Improvement on index card, lace knitting system

Sometimes I like to follow charts when I knit lace. But, when there are a lot of changes in the pattern, like what happens with circular shawls, I prefer to use my tried-and-true 3x5 index card system. Marianne Kinzel is a very considerate designer. She provides charts and written instructions. And, the instructions have a space between each round. That makes it easy to copy the pages and cut each set of instructions into a small bit of paper. Then, I tape one round of instructions on its own index card. I used to divide the cards up by sections of the shawl. There is always a logical transition that works out well. I put the card groupings into a zip-lock sandwich bag. That way I can see the instructions through the plastic. When I finish a round, I move the card to the bottom of the pile and knit along.

 

So, Monday morning I walked over to Office Depot to buy a couple packets of 3x5 index cards. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. Some  brilliant person had designed a sturdy, plastic binder for index cards!! Not a spiral binder, mind you! A ring binder! And, there were packets of cards with the holes already punched in the top! And, there were even two plastic tab pages! Be still my heart!!

I bought the green binder and lots of cards. Thanks to the binder, I am able to keep all of the cards for the Balmoral Thistle Circular Shawl all together. As I finish a round, I will just move the tab page up one step. Whenever I start knitting, I can just flip the tab and be right where I left off!!

Comments

[kelly]

This is ingenius! I'll be checking out staples to see what they have!
Thanks!

[bwilliams]

There are also PostIt flags that you can use to mark your place. They work pretty well, but my favorite are the PostIt index tabs that you can write your own label on. The adhesive on them is better than on regular PostIts.

[Grannie Linda]

Can't wait to see progress!
It is a beautiful color. I am about to start the edging on my Rose of Enland. I will almost hate to see the project done as we have been "buddies" for so long!
Have fun!

Hi Grannie,

Isn't that funny? You said nearly the exact same thing as Elizabeth Zimmermann in one of her DVDs. She was teaching a Pi Shawl and commented that when she got the the edging she always felt a bit sad. So many memories knit into the shawl.

Hugs,
Kelley

[Bookwyrm]

How ingenious! BTW...I love the podcasts and knitpicks.com has become a favorite to this new knitter. Thanks for the affordability of your shop!

[Dealonnia Alberson-Cook]

Great Ideal. I am trying to figure out a way to do that on my IPOD which I keep my patterns own. I'll keep you posted to the progress, ideals.