Double Dose Of Lace

The new issue of Let's Knit is out and there's a double dose of lace from me. First I've got a stunning lace shawl in Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace. This is the second time I've used Rialto Lace for a shawl and I love it. I'm actually about to cast on for a new design with Rialto Lace this afternoon. This time it's not a shawl though.

Arabella is what I call a hybrid triangular shawl or a cross between a triangular shawl and a half hexagon shawl. It starts like a top down half hexagon shape with three triangles worked side by side. After a few rows, you stop increasing for the centre triangle giving you a lovely shape. The back of the shawl is more rounded (so you don't get the pointy bit, usually pointing straight to your bottom) and there's more fabric across the shoulders which makes the shalw really easy to wear. If you want to read more about this construction method look at my tutorials here and here. 

The lovely Jen knitted this sample for me and I think she did a great job. Thank you Jen.

ETA: This shawl has beautiful turqoise miracle beads in the edging which aren't very visible in the photos. 

But that's not all. I've got a lace tunic in Drops Baby Alpaca Silk too. This is a 4ply yarn from Norwegian yarn company Drops.  I bought some balls in Norway and Christmas and when I got back in January I did some swatching with it and came up with this design. It is a gorgeous and very luxurious yarn. Maybe a little bit hot for the heat wave we're experiencing for most of the UK  this week but if you start knitting it now, it'll be ready for autumn.

Allegra is knitted in the round to the undearrm. Then the front and back are knitted separately to the shoulders which are joined by working a three needle cast off. Stitches are picked up around the armhole for the sleeves. The sleeve caps are shaped by working short rows and the sleeves are worked in the round. If you fancy short or longer sleeves, just try the tunic on after a while and stop knitting when the sleeves are long enough. I love this construction method and i'm using it more and more.

Frances knitted this sample and she did a perfect job as always. I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful sample knitters helping me out.

 So which one are you casting on first? I must admit I'd love a Allegra tunic for myself. I doubt I'll have time to knit it though.