Mountain Lace Knitalong

mountain stream scarf done a long time ago

2007-01-22T08:35:00.000-08:00

i finished my mountain stream scarf last spring but never got around to posting. i decided that i had better take some photos of my scarf since i was giving it away this past weekend. and since i took some photos, why not post to the blog?!!

was going to try some artsy shots but ran out of time AND it's been cold

close-up

i used less than 2 skeins of knitpicks' alpaca cloud
19 repeats
finished size: 10" x 48"

i entered this scarf in my county fair last summer and received a red ribbon! i plan on making another one for ME! ME! ME!

susan, thank you for the wonderful pattern!

New to the KAL

2006-11-30T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hi there,

I'm not sure how active this KAL is but I happy to be here either way. I am working on my shawl using JaggerSpun Zephyr in curry. I was unsure about this lace knitting thing and how to read charts. Miriam has been a wonderful help and I've made it to chart three. I'm stuck again and thought I'd ask you guys about it as well. I'm on row 1 of chart 3. I've shifted the markers in my knitting to reflect chart 3... but the final repeat before I reach the spine of the shawl seems to be off... I'm supposed to have k1, ssk, yo, k3, (yo, ssk) 3 times, k1, yo... but I only get k1, ssk, yo, k3, (yo, ssk) 2 times with one stitch left over. Is there something I'm missing? Do the spine markers move too?

Thanks for your help!

Enter: one Mountain Peaks shawl

2006-10-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

I was alone in the house when I was ready to take pictures, so had to settle for a chair as a model. If you want to see a couple more pics of it, they're in my blog. I love the way this turned out. Love, love, love it. I *may* have done one too many repeats of that first big chart... I say that because the shawl is wider than I thought it would be, and I had 12 border repeats to each side of the corner motif. No harm done. I had plenty of yarn (10 grams left), and I like the larger size.

Getting closer

2006-10-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

I knit like a demon on my shawl this weekend. Got the pesky corner mastered, third time’s a charm, and continued on up the other side. I knit six repetitions of the border motif, and have six more to go.

It’s just magical to me how you knit along and suddenly, poof!, you have a ninety degree corner. Awe inspiring. Knit stitches are so smart. They know exactly what to do.

Since I love looking at close-ups of other peoples’ knitting in their blogs, here’s one for you. I got down fairly low with the camera, and took a side shot. You can sort of see where the lacey peaks point up somewhere inland from the edge.

If you want to see a couple more pics of this, see my blog.

Mountain Stream, maybe.

2006-10-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to a big sale at an LYS that is closing, & I found the perfect yarn for the Mountain Stream scarf. I bought 2 skeins of bright blue laceweight for 30% off regular price. Score! So now I am undecided as to which I will start when I am done with my Hidcote.

(& there will also be some holiday gift knitting to be worked into the next couple months too, which will further delay my knitting any more for myself.)

Finally, another pic!

2006-10-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting here much, but I've been knitting along. I finished up chart 3 (yes, it's wonderful to be able to move on to the next chart, Lucinda), AND I finished that up as well. I'm now working on the edging, and I have to say that I love, love, love how the border is working out. It's gorgeous, and so satisfying to knit! :-)

I have link to another photo in this post in my blog, if you want to see it from a little farther away.

Oh, and I'm knitting it with Alpaca Cloud from KnitPicks. This is my second shawl with this yarn, and it's divine. Soooo soft. Lovely yarn.

Just joining

2006-10-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm just now joining this KAL. I know, I'm late to the party. I'm also knitting out of order, as I'm currently about 2/3rds done with the Hidcote Garden Shawl & plan to finish that before starting the Mountain Lace one. However, I have my yarn all set aside for Mountain Lace & hope to be starting it within the next few weeks.

I've followed the links for the finished shawls in this KAL & they are all simply lovely! I'm really looking forward to starting mine.

Chart 2 done!

2006-09-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

After getting nearly 3/4 through knitting chart 2 I looked at it, and it just wasn't right. I was really glad I'd put in a life line. Gads. Out it came. I re-knit chart 2, more carefully, and finished that up over the weekend. I started chart 3 (after moving my life line up) and my second ball of yarn at about the same time. So far so good.

Mountain Peaks shawl finished

2006-09-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting much as I have been so busy trying to finish this shawl in time for the Autumn.
I am so pleased with the result!

Knitted in Knit Picks Shimmer Lace weight on 3.75mm bamboo needles.

The only alteration that I made to the pattern ( it wasn't planned) was to knit an extra repeat of chart 1 - guess who can't count!

The colours in the yarn compliment the pattern beautifully and even the edging chart wasn't too much of a trial:-)

Many thanks to Mim for such a wonderful pattern.

I'm off now to spin enough laceweight to knit the Mountain Stream scarf :-)

On to chart 2

2006-09-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

I finally finished up the three repeats of chart 1, and have moved on to chart 2. Woohoo! For a complete run down and another photo, see my blog.

Knitting along

2006-08-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have the first repeat done now. I'm quite certain I'd be farther along if I spent more time on it (duh), but so far anyway, I'm having to concentrate too much to do that for long. I have now, however, in spite of myself, finished the first repeat. Ta da! I'll move the lifeline and resume knitting on it this evening.

A new start

2006-08-19T03:22:00.000-07:00

I only just started my Mountain Peaks Lace Shawl a couple of weeks ago. This photo is actually a week old. I've now finished the first repeat of Chart 1, and need to cut and insert a new lifeline... Just in case.

I'll share a more current photo as soon as I have one. You can read about all my trials so far in my blog.

Mountain Peaks Shawl, Done

2006-08-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

It's only three months late.

It's a very belated Mother's Day gift for my mom...I think she'll get over the tardiness. ;)

Thank you, Mim, for a wonderful pattern!

It's done!

2006-07-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

It took a little less than two balls of Koigu - if I am to make another one, I'll probably make it longer. Or double the center panel and make it a stole.

Lu

Done!

2006-06-19T05:32:00.000-07:00

I finished yesterday! I love this scarf! Now I need to get up the courage to tackle the shawl!

I am half way there!

2006-06-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

Seven repeats down!

I can't put it down

2006-06-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is an old photo, two repeats only, but I finally "got" the pattern and last night I was knitting it at 12:30 am, I can't put it down, I am in love!

I finally started!

2006-06-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

I only bought the pattern for the Mountain Stream Scarf a few weeks ago. I wanted to start right away, but it just didn't happen. I finally cast on today, and made it past the corners and through 2 body chart repeats! So far no major mistakes and I'm loving this knit! I'm using the Kidsilk Haze in a pretty light blue. This is my first time with this yarn and I am in heaven.

How is everybody doing?

2006-05-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

I frogged mine. I may be the only knitter on earth who feels this way, but I just hated the Kidsilk Haze - gasp!

So, to the frog pond, the pattern is just beautiful, but the yarn was not working for me.

I have already chosen a new yarn:

The two skeins on the left are already wound in two balls, ready to be knitted.

I've got mail

2006-05-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

I have received this from Miriam

and I just love it. Beautiful colours and soft, soft yarn. I keep it close to my knitting chair so I can touch it every now and then.

I have been knitting on my scarf, too but the weather in Denmark is not mohair weather right now so I haven't touched it for a while. I enjoy the pattern very much and the scarf will be finished when the weather allows it!

Sorry for the crappy photo. Somehow the colour of the yarn makes it almost impossible to take an acceptable photo.

Best,
Mette

how's everyone doing?

2006-05-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't heard from anyone on here for a while. how's everyone's projects going?

Another completed Scarf

2006-05-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

I finished my Mountain stream scarf last week-end. Up until last Friday I only had three repeats completed. I spent Saturday and Sunday knitting on it, and finished late Sunday night. Can I just say how much I LOVE this scarf and the pattern?! The techniques used really made it fun. The surprising part...I didn't have to frog one single time. That is a big deal with lace knitting and kidsilk haze. At least for me it is! This was my first kidsilk haze project and I see what all the fuss is about. I used one ball, with a little more leftover than I expected, in Heavenly Blue. Did I mention how much I love the results? ;)

Here's a close up.

And my five year old, Emily, modeling for me. She was so thrilled that she got to touch Mommy's knitting, and didn't get in trouble, hehe. Little stinker.

Finally started

2006-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

I finally started the Mountain Stream Scarf:

I was working on another lace project and my brain can't hold two lace pattern at the time, so I needed to finish that before starting this fabulous scarf.

Lu

I need a jump start

2006-05-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

I am seriously stalled out on this piece. I haven't picked it up - except to move it about in my project bag - since I posted that I finished the first repeat of chart #1. I can't work on it while the Neatnik is awake and while she's been in school the past week, I've been making sock sized drawstring project bags. There are lots of details on my personal blog. Can someone visit me there, please, and send me some lace shawl encouragement? Thank you, thank you, thank you....trek begins to mumble unintelligibly...

the pictures I promised

2006-05-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

sorry, the weather recently has been horrible, but I finally got the pics I wanted!

Aren't they lovely? This is two of my ongoing projects holding my most recently completed project. Isn't it beautiful?

Well, here I am with my shawl. :-) it fits so well. I love it! Aren't the colors so spring-like?

Here's a great shot of the back patterning.

And here's a close up of the colors. I made it with laceweight handspun from Handpaintedyarn.com in the saphire purple colorway. I love this color in this shawl. It looks so much like a mountain meadow in the spring.

a big hug and thanks to my dh for taking these lovely pics.

Mountain Stream Scarf

2006-05-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

I've been working on my Mountain Stream Scarf in K1C2's Douceur et Soie and should be finishing it pretty soon. Since I took the photos last night, I've finished two more repeats - only four to go.

and a close up of the center panel

Finished!

2006-05-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Finished and blocked!

Finished size is 11x45 inches. I ended up with enough yarn I could have put another repeat or two in, which I wish I had, but didn't want to tink out all that border.

Pattern was very clever and I was able to follow it pretty much, even though parts of turning the corners I read over and over til they made complete sense.

Thanks for creating the pattern, Susan. Now I am wondering if I have the skill and fortitude to tackle something harder, such as Mountain Peaks? And I keep thinking about joining Amazing Lace. Maybe these two are just what my summer needs.

Birdsong's Mountain Stream

2006-05-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

I was so delighted to unpin my Mountain Stream from my blocking board this morning and wear it to work. There won't be much scarf-wearing weather ahead, just early mornings and high country evenings, but it is lovely and so is Susan for creating this wonderful pattern.

Here is the scarf blocked and drying... I made the pattern two repeats longer than stated, as I was using a different yarn, and knew I had plenty. It drapes over my shoulders on each side to a happy length, so I would buy extra yarn if needed to repeat the pattern in the future.

This close up really shows off the detail. I used Garnstudion Silke-Woole, which gave an especially "crisp" blocked outcome.

Now, onwards and upwards with Mountain Peaks!

Pics for Mim, as promised...

2006-04-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

I promised Miriam that I'd model the finished Mountain Peaks Shawl. This was the best I could do (I'm feeling a bit camera-shy lately):

Now that I look at it, it's a little fuzzy, isn't it. Oh, well.

(Mim, you should be happy, I wouldn't put my bum on a blog for the world to see for just anyone.)

Every time I start a new project, I try to choose something that will force me to learn things I didn't know before. And, boy, did I learn a few new tricks while knitting Mountain Peaks! I got really good at tinking back, and then I got really good at noticing mistakes earlier so that I wouldn't have to tink back so far! Eventually I got to the point where I could tell when the knitting "just didn't feel right." I also learned how to read a chart, count, knit, think, and watch a movie all at the same time, which, for me, is quite something! And I learned that I REALLY enjoy campfire-orange (possibly even more than I would have enjoyed red!) Oh yes, and about that alpaca--it is good stuff.

Bottom line: I am still in awe of this design and how it all came together, and I think everyone needs to have their very own, made out of super-fine alpaca in their favorite color, whatever it happens to be at the moment.

Kim

aka Chef Messy

2006-04-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here's my shawl before

Here it is blocking!

And here's a close up!

I'll take pics of me wearing it on sunday, so I'll share them then!

Thank you, Mim, for making this possible!! It's been sooooo much fun! (especially now that I know how to post pics!!)

I finished!

2006-04-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

I finished my shawl this afternoon!! I took pics, but have to figure out how to get them from the camera to here. I can't believe how it blocked!! WOW! I'll work on posting pics tomorrow!

Mountain Stream Beauty

2006-04-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Mountain Stream is finished and has had her photo shoot. Run on over to my blog and see her in full glory!

Margene

Zeneedle

Finished!

2006-04-26T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here is Mountain Peaks as a lace blob:

And here it is blocking!

Whoohoo!!!!!

2006-04-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!

I knitted like a maniac before work this morning and cast off the last stitch--ahem--10 minutes after I was supposed to get to work! (Hey, there are bad reasons for lateness, and there are good ones.)

Pics of the lace blob will come after work today, and then I just have to block. Hooray!

moving right along

2006-04-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

I've been steadily plugging away at the MPS. Still loving it! I only have 5 repeats of the border body chart left! I've never blocked a shawl before, but I'm sure looking forward to it! I still haven't figured out how to post pics yet, so I'll work on that this week. How's everyone else doing?

some scarf progress

2006-04-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well it's been so quiet on the KAL blog I figured I would say hi and show the progress I have made. I have twice had to tink a couple rows, but mostly knitting has been in the positive direction. As long as I can keep counting accurately, I am doing fine.

Progress report

2006-04-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am still in chart #1. Come see a pretty picture and some details.

Back on Track and Racing Towards Finish Line

2006-04-16T22:37:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I finally (with Susan's help, putting chart vertical, and re-thinking the whole process) figured out what I was doing wrong and am finishing up the border for my Mountain Stream, although I am taking a few days' vacation and won't block it until I return later in the week. What a relief! Thanks for the support, Susan. I just posted my 300th post on my blog, and invite everyone to enter the contest I am hosting this week in celebration.

Cry for Help

2006-04-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Mountain Stream only needs a top border! I have turned the third corner, after adding in two extra pattern repeats to make the scarf longer, and am now stumped with the instructions. Maybe it's a left-handed person knitting right-handed but looking at instructions in a dyslexic way; I understand the concept of knitting the border rows and joining them progressively to knit together with the top stitches, but have tried a few times and run short of stitches to match the chart. Help! Throw me a life preserver, someone!

Chart 1 Repeats Finished!

2006-04-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying this pattern so far, though I'm finding that my toddler counts better than I do! (Check it out--no lifeline. I like to live on the edge.)

I'm looking forward to moving on to another chart, even though I just FINALLY memorized this part of the pattern! (Sortof).

Read more here: Chef Messy

Mountain Stream winding down

2006-04-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! I had been tooling along on Mountain Stream, and getting near the end of the 14th repeat, when I realized that, using a different yarn, I still had lots of yarn left, so I added two more repeats last night, then turned the third corner and am ready to work the top border. I hope to be able to finish this weekend and have pictures.

Update from Birdsong

2006-04-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

I am so excited, I only have a few repeats left to finish Mountain Stream. I have fallen into a rhythm with this pattern and am very pleased, following Margene's borrowed mantra to admire my work often so that I can catch any mistakes. There have been a few. I am using a slightly thicker yarn, Garnstudio Silke-Woole, and also knit looser than most people, so that even with dropping down a size, have ended up with a scarf that is wider than the pattern. I also have enough yarn left that I may add a repeat or two; still debating, but at least the chance to wear this scarf before summer seems realistic, especially considering that it won't stop raining here in the Sierras!

Mountain Peaks is progressing too, although not as rapidly. On Sunday, I started a second version, using size 3 needles, and was much happier with the results. Here is a photo at the end of the top chart, just before inserting a lifeline, which I was extremely grateful for last night, when the yarn became tangled and I accidentally jerked part of the work off the needle... however I am much happier with this version, the stitches are sliding along like good little stitches, and I may even finish this year!

Now we're talking lace!

Stage 1 complete

2006-04-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

I finished the top chart and this is what I have. The color is pretty true, too.

Time to insert a lifeline!

need help!

2006-04-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to start chart 3 on the MPS. I need to know if the repeat marker moves or something? I've got the first repeat marker 18 stitches in from the garter stitch border, and then they're 12 stitches apart. However, chart 3 has only 13 stitches between the repeat marker and the garter edge..... where am I losing 5 stitches?? HELP!!!!! I've had a blast knitting this shawl up to this point, I wanna get done!!! ( oh, and no to worry anyone, I knew I would be a while in finishing this, so I started a week early....)

Monica

Begun

2006-04-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

Progress on Mountain Peaks is slow, since I have to very carefully watch every stitch. Lace is still challenging enough for me that the moment my attention strays, it all goes bad.

I'm halfway through the first repeat of Chart 1 now. All the red you see are either lifelines that I keep in until I'm completely done, or repeat markers. Trust me, these are completely necessary for me.

Ready to go!

2006-04-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

Whoohoo, my yarn came Saturday, so I'm ready to get going on Mim's lovely shawl!

I'm using Knitpicks Shadow in Campfire. (It's the one in the middle. Ignore the other yarns. They are just trying to hog the picture.) It will be perfect for this month of Project Spectrum!

My name is Kim (a.k.a. Chef Messy). I live in Lexington, Virginia, but I used to live in Utah, so I'm good friends with Miriam (Love you, Mim! How's the trip to Philly going?!). I also adore Susan, and think she's wonder-woman for having time to knit, let alone design all these great patterns. I knit her Branching Out scarf last year and it was a joy!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's Mountain Lace projects!

one repeat today

2006-04-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

i started my new Mountain Stream on the bus on the way to work yesterday. Finished the first repeat of the body today in between a lot of fidgeting with the finishing touches of spruceing up my room.
how come i didn't see the oopses until now? good thing it's lace weight mohair which will cover up some of the untidyness.

A Tale of Two Laces

2006-04-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I have not gotten very far on the Mountain Peaks shawl; the yarn is an enticing Knitpicks baby alpaca so that is not the reason. It has something to do with my not being able to "see" the pattern unfold; I am good at charts, but also need to see in my knitting what's going on, so this morning I pinned out the work, only about a fourth of the way through the first repeat of the first chart, in order to see if there were any errors. The flaw in this process was that some stitches fell off the needle on one side, creating an error, which I had to tink back one row to fix; note the pale yellow lifeline - it's my insurance policy that I luckily didn't need to draw upon this time. I can tell that knitting with laceweight yarn is going to take longer than any of the other knitting I have done over the years, and require a greater leap of faith than any other too... I won't be able to pin this out as I get a bit further along, and will have to rely on "keeping the count" and matching the chart, and hoping I don't make some ghastly error that won't show up until blocked. I won't spend much more of our communal space waxing philosophical; more on my own site.

In response to my painful slowness, and my "G is for Green" post a few days ago, I finally capitulated to the siren song of this lovely dark green Garnstudio Silke-Woole, and started Mountain Stream yesterday evening while the rice finished steaming for our Moroccan Chicken supper.

I was just amazed at how differently my mind/body connection responded to this pattern. I whizzed through the bottom border, was able to converse with my DH, and even take a slight peek at what he was watching on the toob last night. Here's Mountain Stream, photographed early this morning, after one repeat from the body chart. I have managed to get in another this afternoon. I do heartily believe in having projects that provide different levels of learning and satisfaction, while not necessarily abusing my hands in exactly the same way, so will be working on these two interchageably, and probably still making my way up to speed on my shawl long after the rest of ya'll finish.

Knitting Mountains in Flat Toronto

2006-04-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hello, fellow mountaineers! Here's my fuzzy lace foothill, which I'm making out of Alchemy Haiku, colourway "Forest Waltz." It's slightly variegated greens/browns and I'm hoping it'll make a pretty shawl. This is my first laceweight lace project...for the Olympics, I did Kiri (loved every stitch) in a worsted weight, and I now realize my yarn choice was the equivalent of knitting training wheels. I might need a Sherpa this time. But I'm game! Will be climbing/constructing from the blog, and I'm looking forward to reading about everyone's progress.

One question: what do people use for lifelines with yarn of this weight?

14 rows

2006-04-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

I just cast on and knit the first fourteen rows of the Mountain Peaks Shawl and it looks like a little green blob of yarn barf. Good thing I ws already told that lace looks like crap until it is blocked.

Contest List

2006-04-01T05:37:00.000-08:00

Hi all Mountain PEAKS knitters! Since today is the official start of the knitting if you want to be eligible for the yarn, I need everyone who's participating and starting today to comment to this post so I have a list. That way I won't confuse someone who already started the pattern with someone who started today when I award the yarn.

Thanks!

ready set.....blue

2006-03-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

Mountain Stream Scarf Progress

2006-03-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

Doucuer et Soie in Cornflower Blue is the yarn I chose for Susan's Mountain Stream. The bottom border went quickly and smoothly, until time to pick up stitches and start the body of the pattern. One must be very careful and make sure to count correctly, which I, apparently, did not. It took 4 (maybe 5) tries and then frogging to start the main section...again, before I was back on track. This has nothing to do with the complexity of the pattern, it isn't hard, and it is great for a fairly novice lace knitter, a knitter who takes the time to count carefully.

Susan has written a very easy to follow pattern, one that is interesting to knit and very pretty, too. After ending the third repeat I held up the scarf to admire my work and found a boulder was in the stream and had taken the water off course! To make matters worse, it was on row 3 of the third repeat. The process includes ALL that is knitting. The stream met the frog pond and now, a day later, is back on track... not back where it was, however...sigh.

2006-03-29T07:48:00.000-08:00

My MPS progress so far...

Yesterday I finished the second repeat of Chart 1 and started the third repeat.

I'm having a LOT of fun knitting this!!

i've started but...

2006-03-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

well, i've started susan's mountain stream scarf in some knitpicks alpaca cloud in midnight (which is a bluish black). it's about my 4th attempt at the pattern and it's not susan's fault. i just can't decide which size needle i want to use. i've tried the 4 mm but thought that i wanted the knit to be a little tighter; so tried the 3.75 mm (in denise, silverado, plastic, bamboo circulars, straights and anything else i could find) but think that the scarf will now be too narrow. sigh! this is the first time i've knit with alpaca and i can't get use to the unboinginess of the yarn. will this yarn block out like wool or should i cut my losses and try again with some merino?

susan, i know you mentioned that you were going to rechart this with a wider center panel. oh, please do! i still want to eventually use the alpaca with my 3.75 mm needles.

It is Finished!!!

2006-03-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

I finished and blocking the scarf last night. Here she is amongst the lantana.
Close up of the end.
On me.......I knitted 18 repeats instead of 14 to make it a wee bit longer. I think it will fit my Mom great!

whoa tired woman

2006-03-27T04:02:00.000-08:00

i couldn't knit a stitch on Mountain Stream yesterday. too tired, poor me. i really really really want to finish this one so i can start the new one on the first. but there is a question. should i use the beautiful Kid Silk Haze i won from that nice lady on Zeneedle, lucky me, or buy the lovely burgundy Docier at my LYS?
i just don't know. i'll post a pix of mine later tonight, i'm off work early today.

Knitting Right Along

2006-03-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I'm Vera, and I won a copy of the Mt. Stream Scarf pattern from Susan. I haven't done much lacework, but this scarf is so lovely, and I need a challenge.

Here's what I have so far.

I've completed four body repeats on the scarf. I did have to frog back several rows to correct a mistake, and while the correction is not perfect (I actually corrected the mistake, but while tinking, dropped a couple of stitches, and didn't fix it right), I can live with it.

I'm using Knit Picks Shadow in the Oregon Coast colorway. I had started the scarf with Crystal Place Kid Merino, but the yarn kept clumping up around the nylon string, and that annoyed me, so while it was pretty, I gave up after one body repeat.

I'm starting to feel comfortable with the pattern now. I wish I has more "lace sense" to see more quickly when I make a mistake, but I know when the boarders begin and end, and I keep close count.

My goal is to do at least two more repeats today.

started knitting

2006-03-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

I ordered my yarn from knitpicks. color sunset. And I've started knitting, also done some frogging. I finally took my friends advice, and every so often put in a life line.
Usually it doesn't take me long to get the hang of a pattern. Maybe because this one has increases and decreases on the reverse side, I find that I have to constantly refer to the chart. Which is a bummer, cuz I was planning on knitting this the whole 20 hours it takes to get from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv.

got my yarn!!!

2006-03-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

I just got my yarn in the mail! I got the alpine pearl and the Saphire Purple from Handpaintedyarn.com The colors are soooo pretty! The greens on the saphire purle are almost a lime green. I'm going to knit up a swatch in each and see which I prefer. I think I'm going to go buy a digital camera today so I can share! Wheeeee!!!! I'm soooo happy!!

Monica

Mountain Peaks Shawl - Update

2006-03-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

Last I posted I was waiting for my yarn order from Knit Picks and couldn't remember what color of Shadow I ordered. It did arrive. I ordered Grape Jelly - and hated it the minute I saw it.

Good news is that I found a yarn I love and I've started knitting.

I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's Hempathy in Cool Blue. It's DK weight - 41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Modal.

I've knit through Chart 1 once. I hit a bit of a snag when I started - or attempted to start - the second repeat because I was knitting from a black and white copy of the pattern and couldn't tell where the repeat area was. My downloaded pattern was on my work computer but I was off work until today.

Miriam came to the rescue via email (Thank you SO MUCH Miriam!) and now I'm several rows into the second repeat and moving along nicely. I hope to post a picture soon - even though I know, at this stage, lace isn't much to look at.

Another Newbie to the Group

2006-03-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

My name is Sarah and I have been knitting for almost 20 years. I really enjoy lace. It is so satisfying to see it "open up" when you block it.

I am making this scarf for my Mom for her birthday. She lives in Minnesota.

The photo at left shows about 13 repeats of the scarf. I have 440 yards of Misti Alpaca yarn so I think I will keep knitting repeats until I am almost out of yarn.

I did try to start this scarf in mohair but mohair and I do not get along very well in lace knitting!

Looking forward to seeing everyones progress!!!!

Pattern Received

2006-03-22T16:26:00.000-08:00

I have received the pattern and am ready for action! I have Helen's Lace in the Purple Iris Colourway and am going to try and wind a centrepull ball using a paper towel roll. I have lost the printed instructions for this but will "wing it" and see how it goes. I have been out of commission for over a week and forget-is there a start-by date? Also, did I see mention somewhere about a special way of printing the pattern? I am not a fast knitter, just a plodder who gets the job done. Eventually.
Pat

ready to go!

2006-03-21T23:37:00.000-08:00

finally got the pattern and some pretty cranberry merino. the pattern looks like a lot of fun!

New member and question for lace knitters...

2006-03-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I've joined the KAL because I would like to make the Mountain Stream Scarf as a table runner for a wedding gift. Any yarn suggestions? I'm not a very experienced lace knitter and I've never made a table runner! Someone suggested Louet's Euroflax Linen and someone else suggested Rowan's Cotton Glace. Any thoughts?

Another lace novice

2006-03-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

I just finished my first lace project, Susan's Branching Out scarf done in Noro Cash Iroha. Thank you Susan for the pattern, the clear instructions and the encouraging words that a beginner could knit this. At first, I was frustrated; every time I finished a row with the right number of stitches on the needle was cause for celebration. As the process became more understandable, the knitting more intuitive, I realised I loved this sort of knitting and wanted to try something lacier. When Susan commented that her Mountain Stream Scarf was really just a step up from Branching Out, I decided to join my first knit-along.

I went to a LYS for some KidSilk Haze, but instead they stock Douceur et Soie, which they assured me was virtually the same thing. However, Kidsilk skeins are 230 yards, Douceur et Soie are 225 yards. And the Mountain Stream Scarf directions say you will barely squeak by with one skein of KidSilk. I ended up purchasing a skein of the Douceur et Soie for another project, which I worked on all weekend. I have perhaps 5 or so yards left, so perhaps I will get back to LYS and get another skein, and start getting lacy.
---Dorothy

not really a pattern for the bus

2006-03-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

dang! as easy as the Mountain Stream is i've frogged as much as i've put in. i'll sit on the couch with it for a while today.
anybody have some insight or thoughts about how blocking will affect ...effect? 50/50 mohair acrylic?
no, i didn't swatch...don't laugh at me.
marie in florida

Intro

2006-03-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I just ordered my yarn for the Mountain Peaks Shawl - I chose the Oregon Coast color. This may or may not be a Christmas gift, so I decided to go with nice, neutral shades. And the warm browns and creams in that colorway remind me of the Smokies - the only mountains I've ever lived close to. They hold a special place in my heart.

Hopefully, my yarn will be here by April 1st, and I can start on time. Between going to school and working all day, I need to make every knitting moment count!

HI Everyone!

2006-03-17T04:52:00.001-08:00

My name is Janine ( I am also known as Guernseygal) I have signed up to knit both patterns and I am busy choosing my yarn.
I bought Mim's pattern as soon as it was available as I already knew that I had the perfect yarn for it in my stash.
I am intending to knit it in Knitpicks Shimmer Maple leaf as the colours just make me think of an Autumn wood

With the Mountain Stream pattern I am torn at the moment. Most of the lace weight that I have in my stash is variegated and I think this pattern requires something more subtle. I might just have to go out and buy something :-)

Another introduction

2006-03-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

Hi, I’m Mette and I’m the very lucky (Danish) winner. I’ll be knitting the Mountain Stream Scarf, but I also love the shawl so I might knit that as well.

I have the pattern and the needles ready for the scarf so now I need to decide which yarn to use. There is plenty to choose from in my stash!

Mette

And the winner is....

2006-03-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

The Ides of March have come and gone, and today I pulled a name for the yarn contest. And the winner is....

Mette!

Mette, please e-mail me your address so I can get your yarn shipped to you. Thanks!

M

Quick Question

2006-03-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

Greetings, all!

Since this is my first time working with laceweight, I have a quick question for you kids: when you wind laceweight yarn (Alpaca With a Twist Fino in Rose Petal) on a ballwinder, do you work from the outside of the ball, or from the center? The meagre instructions that came with my ballwinder imply that you should knit from the outside with laceweight - which seems logical (don't want to break the delicate yarn), but cumbersome. Opinions? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Contest update

2006-03-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to sign up for the Knitalong if you want to be eligible for the drawing. I will be sure to check the e-mail account for the KAL and add anyone who requests to join before I make the final list for the drawing. If you've been hesitating, now is the time! :)

But just to be clear, if you still want to join the knitalong anytime at all, you still can, but you won't be in the yarn drawing.

Are all the shawl knitters ready for April 1st?

*edit* If your name isn't listed in the sidebar, please let me know ASAP at the KAL e-mail address (mountainlace AT gmail DOT com) so that I can add you. That's the master list I'm going from for the drawing.

Another intro and question

2006-03-15T07:23:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Monica. I've only been knitting for about a year and a half, so I tend to ask silly questions. I'm so anxious to get my yarn and swatch it! I've been playing with my handspun singles to learn how to read charts. Did I mention that I've never knit from charts? Anyways, my sample with the handspun is pinned out and blocking right now. I'm going to give it to my dd for a doll's shawl. So, on to my question. How do you knit up a gauge swatch for knitting? do you measure after it's blocked? I tend to knit very loose, averaging going down 2-3 needle sizes, but I've never gauged lace before, so I'm unsure how to do it. I also can't wait to see how everyone's shawls turn out. It's such a beautiful pattern!

Monica
in wild Wyoming! Love those mountains!

Yet another introduction!

2006-03-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

My name is Colette, and my blog is Sereknitty. I was fortunate enough to win Susan's contest and a copy of the Moutain Lace Scarf pattern. Since I need to knit the scarf and with some encouragement (thanks Birdsong) I decided to join the knitalong. I have't started the project yet. After checking my stash this morning I find that I have a couple of options for yarn but don't have the right sized needles.

I'll post a photo when I finally get started.

Another Introduction

2006-03-14T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hi!
I'm Teresa and I'll be knitting the Mountain Peaks Shawl.

Even though I've been knitting for a long time, I've never knit a lace shawl. I've knit lace patterns here and there, but never a true, lace shawl. So. I'm a newbie.

I'm planning to use Knit Picks Shadow - even though, I can't, for the life of me! - remember what color I ordered.
Duh?!?

Anyway...I hope the yarn - whatever the color - will be waiting for me when I get home tonight, so I can cast on!

Looking forward to watching the beauty unfold...
Teresa

www.wildgeese.blogs.com

2006-03-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

Good Morning everyone! I just thought I would post to say hello and introduce myself to the group! My name is Kristi and I am so glad to be here! I have everything collected to do both of the projects but I am starting out with the scarf! I will be knitting it out of Knit Picks Shadow in Vineyard! My darling Mudgie is taking care of the supplies for me while I get ready to cast on! I plan to get started this morning and should my children manage to stay healthy for two days in a row I hope to make some progress!

Change of Heart - Shawl

2006-03-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

I'm using a dusky blue - Misty Alpaca on size 4 needles

Not sure when it happened. It might have been last night, or early this morning, but I've had a change of heart.

I went from knitting in fear, to knitting in joy.

Read more about my Shawl at:
Pieceful Creations

I have knitted so far:
14 rows of written words
8 rows of chart 1 and 24 rows of chart 2.
I have 48 more rows of chart 2, then I can move on to chart 3 and see what fun that will bring

Yep. Fun! I said it. And I believe it.

Changed my yarn

2006-03-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

I read the comments about using variegated yarn for the shawl and I agree with you. I don't think it would suit this pattern. So, I shopped in my stash again and found grey alpaca that I had so I think I'll use that instead. I think it'll be far prettier. So, off to get started!

Donna

Ready, set...

2006-03-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

My Mountain Peaks is going to be done in Shadow (Lost Lake). Fancy that, me actually using the yarn specified in the pattern. Went out yesterday to buy a size 5 Crystal Palace Bamboo circular. I am ready to start swatching but have to finish a yarn sock for the Neatnik before I can cast on for the shawl.

PS - Got the updated pattern yesterday.

2006-03-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I am really looking forward to doing both patterns, and of course you want to know about THE YARNS, so here is a photo. The green on top is Garnstudion Silke-Tweed, which I will use for the Mountain Stream scarf, and the pale heathered lavender on the bottom is Knitpicks' Alpaca Cloud, for the Mountain Peaks shawl... which I hope to cast on later this weekend, after doing some ball-winding. Happy knitting to all.

New here

2006-03-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody, my name is Lu and I am new here - thanks for the invite, Susan, and for the pattern!
I am going to do the Mtn. Stream scarf with this lonely ball of Kidsilk Haze from my stash:

Lace ... with Mountain

2006-03-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

Appropriate?

This is an "early stages" photo of my Mountain Peaks Shawl from the balcony at home, where our view is from the side of one mountain, down over a wide valley, to another range. The mountains don't look impressive in the photo (giant cake of wool does, though), but if you stood at the base of one of them (mountains, not wool) it would look pretty darned majestic!

The wool is hand dyed fingering weight 100% worsted spun wool from Lisa Souza, in the colourway "Pumpkin". It is very soft, not at all clingy, and wonderful to work with. I should have more than enough (really, way way more than enough) as the skein was over 1750 yards.

Just to make things difficult (I'm one of those people) I'm doing my shawl in three triangles, instead of two (I want more of a wrap than a shawl). Things are going well so far - this photo was taken right after I finished the first repeat of Chart 1. So, two more repeats of Chart 1 and 3 more charts to go.

I'm really looking forward to seeing other shawls and scarves in process - pictures, people, pictures!

And, I can't wait to get to the blocking part: my absolute favorite part of making lace is watching the pre- to post-blocked transformation. Okay, got floors to vacuum, bathrooms to clean, and am going to ignore all of that in favour of starting the second repeat of Chart 1!

Link dump

2006-03-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hey all! You should read Eunny's Ode To Lace. I love it!

And I'd like your input on my latest post. It's about self-publishing online. I kind of ramble on, but the last paragraph has some topics I'd like some discussion on.

Thanks,
M

a two inch frog

2006-03-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

today i had to pull out two inches of my Mountain Stream and try to figure out what i did.
glad i was using mohair.
i had made the first bit of a back side row and finished that row with the next right side row. even though i have a marker to tell me which side is which. geeze.

marie in florida

Excited to be a Member!

2006-03-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, I'm Donna and I'm really excited to be a member of this group. I'm going to do the shawl but right now I'm deciding on what yarn to use. I have some Fleece Artist (I think thats what it is) in a varigated fall scheme. It is mohair so I'm not sure how this will work. What does everyone else think? Anyway, nice to meet everyone. I'm also hoping to learn how to use my digital camera for knitting pictures and learning how to post. I'd like to be able to share with all of you. Plus I think it helps if you make a mistake somewhere and you can show people! Again, thanks for lettting me join.

Donna

Second Contest

2006-03-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Just as a reminder, to be entered for the second contest, all you need to do is join this KAL before March 15th. And you will be in the drawing to win some 100% Extrafine Merino laceweight I dyed this weekend. The red skein will be for this drawing and the purple and green skein will be the prize for the first person to finish the Mtn. Peaks Shawl.

For a closer look at the colors in the red skein, click here (the colors are actually a bit darker, but it gives you an idea of the variegation).

For this second contest drawing, I'm including the Mountain Stream members too.

Thanks!
M

First Contest Done

2006-03-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

The 5 free Mountain Peaks patterns have been distributed, so if you'd like to knit it, go ahead and buy it.

M

How To Join

2006-03-06T05:22:00.000-08:00

If you'd like to join this Knitalong, please e-mail mountainlace AT gmail DOT com and tell us:

1. Your name
2. Which pattern you would like to be knitting (or both)
3. Your blog address (if you have one) so that we can link to it.

Thanks and Welcome!
M

Some changes

2006-03-05T07:34:00.000-08:00

This blog is a-changin' We've changed this blog to be a Knitalong for both the Mountain Peaks Shawl pattern (which will be available on Monday, and the Mountain Stream Scarf pattern by Susan Lawrence (available here)

If you'd like to join, please e-mail me with your Name, blog (if you have one so that I can link you in the sidebar), and which pattern (or both) that you'd like to knit.

Mim

test

2006-03-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

testing