Monday, May 19, 2014

One of you gave me Kate Davies' “Hap for Harriet” pattern yesterday. Sue, I have left a grateful message for you over on Ravelry, but words can't do it. It was a wonderful kindness.

As it happens, I had to change the ink cartridges in the printer yesterday. They are so expensive that I use the printer as rarely as possible, so it took a while to figure out how to proceed. (It's easy: open the printer, take the old cartridges out, put the new ones in.) Then I tested the success of the operation by printing the pattern and stapling it together and putting it in Kate's “Colours of Shetland”.

And then I spent a while with that delightful book. I had almost forgotten that I have the yarn for the Northmavine Hap – Kristie made me buy it, that day we were in Jamieson & Smith, after I had bought the lace yarn I'm now using and some of their Shetland Heritage yarn for a Fair Isle vest, and been given the Rams & Yowes kit as an 80th birthday present from Kate herself. Kristie has knit the Northmavine Hap, and says that darning in the ends is a bore.

Then I had to buy a zippered carrier bag to get the yarn home.

As for what's actually happening here, I'm halfway around round 98 of the borders of the Unst Bridal Shawl. Round 99 will finish off the current batch of motifs, I ought to be able to achieve that today.

As for the Fear of Lace, do read Mary Lou's comment yesterday, Kristie. And there is a touching passage in Sharon Miller's description of the Queen Ring Shawl – it is an antique shawl which she owns, and has re-created in the published pattern. She says that the original knitter has had to insert an extra plain stitch in an section which Sharon illustrates close-up. I can't see it, myself. Then she says, “It looks as if she accidentally caused this by doing a 'k3tog' instead of a 'k2tog' on the first 'half bead diamond' which she corrected. To see such things done by experts is a comfort for us distracted knitters, and tells of long past events that caused the knitter's mind to wander temporarily – just as ours can do today!”

That's an interesting idea, Ariana, of using that little hole in a circular needle (see comment yesterday) to insert a lifeline. The wonderful needle I am using – I hope I have a record somewhere of what it is – doesn't seem to have a little hole, but I am sure I have seen them.


I hope Blogger's recent eccentricities of font size will have smoothed themselves out by today.

27 comments:

  1. The needles I use most - KnitPro either metal or wood interchangeables - have a little hole to put the miniature tommybar through to tighten the screw beyond what is possible with fingers alone. I presume this is what Ariana is referring to. I can't say I have noticed anything like that on any other needles, but I can see that it would be a good way to get a lifeline in - if only to get a fine thread in and use that as a leader to pull something more substantial through. Rather like getting a tow rope attached in nautical terms.

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  2. p.s. No surprises in the text size etc. today. Whatever you did was the right thing!

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  3. Anonymous9:46 AM

    I used to really enjoy reading this blog, but over the last few months it has changed from being an interesting account of WIP's and daily events in Edinburgh in to more of a mutual support group to justify less than perfect projects. I'm afraid I'm going to have to unfollow

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    1. If you can't say anything nice, perhaps best not to say anything at all? Sheesh!

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    2. milissaleonard3:27 AM

      Anonymous loser, please unfollow immediately. you could not possibly be interested in an erudite, inquisitive and curious knitter. Go to some Kardashian website where your minimal attention span will look impressive

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  4. Jean, please don't be offended by the anonymous comment. Your blog is the first thing I read each morning after checking email, and you always get my day off to a good start. I thank you for every blog. I've been knitting for seventy years, and I've yet to complete a "perfect project".
    Kate in TX

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    1. So true. I enjoy whatever you share.

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  5. Phyllis11:48 AM

    I have learned much about tweaking a pattern to suit the knitter or the knitting by reading your blog. Please continue in the same vein!

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  6. Gosh, why would someone feel the need to comment like that? Just slink off quietly if you want, but to make a negative comment anonymously? I don't understand some people.

    Anyway, I enjoy reading your blog immensely - I was especially gratified - as a lifelong Liverpool supporter - by your conversion to the cause! I'm sad we couldn't make the final push and win the league, but roll on next season.

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  7. I haven't officially 'followed' your blog until now, but to balance the rude anonymous I now have. So there!

    I find your blog encouraging both in the 'rip things back and do it right' and 'good enough for reality' knitting. And the non-knitting is interesting and sends me off on serendipitous tangents sometimes.

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  8. The Chiaogoo interchangeable needles also have a hole for tightening the connection which can be used for a lifeline. (I recently convinced myself that I needed a set of these for lifeline purposes. It worked!) Installing a lifeline is very easy using these holes and ripping back is a breeze; however, in lace with yarnovers picking the stitches back up off the lifeline can be challenging. It beats tinking back row after row, though.

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  9. Jean, I'm sure I found your blog years ago, but I was never a regular reader. Recently, I had been reading more regularly and found myself curious about this Hellie person and Archie-at-school and Strathardle and the Princess and just what was a courgette, anyway?? I began to read from the beginning. This morning I caught up with you in the present after months of reading the past. It was hard not to comment on events that you've written about years ago. I am appreciating the process of the Unst much more having read your account of the Princess. I loved reading about your trip to Shetland after seeing it referenced a number of times. So many wonderful moments you've shared with us. I am looking forward to seeing how the Bridal Shawl turns out, the wedding and birthdays in the fall, maybe a Wedding Ring Shawl...Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Mrs A - you say 'zucchini', we say 'courgette'. :-)

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  10. Ghislaine5:19 PM

    That's funny Mrs. A (comment above). I've been doing the same - only I haven't quite caught up yet. I've just started 2012!

    I just love your blog Jean. I can't remember how I first got here a few months ago (through Franklin, perhaps), but I am certainly glad I found you! I look forward to reading each day, no matter what subject is covered - I enjoy it all.

    Cheers from rainy Vancouver.

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  11. I ca just hear my much-missed friend and mentor muttering darkly about people who have a much-inflated idea of their own importance and the value of their opinions. Let me join in the chorus of support for you and scorn for the anonymous ex follower.

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  12. I must say that I did find that particular comment a little . . . shall we say. . . odd. And the fact that it was "anonymous" says more about the commenter than the commentee.
    Jean, you know how we all value you.

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  13. I have been stewing about that anonymous comment all morning. Not only was it unkind and rude, it doesn't even make any sense. Please don't let it upset you, Jean. You have hundreds of non-anonymous fans all around the globe.

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  14. Susan Wilson8:49 PM

    and just to add my two bits worth as well. I read your blog first thing in the morning as the first coffee goes down and I miss you terribly when you are away! Anonymous obviously hasnt enough to do :]

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  15. Harrumph! When I do use a life-line, I prefer narrow satin ribbon. It holds the stitches open and slides in and out easily.

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  16. Margaret9:49 PM

    Jean,
    I have read your blog for 6 or 7 years and this is my first comment. Thank you for posting regularly, I look forward to your posts, and like others, I grow concerned when you don't appear. You have become a part of my extended/virtual knitting "family".

    I appreciate your sharing life's and knitting's ups and downs. It is refreshing as so many sites only show the shiny side of thing. I have knit and crocheted for 40+ years and find great value in what you have to share.

    Thank you!

    p.s. I don't actually "follow" any blogs, but if I did yours would be one. You have more followers than your number reflects.

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  17. =Tamar1:33 AM

    Anonymous troll comments deserve to be deleted. I bet they were never a follower in the first place.

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  18. I've been reading your blog since 2004 and enjoy your writing immensely, whatever the topic. You've taught me so much and gave me the motivation to persevere with lace knitting. I learned about Zite from you! Write on with confidence! Thank you!

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  19. I've been reading your blog for years and always look forward to your point of view. I'm impressed by your deep and thorough research. Your children and granchildren's lives are such a lively reflection of all they were taught. I am inspired by your commitment to life and your schedule of events and knitting projects and gardening and world knowledge and classic language knowledge and books you read and how people, all over the world, know of your writings. Thank you

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  20. Jean,
    I read every day but rarely comment but wanted to say how much I enjoy each and every post. I have recently made some very silly mistakes on a simple cardigan and there has been a lot of unpicking and reknitting - I am in awe of those who knit lace.

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  21. I've only recently come to your blog, Jean, but I so enjoy it every day and I love your style!
    Please go on writing just as you do now on whatever topic has your attention, and take this comment as a token of appreciation and a virtual wave in your direction from down the road here in Inverleith.

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  22. I am part of the happy group who enjoys reading your blog with my morning coffee. Your "voice" reminds me so much of my favorite great aunt. Reading about your daily life is like having a chat with her, and one of the nicest parts of my day.

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  23. I have been inspired to start a lace shawl because of reading about yours. It is a pattern by Herbert Niebling. I am six rows shy of the first page of charting, about row 115. Thank you for the inspiration to cast on.
    Why not take Rams and Yowes to Strathardle? It might be just the taste of it you need to rekindle your enjoyment of knitting on it.
    I love my days pottering at home.

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