Over in the great Smoky Mountains, where the mist stretches from sky to tree, it is easy to lose oneself in the wonder of laurel bushes, mountain tops, and cool, wild woods. It is like stepping into a different world. Guided by the ancient wisdom that seems to exude from the ground, we have nothing to do but discover … new directions, new scents, a new sense of self. The excitement of discovering what lays behind the misty, laurel-coated hills is the inspiration for our next SweetGeorgia Mystery Knit-Along (MKAL)!
Here we’ve listed all the MKAL details to help get you ready for the cast-on date!
Laurel Mists, designed by Tabetha Hedrick, is worked with three colours:
- Two skeins (colours) of CashLuxe Spark
- One Sock Yarn Blank
The total yardage used is 1264 yds of fingering-weight yarn.
The original sample uses colours that softly contrast each other while emphasizing the changing-colours of the sock blank itself. In fact, it makes it look like you’ve used a lot of colours without actually using a lot of colours! So, aim for fun contrast in your yarn selections, with one being a multi-colour yarn, so that the individual stitch patterns are highlighted to their full potential.
If you are working with 3 skeins of fingering weight yarn instead of using a sock blank, select the higher contrast or multi-colour skein to replace the sock blank used in the pattern.
We’ve also put together six Laurel Mist MKAL yarn set ideas to help take out some of the guesswork for you.
The pattern sample was knit in Grotto Falls.
UPDATE: If you are new to participating in mystery knit-alongs, watch Felicia’s Taking Back Friday vlog where she shares further info about what we have planned this year, as well as what to expect when joining in a mystery knit-along.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN THE MKAL?
Simply purchasing the Laurel Mists MKAL pattern automatically ensures you’ll receive every clue update, as well as the full pattern once it is launched.
All the fun and camaraderie of the MKAL will take place on the School of SweetGeorgia Community MKAL Club (which is free to join). Here, we’ll have spoiler and chat threads, tutorials, and announcements.
We’ll also feature announcements and tutorial links here on the SweetGeorgia blog.
WHERE DO I PURCHASE THE PATTERN?
The Laurel Mists MKAL pattern is available as a pre-sale on our website and on Ravelry, both at the discounted early-bird price of $6.50 CAD. No coupon code is needed, but you only have until Monday, August 31 to snag it at the special discounted price.
WHEN ARE THE CLUES RELEASED?
Cast on date is September 1st.
The five weekly clues will be released on: Sept 1, Sept 8, Sept 15, Sept 22 & Sept 29.
The final, full pattern will launch on October 13.
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate.
Knitters will be using these techniques: knit, purl, yarn over, k2tog, ssk, central decrease, working flat, slipped stitch, changing colours, measuring gauge, and following a pattern with changing stitch counts.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Wingspan: 63” / 160 cm Center Length: 37” / 94 cm
YARN DETAILS
2 skeins SweetGeorgia CashLuxe Spark (fingering weight yarn).
1 each for MC and CC2 (420 yd / 384 m per 4 oz / 115 g skein; 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Silver Stellina).
1 SweetGeorgia Sock Yarn Blank for CC1 (425 yd / 388 m per 4 oz / 115 g blank; 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon).
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Size 6 US / 4 mm circular needle, 32” / 80 cm long.
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. 16 stitch markers, yarn needle
GAUGE
19 sts and 35 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Ridge patt, with MC or CC2, after blocking
Please note that if you use the MC for swatching Ridge patt, you may need to unravel about half of it to finish the shawl.
25 sts and 33 rows = 4” / 10 cm in St st, with CC2, after blocking.
Note: Swatching patterns will be released on Aug 18.
Is there sufficient yardage in the kits to knit both the gauge swatches and the shawl or should I buy extra skeins of the MC and CC2 yarns?
Hi Jane, Great question! The pattern includes enough yardage for swatching and the shawl, but please note you MAY need to unravel your MC if you use that for swatching. You may optionally swatch with CC2 for the Ridge pattern, which will have plenty leftover. We’ll release the Ridge pattern about two weeks before the first Clue for swatching purposes. :)