I have mixed feelings about knitalongs. It is fun to see other people knitting either the same item as yourself or one based on a common theme but it’s easy to get carried away and assume you’ll finish within the deadlines. (Not that it matters if you don’t, of course, but somehow that feels like failing). Last year I signed up for two shawls as part of Joji Locatelli’s great autumn knitalong, known as the Jojifallkal2015. I completed one-and-a-half. There were so many enthusiastic knitters taking part that the KAL ended up being split up into categories with several threads in the Ravelry group for both ongoing progress and finished objects. It all got a bit overwhelming.
This year things were scaled back a bit on Ravelry. You could cast on, chat or show your finished object. Nice and easy. I was also far more sensible and decided to just knit one item within the ten-week period: a Three Colour Cashmere Shawl. There were quite a few others either knitting this or the cowl from which the pattern originated and it was lovely to see posts filled with yarn selections. I actually knitted all the way down to the third colour because I just wasn’t sure what it should be. Everyone I asked gave me a different answer. Many suggested a bright pink to pick up some of the flecks in the variegated and give the bright contrast stripe the original has. I knew I might not wear it that much if I chose anything too bright so I went for a quieter contrast.
The Three Colour Cashmere Shawl doesn’t use three complete skeins of yarn but I just had to use all the variegated so I made the third and fourth stripes larger and worked the rest as in the pattern. Of course, knitting additional rows on a crescent-shaped shawl (six increases every two rows) expands the shawl immensely width-wise too. So my shawl is well over two-and-a-half metres wide. In fact I had to block it laid out double and then steam press the fold away afterwards.
I’m not sure such a large shawl is always so practical – I can’t just hang it round my neck as it touches the ground. I need to wrap it at least once right around my neck. Wrapped twice and pulled down over my shoulders, it replaces a cardigan. I think it will look lovely over a dark coat in winter, too. (Ravelry project here)
gladeridercrafts said:
I love that second pic at the end about how to wear it! It’s made me want to knit one like this now!
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soknitsome said:
Do! Figuring out what to do with it all can be tricky. The ends are so long but I do like wearing it. 🙂
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salpal1 said:
I agree with you about KALs, so much pressure with some of them. I like the sense of community, but I learned last spring to choose them wisely. I did an MKAL on a lace shale project and it was not fun by the end.
On the plus side, you have a lovely shawl, and you wear it well!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you! I’ve stayed away from MKALs. I like to know what I’m doing. Multicoloured ones are just downright scary!
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salpal1 said:
The only one I have completed on time was a single colored one from a designer I knew, but there still was loads of pressure. The others I actually purposely did not complete on time so I could see what the thing looked like, lol.
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littleblackdogsa said:
🙂 I have never done a KAL. I get distracted to easily with other projects.
I love this shawl. I am glad you made it bigger, it looks great. I enjoy wearing a bigger shawl all wrapped up around me. You can do so much more with it.
You look stunning wearing it. Well done.
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soknitsome said:
Thank you very much! Sock KALs are fun. I’ve done a couple with the Aussie Sock Knitters on Ravelry and they are always easy – 2 months time so you can knit something else at the same time. 🙂
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littleblackdogsa said:
Thanks, that sounds great. I do enjoy sock knitting, and they knit pretty fast as well. 🙂
I should really join a KAL sometime.
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iknead2knit said:
Gorgeous!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you 🙂
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susanssnippets said:
Such lovely work and the colors only serve to enhance your stitching! It is very beautiful!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you very much. I loved knitting it and I love wearing it!
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keiryberry said:
It’s really lovely. I love that it’s so big and wraps you up, looks great
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soknitsome said:
Thank you. I think the wrapping up will be great for travelling, too.
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Little Church Knits said:
Oooh! I kind of like that it’s so large! I could certainly see wearing it with a simple T-shirt, as you have! I love that look!
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soknitsome said:
A plain t-shirt certainly lets the shawl be the focal point. 🙂
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Missy's Crafty Mess said:
That shawl is stunning. I agree that KAL’s can get overwhelming. I didn’t even come close to finishing the last one I joined
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soknitsome said:
Thanks. There seem to be a few of us who have mixed feelings about KALs. Hope you finished yours in the end.
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shoelaceswitcher said:
Large shawls can be difficult to wear but I think you pull it off nicely!
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soknitsome said:
Thank you 🙂
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