11.03.2016

building blocks (westknits mystery shawl kal 2016)




There was quite a bit of controversy in the mkal forum with this shawl. Some knitters did not care for the construction, a few were in an uproar when two color brioche was included in one of the clues, others didn't like the final shape. Guess I'm easy to please because I enjoyed the entire process of knitting my building blocks shawl. I loved seeing how the different colors interacted with each other depending on their placement and the stitch patterns involved. We were essentially blending the colors like paints on a palette. It was also really cool learning how to increase and decrease in two color brioche. Stephen had these funny but very clear and informative videos on the special techniques used in each clue. I especially loved the brioche knitting one and can't wait to knit one of his brioche designs. The final shawl shape is pretty versatile (I made the small size). I like to wear mine either draped over the shoulders with the long ends hanging in front or wrapped cowl-like around the neck. The bat wing shape is admittedly not to everyone's taste (I personally prefer a more curved & rounded shawl). But it's good fun to step outside of my comfort zone every once in awhile.

9 comments:

  1. Very interesting and colorful - I really like it a lot. Good for you doing something outside your normal zone!

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  2. I can see why the unusual shape could have been a problem for some knitters, but this is a point of a mkal, you can love it or hate in the end. You chose colors that are very different, but they do work well together and create an interesting harmony. Especially when worn around the neck, with all these colors blending together. Really nice!

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  3. I love it wrapped cowl style around your neck. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully this will be a great accessory in the next couple of months. -Sierra

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  4. Anonymous11/03/2016

    I can see the challenge in this MKAL. Many of you picked great combinations of yarn. I almost thought you were wearing a vest because of its construction.

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  5. I am in the don't like the design camp. But worn as a cowl it looks wonderful. This very reason is why I don't do MKALs, too definite about what I like and don't like in designs. I would end up changing most everything about it, and then it won't be a KAL! LOL

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  6. "We were essentially blending the colors like paints on a palette." - love it :) I really like it looks on you and I agree with Stefanie - it does look like a vest!

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  7. what an amazing concept for an MKAL, and that is very cool that it was so interesting that there was controversy! better it be interesting than boring, right? The colours are so cool.

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  8. I love your colorway choices (as usual!) but I'm not sure if I'm sold on the design itself, which doesn't mean I don't like it -- I do love your photos showing the various ways it can be worn. Nice, savvy. What I do love is the controversy the MKAL drummed up. Ha! I love knitters! i can only imagine how they were all feeling as they knit each clue. LOL

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I would ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ to hear from you!