Fighting the FOMO

 It's October and for many knitters that means Stephen West's Shawl MKAL. I have knitted a couple of these and, even though I am nervous about the unknowwn mystery aspect, I have enjoyed the knitting and the outcome. The major downside with these shawls is that they require a significant amount of yarn - five 100g fingering weight skeins for each of the last 3 shawls. This added to the mystery element and the "fear" of not liking this year's design meant that I wanted some sort of distraction project so that I didn't sign up for the MKAL (this does not mean that the shawl will not get knit at some later date*).

What better distraction from a Stephen West Mystery Shawl than another Stephen West shawl - to be specific Pierre. This DK weight shawl had caught my eye some time ago and based on an idea from the (on hiatus/ended) Wool Work podcast (formerly Knit British podcast) I decided to knit it in British undyed yarn.

(Apologies for the poor lighting I mainly work on this in the evening so photos are often taken under electric lights).

The yarn I chose was Fleece Jacob DK from West Yorkshire Spinners, taking the opportunity to work yarn from a breed I have never knowingly used before (although I have to say I generally am not great at tracking the breed of sheep my yarn comes from but anyway...).

This shawl relies on texture rather than zany colour combos for its feature. I'm liking how it's working up to date. The shawl should be thick and squishy, perfect for the threatened cold winter and all the other possible fun and games this winter. I think the colours may give it a rustic but wearable look. As to the feel of the yarn, at the start I thought it felt scratchy but I wouldn't say that now. I haven't had it next to bare skin (other than my hands) but I think it will be wearable and am interested to see what effect blocking has on the yarn texture.

Part of me thinks to go with the flow and let this be a long term project, that's the part that is aware of my two other WIPS, projects needing finishing and my long list of wanna makes. The other part of me wants this off the needles as soon as possible - winter is coming! We'll see how that goes. And either way I might actually rememebr to share the finished item!!! 

*And it also doesn't mean that I won't cave in and cast on a MKAL shawl befoe the final clue is released

What about the KALs?

 I posted last Autumn that I was going to join in with Joji Locatelli's Fall KAL and also with Stephen West's Mystery KAL. Joji's had a six week window in which to complete a Joji designed item; the MKAL was being released over 4 weeks but with no completion deadline.

So how did I do?

Well both items have been finished, but not until last week.

As I was knitting a Susurrus sweater, by Joji, for my mum for Xmas I decided to make that my entry for the Joji KAL.

 I was able to give my mum the sweater to open on Xmas day (without a waistband as we needed to check it for length) but I was nowhere near the KAL deadline.

The MKAL took second place to the sweater, for obvious reasons, but that was finished apart from the blocking, on 6 Jan and even though the Mystery aspect makes me nervous I love the finished item...but I am definitely not taking part in the 2022 MKAL, too many other things I want to knit.

And I still have the KAL bug as I am now taking part in the Yarniacs Self Indulgent KAL - more about that soon.

All the KALs

 It seems the Autumn is the season of knitalong and it also appears that I am being the ultimate joiner this year.

It all started with Joji Locatelli's Fall KAL, the aim of which is to knit any of Joji's patterns in six weeks (it has been 3 months in previous years) and if you were really ambitious you could sign up for more that one pattern.

This coincided nicely with my plan to knit a Susurrus Sweater for my mum for Xmas, a little extra incentive to get it started is no bad thing.

The photo shows my progress after one week, I suspect I won't have a finished object by the end of the KAL but I'll be on the way and I'm not knitting this sweater purely for the chance of winning prizes.

With the sweater planned there was no way I was going to sign up for Stephen West's Shawlography Mystery KAL but it would be interesting to follow the Ravelry forum and it couldn't hurt watching his intro video...

And then I had chosen my perfect yarn set (which can't be captured accurately by my phone camera it would appear). Looking forward to the first clue being released next Friday.

And finally, and technically not in the Autumn so I do have some breathing space, there the Yarniacs Podcast Self Indulgent Knitalong which starts 21 Dec. I haven't got photos oh my yarn but I know I'm going to knit the Flying Foxtails Wrap by Stephen West in a beautiful silk mix yarn from North Shire Yarns, in a colourway called Victoria, with a grey bushed alpaca silk from Drops - feels like a very self indulgent mix.

Looks like I've got my big knitting items planned till post Xmas! 

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. 

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.