Posted under shawls
Even before the consensus came in, I knew that I had to cast on for a project seeped in decadence. Why? Because this arrived in the mail on Tuesday.
That luscious stuff you see before you is Handmaiden Sea Silk in Marine. I’m having a particularly hard time getting a picture of how vibrant a colorway this is. In the pictures, the colors are all washed out. Just imagine the beautiful Pacific ocean off of the Hawaiian Islands.
Thanks to the generous Karen B., I was able to acquire two lovely skeins. I have been wanting and yearning for this yarn for well over a year now. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to finally be able to get my hands on some!
To properly showcase the beautiful colors in this yarn, I chose a relatively simple lace pattern, the Japanese Feather Stole by the indubitable Anne Hanson.
By now, I’ve gotten to the point where I live and die by charts. Unfortunately there isn’t a chart for this pattern, so I’ve been trying to readjust to written patterns. So while the pattern is simple and sweet, it’s been a challenge for me and it requires concentration.
It feels like my brain has been having to forge new pathways as I try to wrap my head around abbreviations and notations that I’ve not followed to this extent for quite some time. I’m so used to seeing the shapes the decreases and increases make within the chart, I feel a little lost and confused without having that as a map for what I’m doing.
I’m a little surprised at how chart dependent I’ve gotten. Looking back, there have been lace patterns that I’ve decided against doing, specifically because they weren’t charted, like the Rona. But to disregard patterns that don’t have charts seems very limiting. So I’m going to challenge myself and knit patterns that may not have charts, picking them for the beauty of the end result and not become intimidated by how they are written.
Not only is the Japanese Feather Stole an excellent starting point to achieving this goal. It’s also the single most decadent piece of knitting that I’ve ever had the pleasure to knit. Besides, I relish a little challenge when it comes to my knitting. ;-)
What’s been your most decadent project to date? Do you prefer charts or the “written word”? What inspires you to try something new?
Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you can treat yourself to something delightful! GO PATS!
Lisa on 01 Feb 2008 at 12:01 pm #
That yarn is so gorgeous! You are one lucky girl!
Charts all the way!!
Jeanne on 01 Feb 2008 at 12:42 pm #
Beautiful yarn! Why don’t you convert it to a chart? It looks like a repeating pattern - I’m sure there are sites out there that can do it (or I have a Word font!)….
Go Giants!
Amanda on 01 Feb 2008 at 12:46 pm #
That’s gorgeous yarn!
I used to be very resistant to charts, but I’m starting to come around. The first couple of things that I did on charts were a complete disaster, but I’m getting better.
Shelly on 01 Feb 2008 at 1:03 pm #
Oh my - that yarn looks heavenly! I think it looks great and you should also challenge yourself to chart it - try it!
I can’t wait to see it knit up!
Carrie K on 01 Feb 2008 at 1:18 pm #
Wild! ;)
I like charts for the visual bit but I really knit best off of written directions. My charts are littered with stuff like “-5-” and “K2tog” because the symbols mean nothing to me! Nothing! At least at first.
fleegle on 01 Feb 2008 at 1:19 pm #
Charts. I just can’t do wordy patterns. Most decadent project…hmm..perhaps my current afghan doily thing in Carerra?
Yarn inspires me–never a pattern. i don’t know why that is.
And I do have two skeins of that in my stash. Gotta think about what to do with it at some point. Thanks for reminding me!
nova on 01 Feb 2008 at 1:52 pm #
Handmaiden Sea Silk? Yes, please. I have one skein of Sangria that I am saving for something special. I heart it so. I am all about the charts too. I have been converting written instructions into charts for my sanity.
Carin on 01 Feb 2008 at 2:02 pm #
Ohh I love decadence… especially the yarn/fiber variety… and chocolate.
Both the yarn and the pattern are gorgeous!
Though it has been quite a few years, I do remember how beautiful the waters are around Hawaii.
I too prefer charts, I have converted a few patterns to charts. For me this well worth the effort, I knit a lot faster and make less mistakes.
You seem to cheer for teams that have triangle hats.
Hattie on 01 Feb 2008 at 2:10 pm #
SO pretty. I also prefer charts. They are just easier to read. That said I will do ones that don’t have them, I just try to find ones with charts instead.
I loooove seasilk. I have a 150 gram skein of it and can’t seem to decide what to make with it. It’s so special lol. I don’t want to use it until I find the perfect thing.
Dee on 01 Feb 2008 at 3:23 pm #
I haven’t knit from a chart yet. I’m a word girl.
I used to knit just plain ol’ socks, but one day I saw lace socks and I was inspired to knit lacey socks. Now I am smitten with lace.
Agnes on 01 Feb 2008 at 4:03 pm #
New lace project! I have been wanting to start the Unst Stole … but think maybe I should wait until after Husband’s sweater. The colourway of your new project is gorgeous.
Always go for charts! :)
KnittinDoula on 01 Feb 2008 at 5:55 pm #
That Seasilk looks scrumptious! Do you find that some yarns call to be immediately used while others like to hang out and just get petted for a few months first? Wow. That came out way more sexual than I’d intended.
I bought some STR colors and had to keep them in a basket where I saw and touched them every morning, just to get that “ohhhhh, so lovely” sensation at least once per day. Once again, sounding perverted about yarn. Sigh.
debbie on 01 Feb 2008 at 7:12 pm #
i want to see it and touch it in real life - it does look decadent! i’m more used to written patterns - but find i like both when doing a project cause they provide more information for me - you can tell i’m not a chart person, but a chart does give a clearer picture of what the pattern is supposed to look like….have a nice superbowl weekend!
dorkyquilts on 01 Feb 2008 at 10:43 pm #
The stole is gorgeous! The color is amazing. Funny…I don’t think I’ve ever knitted anything decadent except one pair of lace socks. I did buy some decadent Noro Silk Garden (a splurge for me)–but I can’t think of anything depraved enough to make with it. And as for charts, I haven’t followed one yet–I’m a word girl, not a picture girl. Chart-reading is a skill I need to practice. Thanks for the post; you’re really zipping along on that beautiful shawl!
Debi on 01 Feb 2008 at 11:26 pm #
Just google “graph paper for knitting” and you can print out paper in your gauge (or whatever gauge you choose) and chart it yourself - it looks like a very easy repeat.
Or you can chart it in Excel.
It’s a lovely color!
Robbyn on 02 Feb 2008 at 3:30 am #
I think I would have to say that I haven’t done any really decadent knitting yet. Definitely something to look forward to though :)
Charts vs. Written - Heh. For a long time, I thought charts were something I’d never figure out or be happy with (kinda like double points). Eventually, I felt forced to learn to read them because it was clear that printed patterns (books especially) were going to use charts since they offered so many advantages over the printed word.
Now, while I’m comfortable with either, if the pattern doesn’t have a chart (for example if I’m trolling through stitch patterns looking for something to catch my fancy) I’ll make one - because it *is* so much more concise and descriptive than the written directions.
So charts have gone from something I couldn’t deal with to something I couldn’t live without - also kinda like double-points :)
hakucho on 02 Feb 2008 at 4:23 am #
Absolutely beautiful!! I’m just the opposite of you…when I see only charts in a pattern I run the other way…give me a written pattern any day :)
Patricia on 02 Feb 2008 at 4:35 am #
I’m smitten with Sea Silk. Knitting with it was one of the most pleasurable knitting experiences that I can recall. It would make me happy just to put the yarn up to my nose and breathe in the scent.
As for charts, I am just now becoming comfortable with them, aways having preferred the written word.
Enjoy the yarn!
hetty on 02 Feb 2008 at 6:12 am #
Wow! Love that Sea Silk! Decadence for sure! I used to be a ‘word pattern’ girl, but since I started to use some European and Japanese patterns, I prefer charts. I often write my own instructions in chart form for a written pattern - I am sure only I can understand them, but , on well. Looking foreward to seeing that beautiful stole completed. Love the colour, by the way!
Kelley on 02 Feb 2008 at 6:28 am #
Wow! That yarn is gorgeous. I can’t even imagine how beautiful it must be in person!
anne on 02 Feb 2008 at 7:03 am #
oh that is going to be luxe alright!
Cookie on 02 Feb 2008 at 8:06 am #
Gorgeous yarn and lace!
After years of reading cross stitch charts, I prefer charts for knitting. Having to pause to read and understand a written just slows me down and we can’t have that. ;^)
I think my most decadence project is coming in the form of a cone of Zephyr lace weight. I love the idea of not having to worry at all about yarnage.
Karen B. on 02 Feb 2008 at 9:16 am #
OK, that’s just hands-down beautiful yarn! One of these years, I’m going to knit that same pattern using my latest luxury splurge, Geisha, from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in their Raven Clan color, Haida.
Christine on 02 Feb 2008 at 9:30 am #
I’ve knit with Sea Silk only once and it was a wonderful experience. I bought a skein of Moss. Before I knit with it I would take it out of my stash and look at it like it was gold (because it was all glowy and pretty). Enjoy!
Robin in VA on 02 Feb 2008 at 2:29 pm #
OMG…it’s GORGEOUS!!!! I want some Sea Silk…
*karen on 02 Feb 2008 at 3:30 pm #
Ooh that yarn looks decadent.
Roseann on 03 Feb 2008 at 3:31 am #
When I find patterns without charts, I often put them into charts as reading all those words can get confusing for me. Decadence is so beautiful and the lace is gorgeous, what fun and pretty project. My handspun silk projects always feel decadent. I think my fiber ADD keeps me hopping from project to project. I get inspiration from my blog surfing as I so enjoy seeing what everyone else is doing.
Knitnana on 03 Feb 2008 at 5:57 am #
All the way out there in the Pacific and you’re rooting for the Patriots? (Me, too, but my family is from New England!!!) Go PATS!
(um for me? it’s ANYONE who’s NOT the Steelers!)
Decadence is certainly that - what a gorgeous knit…(sigh) and Anne’s designs are so amazing…you will have such fun with that! But I know what you mean about becoming accustomed to charts. I don’t love to knit without them anymore, either!
(((Hugs)))
lobstah on 03 Feb 2008 at 12:08 pm #
Ohmigosh, can I say YUM??
Peggy on 03 Feb 2008 at 6:41 pm #
Yes, that yarn is gorgeous!!!! I love the color changes. This is going to be a gorgeous project. I’m rather chart dependent myself.
hopalong682003 on 03 Feb 2008 at 11:21 pm #
I can’t wait to see this one. I like charts myself…I say confidently after working with them a very small handful of times. ;-) Actually almost all knitting is decadent to me. Mostly because I’m doing something that I flat out enjoy…with no real “requirement” to knit. Nobody is forcing me to do it. I don’t have to finish 5 rows by Tuesday. Nobody is telling me what yarn I must knit with. It is all my choice. Last night, I went through my little stash of yarn. Some nice stuff that I picked up on sale, some ultra-cheap acrylics. And I just had fun dreaming of what it would turn into. Socks? A stole? A camisole? A giraffe? It’s all there!
textillian on 04 Feb 2008 at 2:24 am #
I love those colors!
limedragon :-: Harriet on 04 Feb 2008 at 4:15 am #
Why not doodle out your own chart? (Or use a free charting font to create one in your word processor and print it.)
It’s very lovely! Are you in a blue phase? :)
Susan Pandorf on 04 Feb 2008 at 8:19 am #
This time I don’t mind getting the Monday “blues.” Lover-ly work, m’dear. BTW, you could always write the chart yourself. I do that for all written directions - helps to clarify…
Blue blessings!
Carol on 04 Feb 2008 at 8:58 am #
It’s just gorgeous! Doesn’t look like you’re having any trouble at all. I don’t think I’ve ever made anything that could be called decadent, but I have a skien of Brook’s Farm that will be!
tiennie on 04 Feb 2008 at 12:06 pm #
That yarn is gorgeous! I bet it is decadent!
Kathy on 04 Feb 2008 at 12:38 pm #
Wow, that pattern is lovely, the yarn is gorgeous, and the colour is magnificent. I love seasilk, and somehow managed to get a UFO in Seasilk, I must dig it out now… That reminded me of a skein of Malabrigo lace awaiting cast on. I may well indulge myself tonight.
I learned to knit with written instructions, and went to charts a few years back when I submerged myself in Lace knitting. I can go either way now with no difficulty.
Like learning to drive stick then going automatic.