rlaba51's Page

I was reading your comment on another thread that you don't so much get into a knitting funk as your arthritis makes it hard to knit. That struck a chord with me because my Mom had arthritis in her hands that made it hard sometimes to work on the various types of handwork that she loved. She passed away in March, and I do miss her dearly! Not long after that my husband and I started taking a natural supplement that has helped him with the arthritis in his hands, and I keep thinking that I'll bet it would have helped Mom too. It's called Nopalea, and it's put out by TriVita. It's been beneficial to both my husband and I. I NEVER do this sort of thing, but I happen to think that if you are into natural health as much as I am, you might be interested in taking a look at it. :-)

IAC, hope I haven't offended you by mentioning it. BTW, if you haven't knit socks yet, you should definitely go for it! I was too clueless to realized that socks were supposed to be hard to knit, and I just tried it one day. I did start with a pair out of worsted weight yarn, so they were quick to knit, which probably helped. I've knit several pairs since then, and really enjoy it! Not to mention how portable they are. :-) I've always got socks or my first attempt at a lace scarf in my purse for knitting while waiting!

how is the yarn tangle going? have you had any success figuring out how to better handle it to keep it tamed? if i can help you in any way just ask. i have been teaching for many years and since you knit continental we should be on the same wave length when it comes to problem solving.
mariane

I have "101 Designer One-Skein Wonders," but i had a really hard time deciding between that and "One Skein Wonders." They both have cute patterns, and I think there is something else called "One Skein" as well. (I was looking for hat patterns; I have a drawerful of hats that go with a coat I no longer own, so I badly need to update.)

If you look under "Books" on this site, and look for the "101 Designer" book, they show you a couple of easy hats--the "Lace Beanie" and the "Chevron Broadway hat." And you can listen to Kelley's review as well.

You're entirely welcome to the contents of my so-called brain at any time! There are quite a few simple lace patterns that would work very well in your hats and scarves, and I really can't think of a better place to start. These projects really make excellent canvases--you can just decide that you will learn something in every project, and after 25 sets, you'll be a real pro in just about the shortest possible time!

Have you looked at the "one skein wonder" books? They have some nice hat patterns, some with lace. I'm thinking of doing a couple for stash reduction purposes, and maybe the odd stocking stuffer.

Greetings and thx for being my friend! To slip a stitch as if to knit (and I'm hoping that you knit right-handed), insert your right needle into the first stitch on the left needle exactly as you would if you were going to knit it, only instead of knitting it, just pass it onto the right needle without knitting it = slip the stitch from left to right needle as if you were going to knit it. There is also a slip 'as if to purl' where you insert the right needle as if you were going to purl the stitch.
Make sense? Just be careful when you do that that you don't inadvertantly put in a yarn over because then you will have an extra stitch. I always use a plain, light colored worsted weight yarn on size 8 or nine needles and practice the pattern a few repeats when I try a new one. Not for guage, just to see if I'm doing it correctly. Once (I was using a very fine, fuzzy mohair) I knitted several inches and it did not turn out right. I had to buy another skein of yarn because when I tried to frog the mistake, it was hopelessly tangled in all the fuzz!
Good luck and keep me posted on your progress!
I'm currently working on my own shawl pattern as well as a baby layette and my first socks ( which I had to frog ~ they were elephant leg wide!).
Keep on Knittin'
Mar

Hi there rlaba51,
I was reading your comment about everything seeming to be written backwards if you knit Continental style and I'm confused. Having learned to knit American, I began knitting Continental about a year ago and don't believe there is any difference. If you explain what you think is backwards, I'd be glad to TRY to help. I'm no expert ~ just a devoted knitter. Other than keeping track of where you are in any pattern of lace, I don't believe it's hard. I have never worked anything over an 8 row repeat though.
I sent a request to add you to my friend list ~ is that okay?
Mar