My little sister is newly engaged, so it only makes sense to learn lace knitting and make her veil. (Don’t worry, I won’t come back in a year with a resentment post if she hates it). Currently my lace experience is one very simple triangle shawl.
So far, my plan is to do a bit of mix/match from the motifs in the following pi Shawls, as they’re designed to play nicely together:
https://ravel.me/ez-100th-anniversary-pi-shawl-camping
https://ravel.me/ez-100th-anniversary-pi-shawl-gull-wings
https://ravel.me/ez-100th-anniversary-pi-shawl-hearts
I’ve got knit picks bare luminance, an undyed ivory silk to work with.
Am I setting myself up for frustration? Am I absolutely bonkers for this? I have about a year before the wedding deadline and I’m pretty sure she’ll still be my sister even if I fail. Ive also signed myself up for a Shetland lace course in case that turns out to be a better (worse?) decision. Feel free to roast me, pls, I’m sure my fam already is.
Yeah not to be a total downer but I really do want to reiterate @[email protected]’s first question especially. Don’t do something like this as a surprise, please I beg of you.
With that out of the way, it’s totally doable in a year but weddings are weird and brides are under ridiculous amounts of pressure and you’d need to know exactly what she wants. What shade of white she’s wearing (and you will need to see it with the yarn to make sure), what style of dress and therefore what kind of veil if any would go with it. And that’s before you can even get started.
It’s definitely a discussion and not something you can just make and then gift to her the day before (apologies if this sounds too negative, it’s actually a very lovely thing you’re doing, but I got married 3 months ago and remember how much extra stress came from people trying to “help” lol).
If you (both, together) decide to go ahead with it you’ll want to do a bit of practise of the various stitch patterns, using lifelines etc. Have you worked with laceweight yarn before? It’s a big step up from something like sock weight.
Again, absolutely a lovely thought I don’t want to come across as a nag here. Just don’t want to see you put your heart and soul into something that ultimately disappoints both of you!
I very much appreciate the concern and I agree! My hobby does not need to be part of her big day. But I do think that given the discussion, the details, and that my sister originally taught me to knit this could be something special… Even if it just makes it into a photo or two.
I think I feel a bit more confident, actually, with the advice I’ve been given so far. I’m seeing the bride this weekend, and I can show her the fiber in person (so far she’s only seen it via video) and my earliest swatches. But I’m also going to hold just a little back for now… Because I don’t want to over promise :)
Excellent! Sounds like you’re approaching it all right and our dire warnings weren’t necessary, but better safe than sorry and all that 😄
Lace can be incredibly frustrating but also incredibly satisfying. Good luck, and post all your progress so we can go “ooh”!