March 27, 2006
It's almost done!!
Finally! My Charlotte's Web is almost done! I'm halfway through the bind-off, and because I decided to go with a picot edge it's taking a little longer than normal. I'm hoping to finish the bind off today over lunch and tonight at home...and then block it in the next couple of days. I'm so excited to wear this shawl...it's the first lace project I've attempted and my first completed project that I've knit with Koigu. I just love the way the edging looks and I'm going to love the lace a lot more once it's blocked. Does anyone have any blocking advice for someone who has done very little blocking and absolutely none with lace?! I'm a little scared!
Hopefully I'll have time to write more later...I have some exciting projects planned (some with the Koigu stash!!), and I'm going on a knitting retreat this weekend to Buena Vista with some of my knitting buddies!! I'll give you all the details tomorrow!
Posted by Stacey at March 27, 2006 08:33 AMYou might want to check on the DenverKnits list. Joanne probably has some answers for you too. You might want to invest in some blocking wires. I've heard those are great for lace. Also, check the Harlot's archives for blocking lace. I believe there's a great post there that gives you information. I've heard Zonta wires.
Posted by: Wanda at March 27, 2006 11:11 AMNo real advice on the blocking, but you'll do great! I love the picot edging. I hate how you finally get ready to bind off, thinking you're practically done, and then it takes like FOREVER to bind off. Sheesh!
Posted by: Vicki at March 27, 2006 11:49 AMI love the colors of your charlotte! I made one, also with a picot edge. Here are a few of my blocking tips. Weave in your ends but don't cut them until after you've blocked. You'll be stretching the knitting and you don't want the ends to then be too short. Let the shawl get really wet before you start blocking. I usually soak lace for about half an hour. Blocking wires do work really well, especially with this kind of project because you can easily reposition an edge or a section without having to move lots and lots of pins. Once you start blocking you may find that you can draw the shawl out even further - the pinning is kind of an iterative process. Let me know if you have any questions I might be able to answer. Good luck
Posted by: maura at March 27, 2006 12:23 PMOoh, very nice! It is such a good feeling to get such a big project done.
Posted by: Kelli at March 27, 2006 12:30 PMOh, I can hardly wait to see the whole shawl! The tease you have posted is lovely.
Posted by: Chris at March 27, 2006 04:18 PMhopefully it'll be all finished for our weekend retreat so we can all oooohh and aaaaahhh over it. the bind off looks oh so pretty!
Posted by: cyn at March 27, 2006 05:08 PMhey stacey! guess what??! i'm coming to denver for the first time in June!! lets meet up and knit...or maybe i can come to your group!
Posted by: KnottieKnitter at March 27, 2006 06:38 PMBlocking isn't as scary a process as you might think! In fact, it's pretty magical - especially with lace - I too recommend the Harlot's achives about blocking lace - it worked for me when I was a lace knittin' rookie!
Good luck, it looks gorgeous and we're all dying to see the finished results.
Posted by: Jacq at March 28, 2006 06:46 AMI'm getting close to finishing my Charlotte's Web as well, and want to do a different edging. I'm curious to see how your picot edging works.