23 January 2013

LESSONS LEARNED ~ guest blogger Eileen

hi, i'm eileen.i joined the kal several weeks ago and have had an up and down start. 
i thought i knew how to read a knitting chart but quickly found out i did not.
so with some help from lori at lorix5 i was up and running....
until my counts were off by chart B. so i took it back one stitch at a time . when i had the count correct i started again-
only to be off within 4 rows.
now i had been putting in hours and hours of time on this pi shawl, [ a total of 7 starts ] time that other things like dinner, cleaning and talking to my husband was not happening.
last friday i was ready to throw the entire thing in the garbage, [ saving the needles of course ],
when i decided one more try at it.
it worked, has been working
and i'm totally smitten with leaves of grass.
what i learned:
- how to read a chart 
[ did buy a book on this subject as well ]
- use markers.. lots of them
- use a life line
- ask a friend for help
thanks lori
- casting on using a disappearing loop


i am half way through chart C


i think life lines are just a good idea in LIFE.
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19 comments:

  1. karenJanuary 23, 2013 at 5:11 AM

    looks to me you are an expert lace knitter! Glad you did not quit on it.

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  2. Melissa ~ twoknitwitJanuary 23, 2013 at 5:14 AM

    I knew you could do it! welcome, Eileen ;)
    Melissa

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    Replies
    1. EileenJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:28 PM

      Thanks for your help and patience so I could be a guest poster. This has been the funnest KAL I have ever been part of.

      Delete
    2. Melissa ~ twoknitwitJanuary 23, 2013 at 3:14 PM

      I love to hear that :) ~ I'm enjoying all of you being here also!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJanuary 23, 2013 at 5:43 AM

    So glad you persisted. It is beautiful! And knowing when to use lifelines is a skill in of itself. Asking for help is perfect.

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    Replies
    1. Kelly LightbeamJanuary 23, 2013 at 7:04 AM

      This!

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    2. EileenJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:27 PM

      We are using the same yarn and I'm hoping my shawl will turn out bigger as well. I have been knitting on 6 needles, what about you. Your shawl sure is beautiful !

      Delete
  4. Kelly LightbeamJanuary 23, 2013 at 7:05 AM

    I'm so glad you triumphed! Your leaves is looking amazing ;)

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  5. AndriaJanuary 23, 2013 at 8:30 AM

    Way to go!!

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  6. Lori annJanuary 23, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    wonderful! it's beautiful eileen and the rest of the pattern should be just as enjoyable as it is now. i so agree that sometimes it can be discouraging when struggling with a pattern, and then so rewarding too when you stay with it and find sucess! your leaves looks like an heirloom in the making. :)

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    1. EileenJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:21 PM

      thanks lori ann, your help and encouragement saved the day or should i say the knit. you have been very kind and patient with this knitter.

      Delete
  7. AndeeJanuary 23, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    I am so glad you stuck with it.

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    1. EileenJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:19 PM

      thank you andee, your shawl is looking really good!

      Delete
  8. Leanne CoppolaJanuary 23, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    I just started yesterday. It took me five times casting on until I got it right. Just hit Chart B. We can do it!

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    1. EileenJanuary 23, 2013 at 2:17 PM

      thanks for the encouragement. i just got home from work and am so looking forward to a cup of tea and some serious time with chart C. however we are having a warm snap here maybe i should take the dogs for a walk first!

      Delete
  9. Kelli WyllJanuary 23, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Looks beautiful, way to stick with it.

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  10. AndiJanuary 23, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    Oh and look and it now...just beautiful. What would do without Lori! So glad you fought the battle.

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  11. willygJanuary 24, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    Congrats on pressing through. There is a definite learning curve in this; you become sharper at catching mistakes and reading your knitting, as well as charts becoming easier to read. It gets better!

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  12. BonnieJanuary 24, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    Eileen, This is GORGEOUS. I consider myself a good knitter and I can read charts but I think this project (and shawls in general) are a different animal and a whole genre all by themselves. I have never tackled life lines and large shawls. But someday I hope to and I hope my project is as beautiful as yours.

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