Branching Out? Meh. I have started it 5 times with 3 different yarns and end up ripping it out because of the blah factor. I am really enjoying knitting Ella (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTella.html). The pattern is really easy to pick up. I feel comfortable enough with it that I only used one lifeline in the very beginning*. I used the written instructions, so I imagine using the charts would be even easier. You would probably have to double it or make other adjustments for laceweight.
I like the Needle Beetle Seaweed Shawl (http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Needle+Beetle+Seaweed+Stole&Cat=&ProductType=4&Count=15#), too.
*In contrast, I used a lifeline for nearly every row of Branching Out and was constantly tinking back. The pattern wasn't hard, it is just that my short term memory really is that, uhm, short.
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I like the Needle Beetle Seaweed Shawl (http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Needle+Beetle+Seaweed+Stole&Cat=&ProductType=4&Count=15#), too.
*In contrast, I used a lifeline for nearly every row of Branching Out and was constantly tinking back. The pattern wasn't hard, it is just that my short term memory really is that, uhm, short.