Chronicles of Yarnia ~~ Episode 85: Re-entry is HARD!
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Coming to you from Montclair, NJ's Local Yarn Shop! On our podcast, we chat about our projects, share upcoming events, and keep you up to date on what's new in the store.
Website: shopyarnia.com
Instagram: / shopyarnia
Ravelry group: www.ravelry.co...
Facebook: / shopyarnia
Email: hello@shopyarnia.com
Phone: 973-572-YARN
About giveaways: Winners have 4 weeks from the date the podcast is originally posted to claim any prizes.
~~Around Town~~
Montclair Jazz Festival
September 10
www.montclairj...
Upper Montclair Sidewalk Sale
September 17
www.umbanj.com...
Anderson Park Fine Art & Craft Show
September 17
rosesquared.co...
Hooked on Grannies CAL: September meeting - September 25
In-person meetup: shopyarnia.eve...
Virtual meetup: shopyarnia.eve...
Hats Spreadsheet from Episode 84
docs.google.co...
Jen’s Ravelry:www.ravelry.co...
Kathleen’s Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Amanda’s Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Haley’s Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Yarnia Classes and Events
shopyarnia.com...
Sign up for our newsletter at shopyarnia.com (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up)
Yarnia’s Virtual Knit Night (for any fiber crafts!)
shopyarnia.com...
~~Projects~~
Jasper Ridge
By Jodi Brown
www.ravelry.co...
Magnolia Socks
By Helen Stewart
www.ravelry.co...
Luminary Socks
By Helen Stewart
www.ravelry.co...
Hooked on Grannies
By Hooked on Sunshine
www.ravelry.co...
Laxo Worsted
By Laura Nelkin
www.ravelry.co...
Red Bird
By Christel Krukkert
shopyarnia.com...
Stacking Bunny
By Christel Krukkert
shopyarnia.com...
Ranunculus
By Midori Hirose
www.ravelry.co...
Bonnie Slide
By Taiga Hilliard
www.ravelry.co...
La Bise
By Espace Tricot
www.ravelry.co...
1908
By Thea Colman
www.ravelry.co...
Anker’s Sweater - My Size
By PetiteKnit
www.ravelry.co...
Zweig
By Caitlin Hunter
www.ravelry.co...
Magnolia Bloom
By Camilla Vad
www.ravelry.co...
I kind agree with Jen that I don’t love mystery knit alongs. I feel like there is so much out there that I want to knit. If I’m going to spend a lot of money and time on something, I want to make sure I like it. However, I also feel like I’m missing out if I don’t do the Stephen West knitalong! I’ve never done one, but they look so fun! I also don’t usually wear the shawls that I knit.
I tried MKAL twice before and after ripping both out, I'm in Jen's camp - my brain doesn't work without seeing the whole thing! And also in Kathleen's camp - ever hoping to be convinced to try again 😉
Hi girls, yes I did the Cozy Up Knit mystery knit along 2021 and enjoyed it! Thinking of doing another mystery knit along Looking forward to shopping at Yarnia soon....so many nice yarns! Happy knitting!
Oh that was so much fun today! Thanks for the company while I'm working on a cabled shawl - and special thanks to Jen for teaching me to be comfortable enough with cables and cable charts in particular that I could not only knit this shawl while watching you all, but that I even managed to drop down and fix a cable while watching!
My very first Mystery Knitalong was Casapinka's Sharon Show, and I've since participated in three more Mystery Knitalongs. I still have to finish my Shawlography, but I'm in for Twists & Turns this year regardless. I was trying to say "nah, I'll wait", but then I saw his kits, and the little hints Stephen West might have given in his intro videos. So here I am for another year of MKAL fun with him. I hope you'll like it, Jen, so you knit it, and Kathleen, please knit along! I love all your color choices so much, it would be fun to see what the different versions look like on the podcast
Whoooo! I'm so proud!!
I have never done a mystery knit along. I prefer to wait until it is over to see all the different yarn combinations people have
used. As much as I am a process knitter and would enjoy new stitch patterns, the final product also matters a great deal to me. I would want to love it and wear it.
Hello from Deep South Texas. I participated in Stephens’s MKAL last year for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. I especially loved knowing that it was a global event. I wound up giving the shawl to one of my nieces for Christmas because she loved it. Looking forward to this year’s MKAL and hope to keep the FO.
I am excited for Twists and Turns MKAL. I had so much fun knitting up Shawlography as it pushed me to try new things. One day I will go back and do Slipstravaganza as I love that shawl pattern. Kathleen I encourage you to join in this year!🧶💕🧶💕🧶💕🧶
Hi Janell - I'm taking the leap -- I'm doing it this year! ~K🧶
I’m like you Jen, I don’t think I could handle a MKAL, I like to see the whole thing first and plan for adjustments and see what colors people choose. The only scenario where I would maybe consider it is if it was one of my favorite designers whose garments I consistently like and trust, it would have to be something like a shawl where gauge is more flexible, and it would have to be at least a worsted weight so that I wouldn’t be as upset about frogging :)
Go for it! Stephen West is a genius and wonderful teacher. 2021 was the 1st MKAL I participated in and it was so exciting. I am really looking forward to casting on.
I think I am like Jenn in that I need to know what I am making, especially as 5 skeins of yarn is a big financial commitment. I did watch the how to videos that Stephen did last year so got a chance to see some stitches that are new to me. I did love watching his West Knits episode showing some kit options. I just want them all. So much gorgeous yarn! Love the colors you showed! Budgets are hard!
I've completed 3 MKALS. All shawls. Two by Cozy Up Knits and one by Casapinka. I only finished one on time but had fun anyway. I was working on my 4th while watching this podcast. This time it is a gnome by Imagined Landscapes. As it is a smaller project, I hope to have this one finished on time. I like the adventure of choosing yarn, the surprise of each clue and learning something new. The shawls are great for new stitch patterns.
I did Shawlography but changed the last part. I am looking forward to twists and turns bc Cables! I love Stephen’s videos and learning new techniques
I would definitely have changed the last part if I had done Shawlography too 😊 ~K🧶
I have done a mystery knit-along but not in a long time. However, this year I could not resist and got a kit for the MKAL
I completed the 2021 west knit MKAL and plan on participating again this year. It’s neat to know that little hands around the world are making the same pattern week by week. The rain sounds wonderful to this Californian 🤤🥵🫠
Wish we could send you some rain - and cooler temps! 🤗
Fun episode! I did Shawlography as a MKAL and just didn't like the stress I put on myself to complete a clue each week. I knit Slipstravaganza the February after it came out and LOVED the process. It gave me time to figure out which colors I wanted to use and see some complete and how the colors worked together. It was much more enjoyable. I will not be doing Twists and Turns this year, but I do plan to do Helen Stewarts in the future.
I did the first two clues of last years Stephen west mkal and became totally overwhelmed and quit. I expect the same outcome this year :) but like you said three colors is less overwhelming, so maybe I’ll get to the third clue this year! I’m currently trying to decide between a monochrome color scheme or randomly grabbing three colors from stash:)
Aida Boza . I have made 1 1/2 Stephen West MKAL. Stephen Is a great teacher, his videos helps you through the MKAL and you learn techniques but it becomes overwhelming as well. I have so many garments, shawls, hats, gloves and much more that I really want to knit and crochet. So I want to use the time that I have to knitting for things that I know I want to make. Thank you ladies for you podcast.
I tried one a few years ago ( not a Steven West MKAL). and stopped midway because I didn’t like it and ended up frogging it. However, I am planning on trying this one. I really enjoy Stephen’s patterns.
Thank you for another terrific pattern suggestion, Amanda! I’m making the Lone Skein shawl by Joji using a skein I picked up during NJ Wool Walk in April. Love this pattern. Already made two Laxo hats for my grandsons. 🙏🏻
I have never done a mystery knit along. I am going to do this one along with two friends.
i've done a couple mkals. i altered one toward the end (a stephen west) and liked the FO. another one i did was lots of fun but i didn't like my color choices. and i've started a few and then "meh". i love looking at pics of color combos, picking color combos, etc. and of course, other knitters help keep your enthusiasm/motivation up! love that dream in color yarn...
Last year’s West mystery knit along was my first and likely last mystery kal. My preference is working at my own pace with entire pattern available for freedom in making modifications.
I love stephen wests mystery knit along and looking forward to this years SW MKAL it is always has a new technique I haven't tried before. I have done it the last two years.
Love MKAL’s I’ve done the Cozy Up Knits one every year. Also my friend and I are sending each other a skein of yarn for the Joji Lone Skein Shawl and we’re going to knit that together so the color will be a mystery to each of us.
I’ve never done a mystery knit along..I’m like Jen, I want to see what it’s going to look like first!😊
I have never joined a mystery knit along before, but after watching last years Stephen West MKAL, I was so excited to follow along, this year I have purchased my yarn and the pattern for Stephen West's MKAL 2022 to join in and so mu first MKAL ❤
I have done a few MKALs. Right now I'm doing a gnome one and love it. I prefer a smaller project for a mystery, less risk involved.
My 1st mystery KAL was a year long blanket that I lost steam on. I like that the Stephen West KAL is only 4 weeks...I am contemplating it. I have a great color pop, still undecided on the 2 contrasting colors.
I did a mystery Crochet a long years ago and hated it…but I’ve been intrigued with the idea…I’ve never done the Stephen West - but may just do it someday!!
thats a hard question about the mystery knitalong. theoretically i love the idea, but when i look at some of the more recent ones i am not so sure. i would hate to do ALL THAT KNITTING and not like the end product. :)
I have done mystery knit alongs with Imagine Landscapes to make Gnomes. I don’t see myself doing other Mystery Knit Alongs because the yarn cost is too high for me not to know if I will LOVE it!
A couple of times I did a Mystery KAL hosted by Laura Aylor of Fogbound Knits. She developed "Just For Me" ; A one week MKAL, for an accessory, knit for ouselves, the week leading up to Christmas. I love following along and watching others progress through the Stephen West MKAL's, but, they are just too much for me to get done ina month. Take Care and Happy Knitting!!
I did the Stephen Westknits MKAL two years ago (I think?) Slipstravaganza. Loved it but I’ve so many projects that are taking priority this year.
I have never done a mystery knit along. I love the concept but somehow talk myself out of them for fear of lack of personal ability or I won't use/like the finished project. Fear of the unknown seems to hold me back LOL Over here on the sideline creeping on everyone's projects
I just started doing mystery knit alongs this year. I have successfully finished the Miss May MKAL by Helen Stewart and the Salt Life Poncho by Laura Aylor. I am currently working on the Mountain Musings MKAL by Lisa K. Ross.
Love watching yalls dynamic!!! Thank you for always providing such insightful content, never voting. I also love Joji's one skein shawl she recently released and think i might knit it soon... for mkals, I am currently doing the Mountain Musings MKAL by Paper Daisy Creations, and in really enjoying it! This is my first big mkal. I've participated in the Gnome mystery knit alongs by Sarah Schira before and love every one... so figured, what the heck?! Let's give it a go. I'm also planning to do Stephen West's mkal this year bc every year i don't do it, and i always wish i had.
I did Joji's Starting Point MKAL. Fun, but took forever! Love your West kits!
I do Cozy Up Knits MKAL every January but have also done a few others like Casapinka ( perfect shawl ) one of my favs .
I’ve participated in the west knits MKAL the past 2 years! I’m going to skip this year bc I have waayyyyy too many projects going that need to be finished, including my husband’s birthday blanket. His birthday was in May 😂😂😂
I have never done a mystery knit along-It's kind of appealing because it can get you outside your comfort zone with color. I am not participating cause I'm gift knitting for that December holiday! 😱
I love the idea of a mystery KAL…but have learned that I need to know what the finished object will look like😂
Hello, thank you for another wonderful podcast. I would love to do a mystery knit-a-long. However, I would like to become a more accomplished knitter first. So, someday...
Hello ladies. I enjoy your podcasts. I have never done an MKAL but not opposed to one. I always have way too many WIPS at the times they start and can’t allow myself a fresh cast on.
No mkal for me...must know!!! Thank you for compiling that list of hats, I've knit several...on my 7th musselburgh and knit 2 Laxo-worsted hats (FUN) would love love a skein of DIC 🧶
I have not done a mystery knit along but I am doing slipstravaganza to try one of his shawls and see how it goes.
Yes, I did a few MKAL but they were little projects: Gnome by Sarah Schira. But I would never engage myself in a larger project such as shawls, sweater...
I have never done one of his KAL's. They are just so huge!
I am currently participating in a gnome MKAL from Imagined Landscapes. They are so much fun!!
I have done one mystery shawl knit-along and don’t plan on doing anymore in future. I need to know I’m going to want to wear the finished item before I start because I have such limited knitting time right now and have so many things I want to make.
I’ve never done a mystery knit along and don’t plan to even though I love following the many people who participate. I like to know the end result while knitting….however, Steven West is really great and fun!
Hello Ladies! I have done one mystery KAL with Imagined Landscapes last December- I'm terrible with surprises/mysteries but felt like a gnome was a small investment in time and yarn so it would be okay for me to try and I did end up really enjoying the experience and will do it again this year! Great giveaway this week- I love dream in color! Take care, Kate
I have done mystery a-longs in the past and will do them again. I usually have knit the designers patterns in the past and find they are in my style. For a designer that I'm very familiar with I might decide to join after a clue or two if I'm liking the way it's developing. I've not attempted a Stephen West yet however.
I have done a downton abbey MKAL, a game of thrones MKAL, and I did one of Stephen West’s winter MKAL. I am still thinking of doing this MKAL with Stephen West but haven’t committed yet.
I am a Non-Mystery kinda gal too - so tempted with the next Stephen West mkal but I can't bring myself to knit a sweater quantity of yarn into an unknown pattern! 😬🤭
I’ve never done a mystery KAL because I’m too much of a control freak and need to know ahead of time where I’d place colors! But like Kathleen, the fact that the new West KAL only uses 3 colors, I might be a LITTLE tempted!
I have never done a MKAL but I just recently started knitting so I am not confident enough to try one. I would possibly try one later down the road though.
I like to do the mystery knit along for gnomes. I have made 4 of them so far.
No, I have not done a mystery knitalong nor will I ever do one. I need to know what the item looks like and decide whether I like it before I knit it.
I started a mystery Kal but got half way thru and wasn't in love with the way the colors were looking together so it's been sitting in time out. I would likely do a mystery Kal if Andrea Mowry were to do another one but for the most part I think I need to see what it looks like!
I have not done a mystery KAL. I am not a confident enough knitter yet but would love to try one. I am not a huge shawl lover so I would do a different project.
the core carsick memories 😭 too true
I have done one other MKAL, but I ended up not liking it partway through, frogged it, and made a completely different shawl that I love. I AM doing the Westknits 2022 MKAL though, because I love cables, twisted stitches, and short rows, so I think I'll love this one and am willing to take the chance. Worst comes to worst I'll frog and make something else. I have already picked my yarn.
That's kind of where I am with it too -- I normally always change things a bit, and won't feel the freedom to do that with an MKAL. But I'm completely willing to frog it if i don't like it, and I've decided I will make an earlier Stephen West shawl with the yarn if that's the case.
Looking forward to being part of the MKAL crowd this year! ~K🧶
I’ve done a lot of MKAL , currently doing a gnome MKAL❤
I have not yet tried a mystery MAL. I say yet because I've always wanted to try one and am waiting for a designer I like to start one.
I did the mystery KAL “Building Blocks” I wasn’t crazy about it, until I added fringe to it (he didn’t recommend that)!
I might consider it after I see what it looks like?
I am not opposed to a mystery knitalong, but I am not the biggest fan of shawl knitting. Sweater makes all the way for me! I love seeing what Stephen West comes up every year though. It's always so much fun!!
No MKAL for me. I like to know what I’m making but I wish I could be more spontaneous 😂. That Dream In Color yarn is….dreamy.
I’ve never done a MKAL and am torn. For KALs in general I’m a very slow knitter and it takes me forever to finish anything. I have a hard time keeping up and then I feel pressure and start to no longer enjoying the process. The Mystery part is scary. Yarn is not cheap and if I didn’t love the outcome I would be very disappointed. Stephen Wests past MKALs seem very complicated and that scares me to. But after saying all that I do love the idea of knitting the same thing at the same time that people all over the world are knitting.
The nice thing about SW MKALs is that there isn't a deadline. If you want to, have the capacity to, or enjoy keeping up you can, but you can also just go at your own pace. Additionally, if you end up not liking it you can frog and use the yarn for something else (I've done this).
But ultimately only you can decide if you want to do it or not.
I just finished the Florida Road Trip MKAL with some friends. I loved knitting the clues. Don’t like the ending. Will be giving the shawl away. It was an expensive lesson learned. Love Stephen West but I’ll wait until the pattern is published and then decide.
I've never done a MKAL. I'm new-ish to knitting and last year was the first time I'd heard of the Steven West MKAL. I got excited about it, but 5 colors was too hard and I didn't like the carnival look of the shawl. It also would have been my first shawl, had I participated. This year I'm with Cathleen that 3 colors is way easier to commit to. I'm really thinking I'll participate this year, but waiting till it gets closer to pick my colors.
Hi ladies! I really enjoy watching your podcasts! You ALL inspire me! I am trying to find the courage to knit my first sweater or my first socks. (Would love to know what pattern you would recommend for a first sweater). It has just been within the last year that I have gone beyond a dish cloth, scarf or knitted hat. I have never done a MKAL nor do I think I would like it. I want to know what it looks like before beginning a project! I would love to win the skein of yarn! The colors are all so beautiful.
Hi Deb C. - One of our recommendations for a first sweater is the Flax or Flax Light by Tin Can Knits -- and Amanda is planning to do some UA-cam lives as she knits one later this year -- keep an eye on our social media or the calendar on our website -- we'll let y'all know when it's starting! ~K🧶
My take on Mkals is that they are not for the faint of heart. I have dabbled with the idea of participating because people get so excited and involved in it that I just want to be part of the party! I have a very particular taste in what I love in a shawl so i don’t think knitting something for myself along with an Mkal is for me. BUT! Herbgardenknitwear is running a Kal for her shawls to run along side the mkal for those who want to knit a shawl but want to know what the FO will look like.
I haven’t done a mystery mail and probably won’t. I’m afraid it would be something I didn’t like or use. If I see at the end I might do it when I see it finished
No MKAL for me! I think I would be too anxious 😟. I have to know I'll like it before I make it. 🙄
I haven’t done MKAL. I think I will be stressed trying to kept up.
I haven't done a MKAL before, and don't really know if I would. I don't mind not knowing what it looks like, but I do want to know what sort of knitting I am getting myself into. I don't really enjoy making cables, and I don't know Brioche yet.
Go Team Android! 🥰
I haven’t participated in an MKAL yet. I make excuses every year and then have FOMO 🤪
Not taking part in the MKAL simply because I never wear shawls. I adore seeing others’ creativity with it, though. Kathleen, where does your daughter go to school (if that’s not too personal?) My daughter just started her second year at MHC.
Hi Aran - Haley is at MHC also! ~K🧶
I did Follow Your Arrow and I also ordered a MKAL pandemic survival kit. I will NEVER do a MKAL again. I'd rather wait until the whole thing is done and decide if I want to make it.
I wouldn’t do a mkal. I am a very slow knitter and some days don’t even have a half hour to knit.
I have done mystery KAL's and would not do them again!
I have not participated in a mystery make along. I am always nervous about actually liking the FO enough to wear/get use out of it. A big $$$ investment! What if you do not love it in the end!!!?! Too big of a risk for my budget!
Where can I find the patterns for the crocheted granny squares?
Hi Brenda - We're doing the Hooked on Grannies pattern by Hooked on Sunshine -- it's available on Ravelry! The specific squares we're doing for each month are listed in our Hooked on Grannies CAL thread in the Shopyarnia group on Ravelry.
I am always tempted to join a mkal but too much of a control freak so I need spoilers!
MKAL’s cause too, much anxiety 😂
I’ve never done a mystery knitalong. I’m always afraid I wouldn’t like the end result and had wasted time and money. I am tempted with Stephen West because I love his past knitalongs and there always seems to be a new technique to learn.
No, I don't like MKALs. I need to see the finished product!
Hard pass to the MKAL. I have however knit several of his shawls that had been introduced as MKALs, although I've ripped them all out. I LOVE Stephen West! LOVE. HIM. Not much that he has designed appeals to me, though his textured patterns his previewed lately (and very likely is this MKAL) are drawing me in...