Downtown Knit Along-Season 4, week 1

A dear friend alerted me to this Knit Along project over on Ravelry.  I did a quick copy and paste of week one and the intro as described and sponsored by Jimmy Beans Wools. I am not sure yet if I am going to do this. My friend is in the midst of a serious health issue and plans to work on this during her down time. I think I will try it with her, a yarn support group so to speak. Here is the explanation of the project. If you are interested pop over to Ravelry, if you are not a member, admission is free. 
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For those of you joining us for the 2nd year in a row-- welcome back and thank you for being here again!! And those of you just joining us for the first time this year, thank you so much for being a part of this year's KAL. I hope you enjoy it! 

If you are brand new to the KAL and haven’t already read all about it on Ravelry or in our newsletter, I would encourage you to read through the Announcement Blog Post from last week that explains the format, materials needed, and other important details you might want to know. Then, once you have your yarn ready, jump back on over here and get ready to cast on!

Today’s clue is going to give you the instructions for casting on and knitting the first few rows of the shawl pattern. It will also take you into the set up for the rest of the KAL and will establish the increase pattern you will follow throughout the KAL. Next week, we’ll officially begin with the “game” in which the clues are prompted by specific events in the show. Hopefully starting the game with the second episode will give those of you who are still waiting on yarn a little time to catch up! So for this week you can cast on and then kick back, relax and enjoy the episode. It’s a good one!

Just as a reminder, here are the supplies you need for the KAL:

-2 Skeins of Lorna’s Laces Honor in “Bated Breath” -or- 550 yards of a DK weight yarn with plenty of drape.

-US 7- 40” or longer circular needles

-9 Stitch markers (If you don’t have any on hand, you can make some with contrasting scrap yarn or use paper clips or something MacGyver would use.)

Gauge: 

20 sts & 28 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch 

*Definitely do a gauge swatch if you aren't sure about Gauge. You can rip it out and re-use the yarn afterwards!

Abbreviations:

k- knit

p- purl

co- cast on

pm- place marker

sl m- slip marker

k1f&b- knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch. This creates 2 stitches where there was only 1 stitch before. (An increase.)

St(s)- stitch(es)

Directions:

CO 200 sts with a long tail cast on.

Knit in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for 7 rows.

Row 8: k4, p to last 4 sts, k4

First Increase Row: K4, pm, *k1f&b, k22, k1f&b, pm; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

*at this point you should have all 9 stitch markers placed throughout your work with the two on either end 4 stitches from the edge.

Next row: k4, sl m, p to last 4 sts slipping markers when you come to them, k4.

Now you’ve completed the first set of increases. You will knit the rest of the shawl in the following 2-row increase pattern while at the same time working the stitch patterns given throughout the KAL.

Increase pattern:

Row 1: k4, *sl m, k1f&b, k to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, sl m, k4.

Row 2: k4, p to last 4 sts slipping markers as needed, k4.

*Remember, you will be integrating the stitch patterns in with these increases once the game starts in Episode 2, so please feel free to knit a few more of the increase rows in plain stockinette (knit a row, purl a row while following the increases) to get comfortable with the rhythm of the pattern if you feel you need it. Another option is to cast on 20-30 sts, place a stitch marker right in them middle and practice the increases on a swatch first before casting on for the shawl. It’s entirely up to you.

And that’s it for week 1 folks! Easy peasy! I’ve started a chat thread for Week #1 in the JBW Group on Ravelry for you chat away and ask questions. I’ll be checking in there frequently to help. Hopefully those of you who are waiting on your yarn will be able to knit this up in no time and be ready for the first game clues next Sunday on 1/12!

Until then enjoy Episode 1 of Season 4 and as always -- Happy Knitting!

*no compensation received or implied