So I started my curved shawl this evening, using my red Merino Oro which has been sitting patiently in my stash for several years.
That first row was nasty. The cast on is the loop cast-on, which is nice and soft and lacy, but it slips and slides around like crazy. Working the k3togs in that mess was No Fun. I'm using Addi Turbos, which is probably not the best choice because of the markedly not-sharp points and the slipperiness, but they're the only size 3 circs I have, so I'm going with 'em for now. I had to start over multiple times, and it's a good thing the kids were in bed, because there were some not-ladylike words said over it. And when I had finally gotten past that first awful row, and had completed a few more rows, I took a look at the cast-on edge and realized that somehow I had managed to break the yarn at one point, so it was sneakily unraveling on me. More not-ladylike words were uttered. I may have threatened to toss the entire ball of Merino Oro into the fireplace. My husband slipped quietly into another room for awhile.
But I think I'm finally in a zone, of sorts. I cast on and picked my tortuous way across that first row, and then onward. I've completed the fourth 4-row repeat and it's starting to take shape, and I'm even starting to see how the lace pattern is working. If my yarn doesn't betray me by breaking again, I should be in good shape....
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6 comments:
Can we see a picture?
It might be worth buying some bamboo needles for that so you don't torture yourself. :)
And, with bamboo needles, you can always sand the point as sharp as you'd like.
I meant to get a pic today, but I got too busy, and the light is horrible at night. Sometime soon, though, I will. :)
I am definitely going to get some bamboo needles... just trying to decide whether I should order some online or trek the 30 miles to the closest yarn shop....
I've gone through this rocky start on most lace projects. It makes that moment when everything clicks all the more joyful!
Lori, have you tried felting the broken yarn? Just fray each end, overlay them, wet your hands slightly and roll the join between them hard enough to create some heat. This has worked for me on 100% wool and cashmere; I use it to join a new ball of yarn, so there are no ends to weave in.
I had the same trouble when I started this - I must have cast on at least 5 times before I got it to work. It does get easier as you go along - though I have to remenber to pay extra attention on the even # rows and read the chart from right to left i/o left to right. I am using red zephyr and bamboo needles - definitely works better with bamboo needles. I can't wait to see a picture.
It is definitely going along much easier now that I've gone through a few repeats, although I still want a sharper needle for those k3togs. I'll post a pic in a moment.
Cathy, I have had success with the felting trick before, but this break was actually in the cast-on row and had partially unraveled. I'm not enough of a knitting magician to have fixed it at that point... but if it breaks while I'm working with it, I'll try it.
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