Knitter of this Lyra is Rosemarie Buchanan, of Lethbridge, Alberta (that's me, the editor of this blog!). This Lyra is showing the bellybutton from the wrong side. The fine thread in the upper left corner is Size 20 cotton, and it's there to show how fine my wool is. The strand of blue wool will be used to pick up the blue stitches on the bellybutton. The bellybutton will be (ever-so-carefully!) cut off the centre of the Lyra, and the circle will be cinched up. At the time of this writing (July 20/05) I am on round 129, with about 50 rounds to go. My Lyra will be square when it's completed. I have pink or blue stitch markers to separate the pattern sections, and white stitch markers to separate the four corners, just to keep me on track! 

My Lyra !! It's being knit in a beautiful cobalt blue wool. This picture doesn't show the colour accurately. The bellybutton is visible; this is the right side of the Lyra. 

This Lyra is the work of Jaya S. She is using Silk City Kashmir (cashmere/silk/wool) in Dawn Rose. It will be a round shawl on US size 6 needles. Approx. knitting time (a few hours over a couple of evenings to get to this point - rnd 38). Cute bellybutton, if I say so myself! The cashmere/silk blend must feel fabulous, Jaya!

You can see the white belly button in the picture. It is going to be a huge shawl. 

Carol Griffin of Valrico, FL, USA is the knitter of this Lyra. Carol writes, " I had no idea it would be so large. Had to order more thread to finish. Anchor Liana #10, ivory, #2.25 ndl." The crystal piece seems to match. It's so beautiful ... no wonder so many of us are happy to be knitting it! 

A true beauty for an elegant setting. Carol's Lyra graces her dining room table; the dark wood of the table and that gorgeous chair certainly accentuate the Lyra's delicate features. 

Edge detail on Carol's Lyra. 

Carol's Lyra's centre. Beautiful work, and well dressed-out to show off Carol's lace knitting skills. Thanks for the photos, Carol! 

This Lyra Learning Group is truly international. This Lyra is the work of Marianne Kuokkanen, from southwestern Finland.
She is using yarn Coats Aida cotton #20, and knitting her Lyra on 2.5mm and 3mm needles. Marianne is knitting the square version table cloth. The colour is lovely, Marianne! I would love to hear what other colours are being used by the Lyra Learning Group members.
 

This Lyra is the work of Gretchen McKinsey-Clarke, Benicia, California. She is using Size 10 DMC Baroque cotton, on a Size 3 US (3.25mm) Addi Turbo Circular needle. She writes,
"I cast on and ripped out several times before I really started and got going. So I don't remember when I really started it. I get 3 or 4 rounds done every night when it is quiet. I am about to start on round 101!" Isn't there something almost magical about seeing it on the circular needle? 

Gretchen's Lyra, showing the controversial third set of leaves, almost completed. Several knitters in the Lyra Learning Group are creating adaptations on the third set of leaves (for information, there is a severe "binding" at the third set, due to a significant decrease in the stitch count, and that causes a visible, and almost unnatural, tautness, between the third set of leaves and the flower). Lovely work, Gretchen! 

Gretchen's Lyra, up close and personal! 

Gretchen's centre. She writes, "I haven't cinched up the center yet. I tried 4 centers before I stuck with this one where you put a slip knot on the needle, knit into it and add the new stitch back onto the needle." Thanks for the great photos, Gretchen. It'll be great to see your Lyra finished! 

Debbie from Colorado, USA, sent me these three great photographs of her Lyra. Here are the details: "I'm on row 129 knitting on 000 or 1.5mm needles with size 60 crochet cotton (Mafil Cordonetto 60 a friend got me from Italy)." Below is her alteration of the third set of leaves, and below that is her circular start. Thanks so much for sharing, Debbie! 

This is a close-up of Debbie's alteration for the binding at the third set of leaves. She writes, "I'm still not quite happy the way the alteration turned out, but I can always knit Lyra again and try something slightly different!" That's the spirit! (and this writer wonders how many of us will eventually knit more than one Lyra?) 

This is Debbie's crochet start for circular projects, and here is her explanation of it: "The start is what I use for crocheted and knitted doilies -- wrap a couple loops of thread around a finger and then with a crochet hook * pull a loop of new thread from back to front and then pull a new loop through the one on you just made that is on the hook *. Keep this loop on the hook. Repeat from * to * until you have the desired number of loops on the crochet hook. Gently remove the crochet hook and slip in 1 dpn into 1/2 the stitches and a second dpn in the 2nd 1/2 of the stitches. Holding the dpns parallel, gently pull the thread tail and the center loop will close up as tight as you want it." Thanks for a very clear explanation and illustration of your circular starts! 

Laritza's first Lyra, the square version transformed into an octagonal Lyra ;-) "I used lace weight alpaca/wool yarn with needles US #4. This Lyra has 8 corners :) " Laritza lives in Utah, in the USA. 

A Real Welcome !

Greetings, Lyra Knitters! As you can see below, Susan K. from Germany is first off the starting line with a picture of her Lyra. I'll be looking forward to being FLOODED with photgraphs and details from everyone in the Lyra Learning Group.
This blog gives us the chance to create a visual history of our Lyras In Progress, something we can share with each other, the Knitted Lace List in general, and to our friends and family. It will also illuminate the gentle friendships that exist around the world, originating in our collective love of lace knitting and growing to embrace each of us as individuals, respected by our colleagues on the list for our similarities, and yes, our differences!
As unique as the knitters, no two Lyras will look exactly the same, even though they are knit from the same patterns.
I hope all viewers of this blog will savour the love of lace knitting which will be so evident in the photographs. Welcome to the Lyra Learning Group!

Susan K. from Germany is the first to send in a picture to our blog! Thank you so much, Susan. Here are the details of her Lyra: Yarn: #10 crochet cotton, natural white
Needles: 2.5 mm
Shape: square
Pattern: from Kunststricken - Decken, Garnituren, Spitzen (reprint by Verlag f�r die Frau)
Time: cast on May 25th, 2005 - finished ? Spread out on her circular needle, it's easy to see the beautiful pattern. Thanks so much again, Susan!