Tips for lace?

How-to Questions
1

I have not done a “lace” pattern before–any insights, or suggestions for guidance will be most welcome!

2

Read the pattern and notes before starting.
Ask questions somewhere if there is stuff you don’t understand.
Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t turn out the way the pattern says if you change the yarn, the needle or the stitches.
Take it one stitch at a time.

3

I like to use:
sm in between the pattern repeats
magnetic board to help me keep my place
paper and pen to mark my rows and make notes
lifelines so if you do mess up you don’t have to frog the whole thing just down to your lifeline
if the pattern is on a chart then I will color code the chart…like K2tog might be colored yellow, ssk pink etc…this way I don’t have to keep going back to the key…
remeber if it doesn’t look like it’s suppose to it doesn’t mean you have messed up…blocking does wonders for lace :happydance:

4

those yarn overs seem so innocent but it’s so easy to end up with an extra stitch or two after a few rows. I would count at least at the end of every row until I was really comfortable with the pattern.

Im currently having issues with lace patterns. They hate me.

5

Realize that almost every piece of lace looks like a crumpled rag until you block it. Only then does the pattern open up into its full glory.

6

Those are some great tips. I am new to lace as well, and finished my feather and fan lace projects…
“Wanabee” if you are trying out a lace pattern for the first time, I would suggest doing the feather and fan lace pattern. I think that it is the easiest one for us beginners. And once you do a few row, you’ll have it memorized.
Good luck and once you’ve tried your first lace project, you’re gonna be hooked. Beware of the addiction and happy knitting.

7

thanks to all who have answered so far and thanks to wannabe for asking!

8

I just ran across a thread on Ravelry linking to this site yesterday.

My personal best advice for a lace knitting newbie (oh wait, I’m one of those too)… anyway:

  1. Use a lifeline after every pattern repeat
  2. Make an effort to decipher the pattern. Not just learn it, but realize that there IS a pattern to it… then learn the pattern not just the stitches. I suppose this concept doesn’t always work but helps get your eyes off the printed pattern
  3. Use a lifeline :mrgreen: