New Project: Red Lace Scarf

My first attempt at knitting lace! Since I took this pic I have knit about 4 times the length, and I'm really pleased with the result. Eventually it will be a scarf for my sister, but on 3mm needles with super fine yarn that day is someway off! Christmas maybe.

I bought the yarn a little while back at a craft fair, and even though I hadn't knit lace before, and didn't feel the strongest of motivations to try it at this stage, once I saw the yarn I HAD TO HAVE IT. You know of what I speak. It's a very fine 2ply 100% merino wool by Aussie brand Kaalund Yarns. The colourway, Poinsettia.

I took the lace stitch pattern, the romantically named Openwork On Angle 2 (evocative, non?) from a useful little book called "400 Stitch Patterns". I'm just going to knit it until the yarn runs out, and then it will be deemed Long Enough.

Once the scarf is blocked (soaked, stretched slightly and pinned out to dry in shape) the lace pattern will really come alive. The end result is a series of slightly curved zig zags that have a sort of Art Deco look. My sister isn't really a girly, girly lacey kind of gal, so hopefully something a bit geometric will appeal to her.

Part of the fun for me is trying new things, new techniques, and I'm enjoying knitting lace so far. Ok, so in a few thousand rows more time it won't be 'new' but I'm sure the lure of a finished object will keep me focussed for the long hard yards ahead.