Fall KAL

It's time to do another knit-a-long!

What's a knit-a-long? It's kind of like when you sit and knit with your friends, except you do it online through pictures. Sometimes everyone follows the same pattern, but sometimes not, there's usually a theme to tie everything together. Doesn't it sound like fun?

What Knit-a-long for any Mari Knits pattern

Why Because it’s peak knitting season, and I always enjoy knitting with friends!

When Begins Sunday November 18, ends Sunday December 16

Prizes Yes! They’ll be announced/decided later on

Where In the Mari Knits Ravelry group here. 

I can't decide what I want to knit, but here are the patterns I'm contemplating:

Broken Rib Hat

The cowl version of Mama Miya

Or another pair of Lovely Lady Arms, since mine are living at Warm 'n Fuzzy

KAL: Holey Hug Shrug

So the KAL actually ended on Sunday, but I didn't get a chance to take photos until Monday, and it's taken me until Wednesday to post about it here. Oh well. Anyways, Here's a photo pre-blocking. It's still a little damp even though it's been sitting out for 2 days, but I'm hoping to take it to Columbus with me this weekend for TNNA!

KAL: Holey Hug Shrug Update

I'm just over half way on my Holey Hug Shrug. I can't wait until it's done so that I can actually wear one of my own knit garments for a change! 

Holey Hug Shrug KAL

I cast on for the shrug on Saturday, but then decided I was going to knit it in the round, so I started over. I've gotten past all the increases, and have done one repeat back and forth.

Since I'm totally changing the pattern by knitting parts of it in the round there is quite a bit more figuring out to do. On WS rows I have to do the opposite of what's written, and that can be difficult to remember.

Anyways, here's a picture of my progress. I like how soft it is, and I think it'll be nice to wear.

KAL: Swatch

The Holey Hug Shrug KAL starts tomorrow!

In preparation for the KAL I've swatched with Lotus Yarns Bamboo Soft. It's 100% Bamboo, and ridiculously soft and has a beautiful sheen and drape. This is not an aran weight as the original shrug in the pattern, though I don't think it's sport as listed on Ravelry either. I'd say it's more of a DK/light worsted. However on size 8 (5mm) needles I am able to get gauge (this photo is before I washed the swatch). Yes, you should always swatch and you should always wash your swatch! Why? Because you will (hopefully) wash your garments once they are knit, and when you do they will grow. If you've accounted for this when you swatch you won't be surprised or horrified when you wash your garment and it grows. This is particularly important with lace, when things tend to grow a lot more than they would appear.

You can participate in the KAL by going to the Ravelry group here: Mari Knits Ravelry Group. 

Here are some notes I posted on the Ravelry group about deciding on what size to knit. 

The schematic shows the width of the ribbing for each sleeve, 10(11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)”, this can be a good way of deciding what size would fit you best, since the rest of the shrug is pretty loose. So, get someone to help you to measure the top of your arm, at the widest point. Turns out mine is 12”, so I’m going to knit the third size, a size M.

To make the sleeves longer, knit extra lace repeats in the very middle of the shrug. I’ve swatched with a lovely bamboo yarn, and have gotten gauge. I’ll try to post a picture of my swatch tomorrow with natural lighting, and then cast on Sunday morning.

Please feel free to post your progress pictures and discuss any questions.

Also, I’m thinking I’m going to knit this one in the round, and I’ll post notes on that when I cast on and decide just how I’m going to pull it off.