LHYarn2011LaceChallenge Finale

LHYarn2011LaceChallenge, a set on Flickr.

We really had a great time with the lace challenge. Even if your name wasn't drawn from the magical pumpkin during the awards ceremony you should be very proud of your creations. I'm certainly glad I didn't have to do any judging!
Some Highlights
Two people turned in three projects each. J. and L.
Several of you had two entries.
There were 18 projects turned in for the prize drawing. Several of you finished items but had form-fill-in failure. And a couple of you missed the deadline by only a couple days.
S.'s lace shawl of her own design had the most yarnovers in a single entry until ten minutes before the final deadline.
There was only one crochet entry. It's a really lovely use of striping yarn.
There were only two of you entered in the accessory category.
The entries added up to 16,386.5 yards of knitting. That's 37.24 quarter miles or 9.3 miles. This is approximately the distance on the bike path around lakes Harriet, Calhoun and Isles combined. : )
There were 69,523 yarnovers knit for the challenge.  That's a whole lotta holes!
M's pullover has 16,490 yarnovers. That's 13.51 holes per yard for the project.
If I was a betting girl, I wouldn't have bet on the winner of the drawing based on yardage. There were two other people with six chances at winning each. The winner, P.V., only had four chances. I love this aspect of the challenge - that element of chance just for participating.

TBC

Beautiful new shawl for N.

May72010_3
Originally uploaded by chrisrknits

About nine months in the making, N. 's Christel Seyforth Desert Rose shawl is quite lovely. She substituted green Jamison 2-ply for the Black that was originally supplied for the border trim. We think this was a wonderful substitution. At first glance, one may think this piece is knit using intarsia technique, but this is not so. Fair Isle stranding with lots of yarn wrapping keep the back side floats in check and make for quite a smooth fabric after blocking. Each maker winds up with a unique piece since the knitter decides when the color changes will occur. N's came out with a wonderful ombre color pattern.

The Spring Lace Challenge

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Originally uploaded by chrisrknits

R. stopped by with her lace challenge entry. Pictures do not do this stunning piece justice. For this work of art she used Claudia Handpaints 100% silk. Breathtaking.

Yogi Elizabeth Bear

Yogi Elizabeth Bear
Originally uploaded by chrisrknits

K.'s Yogi Elizabeth Bear dropped in the shop to demonstrate Lotus pose. Namaste

Skulls & Picots & Lace?

23march2010_1
Originally uploaded by chrisrknits

Who needs hearts when you can make skulls? This cute number is a lace challenge entry done up quick on Rowan's chunky weight Cocoon. Man, I love a sense of humor.

Lots of firsts this week!

I just love seeing people wearing the garments they've made. This week I photographed three knitters wearing first-of-a-kind projects that are real successes. They were all beaming!

We try to help everyone be successful with their projects and want nothing more than for them to succeed. If Jan or I are both busy, there is usually someone else hanging around that will offer help. We have expert knitter customers that love to support others in their quest to become fellow experts.
           
And there was a first for me. I won a prize for my shawl at the Minnesota Knitters Guild meeting this past Tuesday. Yeah!

Spring 2011 Lace Challenge Update

5march20111
Originally uploaded by chrisrknits

L finished her first project for the Lace Challenge already! And she's cast on for another and itchy to win ; ) One lovely garment on a lovely person wishing for a lovely spring.

I had better hurry up and get the entry form designed. This is turning out to be a really fun challenge.

Someone else has told me they are finished with a lace project, but I've not yet photographed the proof. If anyone needs help getting their projects input into Ravelry, I'm more than will to help. Just come to the shop when I'm around. Don't forget to bring your Ravelry name and password so we can access your account. I'll even take a photo for you to use.