After finishing Swan Lake last week Monday I couldn’t resist casting on for a new lace project. Many of you already guessed what it is and I would have to say that you’re all correct. (As if the button in the sidebar wasn’t a clue.) It is indeed the Bee Fields Shawl from Anne Hanson!
I’m using the laceweight yarn in Olive from handpaintedyarn.com which is the same yarn as Malabrigo according to an article from Knitter’s Review. It’s a gorgeous semi-solid single that’s soft and easy to handle. For some reason the pictures are showing the yarn to be more of a forest green then the true olive green it is.
It’s taken me awhile to get used to using size 5US/3.75mm needles. For some reason they felt huge in my hands and I have no idea why. I mean I was using size 4US/3.5mm needles for Swan Lake (MS3) which really isn’t a huge jump. My hands just got incredibly odd on me. That’s all I can come up with.
As for the pattern, the charts are easy to follow and the edging is fun. I decided to ditch the original backwards loop cast on called for to make the picots and use the lace cast on recommended by Alice, who, by the way, has already finished her shawl. It’s absolutely gorgeous and she’s inspired me to keep going even if it means neglecting the poor abandoned Forest Path Stole.
Note to self: No blame must be attached to the indubitable Alice, no matter how urgently a scapegoat is needed.
I digress.
So yes, I am enjoying this pattern immensely. And even though I go through periods of doubt where I worry that my stitches are too loose, I am on the whole very happy with the way it’s coming out. Truly, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have periods of doubt and misgivings on whether or not I’m producing something that will be a major disaster or something beautiful.
So yes, for the most part I like the way the bee hives seem to float in the air as if they were dangling from trees. More then that, I’m having a ball with the knitting. Never mind how it looks, it’s the knitting that matters. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself since all the feedback I’ve gotten on how it looks has been positive.
Do you ever feel like this about your knitting?
August 30th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Sure, all the time. I am the most conflicted knitter I know. I am constantly reassuring myself that everything is ok with whatever I am knitting at the time. Your shawl is truly lovely, Opal. No need to be conflicted or apprehensive about this one.
August 30th, 2007 at 11:55 am
i know what you mean – about the knitting process being just so darn enjoyable. like now, i’m doing a sock pattern (12 stitch pattern) from more sensational knitted socks – i keep thinking “i wonder if i made a mistake along the way” but too immersed in the knitting to care about checking – i finally checked and it “looks” ok… btw, i love how bee fields is turning out – i think with lace, it really is in the process, and with the right pattern, you can achieve the ultimate “knitting high.”
August 30th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Yep all the time! I often feel that way, and often spend time frogging and knitting a bit.
I love how that is coming out!
Keep up the good work!
August 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Sure, all the time. I am always double guessing my knitting. Even though I used a four on the MS3, I think it was too tight. I like stitch definition and I think one thing that holds me back with lace is my discomfort with airiness – even that is the nature of lace.
Your shawl is lovely. I can hear those bees buzzing.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Doubt? Misgivings? Oh my dear Opal, can you say “Yeppers!” You needn’t worry about your Bee babe because she is looking fine, fine, fine!
BTW, handpaintedyarn.com is most def Malabrigo. That’s not just a rumor.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Yeah, i’m constantly scrutinizing what I’ve knit so far. Sometimes it looks like I stretched while knitting and forgot to put the needles down. Nothing that won’t look normal after a good wash and block, though.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Yep….me too. Every cast on sock gets the scrutiny. Many times it gets pulled back out a time or two.
I think doubts are part of the process.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
It’s coming along gorgeous! Personally I plan on doing the stole version, I like that better. I love that yarn too, that’s what I’m using for my catalina shawl. Such a pretty color!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I think its just part of the process – I knit, I look, I doubt. Then when I’m done I’m happy! The shawl is gorgeous – and you are really tempting me to start a shawl….
August 31st, 2007 at 2:19 am
I think self-doubt is part of the human existence, especially when it’s something you make or do yourself and open yourself up to the scrutiny of others. It’s like taking a compliment – how many of us do it gracefully without embarrassment?
It looks dandy Opal, no worries :)
August 31st, 2007 at 3:47 am
I suppose it depends on the project. I’m much more likely to second-guess what I’m doing when I’m following someone else’s pattern than when I’m working on one of my own. I guess I always worry about whether I understood things correctly :I)
Your Bee Fields is just beautiful! I’ll be looking forward to seeing it completed :)
Crossing fingers and holding a good thought for the Forest Path too!
August 31st, 2007 at 4:12 am
When I saw the title of your post, I was thinking about a different kind of hives… these are much better, and love the color! : )
August 31st, 2007 at 5:14 am
I was a bit worried there for a minute, like limedragon, when I ready the post title.
It looks great. When do we get a wide shot?
August 31st, 2007 at 5:24 am
Lovely! Lovely! And yes, of course, uncertainty, insecurity…always about what I’m knitting and whether I’ll end up likeing…
But BEE is gorgeous (not surprised)
(((Hugs)))
August 31st, 2007 at 5:24 am
It’s especially easy to have misgivings about lace, since it looks generally looks appalling on the needles, before blocking. I was convinced most of the way through Bee Fields that I was going to have some hideously embarrassing end product. :)
I’m glad the alternative cast on is working for you (and thank you for the very kind words!)–it’s going to be super lovely.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:49 am
It’s looking wonderful, Opal.
I, too, tend to have misgivings during the knitting process, more with sweaters than with shawls, but misgivings all the same. As in “THAT’LL NEVER WORK!” “I’M NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN!”
August 31st, 2007 at 5:51 am
Sorry, I interrupted my self by hitting something that sent my message in mid rant.
I find if I put a cool damp cloth on my head and close my eyes for s while I can generally get over myself and get back to concentrating on the knitting and my current book on tape. Frequently I frighten the cats, even though one would think they’d be used to it by now.
hugggggggggggggggggssssssss to all at your house and special kisses to Onyx
mer
August 31st, 2007 at 6:55 am
I think it’s normal for anyone creating anything to have doubts and concerns about what they’re making. Will it turn out the way I want it to? Will I like it? Will other people like it? And like the previous commenter said, lace is especially bad because you can’t tell what it’s really going to look like until you take it off of the needles and block. Needless to say, I think that your hives are looking gorgeous!
August 31st, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I know what you mean about the size 5’s. I just did a lace scarf with 7’s (fingerling yarn) and the whole time I was thinking, is this really going to work? But it blocked perfectly. I’m sure the 5’s will work. It already looks beautiful. I love that color green! I’ve never tried handpaintedyarn.com but I have some Malabrigo lace and it is so soft.
I also know what you mean about that little shadow of doubt. I feel that way about every pair of socks until the final stitch is done. They just all look so funny half-way done. It really is about the process.
September 1st, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Beefields looks great and I know what you mean about some knits being more fun than others. I have a few neglected things as well. I Hope you are OK after the freak cat accident. You are just too stealthy for poor old Quincy!
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I so feel like you, all the time while knitting! With each and every project, I usually begin happily and knit away – but just up to a certain point, then there’s suddenly all doubts and whatnots. I think there wasn’t one single project that I did with which I wasn’t about to rip it all right in the middle of the work. Fortunately I hardly ever do that – the ripping – usually that’s the point then when I have to put the knitting away for the day, and the next day is really different again, then I’m ready to go on, without any doubts anymore. And I totally agree, it’s the knitting that counts, as long as you’re having fun with it, everything is going to be okay. And – I adore your lace work, it’s very, very beautiful and looks so fragile and elegant. Perfect!