Duocenti MKAL by Laura Nelkin in Sycamore & Charter Oaks - September 2016

My First Mystery Knit Along aka MKAL

Today I started working on Clue #1. Actually I've only started the cast on process since how much time I can spend knitting each day is limited while I continue neck / back / shoulder rehab.

None of us participating in the event will know exactly what the finished object will look like until the final clue is released and a speedy knitter finishes their project. The first clue was released September 18th. Clues #2-4 will be released weekly. Buy the pattern on Ravelry here and join in!

SCHEDULE of Clues 

Clue #1- Sept 18th 

Clue #2- Sept 25th 

Clue #3- Oct 2nd 

Clue #4- Oct 9th 

We agreed not to post 'spoiler' pictures anywhere for now except on one discussion thread on Laura Nelkin's Nelkin Designs Ravelry group page. Not wanting to get left too far behind I chose to use this Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply 100% Merino superwash from my yarn stash in colors Sycamore as main color & Charter Oaks - Wild Iris as contrasting color. Beads are an option. I've selected Miyuki 6/0 round beads in Ivory Pearl Ceylon.

Yes -- I will also be doing the Westknits MKAL. That doesn't start until October and is still in the color planning stage for me since my anticipated yarn has not yet arrived.

WestKnits 2016 Mystery KAL - A new adventure begins NOW!

Anticipation is a big part of the joy -

Planning colors and yarn for the Stephen West Mystery Shawl 2016 KAL - Building Blocks can be done without knitting. Good thing, since my physical therapist wants me to restrict knitting for the moment, while we continue to work together to reduce my right side pain.

A mental stretch to accompany ongoing physical stretches

I'm determined to find a way to make this work for me. The idea of plunging into a Mystery Knit Along project without knowing what it will end up looking like is a bit beyond my comfort zone. I've settled on using Miss Babs Yummy 3-ply 100% merino wool. The pattern will be released week by week in four Clues beginning Friday Oct 7, 2016. 

Which 4 colors to use ?

Still up in the air on color selection. Playing the with incoming yarn skeins in combination to select the 4 will be another fun non-knitting part of this adventure. I am enjoying the online conversations in the MKAL group among participants all at some stage of selecting yarn, gauge and colors.

Modern boldness of Stephen West Designs

Stephen West designs convey to me a modern boldness. My fondness for the works of Piet Mondrian and Karel Appel are guiding my color planning. This is a separate issue from how comfortable I might be wearing the finished project. Stay tuned!

SCHEDULE 

Select yarn & swatch for gauge - NOW
Clue 1 - Friday, October 7 
Clue 2 - Friday, October 14 
Clue 3 - Friday, October 21 
Clue 4 - Friday, October 28