Wendy Knits Lace Giveaway (No, Not This Wendy. The Other One.)

Back when I first started knitting as a hobby and around the time I began writing this blog, I contemplated lace knitting or "anything that has intentional holes" and complained that lace might get stuck on a bush or something, so why knit it?

Well, as you probably figure, I have changed my mind.  I like lace in smallish doses and have even tried designing a few patterns with so-called "intentional holes." Jordan has been popular (thanks to Myra Wood who wrote the wonderful book Crazy Lace, which basically set me free of my lace ambivalence).

Wendy Knits Lace, a book from Wendy D. Johnson, is the third book I have in my library written about lace. What I like about this book is that there is a nice section on different techniques to help along your lace knitting that covers things like different types of cast ons, bind offs and splicing. It's not super technique heavy or anything, but there is enough in there that will compel you to keep the book on the shelf for reference. She also has a good balance of patterns that will appeal to both beginner and more advanced knitters. The only caveat is that Wendy does provide charts instead of written-out instruction in many of the patterns. I don't blame her, however. If she wrote out each line, the book would be at least twice as long!

I'm giving a copy of this book away. In order to join in the fun, please leave a comment giving your favorite lace-knitting tip, technique, or the reason why you haven't found one...yet!

I'll close this giveaway in a couple days. All comers invited.

COMMENTS NOW CLOSED. IN PROCESS OF CONTACTING WINNER.

Comments

[Princess Di]

I haven't done a whole lot of lace, just a couple of projects. One thing I have learned is you have to read your lace. When I am working my current row, I am reading the stitches on the needle. That is why I like simple lace! LOL!

[Belinda]

My best lace-knitting tip is to make sure the pattern is with the knitting at all times! I have often left the pattern at home but taken the knitting with, certain I knew the pattern off by heart... Cue lots of frogging :)

[Teri pastorino]

My tip is not a new one, but a twist on an old one. I find that in a lace pattern I repeat my same mistakes over and over.there is always a row on a repeat where I lose or forget my yo's. So i use stitch markers to mark the repeats. Then when I get to the row in the repeat that gives me problems I can quickly count the sections out. The other thing I do is that when I count back I am usually past the place where I missed the yo. So I slip a locking marker over my cable in the place that i need to pick up that stitch when I work my way back. That way I don't have to tink back. Just quickly fix As I go.
Teri

[Silvia]

I haven't any great tips to share, but if you have a large and intricate project on your needles, a life line is helpful. Just in case you need to frog and may also want to keep your sanity. :)

[Aleda]

My best lace tip is a really basic one - use stitch markers for the pattern repeats! I can't even say how many times that's saved me, when I figured out I was a stitch or two off right away vs. finding out at the end of the row.

[Erica]

Nupps with a crochet hook! I usually left out nupps until I learned this trick.

[wendy]

That's a good one, Teri!

[Alane]

I"m not sure I am up for charts, but the different cast on and bind off seem very interesting

[Knitterotica]

If you have a rowdy knitting group, like I do, you have two choices:

1) leave the lace project at home or
2) take it and damn the torpedoes, you can always frog in the morning.

I usually take #2

[Karin]

If you pick me please give it to the next person you pick as my life currently has no space for the time & patience required by lace. I have knit one lace item: a tiny scarf with polka dot yarn overs using to die for Japanese mohair I knit 6 years ago. I still wear it. Congratulations to the recipient of this book!

[heatherly]

1-Lifelines- Dental floss strung through the hole of knitpicks' options needles and knit as usual, the lifeline will magically appear on that row.

2-Section off repeats with stitch markers.

3- it is not a mistake, it is a design element.

4-nupps the estonian way instead of k5tog on a future row. (love merike saarnit)

5- blocking a large slowly it may dry before you want it too, spritz it to keep it moist enough to work with.

[Samantha E.]

I first learned lace knitting by taking an online class. I learned how to read charts and I LOVE lace! I am finishing a lace cardigan pattern right now and I am so excited because I just want to wear it already! I find lace fascinating and I want to knit more lace patterns.

My best tip is also to use stitch markers for the lace repeats but I also color code my stitch markers. For instance, left side is yellow and the right side is always pink. This helps me tremendously.

[Lisa Swanson]

my best advice - don't be intimidated, be patient. If you have to rip back and redo, so be it - it's a learning process. Oh, and use those stitch markers!!!!

[Keisha]

I've been knitting lace a long time, and its still one of my favorite things to do...and I still put stitch markers between my repeats. Simple and a lifesaver.

[Leslie]

I haven't really ventured into the world of lace knitting yet, but I'd like to! I tend to avoid patterns with charts, which has deterred me, but I really need to get over that. I'm sure I'll find it to be just as silly as avoiding DPNs was once I get the knack of reading one.

[Sian Wiltshire]

I haven't done a lot of knitting, though I really love it! One thing I did learn - do not start out with knitting itty bitty lace, no matter how cute it looks. Finding a size 1 needle that actually can pick up the thread sized yarn is almost impossible. And you might go blind squinting at it... Now BIG needles! that's the place to start! :-)

[Hannah]

I find lace to be one of the most rewarding projects when completed...key word there, completed.
I find it easiest to knit complicated lace in a quiet place, relatively free from distractions. (i.e., not in the T.V. room or while trying to hold a conversation) and to always make a note of what row in the pattern you just finished. Can't go wrong if you do that!

[Balzac]

Prepare to rip.

[Sally H]

Nupps in one row, with a crochet hook! And counting each row as I go, so the mistakes are found sooner.

[georg]

I'm a sucker for placing a bead on the YO for beaded lace. I love beaded lace, even though it takes longer to knit. My favorite thing about Wendy's lace shawls is they tend to be written longest edge first, so the slogs are done first when you have the most enthusiasm for the project, then you zooooooom at the end.

[Lisa]

I'm knew to knitting and have just started some knew techniques. The first lace pattern I did was an baby blanket. It turned out beautiful and was really simple. I'd love to learn more!

[Marilyn]

My favorite tip would be to learn how to read charts. For me it's easier to find my place and compare my knitting to a chart than it is to compare it to written instructions. Thank you for the chance to win!

[Diana]

Learn to read charts. And ignore the knitters who brag about not using stitch markers ... stitch markers are your friends. :-)

[Carmen]

No big surprise here..."Lifelines are your friends!"

[Ale]

Lifelines are lifesavers.

Oh, and if it is you're trying to learn lace knitting, mohair is not fun to rip.