Monday, November 06, 2006

soysilk tablecloth - done!

I'm back from Edinburgh and my cousin's wedding. Which means the tablecloth has been given and I can show it off!


This was a bit of a toothpicks and dental floss project, but I did enjoy it and am pleased with the results. The only thing I didn't really like about it was knitting-to-deadline, but that's my own fault.

Yarn: laceweight soysilk. It's a bit like cotton, but not so strong, and silkier knitted up. I tried to do some research before I bought it but I couldn't find a knitter who had used it. In the end I thought it was worth a try, and I'm glad I took the risk, because it is fantastic. Recommended. It does smell a bit odd when wet though, sort of chemical.


Pattern: Find it and other's here. It was hard. But I wanted a challenge. I ended up charting out a lot of it because it was much easier to read, but that's often the way. I started each motif with the magic adjustable ring rather than the way it suggested and simplified the boarder a little, but otherwise I didn't do any mods. There were places where instructions could be more clearly expressed, but it all seemed to be correct.


Needles: 2mm brittany birch dpns, 2mm addi turbo 80cm circular and a 1.75mm metal crochet hook. The birch had too much friction and the addi's were slippery but neither was too much of a problem. It was a vintage pattern and suggested working the 800+ sts for the boarder on dpns - thank goodness for circulars! I *hated* the hook - way too slippery. Either I get a wood one of that size or there is no way I'm crocheting at that gage again.

30 comments:

Pig wot flies said...

Alice, it's exquisite. Well done.

Bagpuss said...

Wow! That is just gorgeous, your cousin is very lucky and you are very patient and talented.

Veronique said...

"Toothpicks and dental floss" indeed! Wow.

Nik said...

that is absolutely beautiful, my dear. I have an aunt who would love it if I knit such a thing for her.

But do I have the patience? Um...no. I think I'll just send her to your website to let her drool over yours.

carolyn says said...

that is absolutely amazing! i am in awe of your skills

gleek said...

wow, i'm speechless! it's simply stunning!

Kristi said...

It's beautiful! Nice work.

Amy said...

I. Love. It.

So much.

I'm sure the recipients love it, too. If they have any sense, anyhow.

Speaking of lace weight, I've started my first project on such a small gauge, and I must say, I'm in love with the delicacy and beauty of it all.

WELL DONE!

Marlena said...

Absolutely stunning. And I thought I was being extremely generous when I knit an afghan for a wedding gift. You created a treasure!

Specs said...

Beautiful! I can't imagine the patience you needed to knit it, chart it, and finish it. I hope your cousin realizes what a lucky girl she is :)

granolagirl said...

Gorgeous, I hope the gift is treasured and kept safe for years for the amount of patience that must have gone into it.

nat said...

It's very cool. Definitely for someone you love. :)

BlackRayne said...

That is stunning.

lisa said...

gorgeous! what a lovely gift.

Susan said...

It's glorious.

Laura B said...

You should win some sort of award for that!

scarletprincess said...

How on earth did you manage it? It's possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen knitted on a blog!

suze said...

Wow! just repeating what the others said really

purls said...

It must have taken ages, but worth it.

Glad the yarn worked ok.

sharon said...

Absolutely stunning! And all on 2mm, you made a little yelp escape from my mouth.

Marie said...

Wow, that's quite amazing. Very impressive indeed!

Lara said...

Incredible! Well done, it is really lovely. I think you are very brave to attempt something on such teeny tiny needles. Did it not make your hands really hurt? It is great to see something with fuses Knitting and Crochet together!

castoncastoff said...

This is quite something. I'm very inspired and I know my Mum will be too. Thanks for posting, it's wonderful.

Becky said...

I am awed beyond belief. Simply Amazing! Did the recipient faint when she saw it?

jess said...

LOVELY tablecloth.. but that's not why I'm posting.

I am knitting EXCHEQUERED... and I love it. I can't believe it, I'm in love.

WELL DONE

Philippa said...

Alice you are amazing

cookie said...

WOW, that is GORGEOUS!!!! And you gifted it? WOW!

glittrgirl said...

That is quite simply hte most loverly thing I have seen in a long while! Well done you! I'll bet it was very well received too.

liz said...

how long did this take? i'm looking to use handmade soy lace in a clothing line and wondering how many hours work something like this involves. it it truly beautiful.

Alice said...

reply to liz - hope you see this

I have no clue how long this took. Weeks and weeks and weeks of a good 3-4 hours a day. I really can't imagine it'd be sensible business plan.

Soy lace work could well be done quicker, just not this pattern.