Tuesday 25 September 2007

Farewell to Lyra

Apologies to those of you (and I expect there are few!) who are thinking 'Enough of they Lyra already!'. You'll be happy to hear that this post bids farewell to Lyra -- at least until I report back on my Mom's reaction!

Obsessive to the last, I woke up this morning, put Lyra in the sink to soak, took a shower, got dressed and then blocked it on my bed before leaving for work.

And here it is.

It's fair to say I love it as much as a finished object as I did while knitting it. I think my mom will love it. It turned out a little smaller than I had hoped, which means I'll have to rethink what table Mom will use it on - but I'm sure we'll come up with something.

It was knit on 2.5mm needles, using Helen's Lace (Lorna's Laces) Natural. I used just a smidge over one skein (one skein being 4 ounces, 1250). That skein ran out on the last row! So I was very happy that I had bought two. (phew) (I bought the yarn from http://www.modernknitting.co.uk/ who always provide incredibly helpful service -- as they did in getting me this yarn when there was none to be found in the UK.)


The pattern is from the June 1986 Anna magazine, available on eBay from time to time.




The Burda charting style is different from what I'm used to, but once I was familiar with it I really liked it. I expect trying to chart this (what is the non-Burda charting style called?) (ummm I'll call it 'Vogue style') - anyway - attempting to chart this Vogue style would make the pattern look even more complicated than it is because of the irregular increases and decreases.


A couple of people have asked 'what next?' - well nothing too taxing for a few days. I need to get serious about my Innocent Smoothie hat production, and I've got to cast on for a pair of socks or two.

When I've caught up with my friends, some reading and the laundry I've neglected over the past two weeks I'll be ready for for my next project -- for that I've got a couple of potential Nieblings in mind......

33 comments:

z's momma said...

Oh, that's absolutely lovely!

Seriously, how much earlier did you get up in order to pin her out?

fleegle said...

Fabulous, Soo, just fantastic!

Did you change needle sizes anywhere? I think Jane said she did that.

missalicefaye said...

How beautiful.... Great work!

Nevisknitter said...

That is so gorgeous, cant believe you did it so quickly too.

chemgrrl said...

Holy cowpies! I don't think I've ever seen a knitted object so lovely. Really! It's just gorgeous!

darlene mcleod said...

My word, that is absolutely stunning. I don't even like doilies, but that is too big to just a doily. That's a work of art.

Congratulations!

Twinkle Toes said...

STUNNING!

Absolutely stunning!

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOODNESS!

That is absolutely gorgeous! And if your mom doesn't like it or can't use it, then I'll happily take it over!!

I'm so in awe!

susubee said...

That is positively beautiful. You did a stunning job on that, and your mother is going to love it (I predict tears ... or at least a lot of gushing).

Donnae said...

Soo - your Lyra is absolutely stunning. I bet your Mom will love it.

Lady_of_Lorien said...

Wow! That is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations. The pattern is wonderful.

Beautiful!

Sanne

Viknits said...

wow wow wow! What a lucky Mum! It's truly beautiful, what more can I say!

Beverly said...

It's amazing! So gorgeous. You do such lovely work. You're mom is very lucky.

Knitelly said...

I have just picked my jaw off the floor - that is simply stunning. How, how HOW did you knit that so quickly?

Holly said...

Breathtaking. Stunning work. I have to go find a thesaurus to come up with some new words to describe your work!

Linda said...

I am speechless. That is the most beautiful knitting I have seen!

The Caked Crusader said...

Wow...what a stunner. When are you going to attach the pompoms round the edge? (Tee hee hee)

A work of art - it should be in a gallery!

LittleBerry said...

simply stunning is all I can think of when I saw your photograph, I'm sure your mum will be thrilled with it..... what time did you get up so you could block it before work?

mimiasovitch said...

That is so absolutely stunning. Your mother will be blown away I'm sure.

lv2knit said...

That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen -- I must track this down! I am looking for something to light my knitting fire...

florencemary said...

I'm gobsmacked to see Lyra. I wasn't actually sure what it was planned to be (eg a tablecloth, a shawl? I admit to being a dimwit), but seeing it as something that you would put on a table, then I'm amazed that it's knitted. Anything that I've ever seen before like this (ie on a table), has been crocheted. I'm very impressed....

Octopus Knits said...

I agree, it's stunning!

Lacefreak said...

Your Lyra is utterly beautiful! I'm impressed with your dedication getting up to block it so early. Good thing you had more yarn. I look forward to seeing what you get into next.

Yarndancer said...

Wow, that is GORGEOUS! And you knit it up so fast too! Well done!

Fiona Reynolds said...

I commented on the AY forum but again I have to say - this is an exquisite piece of work. It is really beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this is truely amazing! I think that that is the most beautiful knitted item I've ever seen! You're such an inspiration.

Mag said...

Wow! Amazing Lace!
::::bowing::::
I'm not worthy!

Woolfish said...

Soo, I just thought I would take a look at your blog, not expecting to see anything as wonderful as your Lyra, amazing wonderful exquisite.... and the rest, I am a fairlylate starter were knitting is concerned and I am in awe :o)

Lori said...

I followed the link to your blog from Ravelry. I had to stop by to say that this is one of the more amazing knitted pieces I've seen in a long time. Hats off to you!

gilraen said...

Soo this caught my breath! It is exquiste :D I have never really got the hang of lace :(

If you are looking for Louet Gems in variegated Gill at Woolly Workshop. The plain colours I buy at Pickupsticks canada. :)

lv2knit said...

Here's the deal -- I have been stricken with Lyra-itis. I went on ebay and found out the pattern was listed in auction. I won the auction today and I'm on Cloud Nine. I will start as soon as the magazine arrives. I'm going to use Fino alpaca which is very similar to the Helen's Laces. Mine is a very creamy white. Thank you for commenting on my blog or I never would have found this project. I know I will not finish it in two weeks, but I am very enthused, nonetheless!

dandelionpicker said...

Wow that is just gorgeous! I don't think I would ever have the patience to finish something like that but you did such a beautiful job!

WonderMike said...

Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful!!! A work of art, truly.