The Secret of the Stole II KAL (knit a long) is coming to a close this week and after nine weeks of receiving bits and pieces of the pattern, the members finally have the final chart to complete their lace stoles. One of the questions most asked is “Why, do you do it?”.
Why Designer’s Like Knit-a-long’s
For me, the designer, there are several reasons. The knit a long format gives me a way to try out new designs and new concepts in knitting techniques. Even though my designs are test knitted prior to the knit a long, when it begins I have access to a couple of thousand test knitters, all at varying skill levels to help me make my patterns even better.
Have You Made Any New Friends
Another reason I like to run them is that some of those knitters become my global friends. Mr. K and I have knitting friends all around the globe now and that is priceless. We have participants from all over Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa and sometimes very exotic places that I have to go look up on a map. I hope you have made friends a long the way as well.
Learning Something New is Fun
The main reason I create and enjoy participating in knit a longs, however, is one you might not expect. I absolutely love to see or hear from people when they think they cannot do something and, through a little effort and explanation, realize that they can and it wasn’t as huge and scary as it looked. That is why the format of the knit a long works so well.
Something new is learned by every member, without exception. It may be that you learn how to do a particular stitch that is new to you. You may learn about a specific technique, like placing beads in your knitting or installing a lifeline. You may ultimately learn that the particular knitting style that is involved in the knit a long is just not for you, like lace for example. Regardless, just by being a member we learn something. That is my favorite part of the Secret of the Stole knit a longs!
If you were a member of the Secret of the Stole II KAL, or any other recent knit a long by any designer, what did you learn?
Hmmm… this was my first knitalong (unless you count Sock Wars!), and I really enjoyed it, even though I didn’t finish.
What did I learn? I learned that I don’t have enough time to chat with people about progress, and post pictures, but that I do enjoy seeing others’ progress and sharing their enthusiasm. I learned that I love having something to look forward to each week with the pattern releases, even if I haven’t finished the last clue. I learned that it’s fun jumping into something with no idea what the finished product is going to look like! And I learned that even if I was never in the runing for any of the completion prizes, I enjoyed being a part of the whole process. Thanks for running such a great show — and count me in for SOTS III!
This KAL taught me to persevere even when the going got tough because there were always folks there to send encouragement or commiserate with me. It allowed to try my hand at lace in the comfort of a shared experience with others.
I’ve had an AWESOME time!!!!!! Looking forward to SOTSiii!!!!!!
Since this is the first KAL that I have been able to keep up with, I should say I have learned perseverence. I was determined to keep up with this one. This Kal has greatly improved my ability to read charts. I have learned to color code the legend and the chart so that I’m able to see what to do at a glance. Also learned to keep the previous rows exposed so that I could read my knitting back across the purl row and catch any mistakes before progressing too far. As a result, was able to do this project without a lifeline. I do realize this will not work as well for all lace knitting. Participating in KAL’s has also taught me that the internet community of knitters brings people together from all over the world in spite of the language barriers, and that there is always someone willing to help. I almost feel as if I am working with the designer on their project. I may not do the next one but I do look forward to doing more. Thank you!!!
This is my first attempt at lace knitting and now I feel like I can conquer just about any pattern (even if I am a newbie at knitting). I am now a Master at frogging and tinking LOL. The best things I learned are to use a lot of stitch markers, count, count and count your stitches and last that a lifeline really does save your sanity. Look forward to trying this again.
I just had a great time once again trying to keep up with the clues. I love having the feeling of an FO every week once I’ve finished that weeks clue and waiting to see how the next one will look. I love it! Thanks, for the fun!
This KAL toaugh me that whatever age we are, wherever we live, we have much in common and that this big old world is somehow quite small.
Thanks again for the wonderful KAL!
12 reasons to love KALs:
12 – Knowing the weather in different parts of the world!
11 – getting to recognize words in a different language from our own mother tongue
10 – a pattern from a designer we have come to love, know and trust;
9 – a pattern in increments, so we are not overwhelmed
9b) – nor are we afraid to try something so beautiful, complex and long!
8 – adding `test-knitter`to our resumé (that`s a bit of a stretch, I guess)
7 – our very own cheerleaders! Kudos to you DK, Mr. K and a very special thanks to Peggy
6 – discovery of our knitting ethos – process or product
5 – KIPPing (is that a word) and persuading others to join us in our obsession
4 – online, ongoing, sometimes immediate assistance with a problem, be it real or only perceived
3 – the company at the frog pond (sub: realizing each of is human!)
2 – the opportunity to `discuss` the differences or similarities in yarn, colours, taste, and, of course, the enabling (i.e., the posting of websites, etsy sites, etc – our own KnitGoogle Search Engine!.) – love all of this
1 – being in a virtual knitting group, sharing thoughts, tweaks, encouragement, triumphs, sorrows, laughter and tears … in other words, the online friendships and support.
Thank you, thank you, DK – You are da bomb!
I loved the pace of the KAL. I learned to not be so impatient to finish things and to pace myself. I also learned to not be afraid of lace and laceweight yarn. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Thanks for the great pattern, the comraderie and the fun.
Yes, you can learn from a Kal. I learned many things from this KAL.
1. Lace Weight Yarn doesn’t bite you, jump in and try it.
2. An unknown pattern doesn’t either, take it as it comes and as the saying goes, you might find that you like it.
3. This was my first KAL, my first lace weight project and my first unknown pattern. I found that by taking it a few rows at a time and using a lifeline, it isn’t so frightening and I am coming out with a beautiful project. Even though I may be one of the turtles showing up in the frog pond, the best prize is my shawl. Knowing that I made it and how good it looks when I have completed it.
Thank You so much. I am so glad that I found the KAL and I have even joined the other group so that I know when secret stole # III comes up.
Yes, I, too have learned knitting techniques, the differences between the left slanting and the right slanting decreases and the reasons for both, whether to k2tog thru the back loop or to ssk, and all sorts of other techniques.
But the best thing I learned is that the knitting community is fantastic – filled with people who are understanding and encouraging, who are quick to praise rather than find fault, who support and empathize with their fellow knitters, even on matters unrelated to knitting.
So, hat’s off to all of us, the speed demons and the snails, who have undertaken this wonderful project under DK and MR. K’s direction and come to care about the people behind the names on the KAL posts!
Things I’ve learned on a KAL:
How to read a chart, and later, how to read from the chart better
Techniques to use to keep one’s place in a chart
Learning different designs and recognizing when the pattern is not lining up (when a mistake is made)
How to unknit (backing up the knitting)
Blocking is easier than it looks, but it takes awhile
And most of all, that there are many supportive people out there willing to help!
Thanks, DK, for this fun design and KAL!
Does a knit-a-long teach us anything?
This is my first knit-a-long and although I have not kept up — I am still working on clue 5 — I’ve learned a great deal from this kal, including. :
(1) To check my knitting after every row. It takes some time, but I can find any errors — or missed yos and fix them on the way back.
(2) To use a lifeline. It has strengthened my confidence to work a lengthy pattern with lace weight yarn.
(3) To persevere in working the pattern, even though I am woefully behind.
(4) To enjoy the online/virtual learning, encouragement, and sharing as a large group of strangers gets to know each other as they work the same pattern.
Absolutely! I think Knit alongs are so wonderful for the commmunity they provide, the connection between knitters, the guidance for new (and not so new) knitters, and just the plain old fun of doing something when you’;re not sure what it will look like. I have learned so much on this, my first KAL, more than in my many years of knitting. I can’t wait for the next one!!
Heidi
I forgot to add one more thing — I actually FINISH my projects! With the support from the group and the excitement of the knit-along, I actually finish my projects! I may not be done with this one yet, but I am almost there and know I will finish it.
I think KAL’s teach us a great deal. On the one hand we learn knew techniques and are exposed to styles of knitting or patterns that we otherwise might not have tried, but we also, perhaps more importantly, learn about each other and make connections with complete strangers. People we might otherwise never have met and we quickly share our joys, frustrations, fears and lives on a more intimate level than we usually would with mere acquaintances. The fact that we share a common interest – knitting and a shared goal – the pattern brings us together and allows us to open ourselves up and help each other. There isn’t selfishness, pettiness or greed, but instead a willingness to help each other and give of our own time to research someone’s question or help them find a link. I think if more knitters were running things, we’d be a lot better off!
I learned a LOT! I love that I figured out how to tink, unknit, reknit and to just relax into it!! Thanks
What have I learned? Once again, that I have a strong drive to take on more than I can chew. Despite being a SAHM with 3 kiddos under 7 I always think I can hang with those that aren’t. I honestly thought I could keep up the pace. This project was going to be my #1 priority. Then life slammed me hard with the fact that everything is relative. There are times when everything extraneous has to be set aside. I can and should in fact let things go at times. I can slide when I need to. Nothing will blow up. Nothing will disappear. I can pick up where I left off. I can take my own pace and just be fine. It will get done. Not by some magical date or set point, but I will eventually make it through. It’s been an odd confluence of events. An exercise in patience on many levels. I expected my skill set to grow, but wasn’t expecting the life lessons as well. Sometimes you get bonuses. This is one of them. Thanks DK! Dawn
I think working on a KAL is one of the most enjoyable things a knitter can do. It doesn’t matter how experienced a knitter you are because you will learn many things that you didn’t think you would ever be able to do. Seeing the work so many people have done is so enjoyable. To think some many people from all over the world can come together to work on something like this is very special. To bad our countries can’t work together the same way these knitters have. Knitting is a universal language in its own right.
Thank you again DK for such a wonderful experience and am looking forward to your next one.
Jan
Does KAL’s teach us anything???? Yes, of course. Patience, persistence, perseverance! I love working lace with the laceweight yarns. I usually learn something new which each lace project that I do. I love the mystery aspect. It teaches us to trust in our designer, that it will work out in the end. It is very helpful in that we can ask the questions, and someone from the group usually has the answer. Which is much nicer than to say, use a book, to knit a lace stole/shawl and have no one to ask questions. I have so enjoyed the process of knitting this stole, and also Sots I. You do beautiful work DK, and your instructions have been precise and clear. Thank you for a wonderful KAL.
Janet
I’ve learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It’s amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here.
I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It’s easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too.
This will be the first KAL that I’ll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I’ve frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I’ll finish them. (Perhaps I’ll use it for the NEXT SOTS project!
My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again.
I’ve learned about the knitting experiences of others, which in itself is fascinating. It’s amazing how many of us make the same mistake in the same place for the same reasons! This group has been wonderful and courageous: The encouragement has been great, and I marvel at those in the group who struggle mightily, but still push on. You are the real heros here.
I learned that this is the best way to knit a large lace project *for me*. Receiving a portion of it each week instead of looking at a huge, looming chart/set of directions really cuts the monster down to size. Breaking it up into smaller milestone goals is a giant morale boost and enables me to keep going toward the next one. It’s easy to spot this sense of accomplishment in the posts on both the yahoogroups board and Ravelry, too.
This will be the first KAL that I’ll finish; that alone is enough to make me very grateful to DK. For whatever reason, I seem to drop out after a couple of weeks and have collected a little pile of WIPs. This KAL opened my eyes: I’ve frogged those two other KAL projects, and will use that (beautiful) yarn for something else instead of deluding myself that I’ll finish them. (Perhaps I’ll use it for the NEXT SOTS project!
My grateful thanks to DK, and all the knitters who are participating in this. I look forward to knitting along with you again.
Nicki
I had a great time–even though i am only on hint 2–i learned and not to be scared of reading a chart how to read a chart !! thank you! this was my first (but not last) kal–as well as my first lace project—-and I agree with all Paula’s comments—