It is finally here: TextureTime,
Mystery Shawl Knit Along
(MKAL) by Stephen West.
Stephen West does not need an
introduction; most knitters know and love him, follow his brave, refreshing ideas
and magical stitch and color choices. I am not sure how many years he has done this
fall MKAL (this is 9th?), but this is the first year I am taking
part (I am so s l o w ).
He is a dancer and the
way he photographs his knits is as if he is on stage. I always think of his pictures
being a grand finale of a performance. I only wish, I could see the dance
before the last bow.
The knits are
imaginative, innovative and the way he combines colors is wild, but when I look
behind the colors (as I am not that brave, maybe I should try for once… might
give me a new, fresh perspective!), there is always an interesting construction
and with little bit of toning down the vibrant hues, his knits are worth
of hours of needle clicking and precious time.
No, no, no, don’t get me wrong, his
choice of colors is wonderful, it is just me, who is not quite there!
For many knitters, I think it is just the colors that talk, but I try to calm
down his knits and tell them to hush up a little bit, stay still for a second,
pause for deep breathe, and a gentle plie before the grand pirouette, for me to
see myself in them - myself being faded and aged.
I have been impatiently
waiting for the first clue of the mystery as well as questioning my choice of
colors.
I have these beautiful,
soft, luscious Plains:
(Dyed by Hand in Texas
from wool ethically sourced in South Africa – I wonder where it was spun, but
bought from Stockholm Sweden from Litet Nystan, lovely yarn shop,
knitted up in Finnish
Lapland – this wool is quite a traveler!)
in colors: Fog - 278,
Celadon-150, (the link
shows this color in dk – could not find this color in Merino Light)
Nocturne (no number
there),
Moonglow - 311 and
Snake - 391-S’17
(love them all!)
and these Fuzzies:
Kidsilk Haze by Rowan 70%kid
mohair 30%silk
(I am not sure of the
color number, as this (white) yarn is repurposed from a very old shawl, pre blog era
Lana Grossa SilkHair
(color no 098) 70%mohair, 30% silk - ball band tells Made in Italy (birthplace of
many great yarns)
I only need four colors
of plain yarn and one fuzzy. I am leaving the last decision until the last
minute. I will pick the one that feels right on that given day it is due, if
one is not supposed to knit with all of them today. We shall see.
I did watch Stephen’s
YouTube info of the MKAL, enjoyed it (there are two, the introduction
and one on choosing colors) and I am taking his
advice, not to worry and just indulge in knitting and the color play.
I am not posting too
much of this MKAL over the month as I don’t want to spoil this mystery for
anyone. I will only take one small shot of one corner every now and then,
without giving too much away.
These are my yarns but
what would be a perfect needle to knit with. The recommended size is 3,75mm and
I only have Chiaogoo Red Lace and Addi Lace (the old
ones) in that size.
Both are
quite slippery, and I think I would enjoy bamboo needle, something
with more grip. I don’t have bamboos in the given size, as it is not widely
available in many old knit shops, usually their size jumps from 3,5mm to 4mm. I do have 4mm in bamboo, but that just might give too loose gauge. I love Chiaogoos, so
I will try them first.
I am quite thrilled to
take part in this, but this being the first one, I am not sure what it will
hold. For what I am sure though is, that there is clever construction and deep
understanding of color play and stitch combinations, and lots of joy, happiness
and positivity. Designs reflect their makers and every time I see something
Stephen has made, or listen to an interview or watch his Youtube Channel, I catch
little bit of the light he spreads.
Are you joining in?
Wool with you,
Lene
PS. Just uploaded the first clue... it is very interesting - I am about to learn new things... loving it!!
PS. Just uploaded the first clue... it is very interesting - I am about to learn new things... loving it!!
MadTosh is my most favorite yarn, so my eyes lit up with the first yarn photos! Love your colors, too. Can't wait to see what you create! (No, I don't do KALs; my life is too crazy.)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary and thank you so much for the most enjoyable and inspiring thirteen years! Well done Lene.
ReplyDeleteLove the yarns you have chosen and can't wait to see your MKAL shawl.
annie in California
Your yarn choices are elegant and beautiful. I too prefer understated soft colors. I am looking forward to seeing how this shawl knits up. That Madtosh yarn is lovely as are the mohairs.
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on your anniversary. I keenly look forward to your posts and enjoy following along on your journey. I'll be interested to hear about the MKAL as it goes along, as well as the new sweater you're working on.
ReplyDeleteYour chosen colors are so beautiful Lene. Soft, comforting. Stephen West is another one whose designs I admire, but I have never knit one.
ReplyDelete