Welcome Wendy Readers!
Wendy graciously posted my question looking for suggestions for the "perfect" pattern for my beloved lace yarn. She suggested I post a photo since there are so few of them available online for this particular yarn. Here's what I've got. The colors are almost right, although the real yarn isn't quite so bright in real life--more plums and mustards than berries, if that makes sense. So what say you? What should I do with this 100% merino lace-weight yarn that is 2400 yards in one solid ball? I love it and want to love the finished project just as much.Thanks to the folks who have already commented without even seeing the photo! I'm going to take a look at the patterns recommended in the previous post's comments.
In answer to one commenter's question: yes, this yarn is the yarn affiliated with Galina Alexandrovna Khmeleva's name. I wish the site had more photos of things...I saw all of the beautiful things at their booth at Stitches, but it has been too long since I saw them, and I don't remember if their examples used the variegated yarn like the one I bought.
I'm anxious to read what you experienced lace knitters recommend--thanks in advance!
posted by Nerdy Knitter @ 3:13 PM
14 Comments:
Hi Judy! I just knitted an Icarus Shawl out of variagated yarn...I love it, but I can see that some people may be put off by the stripy-ness of the main part. But the edging is fab! You can go look at my blog (feb 19th post) and here is a link to the actual post: http://graceknitsalot.blogspot.com/2007/02/sweater-shawl-and-socks.html#links
Hope this example helps!
The yarn is gorgeous. *Going to check it out now*
No wonder everyone likes it! It's gorgeous!
If you want a rectanglular shawl, Feather & Fan based patterns almost always do well with variegated yarns. Triangular shawls also seem to do well with variegated yarns. You might check out some of the patterns from Heartstrings or Fiddlesticks. Most of them call for about half the amount of yarn you have but you could always make two shawls!
Skaska was at Black Sheep Gathering last summer and it was quite a treat to see all the gorgeous yarns and shawls in their booth. I bought some plain laceweight yarn and have spent the last eight months wishing I'd splurged a bit more.
You're in Charlottesville? I'm in Afton, working in Greenwood, an avid spinner/knitter who just adopted a dog from the SPCA (not Cricket). Do we know each other?
How about the Elizabeth Zimmermann square shetland shawl in the Best of Knitters Shawls & Scarves. Being lace weight, instead of fingering weight, it will be a little smaller, and that's a good thing because the shawl as designed in huge. It's a simple elegant design that would show off the yarn beautifully.
The colours are fabulous, but I've been burned once already by variegation not working with lace - the colour changes distract the eye from openwork patterns and complex flows of stitches in the fabric. I've doubled Mim's Seraphim pattern (http://mimknits.com/shop) to make a square version in my (less strongly) variegated laceweight. I think Wendy already suggested some patterns from 'Folk Shawls'; I wondered about the Feather and Fan wrap. You may have enough yarn left over to knit a scarf or smaller shawl as well.
Judy, I can't figure out how to email you to see if we indeed have met. Can you get back to me either at this address or the one I used last night? Thanks,
Catspaw in Afton
pattern is the Feather and Fan. It is easy and seems to work with most yarns. Maybe try the yarn in a stole instead of a traditional shaped shawl. I find that I get more wear out of this shape since I can wear it as a scarf as well as a wrap.
I agree with Grace, I think this would make a gorgeous Icarus Shawl, or any lace shawl for that matter. It's just beautiful.
I'm not a lace knitter, but I keep seeing yarns that make me want to become one. It's gorgeous.
I can't wait to see what it becomes.
That is so beautiful!
Hi there Nerdy! I have some yarn very, very like your yarn, but slightly different colors --same yardage, slow color change, etc. --that I purchased locally (PA). The label says "Yarn Place Graceful" and the website is www.yarnplace.com -- they have many colors and several fiber blends of this stuff! So if you mess up, no fear -- more is available.
The shop where I bought mine had done an Icarus in one of the pink/purple colorways and it was fantastic. Go for it!
With all that yummy yardage why not knit a pi shawl? You can do a classic EZ version such as the one published in Best of Knitters Shawls and Scarves or you can design your own by dropping your favorite simple lace patterns into the pi formula. The EZasPi group at yahoo will be starting another mystery pi KAL later this spring that might be just the thing for your pretty yarn. Several folks on the list have dabbled in the "design your own pi" thing if that interests you and you want mentoring. Just a thought... BTW, my 1st pi was variegated and it's quite pretty, so it just depends on the lace patterns you use.
Good luck!
Post a Comment
<< Home