RIPPLE!!

As many of you know, I have a new video out.  It is called Knitting New Vintage Lace.  Using two projects I designed specifically for the video, we will explore the techniques used in these projects and also in many of the projects in my new book, New Vintage Lace.  Although the video is a nice technique source for the projects in the book, you do not need to have one to enjoy the other!  You can read a little more about the video AND order either a DVD or download through Interweave.

I will be hosting a KAL and technique discussion at my Yahoo Group, BadCatDesigns.  You can request group membership here.  Be sure you include something about yourself in the comment field!
We will use the group to discuss techniques and share some supplemental files.  If you watch the video you might notice some swatches and small doilies that I use to demonstrate specific techniques. We will be playing with some of those charts at the Yahoo Group.  Over on Ravelry I host a forum and we can use that forum for chat about the projects and techniques.  You can join that forum here!

What you will need

The new Interweave video, Knitting New Vintage Lace

The video includes an instructional video covering most of the techniques we will use, plus PDF files for two full projects; the Ripple Doily and the Ripple Shawlette.  

The Game Plan

We will review techniques and chat about various options for center starts, working in the round on small needles, going from a doily to a shawl design, tab starts, ideas for the top edge of your shawl, bind-off and more!  In the video you will see quite a few small “swatches” and I will share the charts for these so you can practice techniques and make some pretty, little doilies!  Then we will embark on the Ripple Projects at your own pace.

Materials for Project One: Ripple Doily

#10 crochet cotton (200-300 yards.)  I used Aunt Lydia’s color #0995 (Ocean.)  Any cotton crochet thread will work well, and if you use one that is heavier get a little more and choose a larger needle and beads size, to work well with your thread choice.

US 1 (2.25mm) knitting needles: a set of double-point needles and a 16 inch circular (or size for gauge)

                US 14 (0.75mm) and US 0 (3.25mm) steel crochet hooks

                8/0 Japanese seed beads to match your thread (you will need 84 of them.)

Gauge: 32 stitches and 48 rows in 2 inches, in pattern

Materials for Project Two: Ripple Shawlette

Sock weight yarn (462 yards/100 grams.)  I used Noro Taiyo Sock Yarn in color #3.  Any sock weight or hand-spun yarn will work.  Long color changes are ideal.  You could use several colors to get the same effect.  This would be a fun project for handspun yarns in assorted colors (maybe spun from fiber samples you have collected.) 

US 4 (3.5mm) knitting needles: 32 inch circular (or size for gauge)

US 14 (0.75mm) and US 0 (3.25mm) steel crochet hooks

                5/0 or 6/0 Japanese seed beads to match your thread (you will need 120 of them.)

Gauge: 24 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches, in pattern

How are we going to do it? 

We will open the BadCatDesigns Yahoo group for on-topic discussion and supplemental file sharing.  You will have to join the Yahoo group if you want access to any files that I share. You have to join Yahoo to become a member, which is free.  

We will also use my Ravelry forum for both on-topic discussions and socializing.  You have to be a Ravlery member to join, which is free.  The link to join Ravelry is below.  Once you join Ravelry,  follow the second link to the new forum.

http://www.ravelry.com/

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/badcatdesigns

Joining the KAL is free and open to everyone, but you will need the pattern files (they are PDFs) included with the video to fully participate.  The pattern files are ONLY available with the video.

You will also need a current version of Adobe Reader (or another PDF reader of your choice.)  These are free and available on-line.  Here is the link to download Adobe Reader.

http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Things to Think About

Knitters of all levels are welcome but the techniques are not beginning techniques, so be prepared to have fun learning new techniques and practicing old ones.  I will provide plenty of step-by-step, printed directions to complement the video, along with fun practice projects and who know what else! The practice pieces use heavier weight cotton yarns.  I will share two versions of the Shawlette.  One is the piece shown in the video, knit using the suggested Noro yarn and the second is one I made using various colors of spindle-spun yarn, that I spun and knit during my trip to Colorado to film the video.  I would be happy to chat about spinning for lace projects when we discuss materials and techniques.  Please join us!  I have a PDF with all the above information plus some fine print with group rules.  Please feel free to email me requesting a copy.  Feel free to leave comments here, but if you want a reply be sure you are logged in and include your email address, or I can't reply:)

Photo credit goes to Joe Hancock and Interweave!