Intarsia & Lace, Week 5

Happy Birthday October Knitters! Wow, the show n’ tells are impressive and inspiring.

Teri and Vickie's Lace Sachet Bags

Cynthia's Scribble Shawl

Candi's Scribble Scarf

Brenda's Beaded Shawl and Scarf


I'm sorry, I am mixed up. I think these beautiful scarves and shawl above and below are made by Barbara and Lynn.

Noelle's Scribble Lace Scarf

Teri's Scrap Wrap

Shetland Lace
Linda went over the history of Shetland lace and the new packet of handouts for a square shawl. The first page of the glossary was cut off on the left edge, so Linda read the words to write down.

For the Seamless Square on page 3, use a yarn over (YO) increase since it will turn out lacey. Each row will be increased 8 times; 2 on each needle. The YO takes place 1stitch before the last knit st. Linda drew a diagram on the board which made it easer for us to understand. In other words, the Center-Started Square How-To reads:

Row 1: CO 8
Row 2: K
Row 3: K1, 2 YOs, K1
Row 4: K
Row 5: *K1, YO, K2, YO, K1* (repeat 3 more times)
Row 6: K
Row 7: *K1, YO, K to last st, YO, K1* (repeat 3 more times)
Row 8: K

Linda recommends “putting a marker at each of the 4 corners with a special color to show you where the round begins and ends” as noted on page 4.

Before making a large shawl, she suggests knitting samples of lace designs to make sure you like the pattern and knitting them. A miniature shawl could be used for a doll, doily, or patches to make a larger shawl. Since there are four triangles in a square shawl, you can make each triangle a different pattern or have two triangles with the same design. You can also make a triangle shawl instead of a square shawl by casting on 2 stitches and making a YO increase right after the 1st st and right before the last st.

On page 36, notice that there are pattern instructions for both knitting with straight needles and knitting in the round. On these patterns, you decide how many sts to use. Linda explained how many CO sts we need according to the pattern. For example, the 3x3 leaf pattern says to use a multiple of 6+2. This means you may want to CO 20 sts for a thin scarf with 18 sts (6 multiples 3 times) plus 2 more sts; it does not mean 8 times 3 or 24 sts. (I’m not doing a good job writing down her explanation.)

Most important, blocking is essential when knitting with lace. Your project will look like a big mess until it is blocked. (On a side note, Linda would like the next purchase for the class to be a blocking board.)

For this week, practice lace designs by making a mini square or triangle.

Bea’s Request
If anyone has a skein of lavender mohair (that matches the one Bea has), she would like to use a little bit of it. She can buy a whole skein at Ben Franklin’s, but she does not need to use so much.

October Festival
Diana, Katie, Vickie, and Diane will be selling their awesome craft items at the Auburn festival on October 18. It will be held at the park on Racetrack Dr. off Auburn Folsom Rd.

Yarn Labels for Future Project
Keep collecting yarn labels as many as possible for a future surprise project. The project will take place close to the end of the Fall session.


Front and Back of Bea's October Bra

Cynthia's Baby Hat and Booties from Monday's Class


Andrea brought back yarn and embroidered silk ribbons from Italy. Pam's felted cable scarf is on the left side of the ribbons.

Knit and be happy.