The Knit Kit :

Lace knitting tips are always welcome. I learn a lot from lace knitting. 1. Patience is one of the top skills. The patience to count, to double check each pattern repeat, and to un-knit instead of tossing it in a corner for the cat to throw up on! 2. A good light. Poor lighting leads to mistakes in knitting, tight muscles, eye strain, and a wadded up mess in the corner for the cat to throw up on. 3. A crochet hook is a necessary tool. Picking up dropped stitches before they sink into the depths of the knitting, using the hook to get that tight stitch over the other one on the needle. 4. Lifelines. If you have not used lifelines, learn the technique. It's simple and can save you. Basically, its running a contrasting thread through all the stitches on a given round or row. Then if you have to rip back, you have a stable row where you know where you are and all the stitches are there waiting for you. It's a wonderful security blanket. 5. Post it notes. I use them to mark my chart row, to keep track of what a symbol means, or to jot down my place when the phone rings. 6. Mellow music. It slows my mind and hands, so that I can knit thoughtfully and carefully, enjoying the process. This also keeps me from tightening up my stitches, which in turn causes my hands to cramp, which in turn leads to tossing it in a corner.... 7. Stitch markers and point protectors. You cannot have too many stitch markers. I use stitch markers to mark repeats in the pattern. I use stitch markers to mark where my increases and decreses are. Point protectors help if you have to stop for any reason - when lace knitting falls off the needles, you have a mess. 8. Pen or pencil. I use it to write on my pattern, to figure out math, to write on my sticky note. 9. A DPN needle. Just one - use it to park a stitch, to help count, to chew on instead of screaming at the designer. 10. A contrasting color towel. If you are knitting a dark color, drape a white towel over your lap - it helps you see the stitches.