For some reason I really enjoy figuring out how to work decreases and increases into stitch patterns: witness all of my hats (Beaufort, Maple Seed, Rose of Sharo

I think this should be the knitter's counterpoint to the carpenter's mantra of "measure twice, cut once."   The reason the photos show an item with the bottom edge of loose stitches hanging free is that I didn't math twice-- not even once, real

I had been planning to update this pattern to add directions for working it in the round.  Of course, once I started going over the pattern, I decided that certain portions--notably the directions for the neckband--could be made clearer.  The neck

I wanted to mention a couple of tiny pet peeves; these are not on the order of chronic lateness (my own or someone else's), crazy drivers, or even PMS headaches or frizzy hair.  No, these are niggling concerns--yet nagging nonetheless.  First:  the tendency of drapey and/or fine gauge sweaters to show the outlines of hardware such as belt loops, belts, snaps or buttons (and I'm sorry, but I refuse to wear leggings under everything); second, the tendency of many sweaters to hang shapelessly at the small of the back (which is after all part of the waist).  These are two reasons I really like how the Chinese Lace pullover fits; the lace has enough relief and texture, plus a slight flare, which combine to conceal the tops of jeans very nicely (and yes, even the dreaded muffin top--not saying that I have one, but...); and the ribbing and side waist decreases and increases give a shapely fit, even at the small of the back. And this?  A gorgeous version of Chinese Lace, from Angelika, in Germany; it puts my own to shame.  Thanks, Angelika!

Sure, I'm inspired by a particular yarn, by "stitchionaries," by just about anything, but really, it all comes down to the earrings.  Unlike some other knitters, I don't have a thing for shoes, nor socks (too many knitters

StacyZ requested the approximate yardage for Chinese Lace, so here it is, for sizes S [M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]:  1050 [1150, 1250, 1350, 1475, 1600] yds. 

And, since it's Friday, yet another stunning view of Lago di Como.  Ciao!

  I toyed with the idea of giving this sweater a better name.  After much consideration, I almost chose "Suzhou," a town in China famous for its beautiful gardens and beautiful women, because that's where my grandmother is from (and she is certainly more beautiful than I'll ever be--here's proof).  My other top choice was "Meihua," Chinese for plum blossom, a symbol of China.  In the end I decided to keep the name practical and descriptive, and Chinese Lace Pullover it remains.  Worked in DK weight cotton yarn, this sweater would also be lovely in a cotton/silk blend, or all silk, or wool/silk, or cashmere--any yarn with good stitch definition that will show off the lace pattern, a modified version of "Chinese Lace" from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.  The fit is not overly close, but the ribs create a flattering, body-skimming line, and the raglan sleeves are also flattering for most body types.  The pattern is written for sizes S, M, L, 1X, 2X & 3X; for garment bust measurements of 35, 39, 43, 47, 51, and 55 inches.  Click here to purchase pattern!  (If using a direct payment from your Paypal account, or a credit card, make sure you click the "continue to download" button immediately after purchase.) Edited on 10/23/07 to add:  the pattern has been updated and now includes directions for working both flat, in pieces, AND in the round to the armholes; in addition, the upper body shaping has been altered slightly to allow simpler and clearer directions for continuing the 7 knit/ 2 purl body ribbing into the neckband.  IF you purchased the pattern before the above date, and want the updated version, please contact me at knititude@gmail.com, and I will email you the new version free of charge. Edited on 3/28/08 to add:   Please make the following correction to patterns purchased before today:  under "Sleeves:  Raglan Shaping,"  the first sentence should read "Dec 2 sts each side (k1, SSSK...)" etc., NOT "(k1, sl1, SSSK...)."   

Nice house!  Wonder who lives there?  Wonder when it was built?  Wait a minute--what's that in the foreground over there...could it be...Chinese Lace?!

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Next time, don't be a lazy slug:  treat ripped yarn properly to remove the kinks before re-knitting!

Too-tight sleeve on the right, one-size-up sleeve (unblocked--although I guess that's pretty obvious) on the left.  The stitches on the new sleeve look kind of wonky because after I ripped one of the other rejected sleeves, I was too laz