Spring Lace-Along Week 4: Lace Rules

We are on Week 4 of the Spring Lace-Along – how’s it coming along? Are you midway, nearing the end, or even, dare I say it, cruising along on a second or third lace project? Are you following the rules for the prizes?

I’m getting back to the lace stole after a short “mystery” hiatus project and at the “slowly plodding-along pace,” in the soothing rhythm of Broken Rib (emphasis on the slowly).

I heard that.

“Broken Rib isn’t lace, Tabetha!”

Aha! So, we have a question about that, don’t we? Are we breaking the rules (and more than just prize-earning ones)?

“Is it considered a lace project if there’s only a little lace and a lot of something else?”

There’s a premise my writing strengths coach (Becca Syme, if you’re interested in learning more about your own writing strengths) pushes all the time.

“Question the premise.”

She means, that if you’ve always been told the “rules” around something (like writing), you get to question whether or not it’s true. Whether it’s true for YOU. For example, in writing, there’s the idea that you should make yourself sit down and write 500 words every day.

The response should be, “reaaaaally?”

Do I really need to write 500 words a day? Is that what works best in my life? Does that use my strengths in the best possible way? I have a #1 strength called Intellection, which needs lots of thinking time around a writing project-time to mull it over, look at it from every angle, or toy with the flow of sentences. Maybe what’s best for me is that I use some “writing” days for thinking/brainstorming instead. Maybe. Question the premise.

Does this apply to knitting?

You bet your bottom dollar it does!

Let’s question that premise about a lace project needing to be 100% lace. Does it really (be sure you ask it with a high pitch lilt at the end)? Am I working with yarnovers and decreases to form a lacy pattern in the fabric? Am I satisfied with the amount of lace in this project? If the answer is yes to either question, then I can happily reject the premise that a project must be 100% lace to be considered lace.

What are some other rules we can question?

• It’s only lace if you use lace-weight yarn.

  Huh. Reeeaaaaally? Where did this idea come from? Can I create openwork or mesh in other yarn weights? Do yarn over patterns look different when worked in a different yarn weight? Will I like the open, drapey, or eyelet pattern in a thicker yarn?

• For every yarn over, there must be a matching decrease in the same row.

  While this is technically true, we can question it. Are there coordinating decreases in later rows? Do we intend to have a varying stitch count? Are we sneaking increases within the lace pattern?

• You should only use charts for lace because it’s easier.

  But, is it really for you? Do you struggle with charts? Do you feel more comfortable reading the written instructions? Are you still in the practice phase of learning chart reading?

What are some rules you’ve questioned about knitting? And how far along are you in your Spring Lace-Along project? Be sure to share with us on Instagram with the hashtag #sweetgeorgialacealong a) so I can ogle your work and b) so it can enter you in the drawing of our fantastic prizes!

• Grand prize: a signed copy of Dyeing to Spin & Knit by Felicia Lo, winner’s choice of a 2 skein pattern + yarn set, a $50 gift card to SweetGeorgia Yarns, and a 3-month subscription to the School of SweetGeorgia
• Second prize: a signed copy of Dyeing to Spin & Knit by Felicia Lo, winner’s choice of a 1 skein or Party of Five pattern + yarn set, a $25 gift card to SweetGeorgia Yarns, and a 1-month subscription to the School of SweetGeorgia
• Third prize: a signed copy of Dyeing to Spin & Knit by Felicia Lo and a 1-month subscription to the School of SweetGeorgia

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – even if there are stated rules, there are no wrongs in knitting. Question the premise. Because once you do, you’ll find even more to uncover and explore.