Entrelac Enters My Repetoire

I have owned Scarf Style since nearly the week that it was released back in 2004 (dated by copyright, not by memory). I have looked it over and daydreamed many times. I have suggested it to other knitters more times than I care to count. However, I have never actually cast on for any of the projects. Since there is a new entrelac book and we are offering a few classes at the store on the subject, I have finally set to trying this technique by way of the Lady Eleanor pattern by Kathleen Power Johnson.

Entrelac is a ton of fun so far. Since turning the larger piece of fabric every 8 stitches is fairly tedious, I strongly recommend giving knitting backwards a try. I had practiced this skill about a year ago on a swatch with the intention of doing some sort of entrelac (perhaps the adorable felted pouches from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2009). As with any new set of finger movements, it felt slow and awkward. I got the gist and then set it down to move onto an entirely different pursuit. The past practice paid off as I began this new project. The awkward faded quickly since I was already familiar and I am expecting it to become smoother and faster as I work through this length stole.

I am amused by the spelling suggestions that blogger is giving me for "entrelac" - entrails to interlock. They almost have it right as I imagine that the etymology of entrelac and interlock are closely related.