Not even sure where to begin.... the knitted lace shawl/wrap design project that I started just after the first of the year has had so many adaptations that its beginning to make my head spin or maybe just hurt.
So this is my story of RE....
Rethink, Ripout, Redo, Ripout, Rework, Ripout, Revise, Revamp, Rewrite, Reconstruct, Readapt, Restart
It started with the idea of a very lacey shell-like center panel wrap style shawl with a very wide heavy border to give it more stability. About 10" into the project, I decided I really didn't like it as much as I thought I would, so I ripped it out.
I decided I liked the idea of a wide border, but less heavy, so I incorporated a dense mesh stitch to replace the heavier border from before. It was looking good, but then after about 12" into the project, I felt the borders now were too wide and made the open lace work look insignificant.
So instead of ripping it out, I started with a different lace yarn to work on deconstructing the original idea and turning it into an entirely new idea. Sheer and Mesh tops and coverups are all over the runway for late spring/summer.....so why not.
With the new lace yarn I chose, I'm a little nervous about the yardage. Even though the yardage was a little over 1000 yards, I felt like I had to limit the width in order to get the length I desired out of the yarn (I really always need to buy at least 1200 to 1500+ yards, it makes things so much easier "down the road").
Even though I was now 18" into this new readapted pattern, I started wondering or rather second guessing myself that perhaps I should have used bigger needles. So since I had quite a bit knit, I decided to do a premature wet block while on the needles. I am liking the effect I'm getting and I think this pattern will look good in a solid or a multi-colored yarn because of its mesh-nature. Thru this little "blocking" exercise, it looks like I should be able to get the width I had hoped for without sacrificing too much on the length. Although, going up a needle size would work nicely too.
While I am waiting for the newer yarn to dry, I started swatching another pattern with some Wollmeise Lace that I have. The stitch pattern is looking good, BUT the yarn which looked like tones of purples and grays has way too many colors running thru it and is too distracting to the lace pattern. It just won't work. I also think I need to go down to a US#3 if I use Wollmeise for this pattern.
Then I got to thinking,....... always dangerous.....since I'm still waiting for the mesh pattern to dry.....I could restart my mesh design in the Wollmeise lace that knits more open and has beautiful color changes. This could be a win-win. Making a quick swatch now to validate my theory. More later.....
Now I haven't forgot about my original lacey shell pattern. But I will be ripping it out. While at TNNA, I found some yarns that will give my pattern more stability without the heavy border. Just waiting for the selections of yarns to arrive, then swatch, before beginning that pattern. I also think that instead of turning this into a wrap, it will be a pretty lacey summer scarf.
Even though my Knitting New Year seems to have taken a slow start, I'm still energized. And......
I have a plan!
Happy Knitting!
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