Thanks everyone for such a great response to my new Leaves Shawl Pattern (ravelry link to Leaves Shawl Pattern)! I knew I wasn't the only one who appreciated quick (500 yards!) lace in worsted weight yarn!
This is a quick FAQ since I have seen a couple of the same questions (I'll add/update Q&A if I get more questions too).
1. Does the pattern have written instructions for the charts?
Not yet, no. But enough people have asked that I might in the future!
2. Are the charts hard?
If you have never knit charts before the charts may be a bit challenging if you don't know how to read a chart already, or if you do not know how to increase or decrease.
The charts are large- they take up the full width of the page and are in color so they are easy to read. Each row of the charted lace pattern is only knit once (every lace row is charted), so you can cross it off when you have finished it to help keep your place.
3. Do I need long circular needles?
No, I knit mine on a 24 inch circular.The stitches ended up squished pretty close together. At least 30 inches is easier to work with since you can spread the stitches out a bit more easily to check your work. I am partial to Addi Lace Needles
since they have long and pointy tips.If you are buying needles for the project, get needles that are 30-40 inches long, since that will allow you to knit other projects with them more easily since you can use them for magic loop.
4. How much laceweight yarn would I need?
Depends on how big you want to make it, I would guess you would need at least 1000 yards.
5. What do I do if I run short of yarn near the end?
Eeek, we always hope this doesn't happen! But sometimes yarn labels or gauge is off. The easiest fix for this is to omit several rows of the edging at the end.
6. The cast on is confusing!
Ok, not techincally a question, but you are not alone! If you really don't get the cast on, you can just cast on your favorite way loosely and go with that. But before you do that, try a tutorial:
Garter Tab Cast On
