Vogue Knit Live took place this weekend in NYC. I’m sure it’s a fabulous show, and I would have love to go.
Cooperative Press was there, sharing a booth with Dragonfly fibers. And while I wasn’t there in person, my books were there.
Here’s Shannon Okey of Cooperative Press, with a nice stack of Mystic Shawls. The photo is taken by Simone Kereit of OwlCat Designs who was at the show with her new book.
And if you look closely, you’ll see that Shannon is wearing a gorgeous Mystic Light (knit for her by Christina, in Dragonfly yarn). I’m not sure that I’ve seen a two-colour Mystic Light before, but I really like that golden colour, and the effect it has as edging.
So what, you may ask, was I doing that I couldn’t make it to VKL this weekend? I was actually at a hockey tournament with one of my sons and his team, in the great metropolis of Brighton, ON. It was a lovely weekend spent mostly in an arena, with this view.
The end result was a very happy boy and a silver medal. So, all in all, a great weekend!
The first clue of the Mystic Cuppa KAL was released yesterday. There are definitely some speedy knitters in the KAL this time – we already have seven completed clue 1’s posted in the Knit & Knag Designs group on Ravelry.
Katherine in Nebraska was first to post, and she’s making this beautiful version in purple and green.
There are several others as well. And so far, we don’t have two that look the same – different colour choices all around.
Just the other day, my friend Sarah was talking about a short story that she read that ended with the following sentence: “Women who sit together, knitting and talking should never be underestimated.”
In an online KAL, we’re all part of a global “togetherness”, in which we’re all knitting together, even if we’re in different physical locations. I know that some of you have local groups in which several of you are knitting Mystic Cuppa, and others are following along through the web. Some of you are here for your first Mystic KAL, and others have been around since the very beginning (yes, I’m looking at you, Kirsten and Nicole).
For me, the absolute best part of these knitalongs is getting to know so many other knitters. So, on that note, a warm welcome to all of the new faces, and a giant welcome back to everyone else. I hope you’ll introduce yourselves and join the talking as well as the knitting. I’m really looking forward to hearing from you and sharing in your progress.
If you’re not already in the Knit & Knag Designs group – come join us and say hello!
As one year has ended and another one started, it seems like a good time to look back at all that happened during 2014. It’s been an exciting year.
I released the last 3 spatters in the Fairy Tale Lace e-book; Star of Earth, Gretel’s Shawl and Rapunzel Infinity. It was a really fun collection to work on. As you all surely know by now, I do love fairy tales and using them as inspiration for my lace designs.
My personal favourites from this collection are the Cheshire Cat Shawl and Rapunzel Infinity.
The Cheshire Cat Shawl because I really loved the colour combination – the green was such an amazing green – and it was so much fun to knit stripes and then top it all off with an intricate lace border. It’s also an eminently wearable shawl, and I’ve worn it a LOT since I finished it.
Rapunzel Infinity I loved the combination of reversible cables and a very textured lace pattern. It was a fun knit, since the lace was worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows, and yet it was easy enough to memorize. I knit most of this cowl on a trip to Texas, and had the pattern memorized in no time at all.
I also finally got around to releasing a Fair Isle pattern – my Maple Leaf Touque. As I’m sure you’re all aware, most of my patterns to date have been lace patterns. But way back when I started to knit, my absolute favourite type of knitting was Fair Isle. I’ve been meaning to get back to it (and I actually have a few other patterns planned), but somehow I always get distracted by more lace. Still – I’m thrilled that I got around to making this gorgeous hat. When it’s dark and cold (like this week here in Ottawa, when it’s been down to -38 C with windchill), this colourful hat cheers me up. And keeps me warm too.
There were three Mystic KALs in 2014 – Mystic Supernova, Mystic Ocean and Mystic Vortex.
In other big news, Mystic Shawls – my third book – was published.
In Mystic Shawls we collected the first 14 Mystic patterns, all of which were originally published as mystery knitalongs. The shawls were re-photographed for the book, and we also included photos of beautiful examples that other knitters created during the knitalongs. The entire book details my journey as a designer. The Mystic KALs is how I got started. From Mystic Waters through an entire array of shawls, shapes and colours.
Without the encouragement of all of you, Mystic Waters could have been a one-off design. But the reception was spectacular, and I’ve really enjoyed hosting the mystery knitalongs and in particular getting to know this fabulous knitting community. Way back when I started, there was no Ravelry, and the KALs were hosted in Yahoo groups. But for the past many years, Ravelry has served as a platform to bring knitters together from all over the world. One of my favourite features is actually that it’s so easy to share pictures, and to access pictures of projects made from any particular pattern. It’s great to see how different a shawl can look depending on the colour choices made by the knitter.
And finally, 2014 also treated me to some excellent teaching opportunities. I’ve taught both locally at LYSs, private events, and even on a Caribbean Cruise. And last, but not least, my very first Craftsy class has launched.
Teaching at Craftsy has been absolutely wonderful so far. I’m thrilled to say that almost 1000 students have already joined me in My First Lace Shawl class. The platform is amazing, and I really enjoy the interactive capabilities of the platform.
Anyhow, looking back at 2014, I’m really pleased with all that’s been accomplished. I’m looking forward to another great year. First up, we have the Mystic Cuppa KAL which starts next week. After that? Well, I wouldn’t want to spoil any surprises. 
Check back soon, and we’ll see what else is cooking.
All the best and thank you so much for making my 2014 wonderful!
The Mystic Cuppa KAL is about to start next week. And in preparation for the KAL, I have released the swatch. It’s always fun to have something to play with a little bit, and to try out the yarn.
My shawl is knit in two contrasting colours of Outlaw Bohemia Sport. The one I used for the swatch is Earl, and the other one is a beautiful deep red called Carnivale.
There’s still time to sign up for the KAL and get the discounted price. There are 5 weekly clues, published each Thursday. The PDF pattern can be purchased here for $6.00.
The KAL is available at this price until the first clue is posted on Jan 15. At that point, the price will increase to the regular pattern price.
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