Lace inspiration

I don't really have any exciting progress to show on my baby sweater, though I am continuing to work on the one from my most recent post. By the way, as a note, I think it's funny that I'm knitting as fast as I can as though that will have some effect on whether or not the yarn runs out. As JoKnits said, at least I'll know more quickly whether or not I'm going to run out of yarn.

Anyway, on the inspiration portion of the post.

As Cookie mentioned, we each received a doily in the mail this past week from our beloved Gene. Here's a shot of mine, the whole thing:

I feel that I should state again, for the record, in case you're skimming: I did not knit this. I wish I could say I did, but I didn't. It does give me something to aspire to however.

Not enough? I didn't think so. Let's take a closer look:

I love the texture on the "petals" of the first flower, the way the stitches flow off in one direction. So lovely.

And finally, what is both inspirational and a little daunting -- the center. Those of you who have done a circular project will know that this is not the easiest thing in the world to achieve. But you'd never know it from looking at this:

Wow. So amazing.

Have we mentioned how much we adore Gene?

Notes about the pattern, etc.: Gene says he's pretty sure the yarn is Tencel. The pattern is a combination of a Herbert Niebling pattern in the center and "another pattern" for the outside (unclear on whether or not it is also Niebling) that Gene decided would be nice together.