Well you all know how it started -

...the provisional cast on. After much mentoring I opted to make a chain and use that. It seems to be OK (we shall see for sure though when I try and unravel it :hihi:)

...I merrily knit away then come to the instructions yo p2tog. In my normal way I fudge this instruction thinking you just take the yarn over. After completing 15 or 16 rows I realise this is not looking right. Go off to consult the Vogue knitting bible and find the error of my ways - you dont just take the yarn over but wrap it round the needle. Undos several rows back to the first of this set of instructions swearing to myself:roll:

...The reknitting is going well - so I thought - when I reaised that the row of vertical eyelets that surround each panel kind of wibble and are not lovely and straight. Now why could this be - because you are reading the purl rows the wrong way stupid!:suspect: The knit rows read from right to left on the chart but the purl rows knit left to right! Undos several rows back to the first of this set of instructions swearing to myself:roll:

..the re-reknitting is looking very good now (I hope) and I have now done just over half of the first panels (so I have half an X, Y and Z).

One day I will knit something right the first time!:D

But just think of all the fun you're having, doing and redoing and redoing :)

Oh, and we demand PHOTOS!

You are so patient! I would have probably consigned it to the 'not worth the bother pile' and chosen an easier pattern...! I am sure after the teething troubles it will all go smoothly now. Fingers crossed!

But just think of all the fun you're having, doing and redoing and redoing :)

Oh, and we demand PHOTOS!

You can have photos when I have completed the first set of panels:wink:

You are so patient! I would have probably consigned it to the 'not worth the bother pile' and chosen an easier pattern...! I am sure after the teething troubles it will all go smoothly now. Fingers crossed!

I dont think this is a very difficult pattern - its just me not reading it properly:blush:

Does anyone always read every pattern correctly? I've been known to forget to do the short rows after knitting a heel flap, and then wonder how come I've got way too many stitches. (Wheezy, this is about socks, so forget you've read it.)

:suspect: Read what? :suspect:

Grrr mumble moan - frog frog frog ...note read instructions properly as frogging lace is not easy (I lost 5 rows last night after trying to fix a 3 stitch crossover that I had done the wrong way):cry:

Which alphabet pattern is it? I'm about to start the Debbie Bliss one from the Baby Knits Book.

Oh Lisa this sounds like my swallowtail!! It's still in the naughty corner!

Which alphabet pattern is it? I'm about to start the Debbie Bliss one from the Baby Knits Book.

Thats the one - Im on row 24:hihi: I have about 4 months to finish it so it should go OK. We could do a mini knitalong:) What are you doing yours in - mine is Bergere do France Ideal as I couldnt stomach the cost of Debbie Bliss yarn for it to get sicked on:D

Oof, lace tinking is miserable. I always get my yarn overs in a twist. Hope your blanket behaves itself from now on, Lisa.

OK then here goes its the first row of letters XYZ (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/XYZ.jpg)(with a closeup of XY (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/XY.jpg) and another of YZ (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/YZ.jpg)) - please scuse rubbish photos. This much was about 1 ball of yarn - think I may have bought too much!

OK then here goes its the first row of letters XYZ (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/XYZ.jpg)(with a closeup of XY (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/XY.jpg) and another of YZ (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/YZ.jpg)) - please scuse rubbish photos. This much was about 1 ball of yarn - think I may have bought too much!


Good work!!:) That is very economical - you may need to take some yarn back to your LYS and ask for a refund. Fortunately, I don't believe your lys insists on a 28-day turn round:D

Lisa, that is looking lovely, well worth all the trouble! I shall look forward to the progression photos too.

Good work!!:) That is very economical - you may need to take some yarn back to your LYS and ask for a refund. Fortunately, I don't believe your lys insists on a 28-day turn round:D

Ooo well thats very interesting to know (specially since it will be way over 28 days before I really know) - maybe I could trade it in for something else if I need to:D Maybe the edging chomps up yarn like nobodies business ... we shall see.

That's absolutely gorgeous. I really love it.

When you get to the edging, I've got some very hand hints on how to make it easier and quicker. Remind me when you get there!

I'm making mine from whatever I can find in my stash that comes to 300g! Will let you know!

Good luck!

Lisa, you are such a perfection puss. That's looking really beautiful. But thanks for the offer... I'll not be having another baby just for you to knit me one. :lol:

When you get to the edging, I've got some very hand hints on how to make it easier and quicker. Remind me when you get there!

I'm making mine from whatever I can find in my stash that comes to 300g! Will let you know!

Good luck!

Hmm I got 11 50g balls (according to the pattern my sub has a similar yardage I think). Are you sure 300g is enough?

Hmm I got 11 50g balls (according to the pattern my sub has a similar yardage I think). Are you sure 300g is enough?

Probably not. Must learn to read patterns in future *hangs head in shame*

Probably not. Must learn to read patterns in future *hangs head in shame*
Me too thats why Ive redone this first set of letters 3 or is it 4 tims now :hihi:

Righty ho here (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/stage2.jpg) it is at the end of the second row of letters and closeups are here (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/stuxy.jpg) and here (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/uvwxyz.jpg). Im pleased with how its coming on even if I did have to undo 5 rows to find a lost stitch:roll: Maybe I should think about starting a blog?

It is looking great! Thanks for posting photos.

(Much faster growth than my jumper which I am re-doing the front of for the fourth time).

wow looking good!!!

im just stopping by, reasons will all be revealed!!!

how long would a blanket of this size normally take to knit???

would you be interested in doing it for a second time :hihi::hihi:

It's looking great, Lisa. Such a pretty nursery item. Well done for sorting out the gremlins!

Looking brilliant Lisa. Keep it up. when's the baby due?

Hurrah I have managed to get across the first hurdle and have finished the central panel (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/blanket.jpg) with a little extra help (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/maisie.jpg):roll: Now its the edging which involves lots of picking up, hoping that my provisional cast on unzips and lots of little triangles:suspect: Littleblue has suggested that I make the triangles by doing the knitting backwards thing where you dont turn your work - has anyone done this before and is it easyish?:huh:

Lisa, the blanket is looking fantastic! Well done you. Your little helper is adorable :love: I must take a good look at that pattern. Hope you have kept a diary of your hints and tips as I have an urge to knit one for a very special baby who will be here next year :)

Lisa, the blanket is gorgeous, and I am glad you had help just in case it all got too much!

The little feline helper looks very pleased with her work Lisa- does she enjoy knitting as much as you do?

The little feline helper looks very pleased with her work Lisa- does she enjoy knitting as much as you do?

She has stopped play at the moment - I could not concentrate what with being divebombed by a ninja kitten! BTW we called her Maisie;)

What a cute kitty! Knitting backwards is easy enough but you need to keep an eye on your tension.

What a cute kitty! Knitting backwards is easy enough but you need to keep an eye on your tension.

Not that easy with a 14 week old kitten who loves all things dangly in the same house as your knitting!

You must be so pleased you persisted. It's looking brilliant. And, whether Maisie is a help or a hindrance, she certainly accessorises nicely with the blanket!

Knitting backwards is something I've never tried, even though it would be a neat trick with the entrelac I'm working on at the mo.

Maisie is so sweet. Toffee nose would love to play with her. The blanket is great too. Well done LisaH :)

There I was last night knitting little triangles for the edging when I went to put it away for the night (got fed up of the ninja kitten divebombing me) and realised that I had forgotton to change to smaller needles:o Do you think it will matter?

There I was last night knitting little triangles for the edging when I went to put it away for the night (got fed up of the ninja kitten divebombing me) and realised that I had forgotton to change to smaller needles:o Do you think it will matter?

Will it affect the way the little triangles are spaced out along the edge? If not, forget it! Even if it does affect the number of triangles it could work out OK over the multiples. The extra needles size may just mean one or two less triangles.

Will it affect the way the little triangles are spaced out along the edge? If not, forget it! Even if it does affect the number of triangles it could work out OK over the multiples. The extra needles size may just mean one or two less triangles.

Its still the same number of stitches - they were live stitches IYKWIM! Might just make it slightly flarey:o I will finish this edge and make a decision whether to keep or undo it later:)

Maisie (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/maisieblanket.jpg) has been helping again:roll: I have done both the top and bottom edges and picked up for the left edge. I did decide to redo the triangles in the smaller needles.

Very cute and helpful in that special kitten way!

Maisie (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/maisieblanket.jpg) has been helping again:roll: I have done both the top and bottom edges and picked up for the left edge. I did decide to redo the triangles in the smaller needles.

Another cute picture - Is the blanket finished now?

It was great to see the Alphabet Blanket in all its glory today, Lisa!

Look its finished and blocking (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/blockingblanket.jpg) now:D

Look its finished and blocking (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/blockingblanket.jpg) now:D

Wow, it looks fantastic!

I am extremely impressed with that Lisa. Well done. Can you bear to part with it?

It is lovely Lisa, it looks much nicer now that the points are all pointy.

I am extremely impressed with that Lisa. Well done. Can you bear to part with it?

I would love to keep it but DH says no more babies so I guess that is it!

Look its finished and blocking (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/blockingblanket.jpg) now:D

Life's too short to block lisaH, but it doesn't half look lovely :love:

Life's too short to block lisaH, but it doesn't half look lovely :love:

But blocking improves lace no end. If possible I too would not block as to be honest I dont have the room. I will take a proper finished photo not on white towels when I can be sure it is definitely dry (I think it already is but Im going to leave it there until tomorrow to be sure) so you can see it properly.

It's looking fabulous, worth all the trials and tribulations.

Lisa - how much yarn did it take at the end of the day?

Lisa - how much yarn did it take at the end of the day?

It took about 7.5 balls of Bergere de France Ideal.

I will take a proper finished photo not on white towels when I can be sure it is definitely dry


Tell me, would that coincide with the return of one husband, who happens to be the photographer of the house :suspect:

I shall miss it now you've finished it LisaH. Are you sure that you don't want to make another?

Tell me, would that coincide with the return of one husband, who happens to be the photographer of the house :suspect:

No he returns tomorrow - a photo will be on here tonight!!! I do manage to take some decent photos you know:P

I shall miss it now you've finished it LisaH. Are you sure that you don't want to make another?

LOL maybe I can start a new thread on my next big project - the trials and tribulations of making Rogue :hihi:

Try not to make the same mistakes that I did, I missed out one of the sets of increases on the sleeves (you increase at the sides AND at the edges of the cable motif).

I came to wear my Rogue yesterday and I can't find it. I've put it away "somewhere safe" over the summer and I know not where.

So here (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/finishedabc.jpg) it is in all its finished glory:D Very pleased with it! M looked at it and said 'but you can have knitted that Mummy, its too beautiful' - do I take this as a compliment or otherwise:suspect:

So here (http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/lisahxxx/finishedabc.jpg) it is in all its finished glory:D Very pleased with it! M looked at it and said 'but you can have knitted that Mummy, its too beautiful' - do I take this as a compliment or otherwise:suspect:

Does whoever is getting it know how to wash it? I give lessons on washing wool :hihi:

Yes it is beautiful and you should take "M"'s comments as a compliment. :)

Does whoever is getting it know how to wash it? I give lessons on washing wool :hihi:

Yes it is beautiful and you should take "M"'s comments as a compliment. :)

The reason I chose BdF Ideal was coz its machine washable (and tumble dryable apparently) so although the points wont be as pointy and the lace wont be quite as open it will survive without felting:D

Just been having a nosy at this thread ... what a beautiful creation you have made there ... it'll become a family heirloom I'm sure :)

*bows in admiration*

Lisa, well done for getting such a beutiful lace project completed. You can't even see where the cats helped you out!!

You're right with the blocking though, you can't do lace without it. I finished my swallowtail shawl a couple of weeks a go and got round to blocking it this week. Wow what a difference it makes. Photos to follow as we've not had a good enough day to take any piccies recently but will try maybe today.

That's fab, really lovely Lisa! :)

Well shes finally had the baby this afternoon at about 4pm (she went in to be induced a week early on Monday evening). She is called Abigail Eloise I believe and was approximately 11lbs:o I am now going to cast on the pink DB cashmerino aran now I know everything is ok:D

Well shes finally had the baby this afternoon at about 4pm (she went in to be induced a week early on Monday evening). She is called Abigail Eloise I believe and was approximately 11lbs:o I am now going to cast on the pink DB cashmerino aran now I know everything is ok:D

Congratulations to your sister and family!

What lovely names they have chosen Lisa and what a big baby!
How opportune that you had some pink Cashmerino Aran in your stash :)

Ah I knew she was supposed to be a pink one - Sarah had to go for loads of scans this pregnancy. Still didnt stop me casting on though until I knew for sure as although my LYS will take back yarn she is very unlikely to take it back after it has been used:lol: