KAL

The Knit A-Long or KAL is an interesting construct. The idea is we all start on the same knitting project at the same time and work on it together regardless of where we are physically. KNL's are commonly designed and initiated by knit shops to encourage knitting in general but also to support the sale of their patterns and yarn.

I've never been a big fan of KAL's. I take a generous amount of time to choose my knitting projects, which may explain why I have so many project bags with beautiful yarn but no idea what I'll knit. And I hate the pressure of trying to knit at a similar speed to everyone else, especially when the "everyone else" may be hundreds of people from all over the country or the world. It never seemed a very good fit for me.

I need to point out that I have never once completed any of the several KAL's I've attempted. I get put off by a pattern that seems strange and demented or is poorly written. But if I get to a section that includes brioche, then the pattern and the yarn go in the freezer until I find the time to rip them completely out and either repurpose the yarn or just give it away. Yes, I am occasionally completely judgmental.

With all that in mind, one might be wonder what possessed me to start not one but two KAL's this summer. And even more problematic, was to have those KAL's be Mystery Knit A-Longs. This interesting permutation of a Knit A-Long is one where you buy the yarn but have no idea what you will be making. The pattern comes out in parts or clues. You just have to follow the directions and keep going and at some point you will figure out what you're knitting.

No. There is no explanation for me signing up for two MKAL's but I did. Here is my summation.

The first MKAL was from my local yarn shop in Glen Ellyn, IL. Anyone who knows where I live will notice that Glen Ellyn is a very long way from my home in Katy, TX. It's just under 1100 miles, but I love this little yarn shop. They have great yarns and are warm and welcoming so I consider it one of my local shops. 

There were some problems from the beginning. The initial notes indicated you would need eight different yarns but when the kit came, there were only 7 yarns. There was a note included that said yes, there are only 7 yarns but you have enough yardage to complete the project so don't worry. I'm adaptable but that is an inept and awkward beginning. The first clue was making weird triangles but the instructions were just complicated enough that you really had to sit down and read them through several times carefully. All of that was off-putting enough for me to set it all aside and start to work on my second MKAL. More about that below. In the end, this was a small project, a small shoulder bag that I found supremely ugly. The clues came out weekly so I started off late and never did catch up. In fact, I never started it at all. The pictures of the final product come out before I had even started. The yarn is a stunning 8 ply super fine Merino but after seeing the unattractive and basically useless outcome, I have repurposed the yarn. It has become a wonderful triangular shawl.

The second MKAL came from Kate Davies, a Scottish knitwear designer that I love. I have done many of her patterns and loved them all. This kit also came with lovely yarn but more than twice the yardage of the first KAL. The clues came out monthly rather than weekly and required much more time for knitting. It kept me busy for most of the summer along with all the other things I've been working on. It wasn't until the third clue that I realized it was going to be a shawl. Then the fourth clue sealed the deal. I love this shawl! Every clue was interesting and a bit challenging. The entire process was great. I couldn't wait to see what I would be doing next. I learned some new techniques and have had a blast through the entire project. The colors are soft naturals, which is my happy place, but all put together, the shawl is a riot of pattern.

Clue #1

Clue #2

Clue #3

Clue #4

The whole shawl:

So I batted .500 on these projects. One of them I loved and at this point have no intention of parting with the resulting shawl. The one I disliked I repurposed into a shawl that I think is lovely. It's not the colors I would have chosen but I love the result. It will probably be a door prize at Texas Fleece & Fiber this coming weekend. Come see us!