January 15, 2009

Lace Knitting Question

I hope there are some knitters who are visiting and will voice their opinion here.

I am fairly new to lace knitting and I always have a time deciding what size needle to use for lace. I started swallowtail with a heavier yarn then called for and a #6 I think and now I think I should have gone down a needle size or 2??? How do you decide? Is it just a matter of personal taste, or should lace look a certain way? Are there hard and fast rules for lace work?

This is a scarf I started and now it just sits because I can't decide to go on or rip it out and begin again with smaller needles. The yarn is Schaffer Anne to give you a reference. What size needle do you use for Anne?
Myself is thinking that since there is a question in my mind that in itself is enough. I should really rip it and go for a 2 or 3 needle. The part that really bothers me are the stitches within the medallion seem too large.

17 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I'm not handy with needles so i'm of no help to you. My daughter knits many things, but don't know if she has done lace knitting.

But I'll pass your question on to her. If she has any suggestions, I'm sure she will comment.

Aunt Amelia
"Good champagne can certainly
be aged and will improve for ten years or longer. The bubbles become tinier and more plentiful, the aroma fruitier."
~~Frédérique Bavert

Unknown said...

I think this looks just fine with the needle size you are using! I'm using Shaeffer Anne right now and am using a Size 3, but your project looks just fine. It is totally personal preference!

Mary T said...

I've done lace with different yarn weights and needle sizes and it all comes down to how much I like the results. I think your medallions look very nice, very even. I wouldn't rip it out.

Unknown said...

i think it looks great the way it is. but YOU have to be happy with the fabric you're making, and if you're not, then keep ripping and reknitting until you are.

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

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Shelly said...

Ultimately it is you that must be happy with the project. I'm going to be bold here and say that I think going down a needle size or two would improve the look of the solid portion of the fabric. Just personal opinion of course. Aside from that, it's absolutely beautiful, so if you're happy I wouldn't change it.

Yarnsticksbooks said...

I love your black kitty. Soooo fluffy.

Temperance has settled in and made herself at home. She is currently keeping my lap warm and supervising the typing.

As for the lace, yarn overs hide from me, but if it's niggling you that it's the wrong size then it probably is.

Anonymous said...

It's a matter of personal preference, no hard and fast rule. You have to like the way it looks, and obviously you don't. And don't forget that you are looking at it unblocked. Before you make your mind up, pin block what you have knit so far, to see what it will look like when blocked.

If there's any doubt in your mind, just rip now and start over, before you go too far. Ripping isn't the end of the world... it's more knitting, and we all love knitting!

~Bonnie from KnitTalk

Mindy said...

I am clueless regarding knitting, but I wanted to get back to you. You inquired about the scalloped edged plates in the chicken feeder. I examined the ones I think you are talking about today, and though I am no expert, I feel confident that they are china, not ironstone. If you'd like close up pictures or more information, holler and I'll move quicker next time. Promise! ~Mindy

Ana Petrova said...

I agree that it's a personal preference of course if it looks good to you it's perfect. But I do think it makes a difference if you are a tight or loose knitter.

If you like it it's perfect!

Happy Knitting

Birdsong said...

I do really like the look of that yarn! You certainly can stick with what you are doing, but if you pin blocked it and thought it wasn't distinct enough, then I'd drop down a size.

Anonymous said...

Rules? No rules! Just suggestions.

First, remember that lace in progress resembles nothing so much as crumpled up Kleenex. It needs to be blocked.

Second, needle size is a preference. A guideline is to look at what size needle is recommended on the ballband, which assumes usually that you'll want a fairly firm fabric. Start your lace swatches by going up 2-3 needle sizes from what's recommended on the ball band.

For example, I prefer zephyr (Jaggerspun lace yarn, 300 yds/oz) on a 4 or 5 needle. I've seen it knit in lace on a 2. Personally, I like my lace airier and drapier, but it's all what you like.

I think your sample looks great.

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

Hi Ahrisha,

Thanks so much for stopping in for a visit! and oh my, that crocheting looks so pretty! I couldn't do that if I tried, lol, I am so bad with anything that takes long or has that much detail :) Beautiful work!

In response to your question, I get my papers to decoupage at Micheal's craft store. Some times I'll use wallpaper scraps too, or scrapbook paper, you can really use anything, even newspaper, although that's a litte thin for me :) Hope that helps!

Have a lovely weekend! Hugs, Cynthia

marit said...

Hi, an thank you for the nice comment on my blog! I've just had a look at yours-it's great! Love the tablecloth your Mum quilted for you!

As for the lace, I think it looks good, but if you're unhappy with it yourself you should rip it now and start over. In my opinion it looks good, but it will of course open up even more when blocked.

Unknown said...

It looks perfectly sized. I wouldn't change a thing!

Kim

Donna said...

Hi Ahrisha,
I don't know anything about knitting, but I think it's very pretty and I love the colors.

Thanks for visiting my blog! I was born and raised in Lancaster County and now live in NC. We just had 4-1/2 inches of snow today!

Donna

Joy said...

I agreed with everyone else. It looks just fine!