Web-Letter, Issue 102 – Soft Linen Lace Belt Today, Pam, Carrie and Cecily are all hanging out with sweaters, models and cameras up in Maine for the Spring 2010 photo shoot. It's that time of year, when we at CEY are thinking of Spring and Fall at the same time—Fall '09 was just released and Spring '10 is just beginning. It's a time of transition. This week Amy Polcyn shares with us a great transitional project—a knitted belt—great to knit and wear any time of year. And don't miss the chic pullover by Amy, knitted in Chesapeake, in the Fall '09 issue of Vogue Knitting.
The Story: From Amy: I love one skein projects, especially in the summer, because they're so easy to tuck in a bag and take with you to the park, the beach or wherever. I fell in love with this flower-shaped belt buckle and immediately wanted to make a knitted belt to go with it! I chose Classic Elite's Soft Linen for its crisp stitch definition and soft feel, both of which worked nicely with the simple leaf lace pattern I used.  The stitch repeat is easy to memorize, making it a perfect take-along project. Visit Amy's blog to see what else she is up to. The Yarn: Soft Linen 35% linen, 35% wool, 30% baby alpaca Soft Linen is a blend of alpaca, wool and linen that combine to make a yarn which is both soft and sturdy. Pieces knit in Soft Linen will hold their shape, while remaining soft to the touch. This makes it a particularly good choice for accessories that will get a lot of use, like belts, shawls and mitts. Soft Linen is available in a palette of 15 refined, yet robust colors. The Stitches: Lace patterns are composed of increases and decreases. The arrangement of these stitches often alters the look of the edges of the knit piece. Most often the cast on edge receives the most visible change and will have a wavy or scalloped look (see photo). The bound off edge tends to take on some of the waviness as well. However, it is often necessary to bind off loosely and then pin and block this edge into shape in order to get the waves as deep as those in the cast on edge. If this edge will be used in a seam, blocking it out straight may be best. The sides of the piece can also be affected by the lace pattern and add an interesting design element, but would be difficult to seam together (see Soft Linen Minnie). Before beginning to knit a piece in a lace pattern, swatching the lace stitch will allow you to see how the increases and decreases will influence the edges.	more photos The Pattern: Here is the free downloadable Soft Linen Lace Belt pattern. If you have difficulty downloading or printing the PDF pattern above, try this: page 1
On Ravelry? Find this design. If you do not yet have access to Ravelry, add your e-mail to their list, and check back once you've received your invitation.
If you like the design above, you'll like this too:
	Soft Linen Minnie's Cover Up Pattern available in Web-Letter Issue 97 Ravel it.
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