Friday, May 19, 2023, Issue 297: Happy Friday!
- Posted on
- By Susan Wong-Tsang
- Posted in KAL, knit-along, May, May 2023, spring knitting, summer tee
- 0
It is the Friday before the long weekend and so far today, it is a little overcast with the chance of rain. It doesn't look like it is going to be very warm though. I do hope it will be warm enough to sit, relax and knit in our the gazebo on our deck.
There are lots of knit-alongs coming up including the Sue2Knits Kate Davies KAL! Will you be joining in for one of them??
It’s time for the 7th Annual 4 Day KAL with Marie Green of Olive Knits!
Marie Greene at Olive Knits:
In 2016, I challenged myself to knit a sweater over a long weekend – 4th of July weekend, in fact. Honestly, I didn’t even know if it was possible; I’d never knit a sweater in less than a few weeks. But I had a long quiet weekend at my disposal, and a sweater I really wanted to knit. Could I do it? I shared my personal goal with my knitting community, provided status updates throughout the weekend, and before I knew it – the 4 days were over. And I had finished my sweater!
Someone commented on my posts that I should issue a challenge for others to join me. Really? Other people might want to knit a sweater in four days (or at least challenge themselves to a personal best)?
The answer was (and is): yes!
What started as a silly personal challenge has become an annual event drawing together a remarkable community of knitters from around the globe.
But it’s important to say this: this is not really about knitting a sweater in four days. It’s about challenging your own ideas about how long it takes to knit a sweater. This knitalong is about finishing a sweater faster than you thought you could — and doing it with the energy, enthusiasm, and the support of community.
Do I REALLY have to knit this sweater in 4 days?!?
Nope! The 4 Day KAL began as a personal challenge to knit a sweater over a 4-day weekend – and I did! But the real goal of this KAL is to knit a sweater faster than you thought you could, whatever that might be. For those who like a challenge, feel free to try your hand at the speedy 4-10 day pace (based on your size). But you don’t have to speed through it! We’ll be celebrating and knitting throughout the month of July, so you can work at the pace that’s best for you. The goal is to reach the finish line – however long it may take to get there. I’m here to help you knit a sweater faster than you thought you could. You get to decide what that challenge is for you.
This year’s pattern is a celebration of sunshine & summer! We’re knitting a lightweight, plant-based fiber tee for warm weather (and/or for those of us experiencing our own personal summer at any given moment).
The Lemon Spritz Tee is a light and breezy summer top that is perfect for warm weather wear!
Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL)
Designed to be worn with approximately 2-3 in/ 5-7.5 cm positive ease.
Yarn: Sport or Light DK Blend of linen, cotton, silk, hemp, or similar| 720 (778, 840, 907, 980, 1058, 1143, 1245, 1357) yards/658 (711, 768, 829, 896, 967, 1045, 1138, 1240) meters
Quick Info: This top-down tee is knit seamlessly in the round and is perfect for Adventurous Beginners and beyond!
The pattern pre-order will be on sale (on Ravelry and OliveKnits.com) for $11 USD (no code needed) from May 26th through June 15th. After that, it will be $12 USD.
For more details, see HERE including Olive Knits Calendar of Zoom Events.
Cast-On Day is June 30th.
Join Ambah O’Brien’s newest knit along starting on the summer solstice, June 21st. This year’s Ambah’s Solstice KAL will be a mystery to unlock. The pattern will be released in five separate clues over 5 weeks. Join the fun in the dedicated MKAL threads in Ambah’s group, including the Pre-MKAL chat here.
DATES
The Supernova MKAL pattern (initially a placeholder then a series of 5 clue updates) will be available to purchase here from June 1. Cost USD$8
Ambah’s newsletter subscribers will be sent a subscriber-only early bird coupon code to use between June 1 - 7, subscribe here.
Note: Dates will run on Australian AEST time.
CLUE 1 June 21
CLUE 2 June 28
CLUE 3 July 5
CLUE 4 July 12
CLUE 5 July 19
FO ENTRIES & PRIZE DRAW Post by August 14 to be entered into the August 15 prize draw.
FINAL UPDATE The pattern will be consolidated into a single PDF and a final update will be sent out with this final version.
PATTERN DETAILS
Some hints to help you decide if this is the project for you…
A fun project with unique shaping, resulting in a wearable triangular shape.
Where charts are used the pattern includes corresponding written instructions.
There isn’t any colourwork in this design (no mosaic, intarsia or stranded knitting)
Perfect for an intermediate knitter, this project will also suit an advanced beginner looking to try some new techniques. With a supportive group to join, this is a fun way to stretch your knitting progress.
YARN
Fingering weight
MC: 400 yd/366 m
C1 - 12: 12 x 80 yd/74 m mini skeins. Colours will be referred to as C1 through C12.
DIMENSIONS
Top Edge: 105”/262.5 cm
Width: 28”/70 cm
Measurements taken after blocking.
NEEDLES
US 5/3.75mm circular needles, 24”/60 cm and 60”/150 cm in length (for edging and bind off)
Or size required to obtain gauge
Optional DPNs for small circumference knitting if preferred, in addition to the above
GAUGE
24 sts and 37 rounds = 4”/10 cm in Stockinette blocked
28 sts and 40 rows = 4”/10 cm in Garter stitch blocked
Gauge is not crucial for this project, but variations will affect yardage and final measurements.
These Supernova MKAL 2023 Kits from Koigu are coming soon!
For the 6th Annual DRK Hat KAL Challenge, the pattern will be the Old Port Hat.
A few things that make this hat so special:
- A luxurious Cashgora ear liner tucked into the brim.
- A modern take on tied up ear flaps, the appearance of which are created with clever brioche shaping.
- Super squishy two color brioche.
- Unique crown shaping.
- Super cute ;)
Techniques to learn and/or indulge in:
More details will be coming soon for her KAL.
Sarah Schira’s upcoming knit-along is The More You Gnome MKAL 12 which starts in June. Use code “ThriftyGnifty” to get 15% off until June 1!
Gnifty is a star on GBC’s Science Facts for Toadstools and Toddlers. Fun fact: moss doesn’t have roots. Fun fact: fungi allow trees to communicate with each other. Fun fact: Gnifty is so full of fun facts that he’s a three-time champion on the game show Geopardy.
Gnifty is mostly simple knitting with stylish flair and surprising turns. There will be video tutorials for all the parts I think you might want help with. He’s on the taller side - about 9-12” / 23-30 cm is the range I’ll give without spoiling the surprise.
You’ll get a new piece of the pattern on each Clue Day. There will be a thread on Ravelry to share pictures and ask questions for each clue, as well as a picture-free thread for people who want to ask questions without seeing anything. (And a preKAL thread already up and running for questions and fun.)
Key Dates
Thursday, June 1 - Clue 1
Wednesday, June 15 - Last Clue
Sunday, July 2: last day to enter for prizes
Wed, July 5: prizes announced and final PDF released
YARN
You’ll need 3 x 20 g of fingering weight yarn. I strongly recommend sticking with solids & semi-solids while avoiding variegated. More information is in the preknitalong PDF.
WIPs
Yesterday afternoon, I had almost finished the lace on my first sleeve on my Bogota by Le Styling Knitting. I was going to set this aside to work only on my Kate Davies Knit-Along project but I couldn't not work on this first.
The front band is finished...I have decided what buttons and where to place them in my Bogota. I don't carry a lot of buttons in the shop and the buttonholes are small so I was limited in choice but I like these! What do you think?
I can't believe it but I have 4 more rows of lace before the bind off round and I need to use a 4th skein! I started out with 4 skeins based on the pattern. 3 skeins would have been enough but I made the armholes deeper by 8 rows on the front and the back before joining the body.
Sometimes I have a swatch that I would be able to use but unfortunately, it has already been used!
I have only progressed by a few rows since last week on my Serkinet for the Kate Davies KAL! I’m almost finished my other WIP so will be concentrating on this one soon.
The Sue2Knits Kate Davies Knit Along started May 1st!!!
Cast on any of her patterns, big or small. The KAL is running May 1 until August 31. Remember to register.
Join the Sue2Knits Revelry Group too. The Group thread for the KAL can be found HERE. The Ravelry group hasn't been too active but please try to post to the group as well as to Facebook or Instagram.
Use the hashtag #sue2knitskatedavieskal and #sue2knitskal
KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY
Here’s Brandi (@thegreenbuttonjar)’s mom wearing the Magnolia Bloom by Camilla Vad that she knit for her.
Isn’t this beautiful? Kay (83krobbins) is wearing her Rav by Hanne Rimmen.
Jocelyne (jocblais) has knit herself another Ranunculus by Midori Hirose! This one is for summer where she held Shibui Reed with a strand of Kremke Soul Stellaris for a subtle hint of sparkle.
Jocelyne (jocblais) knit this Frog and Toad by Kristina Ingrid McGowan for her grandson.
Trina finished this pair of socks that she says are so comfortable to wear, knit using one of the last sets of Estelle Sock Twins that I used to carry.
Brenda (bmallat42) test knit (making three) of this Alkmaar Shawlette by Dolly Vargas using Malabrigo Yarn Worsted. Rios would work beautifully too!
Sandi (sandima) has been super busy with her Turkish Drop Spindle! Here are what she has spun and plied.
Happy Long Weekend, Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting! Keep calm and keep on knitting and making!
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