To lace, or not to lace

I found myself, not long ago, enamored with Anne Hanson's Fiddlehead Scarf pattern. Not sure why, as I've never really been drawn to knitting lace. But this one called to me, and I answered. Or at least, tried.

I made my first trip to the Yarn Garden last Saturday and picked out some Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb (here it is in my Rav stash). The fine gauge was a little daunting, but I forged ahead and tried casting on that evening. Try as I might, I couldn't manage to loosen up. Ok, so maybe laceweight yarn is something I'll have to work on.

I really wanted to try out this pattern though. I couldn't get it out of my head! So I decided to improvise, a little, and cast on using some Mirasol Hacho and US 10's. The pattern as written is 9 repeats (or 10, I don't have it in front of me) wide, but I shortened it to just 3 repeats.

Here was my progress yesterday afternoon:


And by this evening I had this:


I did goof somehow. I was watching Brother Bear (GREAT movie!) and knitting at the same time. Beginner knitter + lace + distracting movie = OOPS! Click here to see it. Somehow I ended up knitting a wrong side row on a right side. It was at the end of a repeat anyway though, so I just knit another wrong side row (this time on the right wrong correct side) and started over with the first row of the pattern. It's character, right? :)

It's a great pattern though. It's working up so fast, and I can't wait to see it blocked.

Other fun thing this weekend, watching the Dock Dog Competition at Oaks Park.






I would love to do this with my dog, Malakai. He's not interested though.