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Hello! I don't know about you, but I love Autumn, and I dread Autumn, all at the same time.
It's all so pretty, and exciting, seeing and feeling the changing seasons, that has to be one of the best things about our weather, the seasons.
I would like to say a big thank you for all your well wishes, I'm feeling so much better, not 100% yet, but almost there. Isn't it a huge relief to have good health, if you do have good health?
Inbetween crocheting scarves, I've been applying myself to knitting a lace dress.
I finished knitting the Coraline cardigan a while ago, but haven't any photos yet. I have a half finished skirt I'm making, to go with the Coraline cardigan, you see I've got a particular picture in my mind for the photos, so I'm waiting till they've been taken to show you the finished piece.
I can't not be knitting something, so I got stuck in to knitting this lace dress I'm showing you today.
I found knitting this quite challenging at first, mainly because of the way the pattern is written. All the instructions are crowded together in long thin vertical paragraphs, and if you're not used to this style of pattern, it can be a little confusing at first. (This is the way Interweave Knits write their patterns, not the style of the author of the pattern).
The pattern is the 'Alpaca Tunic' by Deborah Newton, and you can buy the pattern online here, from Interweave Knit's pattern library.
I'm not using the specified Alpaca yarn, I'm using a wool that is made in Orkney, which you can buy here. It's not the softest yarn I've ever used, but I'll reserve judgement on it until I've washed the finished garment.
There are a few people who have knitted this dress on ravelry, so I got some very helpful tips about it, ravelry is fantastic for that.
Lace knitting is a funny thing. It's sort of addictive because you see magic growing before you, but at the same time it requires a steady nature. You just can't be slap-dash when it comes to knitting lace, otherwise you don't get the desired effect, as I realised when I'd knitted a whole section. I had to take back a whole load of knitting I'd done. You can't over-rule lace patterns, they rule you, and you have to give in to their strict rules (those rules being follow the pattern diligently).
The other thing about lace knitting is that you never get the full effect until you've washed and blocked it. I never normally block my knitting after washing it, I know that's frowned upon, but I don't. But I will be blocking this lace dress, definitely.
Hugo will testify that I almost gave up trying to fathom the pattern at the beginning. Then a few days later, I sheepishly picked it up and tried again. And lo-and-behold, I got it! Now I don't know why I was making any fuss, it now all seems perfectly clear. That's the way of these things isn't it? Once you understand something, it seems easy, when you don't know what is going, it seems like rocket science.
I'm so glad I persevered.
And just before I say goodbye, here's a little hint of something I've got to show you next week, when I've listed them in my etsy shop.
Have a good weekend!
Vanessa xxx
Dear Vanessa,
Not only were the pictures stunning (as is so often the case on your blog) but I really enjoyed the manner in which you wrote this post.
I know nothing about lace knitting (I still consider myself after barely two years of knitting to be a novice) and it holds an aura of mystery to me. Thanks to your explanation the fog has lifted a little and I can go to bed a little less foolish.
I am so glad you are feeling on the mend. Isn't it a small miracle every time you realise your body has managed to fight and overcome the virus in question?
Have a lovely weekend.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 28, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Hi Vanessa.. oh this post has lots of teases! :-)
I can't wait to see everything - the dress, the skirt and the new goodies you're making for your shop!!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | October 28, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Hey! I live right down the street from K1yarns and own many a skein of Scappa. The color is just amazing!
Posted by: Kelly McCullough | October 28, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Your dress looks amazing, I love the pattern but I know what you mean you just can't take your eye off lace!
Glad you're feeling a bit better, have a great weekend.
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | October 28, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Oh I love lace knitting. I like the repetitiveness of it, and the suspense and surprise at the end when it's blocked. And a red (!) lace dress is just the bees knees ... I can't wait to see it finished x
Posted by: Annie | October 29, 2011 at 01:42 AM
Hi Vanessa!
I have to say I love soo much the colour of the yarn that you are knitting with! I heart reds!
And the last picture of your post....it made me really curious!!
Have a lovely weekend and get well soon,
xxx Alessandra
Posted by: Alessandra | October 29, 2011 at 03:04 AM
Vanessa, I've not really done much (any) lace knitting or even crochet, and so enjoyed reading about your entry into the intricacies of the instruction column, and your eventual relaxation as you got the concept behind all those abbrevations, initials, commas and brackets.
Bravo.
Also glad that you are feeling better. Isn't it awful to feel poorly, and miss doing what you enjoy (while perhaps being glad to have a bit of time off from other bits of daily life from which all of uf wouldn't mind taking a break.)
xo
Posted by: Frances | October 29, 2011 at 03:54 AM
You keep me dangling for Coraline!
The lace looks lovely and I love tunic dresses so you are forgiven ;-)
Posted by: Jenni at Baa-me Kniits | October 29, 2011 at 05:02 AM
Oh I love love love that colour... am so jealous of your knitting talent.
Little hint of something looks intriguing ... can't wait to see what it is!
Posted by: Jo Norman | October 29, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Your dress is already looking impressive and I love the red too......you seem to make things so quickly. I've never tried making anything like that as I'm not sure my brain could cope!
Look forward to seeing more!
Posted by: Faith | October 29, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I never do lace or patterned knitting when a bit under the weather- the brain just isn't up to it!Just undid something I made last week when really not 100%- what made me think I was doing it right? The new version is fine though- why I persevered with it when it was so obviously wrong is beyond me.I'm currently pondering doing some fine lace knitting- I think I shall start small- you are very brave to go right in with a dress.I was thinking about why I like Autumn so much yesterday- I like the way it develops slowly and how quiet it is- and how it suddenly turns into Winter after all the slow mellowing.
Posted by: Kate | October 29, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Vanessa, I am amazed at the lace dress, it is so beautiful. I can't wait to see it progress. Since right now I can't even count to 5 on a regular basis I think a lace dress is out of the question for me. Best of luck.
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | October 29, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Love that pattern too and it's been in my queue for quite a while - this will inspire me to get cracking on it. Gorgeous colour too :)
Posted by: meppybn | October 29, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Can't wait to see the Coraline cardi and the new skirt and the lace dress is going to be stunning! Glad you're starting to feel better - hope your recovery continues!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | October 29, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Hi there,
I'm glad to read that you're feeling better!
What a busy bee you've been!!! I adore the colour of the dress you're working on - it's stunning! I'm sure it will look amazing when it's finished - I love the 'swinginess' of the picture on the pattern. A girl should always consider how a dress when look when she swirls in it!!! :-)
Carly
x
Posted by: Crafted by Carly | October 30, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Beautiful dress pattern! I cannot imagine knitting a whole dress... Crochet, piece o' cake! Knit... I shudder to think! I'm such a slow knitter... It would take me 15 years to make that dress! LOL
Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Posted by: Jeanne | October 31, 2011 at 02:49 AM
Your yarn is such a gloriously autumnal berry red, and LACE! Wow, I struggle to keep going on anything big and am constantly in awe of the projects you take on, and finish! Can't wait to see the reveal on the surprises. Glad you're feeling so much better, hope you are fully back on form very soon,
love Penny xxx
(and Higgins, of course!)
Posted by: Planet Penny | October 31, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Oh yes... your description of what it's like to tackle a knitted lace pattern is spot on! It made me smile!
And wooo! what a fab dress it will be - will you get it done in time for Christmas? You need snow on the ground to do the photo-shoot when it's finished.
Celia
x
Posted by: Magic Cochin | October 31, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Oooh! That lace dress is going to be gorgeous. I keep thinking about knitting a dress...and then I remember how heavy a jumper is to hold up, and how long it takes to make and I get discouraged.Not to mention that at 6 ft 1, there's a LOT of knitting involved in a dress for me, lol!
Posted by: Allyson | November 01, 2011 at 01:32 AM
i'm so impressed, and i can't wait to see your dress. i didn't realize you knitted dresses, now you are my mentor! i have recently found a dress pattern i want to make. i'd never even thought about it before. the only thing that makes me nervous is the amount of wool it takes to make one! i will have to water my money tree!
Posted by: lori | April 18, 2012 at 07:02 AM