I think there's a moment in the doing of lace when a part of the mind is altered by the repetition of the pattern. Its a little magical when it happens. For a while (at least for me) the following of the pattern is a little halting and clumsy. The chart has to be kept close at hand. There is gnashing of teeth involved, as well as an occasional horrid ripp-it sound. And then the moment comes.
It takes longer sometimes for the pattern to become comfortable in the fingers. There can also be a few false moments of confidence that are commonly followed by restarts. But at some point, there is a moment when the pattern doesn't need to be consulted, the pattern starts to be revealed and there is a comfortable predictability of it all.
Warning.
This feeling is commonly followed by a really really huge error made more painful if your confidence led you to ignore including a lifeline. This is the consequence of hubris. If watchful you can discover it before you have gone too far.
Breathe deeply, correct the error....
... and then settle in with the rhythm of the lace, let the yarn overs and SSK's flow. This is the time when knitters feel affirmed in the choice of lace.
I am certain that a scientist among us would be able to explain this magical moment when comfort is found with ones lace by talking about an electrical pathway having been defined in the brain by the pattern. This may be true.
I am certain a musician could explain it with a metaphor with the way a musical riff or measure is learned through physical and emotional practice.
I am a knitter. I know it as the reason I knit, and the reason I enjoy lace.
TWO HOURS LATER-----
NEVER MIND! MY STITCH COUNT IS MYSTERIOUSLY OFF. Lace is a curse.
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