Lace Advice Needed
Yesterday I posted about my lace woes, but after frogging and restarting (not.pretty.) I got into my groove and finished 4 repeats! My only concern is, I don't want to get cocky and think I've got this down and then blow the whole thing.
I'm thinking I should put in a lifeline, but I've never done that before. Is it really as easy as threading a length of yarn through one row? Or is there more to it than that? I've never seen anyone do it, just read about it on blogs.
Any lace experts with advice out there?
I'm thinking I should put in a lifeline, but I've never done that before. Is it really as easy as threading a length of yarn through one row? Or is there more to it than that? I've never seen anyone do it, just read about it on blogs.
Any lace experts with advice out there?
posted by Stephanie at 9:11 PM
4 Comments:
You should definitely use a lifeline and it isn't hard to do. Personally I used an embroidery needle with dental floss and just threaded it through all the stitches. Knittinghelp has a video demo of using a lifeline.
http://www.knitting-help.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php
I am by no means a lace expert but I am a devotee of the lifeline. I usually use scrap yarn that is a slightly lighter weight than the knitting yarn. And yes, it really is that easy. The link Suzanne provided is a very good demo.
Definitely go for a lifeline! It will save hours and hours of woe. All it takes is one unguarded moment (life does throw those in, doesn't it?) and you're on the road with a flat tire and no spare. Think of the lifeline as your spare tire. You may not need it, but if you do, you'll be oh-so-grateful.
One other plus in using lifelines is that it really helps relax you and allow you to move faster, because you know if you do goof up, you won't have to frog and tink a whole lot of rows.
I personally use a lifeline every 6 rows, because if I lose more than that, I get too discouraged. When I first start on a difficult, new lace pattern, I often put in lifelines every 2 or three rows, just to be safe.
I also use Denise Interchangeable and Knit Picks interchangeable needles, and both of them allow you to use them as "straights" as well as circulars.
A major bonus is that where the needle joins the cable and you can thread the floss through there, then just pull the needle through--viola! takes just a couple of seconds. That's why I end up always going back to the interchangeables. It's SO easy to do lifelines with them.
Though there are needles I love much more, I always end up using the interchangeables because they make using lifelines so easy and non time-consuming.
Lifelines are awesome. I always use scrap yarn in a bright color. I usually put one in after I complete several repeats...So my scarf is a 20 row repeat. I put one in at 20 and one in at 40, etc. All you need to do is thread the lifeline through the yarn on the needles - Just make sure that when you knit that row, you don't knit the lifeline into it. And, make sure you document where you put the lifeline (i.e., which row). I usually do it at the beginning of a repeat so I know if I need to rip, I always start at row 1. Hope this helps - not sure I'm making much sense! Good luck with the lace. I'm sure it's beautiful!
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