KNITTING WITHOUT DOG HAIR IS NOT AN OPTION

Today is the kick-off of the Mystery Lace 3 Knit-A-Long:

Join us for Mystery Stole 3! Starting June 29, I will post the first in a series of clues. Follow the clues (directions) and you'll have a finished lace stole at the end of the knitalong. This year's stole is not recommended for beginning lace knitters, but if you are comfortable with lace techniques and reading charts, you should be just fine. I will close the group to new members on July 6, so be sure to sign up soon!

This year's stole will be made up of seven clues, being posted each Friday, starting June 29. The one exception I am planning on will be the Friday after the new Harry Potter book comes out. I will post July 20 (the book launch is July 21), and then wait 2 weeks so people can read the book and catch up on the Mystery Stole.

This is a blurb from the Yahoo! Group page - the designer and organizer of this Knit-A-Long is Melanie. You can still sign up, until July 6. I made the button to kinda emphasize my dedication to this project. Not that I need another - I already have two lace shawls started and marinating in their projects bags...

My friend Diana told me about this KAL last week. She said that a lot of the participants are German and it might be fun for me to read their posts. This is the biggest KAL I have ever participated in - as of this morning, 3425 lace knitters were signed up. Wowie-zowie - I am still in shock. I have read only a tiny fraction of the 3460 messages that have been posted since the Yahoo group opened on June 7 (in addition to the rules and special notices, of course). It is one of the busiest groups I have ever subscribed to.

So, I swatched last night. I am going to use some burgundy red merino lace weight which I bought some time ago at Main Street Yarns in Watkinsville. It is one hank of 1300 yards. Should be enough. Hubby was a dear and balled the big hank yesterday. I was a bit worried that he would have a tough time with the delicate thread on the swift and that the ball winder would tuck too much and it might be a big disaster for him. But no, trust me, that man is good with yarn. When I got home I found a perfectly wound ball - ready for my swatch. The swatch chart was easy and I am happy with the outcome. I am using Addi Lace needles - US #4 (3.5 mm).

I just downloaded the first clue - four pages, three charts. I am so excited. The stole calls for beads, but I won't because I couldn't find any beads in my stash that matched the color of the yarn (yes, I also have a bead stash...). I am going to be brave and start at the SNB group tonight... At least I'll try - if I can't get it to work, I will retreat to something easy, like a garter stitch scarf. :-)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND - maybe I'll see you at the Lucky Duck Sale at Knitch Sunday afternoon!