Knitting Along in 2008

I am joining every Lace/Mystery Shawl/Stole Knit Along I can find. They are such an adventure in knitting. The finished patterns are all so beautiful and the support is wonderful. I am new to lace knitting so being able to read comments of experienced lace knitters as I work through the clues is great. I am in my first Lace KAL, the Mystic Waters Shawl. It is beyond my current skill level - which means I am learning a lot. Every new clue I gain some insight or skill. I read the forum/posts/e-mail threads for all hints and tips. I am not worried about being a couple of clues behind because I am learning so much. I am happy with my shawl so far. The yarn is really a pleasure to work with and I love the colors; Schaefer Anne in Rain Clouds. Unfortunately I don't have a proper backdrop to take a photo. I will have to pull out a white sheet next time I take pictures. I can see the seahorses - Yay!!

For 2008 I have joined several Lace Knit Alongs, I am not joining any more Sock Knit Alongs until I finish the 52 Pair Plunge. I have 3 pairs of socks on the needles right now, which I hope to finish over the Thanksgiving weekend. No more toeless socks!!!

Yahoo Groups 2008 Lace KALs:

1. Secret of Bad Nauheim begins Jan 2008

2. Secret of the Stole II - not sure of the start date; sign ups just began

3. Spring Shawl Suprice - begins Jan 2008

4. Dem-Fischer-Sin-Fru - begins Jan 2008

Currently Working on KALs:

1] Mystic Waters KAL - we are on clue 5 of 8 this week; last clue 12/12/2007

2] Arctic Lace KAL - ongoing KAL, I am knitting the North Star Scarf

Best Hints/Tips:

a. Use the charts

b. Use post-it tape to highlight the current pattern line

c. Count the knit stitches between the lace stitches ahead of time and write the numbers on the chart.

d. Use safety pin type stitchmarkers that can be opened and moved as the number of stitches per row increase (every 20 stitches works for me)

e. Mark every 20th stitch with a red line on the chart. As a plastic canvas and cross-stitcher I am used to grids being set out in patterns by use of a heavier/bold line or a colored line. So this makes keeping track a more familiar process for me.

f. I have discovered that I do not like using lifelines with lace weight yarns. I invariably mis-knit the lace pattern row following the lifeline. The lifeline distorts my stitches and causes me problems. I am not using any more in the Mystic Waters shawl. I was knitting along not missing a beat and then I put in a lifeline at row 151 and it has screwed me up, now I have to tink back to that row to fix the problem. I had knit more than 20 rows prior to that without a single problem.

I have lots of lace yarn in my stash and I just ordered some more Cashwool and Raven Collection yarns.

Going to the Cousins in Daly City for Thanksgiving, I can't wait to get home and get back to my shawl. I am taking a sock project with me . . . an ugly one, so nobody begs it off me for a Christmas present :} just kidding, there is no ugly sock yarn in my collection. I will take the plain white socks I am making for me. ;)