Dragon's Orchid Garden

I collect bookmarks.  I knit bookmarks.  I design knitted bookmarks.  I use bookmarks.  My little metal dpns (double pointed needles, usually used for knitting socks) are constantly in my hands.  My latest bookmark design is called 'crocus pocus'.  The pattern for it is available on Ravelry .  It's just a buck. I've knitted 6 of these so far, given away a couple.  The third one in the picture has a big old mistake.  Can you spot it?  The one on the right was knitted on #3 dpns, instead of 2s, so it's a little bigger.  The finished size is about 2 1/4 by 6 1/2 inches without the tassel.  The pattern consists of two simple lace charts and is a wonderful way to learn lace knitting and reading charts, which is essential for knitters who would like to tackle more involved lace projects like shawls. Blocking lace is easy and necessary.  Just wet the bookmark and stake it out with blocking pins.  Use lots of them...

A while ago, I downloaded a free font program to chart knitting patterns called Knitting Symbols by CET V2.00 . I've run across a couple of lace patterns I really like and just finished a dishcloth pattern I found on Ravelry . It's called Elvish Leaves. The first time I started knitting it, I frogged it after 20 or so rows because I ended up with 45 stitches on my needle when I should have had 39! I need pictures. Charts speak to me. I can follow them. So I made one for this really nice lace pattern created by Kelley's Yarns . I hope it links correctly here. Please let me know if you cannot access the file. I'll make more of these cloths. It was really fun to knit.  This  link should take you to a pdf file for the chart.   Updated document on 1/31/10 to correct row 7, which should be k3, purl 33, k3.