The soulsucking project that is Ene

So I had actually planned on posting about Ene back when I said I would.  I took the photos, I photoshopped the photos, I thought about what I wanted to say.  I guess after all that, it felt like I had actually posted.  Oops.

Anyway, for those of you who don't pay close attention to these things, Grumperina and I are knitting each other Ene.  She gives an excellent recap of the project here.  Although let me be clear, I would never be mad with Grumperina for posting the details about the project.  I was actually surprised she didn't tell the whole story from the beginning.  And for the record, I am the reason for the long and drawn-out-ness of this project.  I'm usually too tired at the end of my day to deal with the complexity that is this pattern.  And it isn't all that complex, it's just really thin yarn on teeny tiny needles, and for about the first 80 bazillion rows, it took me about an hour to make it through one row.  I'm nearing the end of the third repeat of chart three, and it's now only taking me about 20 minutes to complete a row.  But it still feels like this project will never, ever end and I'll be knitting this for the rest of my life.

These photos were actually taken right after I'd finished the second repeat of chart three, hence the two pins. 

The yarn is my silk lace, but in a color I discontinued because I had too many pinks and purples that didn't have enough color variation.  This color was right between Blush and Plum, so go with one of those if you are looking to knit something similar.  Blush is a bit pinker and Plum is a bit more violet.

And, since a few of you have emailed and asked, I think if I were to knit lace again out of my silk lace, I'd probably use US 1 or US 2 needles.  I'm not a huge fan of huge stitches and big holes in my lace, I guess I prefer something a little denser and sturdier.  But, I am beginning to think the US 0s I insisted on in this project might be overkill.  Kathy, do you have an opinion on this?  Of course, I may totally change my mind when the  thing is blocked.

Funny story about this project.  I took a class from Nancy Bush (the designer for those of you who don't keep random details in your head) a while ago.  And when I showed her this, I told her Ene was just soul crushing to start.  And she said "You think it is!  Try having to make  it up as you go with all those stitches."

(I don't think those were her exact words, but that was the gist of it.)

Comments

[grumperina]

Soulsucking? Awww....

:)

The next best thing to seeing the yarn you're using in person is seeing pictures of it. I love that color!!!

The Andrea I'm using for the Fir Cone scarf is very similar in weight to your laceweight. I'm using 2.50 mm, and the fabric is looking just right!

[stacey]

Ene is fabulous - I totally am rethinking making one if you are calling it "soul-sucking":) It is gorgeous though, love the yarn colorway!

[Irie]

I know how you feel, I remember the daunting number of stitches to cast on for Ene! It gets much much better as you go (as the rows get shorter and shorter)... :)

Beautiful yarn, beautiful colors, thanks for sharing!

[Romi]

It's soooooooo pretty though!!!

[Cynthia]

Oh it is so wonderful! I give you total kudos for even attempting it with all that is Sundara Yarns. The colour is really lovely and I don't think you will really regret the smaller needles. LOL on Nancy Bush's response. Congratulations!

[Teyani]

A shawl with size 0's ??? whoa.. talk about take forever (smile)
It will be totally worth it though - she's gorgeous.

[Zonda]

Wow...that is beautiful! Size 0's!!

[Gena]

I made Ene for my grandmother this past Christmas. It was definately soul-sucking. The never ending rows, the having to pay constant attention...I think I cried several times during the early parts of knitting it. What you have so far is looking fantastic, though!

[E to the M]

OK, I'm pretending that I didn't hear the size 0s part.
Try to take a Zen(ish) approach. Don't worry about how long it will take or how quickly you are making progress. You love to knit so try to enjoy the process and the time you get to spend doing what you love. It will eventually get done and I'm sure Kathy doesn't mind waiting.
I know it's easier said than done but it's worth a shot.

[tiennie]

I am amazed by this undertaking! I have some of your silk lace and it's so beautiful - I don't know what to knit with it yet!

[Terry]

Yes, the Ene is a little daunting w. all those stitches, but oh so beautiful. Keep working on it - it's so beautiful, esp. this color.

By the way, your link to your store pulls up a zen shopping cart!

[Lynne]

Haha! Soulsucking is right! I just finished the third chart (need to repeat it 4 more times) and the border just about killed me. it was brutal just getting through 2 rows in an entire evening. It's a bit more manageable now (I think I'm at ~250 sts or so.), but still...brutal. Simply brutal.

[AJ]

Soulsucking or not, it's a beautiful project. I absolutely love the color.

[Adam]

At least if you're imparting a piece of your soul to Ene, it will return your efforts with stunning beauty. Better than working on a soul sucking fun fur scarf I think ;)

[rfg]

I always thought this project was a little ill-conceived - isn't it better to learn the pattern on fewer stitches so you can be a pro by the time you tackle 375 of them?! Plus it's hard to see the border take shape as you're knitting it, particularly when it's all jammed together on a circular needle. Regardless, it's well worth it in the end because it comes out beautifully - as yours is shaping up!

[Kathleen]

Gorgeous! So, yeah, it takes forever:)

I used US#1 needles to knit a shawl (Icarus) with your silk lace and it came out really well--beautiful drape, lovely definition. If I want immediate gratification, I knit quickie scarves on Size 9's or more:)

Kathleen

[Stephanie]

It's beautiful even if it is a labor of love. I have decided to knit the Myrtle Leaf Shawl from VLT in the silk you sent me. The pattern calls for a 5 and I bought some of the new addi lace needles in 3. Now I wonder if I should exchange them for a 1 or 2. What are your thoughts?

[cristina - string*THEORY]

you hit it right on the nose with the "soul crushing thing" it really relly is...i had an awful experiance with this pattern...atleast it looks like your going to finish it....

[cristina - string*THEORY]

you hit it right on the nose with the "soul crushing thing" it really relly is...i had an awful experiance with this pattern...atleast it looks like your going to finish it....

[Asaknitter]

Your Ene is stunning! Well worth the effort.

[Kim]

I haven't been able to get Ene out of my head since I saw the pattern. I have wanted to make it for my best friend and have a wool lace yarn for it. I'm just trying to figure out what needle size now. Which seems to be taking some time...as a delaying tactic from casting on ALL those stitches. AND NOW you say its 'soul-sucking.' Just great. I'll have to do it for sure (gg).

You Ene is looking beautiful. Can't wait to see and hear about it's completion.

[--Deb]

Hey, I just wanted to tell you that I finally finished my Tatami sweater. I posted pictures last night. I used my own handspun for it, but otherwise, the only change I made was to the position of the ties. (My stupid waistline....) I love this sweater!

[Karen K.]

I feel your pain... last week, I finished Ene's Scarf for a special birthday gift for a special friend. Unfortunately, I wasn't using such lovely yarn as yours (my mistake) and by the time I finished the scarf, using baby alpaca, I was thoroughly sick of both the pattern and the yarn. (If I had been using silk lace, it would surely have been a much more pleasant experience!) Kudos to Nancy Bush, though, for designing such a beautiful scarf. And my friend was utterly delighted with her gift. She's a knitter, so she appreciated the time that went into it.

[elaine]

oy.

i have some golden siam (or chai?) from artfibers in my stash for this...gues i better wait until the kids are away before starting, huh?

by the way, despite the soulsucking-ness, yours looks GREAT! i know that purples are hard to catch in photos, but that color looks very similar to what i have.

[Anita]

I just cruised in.

What's wrong with eye candy (cats) Friday. I personally looooove cats and love your cat pics. I especially like stalking the mouse, too cute. I say bring em on.