Need Advice

OK, all you lace knitters. I need an opinion here. I started that lovely Cathedral Stole. Did the provisional cast on, started the first half. Got about 8 or 10 rows done, thought, hmmm, needle maybe too big. Instead of tearing it out, I got the second hank of yarn and knit a swatch a needle size down, and then washed and blocked it.

I decided I liked the original needle version. Kept knitting, now I have almost 20 rows done. Hmmm. Needle may be too big. Denial is a wonderful thing. Here are some photos.

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That’s the first few rows on the larger needle.

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That’s my washed and blocked swatch on smaller needles.

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And that’s even more rows on the bigger needles. I think I know what I need to do here. I just think those bigger holes look sloppy. Grrr. Oh well, it’s not that many rows, and it’s a pretty easy pattern.

As promised here is a better photo of my Tequila Sunrise. The cocktail is just what you might think.

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At least the tequila might make the ripping out easier.

Author: Lorette

My name is Lorette. I learned to knit in 1999, and took up spinning in 2009. I'm a physician specializing in internal medicine, and live in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy my blog!

13 thoughts on “Need Advice”

  1. Well, Lorette, I agree with you that the larger needles make holes that look “sloppy”. Better that you find out now. You’ll be happier with the results if you start again with the smaller needles, otherwise this may always niggle you. The Tequila Sunrises, shawl and drink, look good! Love with your coloring.

  2. Wow! Your shawl and your drink look delicious! And it’s a great photo.

    I don’t have an opinion about the hole size, but if you think they are too big, they probably are. I kind of like big ones myself, and find that they even themselves out when blocked. Actually, looking again, I guess I like the smaller needle swatch.

  3. So sorry. Unfortunately, the smaller needle size seems to yield a better fabric. Remember that the larger holes will have to be blocked and they will become larger yet. Not a good thing IMO. So sorry that you have to begin again but I think you will be happier for it…especially with a Tequila Sunrise in hand! LOL

  4. I like them both – the holes will even out, the question is what kind of a hand do you want for the fabric? Weightless? go for the bigger needle. There? go for the smaller. The smaller needle is definitely what you would want for a top.

    The question is not what is traditionally done, but what you like. I think you personally like a little more body to your shawls than most people do (ie more yarn than space rather than the other way around).

  5. I like the bigger needle. Lace is supposed to be holey. and drapey. If you wante warm, you would do a different pattern. I might even go up a needle.
    Julie in San Diego

  6. First I have to say how beautiful your Tequila Sunrise Shawl is! I adore the color. Although I think the Cathedral Stole would look nice knitted on either needle size, my personal preference would be for the smaller size needle. Good luck making your decision!

  7. I must agree with the smaller needles, looks much cleaner. Love the tequila sunrise (both of them).

  8. I like the smaller needles and I think you will be happier with it if you used the smaller needles.

    Love your Tequila Sunrise!

  9. I think the larger needle looks fine, but the smaller needle looks better! Tequila Sunrise is beautiful!

  10. Did you match the drink to the shawl or the other way around? 😉
    As for advice, I can only tell you that whenever I’m in doubt about frogging and don’t frog, I end up either not finishing the project or not wearing it. Sorry!

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