It’s winter. The little ones are crying a lot. I’m completely overwhelmed. I’ve recently knit two brown ribbed hats. I am currently knitting something brown. Brown, brown, brown. Then I saw this:
I did the obvious thing and bought the pattern straight away. It’s Ysolda, it’s a mystery knit a long (my first!) and there are 32 different shawls possible! This sounds fun and exciting! I nearly bought some neutral yarn to knit it with, just to be safe. But after discussing it with Lori, whom I emailed for yarn advice, I decided on something different, something a little bit wild for me. She and I, unbeknownst to each other, had both been considering the same color after discussing the pattern. It’s funny because we were both debating something totally neutral versus something quite the opposite! We are planning to knit this in Beaverslide 2 ply in the Globemallow colorway (which is strikingly similar in color to the graphic for the KAL). My yarn arrived today and I love it in all it’s bright cheerfulness. Anyone else in?
p.s. It is highly unlikely that I will be able to keep up with everyone else knitting this. I’m not letting that stop me!
I’ve never knit a shawl before but I’m excited to try something new so I signed up for the knit-along. Woohoo!
I what fun. I signed up too! Using some bright red Claudia Handpaint.
I caved in and bought the pattern and wool. went with a very light variagated yarn – I hope it works!
I’m doing this KAL, too! I ordered my yarn today, but I don’t know if I am going to be happy with it. I didn’t notice until after I picked it out that Ysolda recommends solid colors for this project. I went with two colors, one solid and one hand-painted. Drats. I really like the yarn/color your chose (I always do.)
This time of year is hard. ♥
What a cool idea!! That sounds SO COOL! I wish I knew how to knit.
I’m so glad you chose something vibrant. It will cheer you as you stitch in wintery peace.
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
The seasons of our lives! What a fun project this looks to be. My youngest has left for college this year. It is quieter at our home and this is the perfect time to start “a Mystery”! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds fun! One of these days I will have to try a mystery KAL. Love the color you chose 🙂
Despite the fact that I have a project on my needles now as well as intentions to make something for my friend’s baby, I think I want to do this. The fact that I’ve seen you wear shawls without being prematurely aged has inspired confidence that I, too, could add a shawl or two to my repertoire. Thanks for the heads-up!
I joined too. Now to find some suitable yarn in my stash. I am pledging not to buy this year and knit from stash.
Thanks for sharing! I joined up too and I am so glad you shared where you got your yarn. I am always looking for new places to purchase yarn at a reasonable price. I definitely need a “me” activity since baby #3 will be here in February and I have two little ones at home that need my attention and love. Sometimes I can begin to feel a little drained out. This will be perfect!
I’m in too! I’ve got a million other knits on the go (including promised, overdue Christmas gifts) but I couldn’t resist my first mystery pattern! Should be a blast. Your yarn choice is lovely!
Such beautiful yarn you have chosen! I really needed your post today. I too am so overwhelmed right now. It is our first year homeschooling our four kids (well, the three older ones), I’m pregnant (uncomfortably so – this pregnancy is kicking my rear) and due in February, I hate where we live, my husband’s job requires things out of me that I don’t enjoy doing….oh the list could go on. I try to see the positives, but it’s hard – the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to show me the way though as we move in April and his job will change. That’s not too long, right? 🙂 Anyway, all that to say you lifted my spirits and made me realize I’m not alone. Thank you! I’d love to participate in the mystery knit, but I’ve got lots of fun baby knits on my plate right now….thanks to your inspiration! And, I’ve got a new yarn to check out – Beaverslide!! Thank you for sharing and have a blessed weekend!
if i can afford yarn i’ll do it. why not?! this will coordinate perfectly with Heather’s “Hibernate” retreat (if you’re interested in that go to Beauty That Moves site). Sorry Ginny if that’s overstepping on your blog. Love your yarn choice!!
Of course not! I just shared the Hibernate retreat on Facebook the other day. I think it sounds great!
Sounds like fun!
I’m in!!! 🙂
I’m in! How fun! I am joining you in your color way choice too!
Sarah
I really would love to do this….sounds like darling fun! Alas, like you, there is just so much crying going on lately around here from the wee ones and homeschooling is kicking my bum this year….I will enjoying living vicariously through your blog this go-around! Such a rich, yummy color choice!
Oh exciting !
I’m really tempted to join you. My new baby is only 2.5 weeks old……wonder if I could swing it with 6 littles?
Leah, I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how everything is going with the new baby!
thanks for thinking of me Ginny 🙂 Things are really going pretty well. Ezra is a pretty mellow baby(which is amazing, because I have had several NOT mellow babies) and fits right in with our family. He’ll be 3 weeks on Monday. We are all so in love. I am also starting school back Monday, after being off for those 3 weeks. Hoping that goes well. I am nervous about how to school 3 kids, have 2 littles to keep occupied, and a newborn.
Okay- so I went ahead and bought the pattern and I’m so excited 🙂 I am a little confused about the yarn though and I don’t want to get this wrong. The pattern suggests 4 ply, yes? And you chose a 2 ply. Can you explain the difference? I think the 2 ply is a lighter, thinner yarn?
The 2 ply is the same overall weight that the pattern calls for (fingering), so will work just fine!
good because I already ordered it 🙂 I figured if you were using it, it must be okay. I’m going with the beebalm colorway- so fun to have this project to look forward to during these COLD days! We’re looking at a temp of negative 9 on Monday- eek!
Sounds like lots of fun!
That sounds like so much fun! I wish I could get the hang of knitting but I can’t seem to manage. It’s the purling that messes me up every time. I love the color that you chose, so bright and cheerful, much needed at this time of the year.
I signed up yesterday and ordered my yarn! I need something fun to look forward too! I have never done a mystery kal and different options sounds so fun!
I’m so glad you posted this, Ginny. I think I’m going to join, too. (And I’ll surely be slower than everyone else, too. Especially since I have a birthday sweater with a February 5 deadline to knit…) xo
Oh Ginny, I am thinking of doing the Downton Abbey Mystery shawl KAL! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/downton-abbey-mystery-kal-2014
Ooo…. I love this idea! I think I’ll join along too. My first mystery knit-along!
crossing my fingers mine arrives today, i’ll let you know. i’m so anxious to see it, the color looks really pretty in your photo!
This sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to break up the winter slog. I’m just learning to knit now, I can’t wait until I’m better and can do things like this.
Oooo…. this sounds fun! I think I’ll join along too! My first mystery knit-along!
We had a new baby in August and it’s only now, nearly 5 months later, that it seems like our 4 year-old and 2 year-old are back to normal. I hope it’s sooner for you.
Oh me too!! I’ve spent an entire week sick in bed totally unable to knit and this seems like the perfect cure. I have some gorgeous Luna Grey yarn in her “Marquesas” colorway…sort of a faded peacock sort of color? I can’t wait!!
Oh yes please! A great plan for a cold winter (looking forward to a high of -15 in my neck of the woods come Monday)! Love your colorway. Leaning towards either Mountain Laurel or Bluejay for myself. We’ll see how gutsy I feel when I place the order :).
Sounds like fun – wish I’d read this post earlier today as I’ve just come back from town (and the yarn shop) – never mind, I’ve got until the 13th – so I guess that means I’m in!
I was just telling my husband yesterday about things (like being tired after being with family for 1 week, etc.) and said that I have a lot of sympathy for those who are not only tired but have lots of little ones in the home and how you have so much going on, with having an infant and all the other young ones… so as I slowly cleaned my kitchen this week, I was thinking of you; how overwhelming it is and how you wish for just a clean house and time to knit. I do wish I could give both to you. Seasons of life I think and learning patience as an active waiting is what I see you learning and continuing to endure.
I am not able to do the mystery knit but love your yarn choice and also will be cheering you on!!! praying for you.
ooh- I am really tempted to do this, but a little scared too. I’m into mindless knitting these days and I’m not sure I could do anything that involves “charting.” I’ve never done that before! Maybe I’ll dive in though- could be my birthday gift to myself as it starts on my birthday 🙂
What a great idea! If I had not just finished the weekend shawl I’d join you. As it is, it’s still wet from blocking and I think I’m onto two balaclavas for the kids. It looks like they’ll need them this winter!
PS I love your color choice!
This sounds like so much fun!!
I saw your Beaverslide yarn on Ravelry yesterday and sighed. I love Beaverslide yarn so much. I have all the sample cards and I love to oohh and aahh over all the options they have. I love the idea of the Mystery Knit Along. I’m already over committed to join along. I can’t wait to see how they all turn out. It sounds like such a fun project.
Ginny, I would love to use the yarn you picked. I know the mystery knitalong called for fingerling/4 ply. How many skeins do I order and do I need to use 2 skeins at once to make the 2 ply yarn into 4 ply?
Gwen
Hi Gwen! You would need two skeins, and no, you don’t need to hold it doubled. 🙂
I signed up for that too! Also my first mystery knit a long.
brave! i LOVE that yarn color. we are 8 weeks pre-partum and the crying has already begun. sigh.
I would so take on the challenge of joining the Mystery Knit Along if I got your yarn for it. The colour is super cool and looks like spring. Should I maybe join? Maybe a little mystery knit along wouldn’t hurt my sweater knitting that much…
Good for you, Ginny! If I had any extra $$ at the moment I’d do the same thing. Although it’s not dull and grey/brown/white here in Australia, it’s rather nice at the moment. Take care — things will look better soon. xx
Love the color choice! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
I would join the KAL but I am already in the process of knitting a shawl for me in quince and co osprey in birds egg and I am loving it. Plus I have already bought yarn and a pattern for a sweater for me to knit next…a little post holiday selfish knitting I must say. I am looking forward to my Sunday evenings knitting and watching Downton Abbey season four (can’t wait!).
WOW, I think I am going to join! Mulling over Winter Rosehip colorway. Thanks for the heads-up. And hang in there, in a couple years you will be laughing at all that fussing during the wintwer of 2013-2014.
How interesting! Looking forward to hearing about this neat project. Also – I JUST bought yarn in that color yesterday at my LYS (although in a different brand). It was impulsive. Not the color I usually would pick. But it just SEEMED right! I was happy to see that color on your blog today. Have fun with it!
What an unusual way to knit. If I could I would knit along! It”l be fun to hear about the progress through your blog.
What fun!!! The color is just beautiful. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Wow! Sounds like it will be fun and inspiring… A mystery knit along!
If only I was good enough to knit a shawl!
Hi I just wanted to say that if you can knit and purl you should just jump in and do it. You really can. I did my fret shal last Xmas after knitting for just a year. I thought it would be beyond me (it wasn’t a difficult one but had a lace border) and I just thought its not astrophysics, just have a go! And YouTube can show you everything! And I just bet that the ‘choose your own’ element means you can avoid anything too complex! It’s the only way to learn really… And if a colour spaks to you itll be like colour mood therapy too! Good luck either way.
Kate