Welcome to the Progressive Needles Knit Along! I’m honored to have so many returning knitters and thrilled with so many new knitters joining our ranks. The knit along is designed to further your knitting education while working a pattern especially created for the series. Whether you are a newer knitter or a veteran, you will find tips and techniques to improve your skills while having fun along the way!

A few tips on how this Knit Along (KAL) works:

This is a mystery project with a portion of the pattern, “clue”, revealed here each Thursday in October.
A picture of each segment will be posted in the following week’s clue. If you just can’t wait a week to see a pattern, check out the Knit Purl Hunter Group on Ravelry to see pictures of other KALer’s work.
Our sponsor, Skacel Collection, is once again furnishing fabulous prizes. Be sure to check out the rules and guidelines and you may find yourself knitting with a new set of addi Clicks!
I monitor all questions and comments daily – it’s like having your own private knitting tutor.

Intertwisted

Autumn has officially arrived bringing us into the busy knitting season. October means knitting while watching football, the World Series, a favorite tv show or a good movie. The season energizes knitting groups bringing knitters together for witty conversation and fun. The yarn shops and Ravelry have increased traffic as knitters look ahead to Holiday projects.

All of these delightful distractions can wreak havoc on a knitting project. A good joke, a touchdown or coffee with friends can spell dropped stitches, jumbled charts and uncrossed cables. What you need is a pattern that allows you to be sociably distracted while knitting a quick yet interesting and gift-worthy project. It’s a tall order, but Intertwisted fits the bill!

Intertwisted blends some of my favorite stitch patterns together into a fast-knitting cowl. It’s interestingly easy which makes it perfect for those distraction-filled knitting occasions. But don’t let the simplicity fool you! A dynamic ending to the project will wow you and all your lucky gift recipients. The luxurious softness and superior stitch definition of Simpliworsted will surely make this your favorite cowl. After your first Intertwisted, your mind will be racing as you think of the endless possibilities the design brings you. You can’t stop at just one!

Because the emphasis of the Progressive Needles Knit Along is education, Intertwisted has techniques new to the series complete with video tutorials to guide you along the way. The addition of a QR code located on the bottom of the downloadable version makes it easy to watch videos on your smart phone.

As in all of our Knit Alongs, the pattern remains a mystery with a portion revealed each week. However, I want to tease by previewing the titles of each section.

Part 1 – My “Go-To” Pattern
Part 2 – Knit In Your Sleep
Part 3 – American Beauty
Part 4 – Wow Finishing!

Intertwisted begins with a Provisional Cast On. This cast on technique is often used in situations where it is removed later to reveal live stitches that can be knit in the opposite direction. I can’t tell you just now why this cast on is used here, but it is essential that you begin with the Provisional Cast On using waste yarn. After the cast on, the piece is knit using the working yarn, Simpliworsted. Watch my Provisional Cast On Video to start the KAL.

As mentioned, Part One of the cowl features my “Go-To” pattern. When I don’t know what to do with a skein of yarn, this is the pattern I use. I have literally used it with every weight of yarn, from lace to super-bulky, on needles ranging from #4 to #35! This simple pattern lays flat, has no bias and is memorized in seconds. It looks great on yarns from solid, striped, variegated, hand-spun to textured and more – yep, just about anything. Tuck this little gem into your knitting bag to make a quick scarf or simple cowl. My “Go-To” pattern will move from simple to sophisticated in the finishing step.

The “Go-To” pattern is a basic lace pattern. If you are like me, it is the simple patterns that sometimes trip me up. I’m lulled into thinking that because it’s so simple I should be able to knit while simultaneously cooking dinner, paying bills and answering emails! I recommend Lifelines in ALL lace knitting. It’s too easy for a yarn over to run away and spoil all the fun. Take the time to utilize this preventative measure. Watch my Lifelines Video to learn this valuable knitting skill.

Once Part One reaches 27”, DO NOT bind off! Place these stitches on a stitch holder and remove them from your needles.

Questions, concerns, want to chat? Post them here or on Ravelry – I am on both daily and would love to hear from you!

Happy knitting,

Michelle

2 skeins Simpliworsted, 55% Merino Superwash/28% Acrylic/17% Nylon, 100g/140 yards each
US #10 (6mm) straight or circular needles AND one set of double points
3 stitch holders
2 yards smooth worsted weight yarn in a contrasting color for waste yarn