Sunday, September 2, 2012

The Doily Beast

I have been so busy trying to finish this doily! I knew it was going to be on the large side but I had no idea how large or how difficult it would be. I found the pattern on line and thought it would be a great way to use up some of that cotton yarn I had bought. The doily finished at 23 inches across. It did use up a lot of that yarn!

It started off fine but then became hard to manage. It got large and each row took forever to get through. Each right side row was different and you had to pay close attention to what you were doing. I couldn't even watch television while knitting. It was too distracting. I had to count constantly to make sure I hadn't forgotten a yarn over. This doily makes lace knitting seem very easy! I thought of giving up but I really love the pattern.

Between work and working on this beast, I haven't been on line very much. I've found I get so much more accomplished but I miss keeping up with everything. I'm going to have to find a nice balance. 

I don't think I'll knit many more doilies! I'm taking a break. I have to find a nice hand project.

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend! I don't mind the summer is ending. I'm looking forward to some nice fall weather.

26 comments:

  1. The Doily is gorgeous--I can see how that pattern {in the round} changes with every row--aren't those yo's tough to remember--and once you get past by a few stitches, how can you possible recall if you forgot--or what? Dizzyingly difficult. I still remember that from my knitting days. Miss knitting despite that. How about a nice scarf (LOL) plain and simple--have a great rest of the weekend....Julierose

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    1. Thanks, Julierose! It may look nice but it may have taken a few years off my life! Nothing relaxing about this project. A nice simple scarf sounds wonderful! Enjoy your Labor Day!

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  2. Your doily is so pretty! I've crocheted them but never tried knitting one. It does seem that it would take a lot of attention. I'm on the last round of the baby blanket I've been crocheting and looking forward to getting back to my fabrics this week. Have a great day!

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    1. Thanks, Sharon! I'm so glad it's done! No more counting! I can't wait to see your baby blanket! I plan on doing more machine quilting also. I have to get these tops done. Everything takes so long to finish! Have a nice holiday weekend!!

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  3. The doily is gorgeous! Would you mind sending me the link to the pattern? Thanks

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    1. Thank you so much, Nancy!
      http://www.craftown.com/knit/knit28.htm
      That's the link. Enjoy! Hope it doesn't frustrate you as much as it frustrated me!!

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  4. it's beautiful, Rosemary and well worth the trouble, in my opinion.
    Like I've mentioned in your previous post knitted doilies are not common over here, they're mostly crocheted. Would love to try this approach, your knitted doilies are simply gorgeous.
    Hope you'll have a great week ahead and happy sewing!

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    1. Thank you, FarahLin! My grandmother always crocheted them as well but I did find the knitted patterns and decided to try them. They're just so complicated to knit but I do love them when they're finished!

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  6. It's big; it's beautiful; it's finished. That's all good. I've made doilies with crocheting and tatting, but never knitting. It's got to be a great feeling of accomplishment.

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    1. Thanks so much, Dora! It was quite a job to get it done but I did it! I'm glad that's over. I starched it this morning and it's now sitting in the middle of my formal living room table.

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  8. Congratulations on powering through and finishing your doily. The result is beautiful!

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    1. Thank you, Auntie Em! I wasn't sure I'd get through it but I finally did!!

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  9. Oh my goodness. That is a lovely doily. I can't imagine creating something like that. Well done.

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    1. Thank you! SO glad it's done! Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  10. Wow. I have several doilies that used to belong to my grandmother. I don't know whether she made them herself or bought them at craft bazaars, but I have a new appreciation for the work that went into making them. Yours is beautiful, Rosemary!

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca Grace! I'm glad it came out so well. I wasn't sure I could finish it while I was working on it but I'm happy it's done! Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  11. glad you persevered. it is gorgeous! I have crocheted doilies but never knit. all I can say is WOW. Thanks for visiting my blog. I am a new follower of yours. ;-)

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    1. Thank you so much for following my blog! Thank you for the nice comment! I hope you visit often as I will be visiting your blog also!

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  12. It is beautiful...WOW! Can you imagine how our grandmothers and great grandmothers found time to crochet beautiful doilies like that with all the work they needed to do!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! It was so labor intensive! I'm glad it's done but it wasn't easy. Thanks for the nice comment and for the visit!

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  13. WOW, thank god you didn't give up, it truly is fantastic and a complete tribute to your hard handy work ;-) J x

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    1. Thank you so much for the lovely words! It became so large while I was working on it! It was sort of surprising! I'm glad I persevered! I really do like it now that it's done! Thanks for visiting my blog also!

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