Never say never
I will never knit lace.
I am a mess of contradictions…and have been heard to say…
‘I do not eat scones.’ (feels like I need ‘Sam-I-am’…)
Rationalisation: Met Isobel, Holly and Sara at Keogh’s Café in a state of semi-starvation. Not much else to pick from, so eat a scone or pass out from hunger.
‘I do not like intarsia.’
Rationalisation: Well, it was all that twisting-the-yarn talk that put me off. So, like it or not, I have done it as the wonky square cushion cover will prove. But will I do it again? That’s the question…
‘I’m not jumping on the sock bandwagon.’
Rationalisation: Got swept up in the excitement of last year’s Birmingham Knitting & Stitching Show. It was the Get Knitted stand that did it. The other girls were buying yarn. I have no will power. So 2 skeins of self-striping sock yarn in my possession, and despite turning-of-the-heel-phobia, ended up doing socks.
‘I don’t do swaps.’
Rationalisation: Secret Pals seemed too much of a commitment. Am I a commit-o-phobe? Don’t know. But when Tea and Cakes and Tangelled Angel did the one-off Knitter’s Treat Exchange, ah sure, why not help out friends, they’ve gone to so much trouble. I think I can manage one. And who doesn’t like getting stuff in the post?
‘I’m not a spinner.’
Still not, by all intents and purposes, but I get the basic mechanics of it. Do I have an intense desire to spin my own yarn? Nope. Just enough interest to dabble in it. Risking Jack-Of-All-Trades-Master-Of-None syndrome.
‘I’m not interested in learning to felt.’
Well, maybe that’s one statement that I’ll not waiver on! Why felt when Holly does it so beautifully? It gives me the opportunity to be the recipient of cool gifts! Not gonna change that! Oops, there I go again…
And the lace?
Rationalisation: The Christmas project I had in mind for the one skein of Lion & Lamb didn’t work out, so what’s a girl to do? Gotta make the most of what I’ve got. So, the thought of the finished project was enough to get me over the ‘do-not-knit-lace’ voice in my head and Branching Out it is! Doesn’t look very light and lacy in the pic, but I’m hoping blocking will improve the view. Might have to do another one…wait, what am I saying?!?
So, am I making these statements as a ‘throwing-down-the-gauntlet’ to see if I can actually master a new skill? Gosh, wish I’d stop as there are way too many skills yet to learn! Hmm….wonder what other definitive statements I’ve made that I need to rationalise…
Well never say never is right! Looking pretty good, love that pattern.
15 May 2007 at 11:26 pm
Did the branching out scarf myself in a sock weight wool….like you wasn’t sure whilst knitting it but once blocked…very nice.
16 May 2007 at 11:59 am
I’ve made the Branching Out Scarf in Kidsilk Haze and am currently doing it in a handspun, handyed alpaca silk (except that I’m actually making another pair of socks so have put it aside for a bit….). Anyway, I’m pleased with both mine, and your colours are lovely.
16 May 2007 at 2:21 pm
Looks great. Broadening your horizons is a dangerous and exciting thing!
16 May 2007 at 4:39 pm
Oh, I stand rebuked! Branching Out was a failure, for me, and taught me to rip things out if they’re keeping me from knitting. I suppose there’re all kinds of people in the world, and you’re one who can follow a pattern. Alas, for me, not so much.
It is beautiful, though.
-D
16 May 2007 at 5:08 pm
don’t worry about the looks - yet! unblocked lace never looks as nice as it does after blocking! and purple - can’t go wrong with purple for me:)) and you shouldn’t send links to nice lace patterns - if you’re anti-lace yourself! you infected me with the “peacock shawl” bug after I had a look at Jae’s blog…. I hope she does get it into print - or I have to start fiddling around doing my own pattern soon…. but first I have to fiddle about with the lily-of-the-valley pattern to finish the silk cushion!
16 May 2007 at 5:19 pm
It’s georgeous, especially for something ‘you don’t do’!!!! Lion and Lamb is something else to knit with,
16 May 2007 at 11:19 pm
Blocking will make all the difference. Beautiful colors you’ve chosen for yours!
17 May 2007 at 2:10 pm
wasn’t never say never again a Sean Connery/James Bond movie??? i can see super fibre extraordinare, Cheryl starring in her own film….
17 May 2007 at 8:03 pm
Well, I’ve got one of those ‘do-not-knit-lace’ voices in my head too. My one and only lace project is going two years as an unfinished object. And now I’m spinning laceweight????? However, you might be a lace convert after you’ve blocked it!
18 May 2007 at 5:15 am
Well, looks to me that you’re knitting lace..
18 May 2007 at 8:40 pm