At Christmastime, I received a lovely hank of Seasilk from one of my really good yarn buddies. Seasilk is lovely, glossy, hand-dyed....and finite. I struggled to find a pattern that would show off such yarny lusciousness, not waste an inch, nor run short. I found this pattern in Marianne Kinzel's First Book of Modern Lace Knitting. I thought that this might be a gwajus shawlette if I could reduce the sectional repeats to three (vs. six) and knit in a garter border (a la Evelyn Clark) while I was at it. The design has a 12 row repeat, so I can stop when I need to.
I am just starting the second chart (I had several missteps and three frog events with it yesterday). I plan to grow my needle sizes as I work through the pattern repeats. I started on 4s, am currently on 6s, and will start 8s today. I'll probably finish on 10s.
This old fashioned lace text makes me think about doilies. They aren't in fashion anymore. As a confirmed dish bitch, I have many more sets of dishes than my household needs. I love a pretty table, I love it when my food looks appetizing. Is it time for me to bring back centerpieces and runners? I have never received a handmade lace centerpiece as a gift. I thought about my sister-in-law, my difficult to shop for sister-in-law, and how she decorates her house for the holidays. She hates to cook, but the house looks like a magazine spread. A kelly green doily, done in a DK or sportweight cotton, would complement her Christmas decor. It would be quick and simple, and launder well. I think this is an idea worth exploring.
9 comments:
Bring back table linens, please!
That is so beautiful, bets! I can't wait to see what it looks like done up!
You're such a tease. Zoom out, we want to see more! :-) It's such a beautiful color.
Marie, I cannot tell a lie...I am having a tink event. Again.
Bets,
I just received those books and I'm loving them!!! I really want to do that doily as a shawl as well. Great minds think alike! In the second book there is a GREAT stole that is really airy with leaves in it. I thought it would be great in SKydd.
Libby
It'll be lovely, and yes, break out the fine linens. I have some from grans and great-grans and love them to set a pretty table. (running to plug in ipod and download Happy Girl Song)
i love doilies and crochet'd table runners and table cloths and real cloth napkins edged in tatted lace or hemstitching....great pattern....and I've been on a mission for seasilk for the past 2 months. none to be had in Anchorage...none to be had in San Francisco...i'm gonna haveto break down and do a littleknits mailorder but I'd hoped to see the stuff in person first...sigh....it's gonna be gorgeous!
Ah Bets, what a perfect idea for your seasilk. I've been drooling over that Azalea pattern as well. Can't wait to see it in the Seasilk. Like Lisa, I've been fighting the Little Knits seasilk craving. I have some silk from ColorMart and am trying to tell myself no Seasilk until I have done something with the other, but now...thank goodness I'm going to Urkraine soon and away from temptation.
I love doilies! Maybe because they were some of my very first lace knitting.Round doilies of the right size would look really great under that fancy china.
Post a Comment