse. Alas.

Oh well. I'll just go mourn the loss of yet another foot or so of pretty scarf, ruined by yet another mistake in counting. I know ripping out is part of the process, but part of my frustration with this is that I have to concentrate so goldurn hard on it to begin with, and I just can't seem to get it to behave right.

I'm not starting this project again without a row counter. That's all there is to it.

(mourning sounds, and the quiet, rhythmic sound of a semi-scarf being made back into a ball.)

Sigh.

Finished!

2005-12-22T11:28:00.000-06:00

With three days to Christmas, this BO is on it's way to my mother-in-law in Kansas. I hope she likes it. I am pleased with how it turned out, it's so soft and delicate. The finished piece measured almost 6 feet (after being blocked). I used one skein of KSH in Grace and metal needles for this one, but will probably switch to bamboo for the second BO I'm working on. Thank you for the blocking tips, I've never blocked before and was nervous about which method to use. Now, to finish the second one before my mom's January birthday!

Ready, Set, Go!

2005-12-20T08:52:00.000-06:00

Hello from a new Branching Out-er. I've been looking at all the beautiful BOs on this blog for months and wanting to make my own, but I needed to finish two other lace scarves first. One of them will be off the needles tonight, which means I can soon start my Branching Out. I'm using Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in a soft rose color. I think it will be for me, unless I decide it's the perfect gift for someone. Can't wait!

Branching Out goes to the Bahamas

2005-12-19T09:25:00.000-06:00

Just joined, and started over the weekend. I've done two repeats. This is a project for a vacation that I'm leaving for on Thursday. Maybe, she will be done by the time I return.

The yarn is Barrington Mohair from WEBS before 2000 when I had a bad WEBs habit. It is more purple than the picture shows.

Will post when I return in January.

-Swatchy

Finished

2005-12-18T21:26:00.000-06:00

This scarf was a stash buster project made with Filatura di Crosa.

It's such a terrific pattern that I think I'll make another one in the near future, so I'm going to stay on as a member of the KAL.

Close-up:

Starting my second BO

2005-12-16T15:03:00.000-06:00

Today I bought 100g of Lana Grossa's "Silana" in light green. It's a merino-silk blend, and probably the softest yarn I've worked with yet. It feels really nice, but unfortunately it's also spun a little loosely, which makes it easy to split the yarn with the needle if I'm not careful.

This is my second Branching Out, and it's going to be a christmas present for my mother-in-law, which leaves me with nine days of knitting time. But she does not expect a present from me, so if I don't get it done in time, I'll just turn it into a birthday present next year. :-)

And my mother loved it!

2005-12-13T13:37:00.000-06:00

I gave my mother her scarf this weekend, and she loved it!

Maybe I will knit another BO some day... for me! Not before January, though... I'm loving all your scarves as well!

First BO in progress

2005-12-13T09:08:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to share my progress on Branching Out...this is my first go at the pattern, and it's been a lot of fun! I'm using Knitpicks Gossamer, in "Trail". It's a gift for my mom, and though I was worried about the variegated colors muddling the lace motif, I think once it blocks it will be just fine. A close-up of the lace pattern:

No idea how many pattern repeats I've done so far, but I think this is going to stretch quite a bit during blocking, so I'll probably stop when it reaches about four feet.

I've finally finished!

2005-12-12T09:17:00.000-06:00

Phew! It feels like I have been working on this scarf for months (I think because I've been so desperate to finish it). I just spent a few days on the road so was able to cast off somewhere in between Galway and Dublin.

I used 2 balls of RY Classic Soft Lux in Sable (008). Here's a close-up:

The stitch detail isn't as defined as some of the other versions I've seen, but I was aiming for something a little more 'solid' so am very pleased with it.

Finished :)

2005-12-09T06:57:00.000-06:00

I'm so happy! It looks great! I'm visiting my mother this weekend so I'll give it to her tomorrow.

I tried to block it with pins and mercerized cotton, but I was unable to block it decently. So I steam-ironed(gasp!) the wrong side of the damp scarf (to bring out the texture on the right side), hand-blocking small extents of the scarf while I ironed so that the lace would open and the width would be constant. I'm pleased to say it looks great! And it is very soft and with a great drape!

In the same table: look how it grew! It measures 14.5 cm wide and 162 cm long.

Detail of the pattern. The true colour is slightly darker, but very close to this.

Almost there

2005-12-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

Now I just need to cast off, weave in the ends and block it!

Done

2005-12-04T02:46:00.000-06:00

And here it is, blocked and just about to be wrapped to take to my Mum for her birthday today. I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.

So just to sum up:

Knitted on 5mm needles
Kidsilk Haze, colour Majestic
25 repeats
Pre-blocking 48" long
Post-blocking 62" long 6.75" wide

To all the KALers: This was my first knit-along and it was great fun! Thanks for sharing all your fabulous scarves and good luck to everyone who is still working away on theirs.

Frogged

2005-12-01T09:18:00.000-06:00

Here I was so excited about getting this beautiful lace scarf done, and then I noticed something wasn't right. After getting a little too sure of myself I had stopped counted the stitches about 3 rows down and there was my mistake. Here I was thinking I was on a roll. LOL. So in the middle of the 5th repeat, out it all came since I'm terrible about just frogging a few rows with lace, it was just easier to start from the beginning. I'm happy to say I'm on my 2nd repeat now.

Blessed Be

Blocking

2005-12-01T05:06:00.000-06:00

So I finished the knitting part last Sunday and this is the first chance I've had to block the scarf.

I did 25 repeats. Pre-blocking the scarf measured 48 inches, post-blocking it measures 62"! It's about 6.75" wide. I've never blocked an item before but I read somewhere that lace likes to be quite aggresively blocked and I think it does really bring out the pattern. (I'll post a close up on my blog.)

I used Yarn Harlot's method of blocking lace, using dishcloth yarn stretched tight down the sides, which I hope will minimise any 'swooping', and a dpn at each end, which I hope will straighten those edges.

Once it was all stretched out I misted it liberally with cool water.

Fingers crossed it turns out OK when it's dry!

Almost there

2005-11-30T13:18:00.000-06:00

I am almost there! I intend to knit 46 repeats, and this morning I finished the 44th! There are no new pictures yet, but maybe on Friday...

Then, on to blocking. My yarn is superwash merino. What kind of blocking do you suggest?

Take care!

Branching Out #2

2005-11-29T23:39:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to finishing my second Branching Out. It took me two months to complete! It's really hard to get any knitting done with an 8 month old who wants my undivided attention, so I only got to chip away at it a few rows at a time. This one seemed to take so much longer because of the fingerling weight yarn... I felt like I wasn't making much progress and I was knitting very slowly to avoid losing stitches because the yarn was very slippery.

This is a picture of the scarf being blocked; wrong side up. I wish I had a blocking board or some blocking wires so the edges will turn out straight.

I still haven't gotten sick of this pattern. I'm already working on Branching Out #3, this one for my mom. It's made of the same yarn I used to make her hat. I thought it would be nice for her to have a matching scarf.

http://smariek.blogspot.com/
.

Finished!

2005-11-29T10:41:00.000-06:00

Finally finished it - I completely started over after my last post, but I think it was worth it. Still used the same KnitPicks Aplaca Cloud in Mist and bamboo 8 straights. Here it is, blocked and pinned to 6" x 42" (I did 20 pattern repeats).

Glad to see all of yours going so well too! This one's a Christmas gift, and I'm being indecisive about making all the girls their own Branching Outs in different colors. I think I may have the pattern cracked, but it does require a lot of time and concentration.

Finished!

2005-11-29T02:43:00.000-06:00

I finished my Branching Out on Sunday, now I need to block it. I'll post pictures once that's done but in the meantime if any KALers have tips for blocking BO in Kidsilk Haze I'd really appreciate it. :)

New to Lace

2005-11-28T14:19:00.000-06:00

I just joined this KAL.....I am new to lace.....so I bought the exact yarn that the pattern called for. Wish me luck!

Finished!

2005-11-25T13:29:00.000-06:00

Hey y'all, I finished my Tahki New Tweed Branching Out a few days ago. Click on the photo for my blog post about it.

It's been really motivating to read everyone's progress! Thanks for sharing your Branching Outs with the rest of us.

Finished!

2005-11-22T14:22:00.000-06:00

I don't know why, there was a period when I just had real troubles with the repeats. There were more than a few moments of frogging.

When I switched from the bamboos to the Denises, it helped. And a few days of rest helped, too.

I used the Silky Wool and ended up with 24 repeats. I probably could have gotten one more repeat, but I didn't want to run out before the garter edge.

I thought you all might enjoy a shot of it blocking on my ~~professional blocking board~~ lawnchair and beach towel.

New to Lace!

2005-11-21T09:09:00.000-06:00

Thanks for the invite Amy!

It's my first crack at lace knitting - I'm 7 repeats in, and so far, so good (I think). I've made a few mistakes and I had to frog back half a repeat, so I'm afraid that section will look a bit wobbly when I'm done, but not too bad, I hope.

I'm using KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud in Mist, and bamboo 8's.

Finally Finished!!

2005-11-17T12:49:00.000-06:00

It seems as though I have been working on this scarf forever, but finally and gloriously, this morning I finished it! Last night I was working on it and messed up slightly, so I had to rip it back a couple of rows. I was able to get it fixed easily enough, but was angry at it so I put it away until this morning.

I did it a little differently than what the pattern called for. Rather than knitting from start to finish and ending up with the length I wanted, I knit two seperate pieces and grafted them together, so both ends of the scarf look the same, which actually worked quite well, I think. I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm going to kill the arcylic so that the ends are not as wavey, but I'm not sure yet ... nor am I sure exactly how to "kill" acrylic yarn. I used Red Heart Soft yarn on 4.5 mm needles. It's a Christmas gift for my Grandmother. I'm so very glad it's finished.

Started new Branching Out

2005-11-17T08:06:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I joined this KAL a couple of months ago and I was knitting a BO with some egyptian cotton. Well, I stopped that one and have since started a new one that I like a whole lot better. I'm using some hand dyed yarn (from my first dyeing experience)and it's 100% Peruvian wool from KnitPicks (it's "color your own" 440 yds). Please come to my site and look at the pics!!

http://www.lizknits1485.blogspot.com

Liz

Ripping, ripping and more ripping.

2005-11-16T07:28:00.000-06:00

I joined this KAL yesterday. Eagerly and enthusiastically I casted on and intended to get at least two pattern repeats completed. I wanted to post a picture and everything. You see, I have "branched out" before when I knitted a mini lace shawl. I figured this would be no problem for me. It's only 10 rows to work with. Pbth, easy like Sunday Morning! Well, I am not sure if it is that I have lost my knack for knitting, or that my attention span has been reduced to the size of a pea due to a constantly crying 4-month-old.

For whatever reason, I started and ripped out this puppy 3 times already. The first two times, I screwed up on the 4th or 5th row. Not too much lost.

The third time I ripped I had knitted the 10 rows for a complete pattern and thought I was well on my way to completing my 2 pattern repeats I had hoped for. Wrong I was, I somehow ended up with 31 stitches on my tenth row instead of 25.

Having no clue what I did wrong I frogged the whole thing again.

Cry cry.

Branching Out Update

2005-11-15T06:04:00.000-06:00

Progress so far! I'm just short of ten repeats and am pleased with the results - the pattern is really well defined.

I'm finding that I have to knit much more slowly with the KSH than I do normally but it's worth it. If I use KSH again (and I probably will because it's just so gorgeous!) then I think I would give bamboo needles a try instead of the metal ones I'm currently using.

OK - this baby has to be done by 4 December in time for my Mum's birthday. Here's hoping I can get it done in time.

Branching Out Progress with pics, finally!

2005-11-12T23:47:00.000-06:00

Hello! Here's a progress update on the BO Scarf:

It's the Silky Wool yarn that was recommended on the pattern, and size 8 Addis. The darker picture was taken with flash,the lighter ones without. Right now the scarf measures just over 12" or so. Picture credits: My daddy took these on his snazzy camera. Thanks Daddy!

Please be kind....

2005-11-10T23:25:00.000-06:00

Here is my BO started on 8's. Will blocking really fix this or should I frog and start over on 10's? There aren't any mistakes that I can see, it's just impossible to see the pattern unless I stretch it way out. I'm kinda glad I've not made much progress on it just in case I need to frog the silly thing! LOL

First KAL post!

2005-11-09T01:24:00.000-06:00

Hiyah everyone! I hope everyone's making good progress on their Branching Outs! Here's a picture of mine in progress. During the last repeat I nearly gave myself a heartattack and thought I picked up an extra stitch. I'm using Paton's Lacette from Michael's I really liked it when I saw it at the store, but I'm thinking fuzzy yarn probably wasn't the best choice for this project. Anyway, see you all later! Hopefully the next time I post it'll be a bit longer!
Happy Knitting! ~Carolyn

This is my first KAL!

2005-11-08T21:16:00.000-06:00

I started my BO today. Since I'm just getting started knitting lace, I thought I would make this first in a heavier yarn. So I found some really pretty dusty lilac Debbie Bliss Merino DK in my stash and cast on this afternoon. I think I could have used larger needles than my 8's but I so wanted to use my bamboo and I don't have them in very many sizes yet. I think it will be alright once it's all blocked out. So far I only have two repeats, but hey, it's a start....

I'll post a pic later this weekend of my progress! I just love looking at all the pretty ones on this blog. Can't wait to add mine!

Hat to match my scarf!

2005-11-08T12:58:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I decided after knitting my scarf that I would knit a hat to match, as I do with most all scarves that I knit. I had no more of the yarn that I used, but had some very pretty painted wool that I got from Ebay some time ago for no purpose whatsoever! Well, it's purpose was found when I saw that the color of my Branching Out was one of the colors in the yarn...thus the hat was born. I thought a simple hat with a Seed St border would be okay, but I wasn't happy with it, so I knit several (aLOT) of leaves of various sizes and sewed them to the border resulting in this 'Painted Autumnal Hat' that matches Branching Out quite well, although I'm afraid that the picture doesn't show the exact color match...but I'm happy to say that it is a perfect match :0)!!
Happy Knitting, Becka

Hi, Howdy and Hello!

2005-11-07T13:21:00.000-06:00

Hello from beautiful and not-at-all-autumnlike Texas - (It's Nov 7 and it's supposed to be mid 80s and humid today - how I long for some cool weather!).

I've gotten about 4 repeats done on the BO this time around (I've started and frogged this baby 3 times before.) But I seem to be having more success this time.... I don't know what the difference is, I've been using the same yarn (Silky Wool) and the recommended needle size, and I have good gauge... It's just the pattern-reading that seems to be getting to me... I've only done a few really pattern-critical items - mostly I've just made scarves and very easy hats (knitted flat & then mattress-stitched).

This pattern has been a learning process for me. It's looking pretty okay though, these days.. I'll post a picture once I get a friend with a digicam to shoot one for me (he was all like.... "you want me to take pictures of your knitting? WHY ON EARTH?" Feh. Some people just don't get it. Feh again.)

All in all, though, I'm pleased with my progress this go around - I have about 12" of progress to show. (MY previous attempts have been catalogued on my blog, if anyone's curious.

All you other ladies seem to be rocking and rolling on your scarves!! The variegated one is just lovely - I'm kind of curious to try this scarf as a skinny scarf with sock yarn - maybe as a double-panel. (I love doing really challenging things... Can you tell?

Happy knitting!
-Regina

Branching Out Blocks....

2005-11-03T19:53:00.000-06:00

I so enjoyed knitting this Branching Out that I know I will do several more after completing some other projects! It's a fun, fun knit and I also know that I'm ready to try some more lace, it's such fun, as everyone knows, I'm sure!! I have a couple of photos, one of partial blocking on the ironing board (it's far too long to fit on the board) and an 'up close & personal' shot of my 1st lace. I have discovered that I do so want to get some blocking wires! I had to reposition the scarf after the pictures were taken because of the wavy edges left by the pins. All in all I am pleased with my 1st attempt at lace :)
Happy Knitting Everyone!
Becka

New KAL-er!

2005-11-03T08:32:00.000-06:00

Hi folks... this is my first time joining a KAL, and what better one to join than Branching Out?

I'm doing my Branching Out with knitpicks Gossamer in the Caribean colorway on size 7 needles. I love this pattern, but admit that it is taking somewhat of a backseat to my current holiday gift knitting.

And here it is thus far...

I can't wait to see more of everyone elses' projects!

Finished my first Branching Out!

2005-11-03T05:14:00.000-06:00

Wow, I'ver never finished a knitting project this fast! I started my Branching Out on Saturday and bound off yesterday. Here you can see it modeled by the lovely Lily:

50g of Lana Grossa's New Kid sufficed for 27 pattern repeats. I blocked the scarf overnight, but it still has a tendency to fold in the middle. Does that happen to anyone else?

Looking at all the different versions in this KAL, I'm sure I'll make another one soon. Once you understand the pattern, it's so much fun to knit!

strickmasche.blogspot.com

Hello Everybody!!

2005-11-02T10:15:00.000-06:00

I LOVE, LOVE everyone's versions of the pattern, it's stunning no matter the yarn!!
I just joined this KAL and wanted to say 'hI all' to everyone! I started my 1st Branching Out a few days ago and am 2/3 complete. It's SO MUCH FUN to knit. I will confess that I grabbed the wrong size addi's as I began! I wanted 9's but grabbed 8's...oops! But I know that when I block the magic will happen. I was between large projects and wanted to knit a pretty scarf with nice winter colors and I happened to have KnitPicks Merino Style in Hollyberry on hand...so I grabbed it and my addi's (even tho I grabbed the wrong size I can see that it will be lovely) and began on the 28th or 29th of Oct. I quickly decided that this will NOT be my only BO!! I envision many colors & many yarns with this nice pattern!
This is my 1st lace project (I've been knitting almost a year and 1/2)...so be please kind :-) LOL!! I have posted pics of day one and day three on the needles.
Happy Knitting
Becka

Hey all!

2005-11-01T21:54:00.000-06:00

Hello!

I just joined the KAL yesterday. I am knitting the scarf for my mother for Christmas so I woud like to have some motivation to finish. I've had to start over again, but so far I have one repeat on a bit larger needles. Here is the progress so far -

I'm really enjoying it so far and seeing how everyone else's is progressing!

Second Branching Out still in progress

2005-10-31T23:28:00.000-06:00

I frogged this scarf and started over again because the first one had issues. There was a loose strand of yarn in the back which screwed up the pattern (it would have been very noticeable after blocking), and I started out the first few repeats a little too tight.

http://smariek.blogspot.com/
.

Hi, I'm new!

2005-10-31T11:36:00.000-06:00

I cast on for my first Branching Out (I'm sure there'll be more!) this weekend, and I'm 12 repeats into the pattern now. The yarn I'm using is New Kid by Lana Grossa, 50% mohair and 50% microfibre in a dark green. I'm knitting it on 4mm needles.

This pattern is so much fun! I've done a little lacework before, but nothing as intricate as this one. I'm already thinking of other yarns I could use for this pattern ...

Here's a picture of the first few inches I knit on Saturday:

Done!

2005-10-29T21:30:00.000-05:00

After almost 1 week of knitting absence, I picked up Branching Out (16th pattern repeat) and ended up finishing it.

There's a better picture here.

Finished!

2005-10-28T15:52:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I finished my Branching Out a few weeks ago and am finally taking the time to post a picture.
I used Silky Wool. It was a great yarn for my first lace project. I did a lot of tinking at first!

I am enjoying seeing everyone's progress. I may do another scarf with different yarn.

New KALer

2005-10-26T08:07:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, from Derbyshire, in the UK.

I'm a fairly new knitter - started in August 2005 - and I haven't progressed beyond scarves and dishcloths yet, but give me time. ;)

I loved the Branching Out pattern as soon as I saw it and decided to take the plunge. I'm knitting on 5mm needles in Kidsilk Haze (Majestic). This is the finest yarn I've worked with and it's a bit scary. It's so light and wispy I feel as though I need to hold my breath when I'm knitting it but I do like the results so far.

Two and a bit repeats so far, as you can see from the image.

This is going to be a present for my Mum, so I hope she likes it when it's done. Fingers crossed!

Almost finished!!

2005-10-25T09:22:00.000-05:00

It may not look like much, but I'm over 75% finished my branching out scarf ... But there are only 6 repeats there, how can that be? Well, because not only have I done several more repeats since this photo was taken, but I have another 1/2 of a BO scarf sitting and waiting to be grafted together with its nearly completed mate. The scarf isn't going to be very long, only about 4 feet, but it'll be plenty long enough for the giftee (my grandmother).

I have never grafted anything before, so this will be my first attempt. Hopefully it goes smoothly. I have the Maran Illustrated Knitting and Crocheting book to help me ... Their grafting instructions are very clear so I don't think I'll have a problem. Wish me luck! :)

Have a great day! Happy knitting! :)

~Samantha @ Me, Myself and Milotis78

new & split

2005-10-21T19:34:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! This is my first knitalong, so y'all be kind.

I've been thinking about this pattern for months, and this week I finally pulled out the silky wool to start it. Unfortunately, the yarn got knotted up and someone (I'm not saying it was MY HUSBAND) pulled a little too hard. So now I have two balls of yarn. Still, I figure this only puts me out one repeat. Maybe.

Anyway, I've done one repeat and can't quite see the pattern yet. I need to stop knitting my Jayne hat and really get going on this scarf!

new KALer here

2005-10-19T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hi! I cleared the other projects out of my basket and am ready to get back to Branching Out. I started a few days ago but kept messing up the stitch count. I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I like the Silky Wool except sometimes I think the loops stick together and that's when I get into trouble. So I'm counting stitches at the end of every row--slow but saves on tinking.

I'm enjoying reading about everyone else's experiences with this scarf.

17 repeats

2005-10-18T14:51:00.000-05:00

I posted more about it here.

My progress

2005-10-18T09:30:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to begin Branching Out that all other knitting projects were neglected. After 2 pattern repeats this is what I have to show.

This is so addicting because you see the pattern revealing itself. Hmm. I may need to start designating a night for each project so that they all get worked on.

New to KAL

2005-10-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

I'm a fairly new knitter (self-taught in March '05) and this will be my first lace project. I fell in love with this pattern when I saw it in Knitty. I'm not a scarf person (yet!) so this will be a gift to MIL. DH picked out the yarn for his Mom - it will be Patons Classic Wool Merino. I see all the pretty FOs and was inspired to finally dive in and try it.

Three Needle Bindoff

2005-10-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm 1/2 way done my branching out scarf and I had to cut the yarn because of a huge knot in the ball that was somehow created from the time I rewound the yarn to when I needed to knit the yarn. C'est la vie. Anyway, I'm wondering how the branching out scarf would work if I started a new one, worked the same number of repeats (thus creating the 2nd half of the scarf) and then joining the two halves with a 3 needle bindoff. I'm not sure if the pattern makes it so both ends of the scarf are identical when it's finished or not, but I'd like them to be and creating two seperate halves would create that effect for me.

What do you think; will it work or no?

Finally...

2005-10-15T18:12:00.000-05:00

After several unsuccessful attempts I have finally made it through a few pattern repeats on Branching Out, this time using Noro Kureyon in color 150. I would like to here what you all think about this yarn -- I know it is a lot bulkier than what most of you are using.

New KAL-er

2005-10-14T13:06:00.000-05:00

Hi y'all, from a knitter in South Carolina. I just started my first Branching Out scarf a few days ago, and it's one of those projects I can't seem to put down! (Well, with a 2 year old and a 7 month old, I really do have to put it down, but sometimes I don't want to. KWIM?) I love this pattern. It's easy as far as lace goes, yet interesting! I'm using Tahki New Tweed in the purple color. It has flecks of a burnt-orangey color and a teal/green color, which actually looks pretty cool in combination. My first post about it is here, and here's a photo of my first few pattern repeats:

The Takhi New Tweed is really easy to knit with, and nice and springy feeling (it's merino wool, silk, cotton and viscose). It's been discontinued, and if I had extra money lying around, I'd buy it all up. Jimmy Beans has a good many balls left, at something like $5.29 a ball. That makes it a great inexpensive gift--this one is going to be a nice warm winter scarf for my mom.

GRRRR!

2005-10-13T06:40:00.000-05:00

Lace is hard. Seriously, ya'll. I have cast on this #$@$# scarf 4 times and had to rip is out. I keep messing up my stich count. I think I may switch to a different yarn. The Doucer et Soire is VERY tiny - maybe not such a good idea for a first lace project. Any suggestions out there?

It's finished!

2005-10-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

I blocked it last night all across the floor on towels in our spare bedroom. DH thought I was crazy. I am pretty pleased with it - love the color and the leaf pattern. I wish I had been able to block the edges straighter, but it's okay. I can't wait to wear it. I am planning to make another one for MIL.

Cast on

2005-10-10T15:09:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I just cast on for Branching Out. I'm using the Doucer et Soire laceweight. Slippery little bugger...What yarns and needles are ya'll using? I'll post a pic when I'm a little further along.

2005-10-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

I started my Branching Out scarf a few weeks ago and am nearly halfway done. I'm using up some old brown Filatura Di Crosa yarn and knitting on slightly larger needles than suggested but it seems to be working fairly well. My only mishap so far involved attempting to frog back a row while being attacked by a kitten (never, NEVER do that!) which resulted in my having to frog the entire thing and begin again. After moving past that incident, I have to say I've really been enjoying it.

Here's a photo of the scarf in progress.

I'll definitely take notes on all of the blocking comments I'm seeing in here!

My Progress (take 2)

2005-10-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I joined this KAL a few weeks ago and started Branching Out in Rowan Kidsilk Haze. However, I changed my mind on the yarn after knitting only a few pattern repeats. Last week whilst shopping I spotted the perfect yarn - RYC (Rowan Classic Yarn) Soft Lux.

Here's a picture of my progress so far:

There's not much stitch definition, but I guess I'll have to patiently wait until it's blocked!

Laura x

Catching Up Prize Time

2005-10-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

OK, so as the worst blog-mom, KAL hostess ever, I appologize. Life is crazy! But! I have finally found the time to draw the names out of the hats for August and September! Yeah!

August winner is KFC2003!
September winner is Leigha!

E-mail me your snail addy and I'll send you a mini hank of laceweight to play with!

So close!

2005-10-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

I took a break from my Branching out when I moved in August, and just unpacked it and put it back on the needles last week. It's getting to be a decent length, but I like really long scarves. I'm thinking I'll just block after 10 more repeats or so...ha. Like I said, I like 'em long.

I think I will have to stop when I run out of blocking space on my futon, or just be really clever about it - and block in pieces, lol.