Arsenic and New Lace

Here's the truth: Mizutama shawl notwithstanding, I'm not really into lacework. Partly, I'm not into it because it looks dainty (which veers dangerously close to granny territory). Partly I'm not into it because it is dainty (though that shit can be STRONG). But really, I'm not into it because it's hard to do.

Don't misunderstand, the work is not beyond me (though it is beyond me after a couple of glasses of wine and, seriously, why can't I come to terms with this???). It's not even as hard as it looks, in many instances. But it's endlessly fussy. Yarn overs kind of suck. Sure, they make a pretty fabric, but at what cost?

It's not that I'm lazy. I spend a ridiculous amount of effort on fit (and the principles that contribute to it). I'd hazard to say that I spend as much time on a "standard" stockinette sweater as on a lace shawl, once I've accounted for the maths that sweater requires. Really, a lace shawl just happens. If you get the stitches right, keep on and one day, poof, there's a shawl. The sweater-in-process requires endless revisiting, remeasuring, refining.

You may note that most of what I makes falls into the single colour, single pattern, often-stockinette, category. Well-executed, I think these sorts of items make a huge statement. I'm not going to try to convince you that a well-fitted stockinette pullover is as fantastic as a fair-isle scarf or a gorgeous cabled cardigan. Arguably, a well-fitted, fair-isle, cabled cardigan is the best thing of all! But, if the complex thing falls short of the mark and the simple one hits it in the dot, I'll take something simple any day.

The fact is, I only have so much appetite for any given project. And arguably so much talent. Oh, and let's not forget about experience (talent's nerdy older sibling). All of which is to say that you won't be seeing another lacework shawl in these parts anytime soon. Not that I won't happily wear the one I've got...

But over to you... Today's questions: What technique really pushes your buttons? What do you avoid, either because you can't do it or you won't do it? What's your top priority when you make something (yarn-feel, finished object, ease vs complexity)? Feel free to speak in terms of any craft you enjoy. No need to limit the conversation to knitting.