Latest update from Rowan Yarns about the Mystery Knit-a-Long:
Here at the mill, our fingers are positively twitching in anticipation for the launch of our first ever global knit-a-long! With only a few weeks left until we will release the first of the patterns, we’re now able to share with you a few more details about the project:
You already know that we’ll be knitting with the glorious Pure Wool Worsted. Made from 100% wool, this superwash yarn is available in 50 – yes 50! – colours, meaning that we’re thoroughly spoilt for choice. Martin Storey has designed the Afghan with 17 of these colours – although for those of us who may prefer something more tonal, we have also suggested a 9, 5 and 2 tone version. With this flexibility of colour way, you can create a stunning, yet personalised, piece – which, with the yarn’s easy care properties, could form an heirloom to enjoy now and in future years.
Next week we will release the shopping list, and the first square pattern will be released week commencing 21st April.
Each week for the first eight weeks, we’ll release a pattern for one of the squares that Martin has designed. A completed Afghan requires each square to be knitted six times, giving a total of 48 squares.
If you choose to use Martin’s recommended shades you will knit each design three times in one shade and three in another.
In week nine, Martin will show us how to create the trim. In week ten will we’ll provide the final instructions needed for making-up the blanket, to complete a truly beautiful Afghan.
The finished squares are 20cm x 20cm. The overall layout is 6 squares by 8 squares (48 in total) = approx 120cm x 160cm plus trim.
Beginner knitter? Not a problem, there are online videos to support the pattern, along with basic techniques like casting on. You can also choose to make a smaller blanket.
Share your progress – you’ll be able to ask for help and advice, share your comments, and photos via the Rowan Yarns Ravelry Forum, on a dedicated Ravelry pattern page, and also on our Rowan Yarns Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rowan-Yarns/114826272423?f…).
If the pace of knitting is a little overwhelming for some, we will give you a month to finish the project after the making up instructions are released. Watch out for a competition at the end of the Knit-a-long too!
Dates to remember – the shopping list will be posted 7th April, and mark week commencing 21st April in your diaries for the 1st pattern. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing in this, our very first global adventure.
To help, the Pure Wool Worsted shade card can be downloaded from the Rowan website: http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/pure-wool-worsted.
Pattern will be available in English, French, German and Dutch. A Spanish translation will be available separately through a blog.
I’m so excited – I’ve set up my project page over on Ravelry and will be posting regular updates and progress on my blog, Ravelry and my Facebook page as well as posting lots of photos on Instagram – my first KAL!
I really hope you’ll join me and share your photos too! xx
Knit and Purl Garden 
We carry that yarn at the store I do IT at. I’m still not sure if I can do it or not, but the colors are gorgeous!
That’s great that you work with a yarn store! It must be very tempting to buy yarn 😉 Shopping list for colours for the KAL will be out today – do you think you might join? You can choose your own shades too and there are 50! I’ve had trouble deciding so just went for a random choice of some of my favourites!
It is incredibly tempting. I’m very tempted to join. I just adore the yarn and am so excited to make one of the sweaters in the new booklet with it as well.
If I do join, I’m not sure if I want to do the 5 or the 2 color version. So many yarns, how can I ever choose? 🙂
Hi there! Did you decide whether to join the KAL? Fun so far 🙂
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