The communal aspect to what is an individual craft continues to amaze me. Each time I take part in a knitalong I feel a sense of connection with the people - predominantly women - who have passed these traditional skills through generations, and who would have often crafted together. Whilst modern living doesn't always lend itself to physical proximity, I love working 'alongside' friends who might be in the next street or in another part of the world entirely - each working away on our own projects, yet helping one another and exchanging tips and words of encouragement, virtually, as we go along. Combining traditional crafts and modern communications.
Since the last knitalong ended, I've been (repeatedly) asked when the next would begin and so without further ado I am pleased to present "Pick A Boo!" - the Summer* Shawl Knitalong.
THE PATTERNS: There are 22 different Boo Knits shawls ranging from laceweight, light fingering/3 ply and fingering/4 ply to worsted. Some are available individually, some come as part of a collection and Dragonfly Wings is free to download. Some are more intricate than others, many have (optional) beading, and they are all beautiful. It's up to you which you make. If you don't wear shawls or scarves yourself, you might know someone who would appreciate a beautiful handmade gift.
You can find all 22 of Bev's designs listed on Ravelry. With a motto of "Maximum impact with minimum stress" her patterns are highly rated and well loved. Friends who have made them enthuse that they are clearly written, easy to follow and much less challenging than the finished items would suggest. On a purely selfish level this sounds perfect for a project I'll be knitting in the summer with the kids around! So here are the details...
THE DATES: Cast on any one of the Boo Knits patterns in July or August at a time that suits you. (I'll be starting this week and posting my first blog update on Thursday 4th July.)
HOW TO 'SHARE': While it's not obligatory to share your progress in order to knit along, it's much more fun when you do. Beginners can find plenty of help, and more advanced knitters can share their skills and experience - I always learn so much this way. Last time we had lots of fun and made new friendships which is what it's really all about.
I've tried to accommodate the major social networks, as I know everyone has their favourite - so you can select any or all of the following to share your progress.
- The CftC Knitalong group on Ravelry
- Instagram with the tag #pickabooKAL
- Twitter with the tag #pickabooKAL
- The CftC Facebook page
- The new Flickr knitalong group
- If you are blogging about the Kal, I will provide a widget for your links on Thursdays.
If that wasn't enough excitement for you, there is also an awesome prize draw which will be open exclusively to members of the Ravelry group who 'sign up' for this Kal before Friday 5th July - you can click here to do so! If you need any further enticement, sponsors include Boo Knits, Tangled Yarn, and Rosy Retro and I know you are going to love the prizes (which can be posted world-wide).
I hope that you are as excited about this Kal as I am, and for those who were wishing for socks - never fear, we'll be having another sock knitalong in the Autumn, so why not join in and... Pick A Boo!?
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I hope that you are as excited about this Kal as I am, and for those who were wishing for socks - never fear, we'll be having another sock knitalong in the Autumn, so why not join in and... Pick A Boo!?
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*To our friends in the Southern hemisphere, please don't feel left out, your winter is probably warmer than our summer to date so don't let that put you off!!!!
Off to look at patterns! What a lovely KAL idea--thank your for hosting again.
ReplyDelete*smiles*
You're welcome! :D
Deleteoops! forgot to ask if there is an end date--maybe I missed it in the post?
ReplyDeleteThe Kal will run until the end of August so you can cast on anytime between now and then, but if you want to enter the prize draw you need to place your entry on the Ravelry group before Friday. :)
Deleteooo I love Boo's shawls! Already signed up for two MKAL's next month and tempted to join in another sock one after that but now I wanna join in yours too. I need more hours in the day *sigh*
ReplyDelete*chants* Do it! Do it! Do it!.... You know you want to :D
DeleteI just came here from ravelry where I was looking at....guess what? Dragonfly wings! Wow, coincidences. Guess that means I have to sign up. Can't promise to be done by the end date though, there's quite a lot going on around here.....
ReplyDeleteKismet! x
DeleteI know you'll get a terrific response to this new KAL! have fun. I'll be watching from the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am delighted with the response in the first 12 hours! :)
DeleteI'm in, chosen my pattern, downloaded, just need to get the yarn sorted....and that's proving difficult - soooo relieved it's not socks ;-p
ReplyDeleteGreat news! :)
DeleteCan I join in Sarah, I've already cast on Dragonfly wings and I'm a few rows in :)
ReplyDeleteOf course! :)
DeleteA Boo pattern, those are so awesome!! I really love to join this KAL!!
ReplyDeleteI have never done a knit along before and already have several projects on the go as well as organising a sleepover for 12 5 and 6 year olds Rainbows at the beginning of August but this is so tempting..... Decisions, decisions.
ReplyDeleteJust signed up to your Rav group. I've picked Dragonfly Wings. It's in my queue ready to start once I've finished my current knitting WIP.
ReplyDeleteThank you for organising the KAL and giveaway.
thanks for hosting a Boo KAL. This looks like it will be a lot of fun! ♥
ReplyDelete