Mystery Lace Tips

Those of you who are working on the "Mystery Lace" piece by Julius Schuerer are more than likely nearing the end of the crocheted central netting and are about to embark upon the first of the knitted tiers. This pattern dates from the late 1940's or early 1950's. It is more than likely that folks who worked this amazing pattern back then knitted it using double points, enough of them to make it all the way around the oval. Don't worry. You don't have to do that. I'm not (yeah, I know. Jason without DPN's. Weird, but true). Use two circulars, one on each side of the oval. Length? Since we're all working the pattern in different yarn weights and using different size needles and hooks, you be the judge regarding the length of circular needle you'll require. I'm using a fingering weight yarn about the size of sock yarn, and I started on 16" needles. I'm seeing that I will probably really need to use 24" needles. Now, the knitting chart. It's accurate, but it doesn't reflect what the finished knitted tier really looks like (if you haven't gotten a picture of the piece yet, ask me for one). Disregard the open blocks in the chart. They don't stand for stitches. They're just open blocks. Hang a marker on the loop at the end of the crocheted oval to begin picking up stitches. Stitches are picked up THROUGH the loop, not from the chain stitches. In this case, you will need to "pick up and knit." Catch the working yarn, bring it up through the loop, transfer the loop to the left needle and knit it. Do this for each stitch you pick up. The key to following this chart is to focus and pay attention. I highly recommend running a life line through your work now and then, since this pattern is so jealous, it's really a bear to tink out, and if you get lost, then, well, you're lost, even if you leave breadcrumbs in your path. The beginning of the round isn't always clear, until you've completed the chart twice, but you'll know you're off, if you're off. As you move through the chart and around the oval, take mental note of the geography of the lace: where are the yo's, how many knits are there between yo's, etc. The long strands between the waves are created by the double yarn overs. When you're knitting in double yarn overs, you will knit the first yo through the front, then the second yo through the back. Otherwise, you will loose the second yo and your stitch count will go south. When you set down your work, leave some sort of specific record exactly where you are, so that you can continue where you left off. This pattern is a challenge, but the reward is really worth it! Keep knitting!