Life is a Mystery

Well...not necessarily life, but at least my knitting is lately!  I've become addicted to mystery knit-a-longs.  While on Ravelry.com a few weeks ago, in anticipation of the new Outlander series on Starz, I was looking for patterns that were inspired by the books.  During that search I came across the Outlander MKAL.  I was curious, so I signed up.  Since I wasn't sure what to expect, and although the custom dyed yarn that was made for the MKAL was pretty, it wasn't me, so I went digging through my stash.  I didn't have any of the right weight yarn (the pattern called for dk yarn), but I did have plenty of lace yarn.  So I just used three strands at a time to make the project.  After six weeks of clues, I had this lovely shawl!

The yarn I used was some that I bought from an eBay seller in Inner Mongolia.  The price was reasonable (less than $10 for six skeins of wool/cashmere/acrylic blend yarn) and shipping was free!  The colors are dark gray and burgundy.

After that MKAL, I signed up for three more and one that had just finished.  The three I signed up for are Blue Moon MKAL, Once Upon A Time MKAL, and Bonnie's Wish MKAL.  

The Blue Moon MKAL started yesterday.  It will also be a shawl that so far is done in garter stitch with short rows.  The yarn that was used for it was Yaksi fingering weight, but with holidays just around the corner and since I need to use my money on gifts for the grandkids instead of buying more yarn, I had to go stash diving again.  For this project I'm using some Brown Sheep fingering yarn that I bought from Craftsy.com.  The colors I'm using are Ash and Stone.  This MKAL is released every Wednesday for four consecutive Wednesdays.  Here are the results after clue one:

The Once Upon A Time MKAL will start the end of October and is inspired by the TV show Once Upon A Time.  The only clues we have on that so far are that it will require approximately 450 yds of worsted weight yarn and that it has something to do with the new Frozen addition to the show this year.  Lorna's Laces is dying a yarn specially for this MKAL.  I can't wait to see what that is before I decide whether to order it or not.  If not, I've got a stash of 100% wool worsted in a winter white that I can either dye to a color I like or leave as is.

The third is called Bonnie's Wish MKAL and will also be a shawl.  This one will calls for sport weight yarn and will have Celtic cabling.  This will be fun!  I've done cabling before but not any that makes completed circles!  This one starts at the end of November and goes on for 6 weeks.

The one I joined after it was over and am working on in the down time of the others is this years Game of Thrones MKAL.  The shawl is called the Stormborn Shawl, taking inspiration from Daenerys Targaryen.  Since I joined after it was over, I got to see what it looks like when it was done.  I guess it kind of takes the mystery out of it!  I am sorry that the special dyed yarn that was offered for this MKAL was sold out because it was a really pretty red (see first picture below)!  It is a Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock and the color is called Fire and Blood.  All I had was three skeins of Elann Peruvian Baby Lace Merino in Rub that I also got off of eBay for $7.  I decided that would work since I couldn't get the pretty yarn.

Here's what it is supposed to look like:

And this is what mine looks like after completing row 76:

Of course mine is not even close to being finished and it's not blocked or pulled out so you can see the pretty scales.

All of these MKALs are available on Ravelry.com.  Links to the patterns and supplies for each of the projects can be found there.  If you can't find the MKALs by searching, you can go to the forums.  The Outlander, GoT, and OUAT MKALs can be found in the Jimmy Beans Wool forum.  The Blue Moon MKAL is in the Shannon Squire Designs forum.  The Bonnie's Wish is found in the Fiddle Knits Designs and Fibers.  All have patterns and links to the yarns they used...well, all but Once Upon A Time.  Currently there is just a pre-mkal chat with lots of speculation of what the project will be and the special color being dyed by Lorna's Laces for the project.  The color will be revealed October 1.

UPDATE: The shawl I made in my Craftsy.com lace class is now being blocked. I'll post a picture soon of the finished item.  The scarf I made with the yarn I spun is also finished and as soon as the shawl is dry I'll get it blocked and post a picture of it as well.

Well, I think I've rattled on enough for today!  Have a wonderful weekend and I'll talk to you again soon!

Sofyann