Here we go a KAL-oling... posted by Guest Blogger Jeff

I was reminded the other day that I had yet to make my presence known to the Leaves of Grass KAL group. Oops.

So, I'm in... and I'm using a 100% alpaca sport weight called Heather Prime Alpaca for something a little weightier than the lace I'm using on the Neibling-a-long. :)

So, without further ado, here are a few KAL & NAL photo updates:

Leaves of Grass KAL ~ Ravely Project Page: Alpacas in the Leaves (of Grass)

Cast on at Midnight New Year's Day with some bubbly

 

Though this photo doesn't show it all, I am currently in my 4th repeat of  Chart C

 

 

Niebling-a-long ~ Ravelry Project Page: P♥M Wonderful - the Niebling-a-long

 

I'm through round 78, which puts me at 19,956 sts out of 101,148 (or 19.729505279392572%) of the small size of the pattern - though I do plan on adding a knit-on lace border instead of the crochet cast off (because I'm insane like that AND my crochet is awful) so that will add a lot of stitches - I just don't know how many yet since that pattern is currently undecided. :)

 

Happy knitting everyone!

 

hello! ~ posted by Melissa

Seems like the blog has been a little stagnant lately ~ sorry!  Don't know what Kelli is up to but I'll try to share something a tiny bit interesting (hopefully!).

Here's the smallest drop of progress on my Fruhling:

 

I'm on row 73...of 370 rows.

 

I've knit 12,440 stitches...but there are 279,800 total.

 

So, if I've done my math correctly, I've completed a whopping 4.45%.

That means I have a looooong way to go!  How is everyone else doing on their Niebling?  Hopefully better than I am!

 

Exciting day planned for tomorrow ~ a holiday trip to Churchmouse!  We had so much fun last year that we had to plan another December trek across the water.  I'm so looking forward to it since I haven't seen my knitting pals much at all this year!  Off to finish decorating the house and then maybe a row or 2 on Fruhling ~ happy Sunday!  

when 2nd choice is even better ~ posted by Melissa

The 'daffodil' is restashed and a pound of 'ice blue' Zephyr Jaggerspun 2/18 is sitting in front of me.

I am happy.  Really happy!  I've been wanting to knit something blue and I couldn't be more pleased with this soft powdery pastel shade.  I cannot wait to cast on tomorrow when the light is better.  Have a cozy weekend, all, and hopefully I'll have a little progress to share in a few days!  ~ Melissa

Who needs electricity anyway? - post by Guest Blogger Jeff

So as most of you probably know, we got hit pretty badly by Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy on Monday and Tuesday. Will and I have been without power since Monday evening, though, luckily we have a gas stove and hot water heater, so have been able to enjoy coffee and showering just like normal.

But what's a guy to do once it's gone 5 o'clock and the candles need to be lit? Why, knit contentedly on his Niebling by the light of an oil lamp, of course!

I've determined that if I'm only able to knit the smaller size, that would be about 101,148 stitches before the bindoff (I'm also considering a knit on edging since my crochet technique leaves something to be desired). Based on the fact that I've gotten through row 62, that's 11,880 stitches and about 11.75% completed (provided I don't do a knit on edge...) I'm thinking I'll have enough lace to do the small size plus a knit on edge, but not enough to do the large size. I still need to calculate the number of stitches that would be on the off chance. :)

Happy knitting everyone!

I'm here! A post by guest-blogger Morgen

Greetings all!

Just a quick post to check in and let everyone know what I'll be doing this time around. 

When Melissa first floated the idea for a Niebling-Along I jumped at the chance.  How could I not?  A menu of patterns to choose from that rivals the Sears Christmas Catalog from when I was a kid, (I imagine now they "have an app for that" that my kid can get on his smartphone.) and the promise of a challenge.  A big challenge.  Just to add a little spice and kick it up a notch we'd be starting as everyone is headed into the holiday season.  I wanted a seat on THAT train of crazy.  Count me in!

I currently have 4 dogs.  (One summer I had 9!)  They are little dogs and they are better barometers of emotional energy in the house than anything else of which I could possibly think.  If I sigh in just the right way they are off my lap and out of the room like firecrackers.  They know when a storm is brewing.  (True fact and most times I am aware of it enough to take a step back and readjust accordingly.)  Suffice it to say they were wary around me for a couple of days as I sighed my way through the entire Niebling library.  I made lists.  I hemmed and hawed and assured myself that whatever patterns I loved and that I didn't choose I could always do in the future.  (Please don't let these be like potato chips where you can't stop at just one!)

One pattern I kept coming back to and it is the pattern I chose.  It is called Jesien ("Autumn"...a nice counterpoint to Melissa's "Spring")   But the pattern itself posed a bit of a problem for me.  What attracted me so much was the sheen that seemed to reflect off the piece which told me I needed to use a yarn with plenty of silk.  A yarn that was spun in such a way as to really bring out that sheen in the solid portions of the work. First I had to figure out what kind of yarn, then I could think about color.

I happened to stop into Serial Knitters in Kirkland and Debi, enabler that she is, said "Hey Morgen ahve you seen the knew Sweet Georgia we got it?  It's in the basket right up front, sock in the top, lace in the bottom.  She's mean.

I went to look and saw a couple of skeins of Merino Silk Lace in a gorgeous color called Tumbled Stone.  It was one of those rare colors that defies description.  If I had to call it something I guess it would be a beige of sorts, but in the right light it has a purplish sometimes pink cast to it.  It certainly wasn't what I had expected to choose, but it had the sheen.  Right there in the skein it had the sheen.  I bought all 4 skeins that Debi had.  That gives me about 3000 yards to work with.  I don't think I'll need anywhere near that much but better safe than sorry.

NOW my dilemma is what size needle to choose.    Again for me it is all abou the sheen and that will be conveyed in the solid portions of the leaves which I think will need to be knit at a slightly tighter gauge.  I'm thinking of a 3 or 4.  I don't know.

But I will have a few days to figure it out yet.  Wednesday I head out for the Fort Worden Retreat, so I am not officially casting on until after I get back, probably next Monday.  I took the picture of the yarn and printed out the pattern yesterday, our official start day.  Blog post today, and my plan is to spend one hour every day working on the Niebling in some capacity or other, gauge swatching, color coding the chart, winding up the yarn and finally casting on.  One hour per day committment until it's done (at which point I will likely be committed.)

What does it say about my life when I am looking forward to the one hour each day of a NIEBLING to provide balance and calm???  Ha!

I am really looking forward to this!  I am so glad to see everyone on board and am especially thrilled to spot on Ravelry that Kelly has already started and is also doing Jesien!  I'll have someone to bounce ideas off of if I get stuck!  (Plus she lives in my old stomping grounds where I grew up! ~~~~Waving to Kelly!)

THIS is going to be fun!

Hugs to you all,

Morgen

should have done more homework ~ posted by Melissa

So, this post no longer holds true ~ I was debating needle sizes this morning and after a lengthy Ravelry search of circular projects, I think that my 2500 yards of 'daffodil' will not be enough for 370+ rounds, even if I go down 2 or 3 needle sizes from the size I want to use.  Bummer.  Ah, well, better to get a late start than knit 350 rounds and run out of yarn after a lot of hard work.  I'll be watching from the sidelines for a week or so until my yarn arrives ~ I decided to stay with the Zephyr Jaggerspun but instead of a half-pound of 'daffodil', I'll be starting with a full pound of 'ice blue' and not the slightest worry of getting to the end of my cone before the end of my pattern.

 

Hope you all are having a good weekend ~ batten down the hatches, all you east coast peeps :)  ~ Melissa

 

 

I'm using my husband's computer today and found this old picture of Dozer when he was just a puppy ~ napping on the dock while we fished for trout a few summers ago.  It was a good day ~

see you next 'fruhling' ~ posted by Melissa

can I get a drumroll, please.......

This is it ~ my jaunt into the insanity pool that is Herbert Niebling.  I've chosen 'Fruhling' (or 'Spring', which in all honesty is probably when I will finish this project).  I've decided to go with the Zephyr Jaggerspun in 'daffodil' and I cannot wait to cast on.  You can follow my progress here on Ravelry and I'll try to do periodic blog posts, also. 

Can't wait to see Andrea, Kelly and Morgen's choices.  I do think we all decided on different patterns so this should be really interesting!  The countdown continues....2 days to go!  ~ Melissa

...and when Jeff talks, ladies, we all should jump 'cause well, he's Jeff, that's why...let's see some pictures!!!

My foray into insanity, once again - posted by Guest Blogger Jeff

Hello there!

Once again, I've been convinced by my knitty friend on the West Coast to join another crazy insane KAL. (Actually, to be truthful, I think I may have been the one who ignited the Niebling spark for this KAL, so apologies all around *grin*).

This knit-a-long should be a lot more engaging than the last one. Don't get me wrong, the Bridgewater is a beautiful shawl, it just didn't keep my mind very focused on the knitting with all that garter.... :) (and I like to be engaged in what I am knitting). I think this time around I might have a lot of "huh? wth?" moments, and there may quite possibily be a lot of profane words being muttered under my breath. So excited!

And now...for the big reveal from JeffInAmbler (formerly jmkorn - too many people were calling me "Jim" so I had to change it!), I plan to cast on the Pomegranate pattern on Saturday. Though, based on the amount of laceweight I have for this project (2625 yards), it's looking like I'll only be able to knit the smaller version.

And... my lace of choice for this is Sweet Nothings Silken from Bittersweet Woolery in the colorway "Icelings":

Isn't it lovely?

 

I was tired of doing all of my large lace projects in white JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk, so when I found this lovely 80/20 Wool/Silk blend with subtle tinges of pink and blue throughout at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Sheep and Fiber Festival last month, I couldn't resist. I think it's going to be perfect! What do you think?

 

I'm dying to see what everyone else is doing pattern & yarn-wise! (That means post your choices! NOW! *grin*)

 

Postscript: This is a shameless plug to check out my partner's blog: Strings-n-Stuff where you can read all about our Rhinebeck experiences this year! :)

Herbert Niebling knitalong - posted by Melissa

the genius at work

We're shooting for a week from tomorrow as our official cast on date for Nieblingmania ~ is everyone ready?  Kelli is opting out on this one so I believe aside from myself, there are 4 others so far that are going to play along (Jeff, Kelly, Morgen and Andrea).  If I'm forgetting anyone, chime in and I'll make sure I've got you added as an author on the blog.  If you're thinking about joining us and haven't added your name yet, here are the details:

• Cast on date is Saturday, October 27th
• It's a kal freeforall ~ everyone is knitting the pattern of their choice as long as it's a Niebling.
• There is no deadline so no pressure to rush through his complicated designs ~ we're in this one for the long haul to help each other learn to read his patterns and hopefully, end up with some new knowledge and some amazing finished pieces.
• You can post anytime you wish (i.e. pictures to share, successes and disasters along the way, questions, pleas for help, encouragement, kick in the butt, you name it!)

So, if you've chosen your pattern and yarn, feel free to post your choices so we can see.  If you'd like to join us and haven't yet, let me know either here or on Ravelry and I'll let you know what I need to get you added to the blog.  I'm ready for a good challenge and to get back to some lacework ~ I'm oh, so close to being done with my holiday knitting (4,700 yds since January!!) and can't wait to hunker down and get immersed in this knitalong with some really fun people!

We're a week away from kick off!  Excited??  I am :)         ~ Melissa





decisions ~ posted by Melissa

while I patiently wait for some Prairie Shawl photo updates from Morgen, Kimberly and Kelly, here's what I've been up to...

I've narrowed my yarn choices for Niebling Mania , set to start in a month or so, down to 2 finalists:

shall I go soft and subtle:

 

JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 in 'Daffodil'

or shocking and spicy?

 

Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb in 'Paprika'

I'll spend the weekend looking at the patterns I bought and try and narrow them down to just one or two and from there try and put the perfect yarn together with the right design.

 

The planning is half the fun!  Have a great weekend!  ~ Melissa

 

(and I feel funny throwing up my state fair results so I'll link you back to the items I entered if you're curious to see how I did!  Don't feel obligated to look!  Links are below...)

 

Bridgewater Shetland Shawl, Beaded Advent Calendar Stole, Rock Island Shawl, Cranberry Capelet

 

who is up for a challenge? ~ posted by Melissa

I put it out there to a few people already that I'm itching for a challenging project ~ I mean really challenging ~ and that I would love to knit a Herbert Niebling design and just like that, another knit along is in the works!  There's no set start date yet but the planning has begun!  I think the consensus is that it would be much fun to pick whatever lace pattern of his interests you the most and we'll all get started on the same date (to be determined).  This will give everyone the chance to find a design that stands out on a personal level and then we can all share our different choices and progress as we go, especially since I think once we've all got one of his glorious ideas finished we'll be itching to do another and we can use this kal as a gauge to pick other designs.  I don't have my yarn yet and I'm not exactly sure what pattern I will choose, but I've got it narrowed down to just a couple.

 

So far, Kelly Lightbeam, Jeff in PA and Morgen have jumped on board.  Morgen has already done a bunch of homework in the last couple of days so I think she's chomping at the bit to get started!  There are a few free Herbert Niebling patterns as well as downloads available for purchase on Ravelry, and Morgen has let me know about this website: Doilyhead's Blog ~ adventures in lace knitting (or Raising Herbert Niebling) .  Glenda's blog (as well as her flicker site ~ there's a link to it on her blog homepage) has quite a few Niebling patterns for purchase, also.  There's a page on her blog about copyright issues and why she is selling his patterns so if you have issues with copyright infringement, you can read why she has the right to sell them (please please please ~ if you are reading this and do have a problem with her selling them, don't make this a forum to start a discussion or argument about it ~ it's a really gray area for me and all I'm saying is, if you want to buy from her, do, and if you don't, don't!).

 

So, here's the skinny.  If you are interested in participating and I didn't already name you above, let me know and I'll get you added to the blog.  I'll keep everyone posted and hopefully have a start date figured out in the next couple weeks.  I haven't knit anything that has really stretched my skills since my Snow Queen Pi Shawl over 2 1/2 years ago and I think this knit along will be exactly what I need!

 

I hope to find that there are more lace fanatics out there than just the four of us...this kal could prove to be the most interesting one yet!   ~ Melissa

 

Geometry and knitting

I had a Spirograph when I was a kid that I would spend hours with making all these intricate symmetrical designs.  I think that's what I love about lace.  What do you see when you look at designs by Herbert Niebling?  I see such beauty in the minute detailed repetitive order of everything that his brilliant mind came up with.  And I see the same beauty in even the simplest symmetry, like my cake of Madelinetosh 'cove' caving into itself as more and more of it disappears into my Bridgewater.

I so love every part of knitting ~ from planning to completion ~ but especially the transformation of your fiber as you select it, wind it, knit it and block it, and all the different forms it takes during each step of the creative process.  I might be a faster knitter if I wasn't so darn distracted with every little thing that happens along the way!

If you had to pick one thing, what is your favorite part of a project?  Is it the planning?  Is it casting on that first stitch?  Or maybe wearing your finished piece?  What a wonderful craft we all are lucky enough to have discovered and come to love.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and I can't wait to see the first finished Bridgewater!  I'm feeling like it's only a matter of days before there's a FO posted.....and I'm anxiously awaiting it!

~ Melissa

Playing Hooky

I got to take a personal day at work so went to sit and knit with the 'Thursday Group' that I never get to see.  Talk about sensory overload ~ so much chatter and needles flying and projects to see ~ how can I be this tired from just sitting for 4 hours??  I need a nap! 

Jo & Zoe got to go and hang out with us at WildFibers:

Is it just me or does Zoe look stoned when she's sitting next to Jo?  Between the outrageous locks and the buggy button eyes.....I think some changes are in store.  Thoughts???

I cast on Kate Davies' 'Peerie Flooers' while I was there ~ 4 hours and only 7 rows done.  Geesh ~ I just can't knit any faster, especially with colorwork.  It's hopeless ~ or I am!  It's so pretty so far, even just the little bit I've done:

And if you're intrigued by what's underneath my knitting, let's pan out just a bit:

The word had gotten out that I was going to make an appearance today and Linda (THANKS!!!) remembered that I had wanted to borrow her Herbert Niebling books and a few German lace knitting magazines.  Pages and pages and pages of inspiration.  Linda, I will try very hard not to drool all over them!
                                                         ~Melissa