I realize we’re already well into 2007, but I’m officially proclaiming it The Year of Lace. I mentioned this as an idea in my last post, and I’ve held to it since then, but now I’m making it official. Every new project I’ve started this year has been some form of lace, and I’d like to continue that through the end of the year. So, with all of you as my witnesses, I commit that all of my new projects in 2007 will be lace projects. This means that they will all contain some element of lace. And, no, yarn-over button holes don’t count. Some may consider this a bit of a cop out because it leaves open the option of knitting on old projects that aren’t lace….but for those who know my track record of working on old projects, you know this isn’t a cop out at all.

I will grant myself two “get out of lace free” cards. The first is for socks for my son. He doesn’t need them right now because it’s getting warmer here in Indiana (near 80 yesterday, which is just crazy!). However, once fall comes, he will need a pair or two because his others are just too darn small. These will offer mindless knitting when I can’t wrap my brain around lace or when I need travel/waiting knitting. The second is for an afghan I’m going to start designing soon. There will be lace elements, so I suppose it sort of counts as lace. However, there will be plenty that isn’t lace in it.

All other new projects will have some element of lace. Here’s what I have on the needles now, along with a few finished items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Faux Russian Stole that I started on January 1. I love knitting this shawl! The combination of cashmere yarn and rosewood needles is the ultimate luxury. The lace pattern is just complicated enough to be interesting without driving me crazy. I love, love, love this shawl.

I also have a pair of secret lace socks on the needles. Sorry, no pics. They are a Sockday Club gift and must be kept a surprise until May. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the socks I finished a few weeks ago. They were a Sockday Club gift for Sam. (Sockday Club: there are 8 of us who decided to knit each other socks. We assigned each person a “sockday,” starting with the oldest and working down to me, the youngest. Every three months, one person gets a pair of handknit socks from everyone else in the group. It’s a blast!) The pattern on the leg is Open Twisted Rib, a very subtle lace pattern. Each “cable” has an eyelet in the center.
There are also a number of lace projects on my growing to do list this year. I have some wonderful yarn in my stash that wants to become The Forest Path Stole from the Summer 2003 issue of Interweave Knits.  I knit the bottom border about 2 weeks ago, but have been distracted by other projects since. Anyway, I’m using Jaggerspun Heather in Sherwood Green on size 3 needles. Here’s the swatch: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also have two skeins of purple Jade Sapphire Cashmere that really wants to be a Celtic Knot Shawl. I’m not usually fond of knitting the same project twice, but this was a joy to knit, and I did it long enough ago that I think I can make an exception. Then there’s the Half Hexagon shawl from Victorian Lace Today. I don’t have the perfect yarn for it yet, but it will be mine.

I’m also eyeing some non-shawl lace projects. From the Spring issue of Interweave Knits, the Ribs and Lace Tank and Bonsai Tunic are calling my name. The adorable Sapphire Wrap Sweater from One Planet Yarn and Fiber is lovely. I know the pattern calls for cashmere, but I’m thinking it would be great in cotton (maybe Butterfly Super 10) for summer.  And have you seen the preview for the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting? How much do I love the Grace of Lace garments?! Maybe it will be in at River Knits today…..

Okay, so here’s to 2007, The Year of Lace!  Anyone care to join me?