My first knit-a-long: the great shawl mystery

The Roseroot shawl by Rohn Strong is a shawl pattern that arrives as separate clues; I’m really enjoying this sweet little mystery

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A knit-a-long is when several knitters all follow the same pattern, usually over a set period of time, and then compare the results. It can very local – a knitting group, maybe – or truly international, via Ravelry, for example. All participants can use the same yarn or choose their own, so the finished pieces might look completely different.

Until now I’ve never taken part in a knit-a-long. I’m not really sure why. But when I saw that a designer of lovely shawls that I follow on Twitter (@strongandstone) was running a knit-a-long I decided I would give it a go.

In the beginning: I've just started the first clue here.

This particular KAL has an extra layer in that it’s a mystery. An MKAL. This means that we don’t get to see what the finished object looks like in advance. We know it’s a lace shawl or shawlette, depending on how much of the pattern you decide to follow, but that’s it. It also means we don’t get the full pattern, instead it comes in separate stages, or clues, every Friday.

There’s something quite exciting and rewarding about watching a piece grow when you have no idea what it’s supposed to look like

I’m a bit behind as I’m still on clue three and clue five has already been released. That’s OK, though – I knit pretty quickly so I can catch up if I really want to. The stitch pattern for clue three is somewhat complicated and it’s really fun watching it knit up.

Clue four is where we decide whether to go for the shawl or shawlette. Those choosing the latter simply miss out this clue, taking a week off the knitting, and go straight to clue five. I’ve already decided I want to do the full shawl.

I’m really enjoying the MKAL. The pattern so far is lovely. I didn’t go for the suggested yarn; in fact I don’t think it’s available in this country (Rohn Strong is US based). But I did get one that’s very similar and is very gorgeous. It’s knitting up really well.

The shawl grows: clue 2 is well underway.

There’s something quite exciting and rewarding about watching a piece grow when you have no idea what it’s supposed to look like. Obviously it helps that the pattern is absolutely beautiful. I get the final clue today and hopefully will have the shawl finished by the end of the month. I will of course do a show and tell.

I’m sure this won’t be the last MKAL I take part in.

About halfway through clue 3. You can really see the different stitch patterns now.

The whole piece so far.