Bit the bullet and started the Oma Scarf which is actually the “Airy Scarf” from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I went with exactly as recommended in the pattern (e.g. Rowan Kidsilk Haze and 6mm needles, in this case Lantern Moons, more about which later).
It looks like a hamster exploded at this point…
…but I am assured that is normal. Gawd, I hope so. This is a crappy shot, I know but I was too lazy to go downstairs and get the Canon. This is courtesy of GnomeCam (cell phone).
What I’ve learned so far:
1. Lantern Moons whilst lovely, marvelous, a sight to behold, are not the best for this work. Points are too blunt for this fine a yarn. This, of course, could be rectified by getting a sharper needle but I am not sure where I’d find ‘em ’round here. And Addi Turbo lace needles don’t seem to come any larger than 4mm whereas this calls for 6mm. Wah. So I shall soldier on and unless this still looks like an exploded hamster after blocking (of course I’ve no idea how to block lace but hey, that bridge’ll get crossed when I come to it). Then I will be more arsed to find, pointier needles. Enough of the Rowan to, supposedly, do two of these scarves.
2. The Rowan Kidsilk Haze. Ye gods and little fishes. I’m bleedin’ knittin’ with sewing thread here. I am enchanted, though, with this yarn. I sat here tossing a strand up in the air and watching it float down to the desk (yeah, yeah, easily amused). And it feels lovely. My eyeballs are crossed using this stuff (probably and indication that I need a new prescription for my glasses) and I’m doing this mainly by feel. Dangerous since I’m a complete novice here.
3. My instincts are telling me to go down one or two sizes in the needle. Or maybe it’s my “clenched” tendency. I have a strong preference for a firm fabric. Not strangulated, mind you, just firm. So why am I doing lace? Because my Oma is special and deserves it. Still, I may do another 2 of these (they aren’t very time consuming) one of which will be done on a 5mm and one on a 4mm, adjusting for gauge changes. How someone manages to do an entire shawl in lace? I dunno but major kudos to them. I don’t think this is my thing.
Will replace this picture with a better one when I arse myself to get the Canon and will update when fist one is finished.
