mystery knit-along 2018

I have a super fun new toy for this year's Mystery Knit-Along, so I'll hope you'll join us on a mysterious knitting adventure!

This year's toy is based on one of my previous designs, but with an unexpected twist. Also, the main toy will have a small companion toy, which is a completely new design. Overall the pattern is advanced-beginner to intermediate level, and uses techniques similar to my other toys. One toy uses worsted weight yarn on 4 mm (US size 6) knitting needles, and the other uses fingering weight yarn on 2.75 mm (US size 2) knitting needles. All pieces are knit flat and then seamed and assembled, but an experienced knitter would be able to modify most parts to be knit in the round, if desired.

If you haven't participated in one of my past mystery knit-alongs (MKAL), the way they work is fairly simple. The knit-along will begin on Thursday, April 26, and run for 5 weeks, with the final clue on May 24. Each week you'll receive a portion of the pattern, which should take one to two evenings to knit. The pattern file will always contain the previous clues, so you won't miss anything, even if you start late. As for the previous couple of MKALs, I will also include a separate file of photos, if you need some guidance on knitting and assembling the toy pieces.

Getting started is easy! First, you purchase the pattern from Ravelry. It's only available from my Ravelry shop because that's the easiest place from which to send everyone updates. Before the MKAL starts on April 26, the pattern will only contain the materials list, and a condensed version of the details you're reading here. (Hint: the pattern will be offered at a discount during the KAL, so even if you can't participate, you can get the lower price now and knit the toy later).

Second, prepare the materials you'll need for the toy. This year's materials list leaves a fair bit of room for using what you have, and being creative, which I hope will appeal to a lot of knitters. The list will also have suggestions for what to use if you need to buy yarn, so you don't have to purchase too much.

Third, decide how you want to participate. If you want the full experience, join my Ravelry group, where I host a forum specifically for the MKAL. This is a great way to share what you're knitting, and get help and encouragement, if you need them. Other options are to follow my Facebook page, where I'll post weekly updates on my progress. Third, you can follow me on Instagram, where I'll also post photos of my progress, and you can use the hashtag #fuzzymkal to share your own mystery toy. Of course, you can just knit each clue as they're available, as there's not obligation to share.

As some of you may know, I'm taking a break from designing next year to pursue some other interests. Depending on how that year goes, I may or may not return to designing knitted toys. So, it's possible this will be my last Mystery Knit-Along. This makes me sad, as this is easily my favourite part of designing toys, but perhaps it will encourage more people to participate this year. Please share this post with anyone who loves knitting cute things, and encourage them to join!

mystery knit-along 2014

Are you all ready for another super fun mystery knit-along? Everyone had such a great time last year, I knew I would have to do it again this year.

The pattern is now available in my Ravelry shop. Until the start date, February 28, the pattern file will only include the information you see here. Beginning on February 28, the download will include a new segment of the pattern. Each following Friday, for another 5 weeks, the pattern will include another new segment (each Friday, you should get a notice that a new update is available). The mystery part is that you won't know what the toy will be until the final week, although you are welcome to guess! You can join any time during the 6 weeks. I've tried to divide the pattern up as evenly as possible, but the first week has less knitting than the rest, so everyone will have a bit more time to join and catch up.

If you'd like to join us, you can find the Ravelry thread here. If you're not a Ravelry member, you can still purchase the pattern after March 28, and get the weekly updates. Maybe you and a group of your knitting friends can have your own knit-along!

The pattern is advanced-beginner to intermediate level. You will need to know how to work stockinette and garter stitch, increase (m1), decrease (k2tog and ssk), yo, cast-on stitches within a row, pick up stitches, sew seams, and the garment has sleeves that can be worked in the round (but that part is optional). There are many fun techniques in this pattern, so it would be a good chance to learn or practice new skills.

Here are all the materials you'll need for the project:
Garment
25 g of fingering weight yarn, pair of 3.25 mm (US size 3) knitting needles, set of four 3.25 mm (US size 3) double pointed needles (dpns, optional), three small buttons, scrap yarn, tapestry needle, hand-sewing needle and thread for attaching the buttons
Gauge: 7 sts and 10 rows per 2.5 cm (1")
Toy
50 g (100 m/110 yds)* of worsted weight yarn in russet or brown (MC), 25 g (50 m/55 yds) of worsted weight yarn in cream (CC), pair of 4 mm (US size 6) knitting needles, pair of 10 mm safety eyes or buttons, stuffing, black yarn to embroider the face, tapestry needle
Gauge: 5.5 sts and 8 rows per 2.5 cm (1")

Here are the yarns I've chosen for my toy. The Berroco Vintage yarn is a practical and affordable yarn for toys, and comes in lots of colours. I'm going to use the russet (colour 5176) for my main colour, and the cream (colour 5102) for my contrasting colour. The Blue Sky Alpacas Royal Petites (colour 1708) is for the garment. It's a lovely, soft yarn, and I have a few spare balls that I've been using for small projects.

*I've included the number of yards of yarn because I'm close to 45 g for the knitted pieces I've made for the sample. So if your gauge is off, or your yarn is thicker than what I've suggested, you may need more yarn.

mystery kal: lamb charts

When I was designing the garment for my mystery knit-along, I drew up a number of charts, and picked two for the final pattern. I'm still very happy with those choices, but they are both fairly easy as far as colour-work. Also, some knitters expressed an interest in a more challenging design. So, I went back and tried to design fronts to go with the backs so I could post those extra designs here. Sadly, it turned out my first design was just unworkable. I couldn't make the pattern flow nicely into the front, no matter which way I messed around with it. So I decided to scrap that one, and make something even better.

This design has a bit of stranded knitting, and some intarsia, but does it get any cuter? You will need the Mystery KAL pattern in order to knit the garment, then you can substitute these charts for the ones in the pattern. (This is what the finished garment looks like, if knit by the pattern) You will likely need more than 25 g of yarn colour A, unless you knit the sleeves and/or the button-bands and collar in one of the contrasting colours (which could look fantastic). I really hope someone knits these adorable little lambs for a perfect Spring cardigan.

Back

Left Front

Right Front

mystery knit-along 2013

If you're in my Ravelry group, perhaps you'll have seen that I'm planning a mystery knit-along (KAL) beginning March 1. This was a slight planning error on my part, since we were on vacation for the past week! Anyway, my needles have been flying, and the keyboard clicking, and with some hard work everything will be ready to go tomorrow morning. There has been a bit of confusion about how everything will work, probably because I've never done this before, and I've been trying to sort it all out with a million other things going on. I'm hoping the information below will clear everything up. I really want it to be fun for everyone!

If you've never done one, a knit-along is a group activity where a bunch of people knit the same pattern at the same time. Via the Ravelry group, you post photos of your progress, and can ask and answer any questions that arise. A mystery knit-along is very similar, except you don't know what you're making until you finish (and you try not to spoil the mystery if you figure it out early!)

The mystery KAL pattern will be published via Ravelry. While you don't need a Ravelry account to buy it, you will need one to participate in the discussions and sharing. We will begin March 1, but you can join any time. To join, you need to purchase the pattern (here). A new segment will be added once a week for 6 weeks. So, every Friday for the next 6 weeks you will receive a notice to download the updated pattern (this also means that if you join late, you still get all the earlier parts of the pattern). Once we're done, and I have the final version of the pattern ready, you will get a copy of that as well.

We will begin with the garment, so the whole toy stays a mystery a little longer. There are 2 versions: one with stranded colour-work knit flat, one with stripes (or you could knit it in a solid colour). You can also choose between a more fitted garment with fingering yarn on 3 mm needles, or a looser garment with sport weight yarn on 3.25 mm needles. (Hopefully these options will mean you can destash if you don't want to buy new yarn).

The animal will be in a solid colour. I've been asked if it can be worked in stripes, but the animal in question isn't striped. If you want to use more than one colour of yarn, I suggest knitting the arms and legs in the alternate colour.

Here are the materials you will need, if you want to prepare:
Garment yarn: 25 g of fingering or sport weight yarn in colour A (a light neutral), 15 g of fingering or sport weight yarn in colour B, 15 g of fingering or sport weight yarn in colour C.
Animal yarn: 50 g of worsted weight yarn in medium brown, 10 g of yarn in dark brown or black, small amount of white yarn (or felt)
Needles: 3 or 3.25 mm (US size 2.5 or 3) for the garment, 4 mm (US size 6) knitting needles for the animal
Notions: 4 small buttons, pair of 9 mm safety eyes (or buttons or black yarn), tapestry needle, scrap yarn

If any more questions come up, I will add my answers here.

Q: Why are there black squares in the first 3 rows?
A: The black squares on the chart mark where there are no stitches. The first 3 rows are worked across only 30 stitches, then you increase 1 stitch on row 4. Also, when you begin to shape the shoulders, black squares mark where you lose stitches as you decrease.

Q: How do I know that I received all the parts when I buy the pattern?
A: When I update the KAL pattern each week, it includes all the previous parts. Part 1 is on page 1 and part 2 on page 2 etc (although the associated charts are at the end of the pattern). For example, if you've already printed out the first 2 parts of the pattern, all you need to do is print page 3 for the third part of the pattern.