I really think I have Quilter's ADD sometimes.
I can't remember how I heard about it, but just before Christmas, Jimmy Beans Wool announced they were going to have a mystery knit along....you wouldn't know what you were knitting unti you started, and you wouldn't know what the project was going to look like until the end. That intrigued me, except the last time I tried a knit along, I failed miserably. I just couldn't do the pattern. It stressed me out. So, I was worried about committing to another one.
But then they showed the wool they were using, and I loved it. It's called Lorna's Laces. And then they said the color was named after Downton Abbey. And then they said the clues would be released each week with a new episode of Downton Abbey. It was all too much fun, and I couldn't resist. So, I signed up.
The wool would arrive in December, while I was down in Florida, so that one could knit a swatch and be ready to start in January. So, I had my wool sent to Florida.
So, I told my mom about what I was doing. She got interested, too. And then she signed up, ordered the wool, and decided to do it with me. That made it even more fun for me.
The wool arrived on time. You can see the colors below. Nice, huh? Mom and I both knit our swatches and had to go down a size in needles, which is unusual. We both knit to guage most of the time.
We are 4 weeks into it now, and I'm actually staying on top of it and showing success!
We cast on and started this nice rosebud pattern.
Here it is after another "clue." Are you getting the feel for what we're making yet? (Sorry this is blurry. I took it with my phone, and it's kind of hard to take a good photo of your own arm, I've found out! LOL.) With my circular needles still in it, it looks like I've had some sort of weird hand surgery, doesn't it?!
And last night, I finished the final cuff edge on this hand. I think these are neat gautlets. I'm having a ton of fun with this knit along. It's a quick, manageable, and neat project for me right now. (Sorry for my computer plug in the background. LOL.) But what do you think? I think they are pretty neat and fun. And it fits!!! :-)
Here is the other side. You can't see it, but along the left side of this gauntlet, there are eyelets. I'm thinking we'll be threading something through there in the end, but I'll have to wait and see.
I assume Clue #5 will be casting on for the left gauntlet. Great. I'm looking forward to it.
I've learned new things already on this: I used a crocheted provisional cast on, which was neat. I've never done this clam shell finish before. And I've only done one other glove before, so making the thumb gusset was kind of neat and fun.
Mom's is coming along swimmingly, too, and she's enjoying it more than she thought she would as well (considering she lives in Florida and may have limited opportunities to wear these).
If you want to join in, it's not too late. I bet you could knit this up in a week or so and be caught up. I have found the instructions to be really clear, and the discussion forum on Ravelry has been informative, too. I think the gals at Jimmy Beans said when it's all over, they'll put out a PDF of all the clues put together in a pattern. So, maybe you just want to wait until then and pick up the PDF. Right now, all the clues are available on the Jimmy Beans Blog for free. You don't need to sign up or anything to participate.
It's kind of fun to read the story behind this from Jimmy Beans. It's the first KAL they've done, and they couldn't believe the response to it. They thought 100 people might join in, and they had over 3,000 join in. They couldn't keep up with the yarn orders. It's fun to read about. You can read about it here if you are interested. Good for them. It's fun to see people succeed.
Sometimes, I'd rather knit than do hand sewing. Don't know why. Just do. :-)
Until next time,
How cool! I love those colours!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | January 29, 2013 at 07:26 AM
Oh wow Stephanie -- it's beautiful! And now, I'm very tempted to make those instead of my socks. Hmmm......
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 29, 2013 at 09:35 AM
That is beautiful! Wish I could knit like you do! Are you doing the knitting while you watch Downton Abby?
Posted by: carolld | January 29, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Another one of those posts where I think I HAVE to learn how to knit! and/or crochet! My mom knits, she once taught me and my then 9 year old niece. My niece took to it like bees to honey. Doris? Not so much. I gave up frustrated. Time to try again perhaps... after all it's been 7+ years, and my other 9 year old niece taught herself using pencils and YouTube (I kid you not, pencils instead of knitting needles!).
Maybe I should have had Mom show me when I was 9...?
Posted by: Doris | January 29, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Wow, that's a cool project for knitting! The shell edge is way fabulous, and I love the yarn. I like to knit while I watch a movie or tv, but nothing that requires too much concentration. I'm finally going to see what Downton Abbey is...my mom is lending me some DVD's of the first 2 seasons.
Posted by: Amy DeCesare | January 29, 2013 at 11:04 AM
You can knit, too? You're amazing! I really didn't know what the heck the K stood for--that was cute! Beautiful rosebuds! It's so cool that your mom and you started it together :)
Posted by: Ivy | January 29, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Oh, it's lovely! Way to go! What a FUN knit along!
I love Downton but our antenna doesn't get PBS so I have to wait to catch up on season 3. I heard that Sunday's show held quite a shock. Oh, the insanity! I want to KNOW!! :)
Posted by: April | January 29, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Beautiful, Stephanie! The yarn colors are so pretty and it will be fun to wear....are you making another one for the other hand? ;)
Posted by: Carla | January 29, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Cute cute cute and how fun to do a project that you and your Mom can share. Nice!
Posted by: Deb | January 29, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Oh my, these will be so cute and warm. This was a good KAL to sign up for.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | January 29, 2013 at 03:24 PM
That is so cool... I have never even heard of a knit along let alone a mystery knit along! You are soo cool.
Posted by: Jackie W. | January 29, 2013 at 03:56 PM
I love Jimmy Beans Wool AND Lorna's Laces! But I still haven't seen a single episode of Downton Abbey, which I really need to catch up on. I love the idea of a mystery project to go along with the show. Sounds hard but fun. I adore these kinds of gauntlets - nice job!
Posted by: terriaw | January 29, 2013 at 04:49 PM
You knit too? What don't you do? These are gorgeous! And I love the Downton Abbey theme..since that's one of my favorite shows. :) You just continually impress me!
Posted by: Cindy Smith | January 30, 2013 at 09:48 AM