Slipstravaganza - The Mystery So Far

Before you read any further I must warn you that this post contains spoilers for the WestKnits Slipstravaganza MKAL

 It also contains several examples of photographs taken on a phone in poor lighting conditions (this is not really spoiling anything but prevents me having to apologise repeatedly)

Okay, you have been warned. Continue reading at you own peril...

So after all that build up you may have guessed that as of the release of the second clue, of four, for this MKAL I'm still knitting along, I'm having fun and can actually see myself wanting to wear the finishaed article.

I'm loving the yarn from Dusty Dimples (UK Indy Dyer). And am picking up new skills all the time. It all started with an i-cord and then picking up the stitches from each i-cord row.

We've then moved onto honeycombs... 

And then, so far for me the most challenging part so far, rather large holes... 

I'm looking forward to finding out what the next 3 sections bring and hopefully picking up a few more new skills. 

Does "The Plan" Still Exist?

I'm pleased to say yes it does and yes I'm still working from it ... to a certain extent!

So a first a quick reminder of the two main lists that were the basis of the plan with updates as to progress:

The UFOs are as follows:

1 Hue Shift Afghan        
2 Floozy                        
3 Sparkle Punch Quilt    Binding to go
4 Alice cushion              Still in progress
5 Aran squares              One complete plenty more to go!
6 Pumpkin mini

7 Xmas stars                 Still a WIP
8 Wedding quilt            Still going
9 Opal socks                 Replaced by other socks

10 Jessa shorts             Toile complete now going to be trousers

Hmm I'm sure I've completed more than that!

The 'Ready to Gos' are as follows:

1 Highland cushions       To be started
2 Colourwork stocking
3 Scheepjes hat
4 Scheepjes shrug          Change of plan to a wrap (not started)
5 Hitofude                     To be started
6 Blythes Spirit 
7 Lottie and Albert Blanket   And again
8 WM quilt
9 Bird quilt                    One EPP project at a time
10 Xmas mini                Needs to be started soon!
11 Socks
12 Cross stitch bookmark    Playing hide and seek

So 9 items off the list so far, and apart from face masks I think only one item has been completed that wasn't on either list - a Grace dress.

As may be assumed from my last post I am planning to swerve away from the lists, but not just for the Slipstravaganza Shawl but also with a Lovenote sweater that I am planning to knit in my upcoming week off which means it's also likely I'll have two big knitting projects on the go at the same time. 

Ah well some plans are made to be deviated from! 

Slipstravaganza MKAL - Nerves

 Probably due to the strangeness of the times I have decided to do something crafty I thought I'd never do again - take part in a mystery knitalong.

I took part in a blanket mystery knitalong in 2012, based on the fact the wasn't a previous blanket of the designer's I didn't like (I even h as d several of their books). Unfortunately even with the money invested in the kit and the many hours spent knitting the blanket squares I've never really liked the blanket and it's ended up unfinished as I don't know anyone personally who would like it. So I decided that taking part in a mystery anything was not for me. 

Until now when I quickly bought the pattern and the necessary yarn for the Slipstravaganza MKAL by Stephen West. 

I've never knitted a WestKnits design but I have been considering them this year. I'd also been following a couple of other MKALs. Other than that I can't really explain my change of heart.

Maybe it was the lovely yarn kits? I had looked at the official kits but with postage and exchange rate they were a little expensive. Luckily the dyer of 4 of the kits - Dusty Dimples - was UK based and so it was possible to get the same yarn direct from her (just without the MKAL goodies).

I have to say I love this yarn and if I don't enjoy the MKAL I'm sure I can put it to good use. As is the case I have had my head turned by other yarn kits that keep popping up but I'm keeping true to my first choice. I'm now nervously/excitedly waiting for the mystery to start on 9 Oct.

Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated.