"What is a Weekend?" Downton Abbey Mystery KAL- Clue #1

Photo via Pinterest, source unknown

Well folks, the day has finally come! I don't think I've been this excited for something since my wedding day two years ago. Seriously. That's how much I love Downton. Many of you guessed from my hints that my favorite character is Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess and from the sound of it, I am not alone. She really does add such a lively element to the show, which is why I couldn't help but design this KAL project around her. 

The photo above features the accessory that inspired this KAL. In Season One, Lady Violet wears black, ruched, lacy fingerless gloves (though they were probably called gauntlets in 1912) to dinner and I couldn't help but be inspired to knit something similar but a tad more practical for modern times. Adorned with a Rosebud Lace pattern (inspired by her award wining roses) and some other pretty details that will be revealed as the KAL progresses, these gauntlets would surely please the Dowager Countess to no end. So without further adieu, I give you Clue # 1 for Lady Violet’s Dinner Gauntlets! 

If you are just now jumping in and have managed to miss my first blog post, be sure to go back and read that before reading this one. 

Alright, lets get this prim and proper dinner party started. Shall we?


Materials:
-1 Skein of Lorna’s Laces Sportmate (270 yds) or 270 yards (243 meters) of a Sport weight yarn.
-US Size 3 Double Point Needles or needles for preferred method for working in the round (adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.)
-US size G or H Crochet hook for provisional cast on.
-DK or Worsted weight waste yarn for provisional cast on
-Darning needle
-Any episodes of Downton Abbey to watch as you knit!

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p-purl
sts- stitches
k2tog- knit two stitches together
k3tog- knit three stitches together
ssk- slip, slip, knit. Slip one stitch onto the right needle knit wise and one stitch onto the right needle purlwise, then insert the left needle into both stitches through the front loop and knit the two together.
yo- yarn over, bring the yarn to the front as if to purl, knit the next stitch.
K1f&b- knit into the front of the stitch knitwise, then before dropping the stitch off the left needle, knit into the back of the same stitch again. Also known as a “bar increase.”
sl 1- slip one stitch knitwise
psso- pass the slipped stitch over (from right to left)

*If you need help with any of these terms, knittinghelp.com has a wonderful glossary of abbreviations!

Measurements:

One Size: 7.75” (19.5 cm) circumference at top of arm when laying flat and stretches to fit a 9”-9.5” (23-24 cm) arm circumference.

Other measurements will be specified as pattern clues are released.

*Note on getting the right fit: Measure your arm circumference about 4.5”-5” (12-13cm) above the wrist joint. (Please see picture below if you are unclear on where to measure.) If you feel you need a little more or less room in this area, feel free to add or remove a few stitches to needles 1 and/or 3 based on how much larger or smaller you need. For example, if you want to subtract ½” remove about 3 sts. If you want to add ½” add 3 sts. Remember that knitted fabric is pretty stretchy so be careful not to overdo it.

Yep, I drew on my arm with
permanent marker. 

Also, this pattern contains a vertical drawstring that allows you to customize the fit a bit. This gauntlet is supposed to fit slightly loose and cinch to fit a bit snugger. Please take that into consideration when you make adjustments.

If you think you might need to adjust but aren’t sure, take your arm measurements and post on the Downton KAL- Knitting Questions thread in the JBWgroup on Ravelry and ask your fellow KAL participants for help! If all else fails, feel free to send an e-mail. We’ll help you through it!

Using a Fingering Weight yarn instead?

If you are knitting this with smaller needles and lighter yarn etc. you will need your gauge (# of sts per 1”) to figure out how many stitches to cast on following this simple formula:

Gauge x Arm Circumference= # Cast on Sts

For example if my gauge is 7 sts per 1” and my arm measures 8” around I will want to cast on 56 sts.

Gauge:

26 sts and 36 rows to 4” (10cm) in Stockinette stitch knit flat.

Directions (Right-Hand Gauntlet):

-Using a Crochet Provisional Cast-on and your waste yarn, cast on 52sts.
-Knit one row with project yarn (all stitches on the needles should now be in your "real" yarn, not your scrap yarn) 
-Divide on to 3 DPNs or (or for whichever method you are using) and join for knitting in the round.
-Knit 4 rounds.
-If knitting on double point needles, divide sts onto three needles as follows:
-Needle 1: 14 sts
-Needle 2: 25 sts
-Needle 3: 13 sts

*If you’ve cast on more or fewer than 52 sts, adjust the # of sts on Needles 1 and 3 only. Needle #2 MUST have 25 sts on it.

Work all sts as follows on the corresponding needles. On Needle 1, an eyelet pattern will be worked that will be used to run a drawstring through to adjust the length and fit of the gauntlets. Needle 2 is where the optional lace panel will be worked simultaneously with the eyelets on Needle 1. Needle 3 will be knit in stockinette every round for most of the pattern.

*Please see notes at the bottom of this section if you are knitting this pattern on Magic Loop or two circulars as your set up will be slightly different.

Needle 1:
Rnd 1: Knit to last 6 sts, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk
Rnds 2-4: Knit

*Repeat these 4 rows until directions say otherwise.

Needle 2 (Rosebud Lace panel, 25 sts wide, OPTIONAL):
Rnd 1: k10, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k10
Rnd 2 (and every even rnd): Knit
Rnd 3: k9, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k9
Rnd 5: k10, yo, ssk, yo, k3tog, yo, k10
Rnd 7: k11, yo, sl 1—k2tog—psso (aka. sk2p), yo, k11
Rnd 9: k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k11, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2
Rnd 11: k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k9, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1
Rnd 13: k2, yo, ssk, yo, k3tog, yo, k11, yo, ssk, yo, k3tog, yo, k2
Rnd 15: k3, yo, sl 1—k2tog—psso (aka. sk2p), yo, k13, yo, sl 1—k2tog—psso, yo, k3
Rnd 16: Knit

*Repeat lace section once more for a total of two times while also following instructions for Needle 1. If you are wanting to simplify the pattern, omit this lace panel and instead knit every row in place of the lace section.

Needle 3:

Knit every rnd until pattern says otherwise.

If you are using Magic Loop or two circulars:
The beginning of your round will be the lace panel and the end of the round will be the eyelets. You will put 25 sts on the front needle and 27 sts on the back needle. Work Front needle as Needle 2 and back panels as needle 3 and 1 in that order. The start of each new round for you is between where “needle 1” and “needle 2” would join.


Well folks, this brings us to the end of Episode # 1 and Clue #1. This was a pretty big clue as I needed to set you up wit info for the entire project so this will probably be the longest post and set of directions in the KAL. Of course, if you have any questions or anything seems unclear, please feel free to private message me on Ravelry or post it to the Ravelry group! We are all there to help you!

I hope you all enjoy the first episode tonight and look forward to discussion on Monday! 

Happy knitting!
Kristen

PS. If you would like to print this page, the easiest and best way to do it is to copy all of the text and paste it into a word document. Then, print the word document. Easy peasy. :) The PDF of the pattern will be available once the KAL is over.


you might also like

Rosebud Lace pattern

84 comments:

  1. thank you so much, super excited and ready to go!

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  2. These are excellent. Just gave my niece a pair of hand knit gauntlets for Christmas and my sister in law wants me to make her a pair. She's a huge Downton fan so these will be hers. Keep calm and cast on! Thanks for the very clear instructions.

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  3. I'm so excited. Thank you so much for posting this so early. You can get the marker off by using alcohol or hairspray and then soap and water.

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  4. Any possibility of a chart

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  5. Thank you so much, love the project, love Lady Violet... Maggie Smith is an icon. Would love anything inspired by her characters. Favorite line from series... "Do you Promise?" in response to Sir Richards statement that he will never be seen at Downton again.... Judy M.

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    Replies
    1. I agree! It especially tickled me because the actor playing Sir Richards is actually one of Maggie Smith's real sons.

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    2. one of my favorite lines as well!!

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  6. This is my first KAL and I'm so excited! My mom and I are doing this together. She ordered the yarn for me for Christmas and is using her own handspan for hers. Happy Knitting! And thank you Kristen for all your work on this project! My mom and I don't have much in common, so this is a very special project for the two of us; your hard work is not only making lots of fun for people everywhere, but also potentially helping a mother and daughter become closer. Thank you and cheers!

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  7. How far do we knit before next weeks clue?

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  8. The first thing I thought of this morning was "I wonder if Kirsten posted the first clue yet?" I am thrilled to work on this project! What episode does Lady Violet wear these gauntlets?

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  9. Woo hoo! I was secretly hoping this is what the KAL would be. Very excited and will try to start tonight. :-)

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  10. Do not understand directions completely..do you join and knit 4 rows in the provisional yarn then change to the the project yarn?? Thanks

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  11. Looking forward to this! I echo the questions above. I've never used the provisional cast on so more info would be great. Do we leave in the cast on yarn throughout the course of what we do for this clue? Also, how far do we knit before next week's clue? Thanks so much. I too love Maggie-loved the Exotic Marigold Hotel as well as Downton.

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  12. Nevermind. I read it wrong. To the anonymous commenter before me: i believe you start knitting with the project yarn, then knit 4 rows. I dont know whether first row with project yarn counts as cast on or row 1, i had it count as cast on.

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  13. Unknown: you knit until you do rosebud panel twice (two sets of rows 1-16). And yes, the CO yarn stays on until they tell you what to do with the live stitches it is holding. It will prob be a pretty border or something.

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  14. Emmybear,

    Thanks for clarifying those other questions! :) I appreciate it. Also, to answer your question about row three on needle 1, you knit that one. 2 through 4 are all knit. It's only on row one that you make the eyelets. I hope this helps!

    -Kristen

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  15. Anonymous (regarding a chart)- Thanks for the interest. I will not be providing a chart for this pattern at this time. Since it's for a very short lace panel that is only 25 sts wide, I didn't feel a chart was necessary this time around.

    Happy knitting,
    Kristen

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    Replies
    1. I did a chart myself, I just needed one ^_~

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  16. I LOVE the Dowager Countess!!!! Very excited to start!

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  17. If I am not up to doing the option lace.... is it stockinette stitch like needle three?

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  18. I am a bit confused. I thought a mystery meant you didn't know what you were knitting. I understand at some point you figure it out as yougo, but to know right off the bat? Interesting. I have only done one other knitting mystery. I am a bit disappointed that there wasn't a bit more mystery to this mystery.

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    Replies
    1. well the pattern will still be a mystery. and there are seven more clues to come as far as I understand.

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  19. I, too, am disappointed the "mystery" is already solved! I was pleased to know that I was correct in my suspicions! But, have NO idea what I will do with a pair of GAUNTLETS here in east Texas! May just use this beautiful yarn to knit a cowl or scarf while I watch episode 3!

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  20. i love this KAL already, and the show...thanks for putting this together

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  21. I as well was surprised that the mystery was revealed, but at the same time thanks for letting us know bc now I can cast on two at a time for my magic loop. :)

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  22. well, off to a terrible start already! :-) just had to rip out the cast on and first row as I twisted it somehow along the way! Grrrr

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  23. Hello,
    I was wondering if you could provide measurements we should be at after each clue? My piece is beautiful so far. Thanks for making and sharing this pattern!
    Erin

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  24. Super-excited to be making gauntlets with this beautiful yarn. I will feel so sophisticated wearing them! I had planned on casting on when watching Downton this evening, but was too excited and have already started. One set of 16 done, one to go.

    To the commenter above that wanted a chart, Ravelry knitter Patternwhisperer has put together a chart and it can be found here

    There is lots of other great info in the Ravelry FAQ, highly recommended (Kristen has provided the link to that above).

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  25. Also meant to respond to Megan; yes, stockinette is just like needle 3. It's a fancy way of saying knit every row in the round. (Or alternate knit-a-row / purl-a-row when knitting flat)

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  26. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions! I am so excited and ready to go!

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  27. Love this project...got the instructions this morning and dove right in. Finished this week's installment of knitting and it went great and looks really good already--no problems. Both my daughters are doing this too. By the way....I'm Matthew Crawley!

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  28. I'm so glad they're gauntlets ~ they keep you cosy and you still get to use your fingers to do regular tasks. Thank you for a lovely pattern inspired by DA!

    I have one question: do you know how many grams of yarn this entire project used?

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  29. I knew it was Lady Violet! Excellent choice. The pattern looks like it will be lovely and I have been wanted to make some fingerless gloves. Good show!

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  30. I have started the gauntlets and am looking forward to knitting and watching the show! I do have one question: Am I misreading the instructions or does needle #1 decrease on row one each time its knitted?

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  31. watching the KETspecial about Hairclere castle of Downton Abbey fame...

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  32. Apparently, I am not as good a knitter as I thought!! Have had to rip it out 3 times more and starting over ...

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  33. Question: on needle 2, there are 25 stitches, but then at row 7, it seems to want you to have 26. Unless I did something very wrong.....

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  34. Very excited to cast on tonight during the season opener. Thank you for doing this. One of the Ravelry members worked out a chart for the pattern.

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  35. to kaos 127- I am on row 9 and still have 25 stitches. I'm confused about needle #1 (see above)!

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  36. Sorry to have spoiled the "Mystery" for some. It was brought to my attention that most Mystery KALs actually tell you what you are knitting but not details about what it will look like. I figured for something like this, it would make sense for people to know. You all probably would have figured it out almost immediately anyway. :) Hope that the pattern will still keep you intrigued. There is plenty of mystery yet to come! ;)

    -Kristen

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    Replies
    1. I agree, I wouldnt have started w/o knowing what we knit.

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  37. Erin-

    Your piece should measure about 4" at this point assuming that your row count on the gauge was accurate. :) I hope this helps!

    Kristen

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  38. Anonymous- in regards to needle #1- no it doesn't decrease because both decreases in row 1 on needle 1 are countered with yarn overs which are increases. You should have the same # of stitches you start with.

    I hope this helps!
    Kristen

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  39. Kristen,
    Oh, oh.... I just realized what I did wrong on needle #1! I was knitting 2 k2togs, not 1!! thanks for your help!!!

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  40. Ok. I am close to giving up. I have ripped out and restarted 5 times 'm pie. I am doing magic loop, and cannot figure out when/how to do the join. I tried doing it after the provisional cast on, and and can't seem to close the darn gap!!! Please, someone, help, before I just put down my needles and watch the show. I am about to cry in frustration. Thank you...:-(

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  41. Frances...I've also tried 6 times. Try it one more time. I did and now it's flying. I magic loop the first needle is 2, then 3 and then 1.

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  42. Thank you for all of your hard work on this. I finished clue one and it looks lovely so far!!

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  43. Anonymous says:
    I am not interested in making the gauntlets with an eyelet so that you can tie them, but rather pulling them on. I have done stk stitch on needle 1 as well as needle 3 and hopefully it will work out. Also do you think seed stitch would look ok on needles 1 and 3 to give the gauntlet a little more style? I am only done with the first 16 rows and would be willing to start over if you think the seed stitch would be appealing.

    Thanks.

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  44. I love the pattern, the lace part is lovely. Thanks! :)

    Laura G.

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  45. Thank you, Kristen, this is great fun! For Needle 1, do i keep making the eyelet rows or is there only 1? I just keep repeating the 4 rows until the gauntlet is the proper length for the Needle 2 pattern?

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  46. I think that I am going to enjoy this KAL especially since you have introduced me to Downton Abbey, I love it. I have just about finished the first clue and must admit that I love the pattern but the yarn, not so much. I think that the yarn is great except that it is self striping and it spoils the delicate design. I think I will restart the pattern in a different yarn and save this luscious yarn for another project.

    Thank you for the pattern and the introduction to the characters of Downton Abbey. I took the little test you sent and I am Lord Grafton (?) that is just wonderful since I am not male. Ha!

    Debbie

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  47. Anonymous...thanks for the encouraging words! I'm just wondering if I should join the provisional cast on, before joining in the DA yarn? If so, what's the recommended approach for that? When I practiced the magic loop with just one yarn, I had no trouble at all! I think I'm encountering issues when I'm switching yarns. Again, many thanks!!

    Frances

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  48. Is there a link to a group of knitters who have decided not to knit the gauntlets? I'm trying to figure out what I can knit with one skein of the yarn? It is beautiful yarn but I won't use the gauntlets. Thanks.

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    1. Ripped out and started over in a different part of the color way as well as using size 3 needles. It's perfect. Can't wait to get Clue #2 on Sunday.

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  49. I have almost finished the first clue. Had to back out a few rows because stitch count was off on needle two. I'm a person who will sometimes rip out a whole project if I don't like how it looks. Right now I don't like how the colorway is appearing so I think I will rip out what has been done so far and start at a different part of the yarn. Also change from a size 4 to size 3 needle. The project is knitting up looser when knitting in the round than my swatch. Project knits up very quickly.

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  50. France's, knit one row plain from the provisional cast on. Then your working stitches are the good yarn. Join I the round with the good yarn. And off you go.

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  51. thank you, love the pattern!

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  52. I'm still not sure what I did wrong, but I ripped out a few rows, and now my count is what it should be. Up to row 13--so far so good!

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  53. shall we knit two equal parts already now? or wait for instructions?

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    1. I was wondering the same thing. I went ahead and knitted another one but realized that the eyelets will not be on the same side. So there is probably different directions for right and left gauntlets. I will have to rip one of then out!

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    2. thanks, then I will wait.

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  54. Susie Knits-

    You repeat the eyelets over and over as written in the pattern. You want a vertical line of eyelets up the side of the gauntlet. I hope this helps!

    Kristen

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  55. I am in love with this whole project. The colors are beautiful and it is something I've never tried to make. A fun tribute to remember the fun of this series. BTW I'm Lord Grantham

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  56. Has anyone had trouble with row 9? I am off one stitch and up to this row everything came out perfect.

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  57. Having a lot of fun. Finished clue 1 and looking forward to clue 2. Am tempted to start a second pair so I have something to do when watching Sherlock reruns tonight.

    BTW, I'm Violet, the Dowager Dutchess.

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  58. Finished clue one. Only measures about 3.5 inches, but I am using a lighter weight yarn, so I'm not too stressed. It fits over my hand OK.

    PS--also Lord Grantham

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  59. @aabel98, I'm also waiting for clue 2. :)

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  60. janklass@gmail.com

    You did not say if you were 1 stitch long or short, but I would check to see if you completed the ssk.

    Good luck

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  61. Hi!
    Anyone from Canada received their yarn yet? I got an email confirming it had been sent on Jan. 1, was hoping to start the real thing with clue no. 2 this Sunday but no yarn yet! (I'm still doing it with scrap yarn to practice with but...)
    Thanks!
    France

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  62. Hi again!
    Just got my yarn in the mail as I got home! Such beautiful colors... Thanks for the quick service!
    France

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  63. Love this yarn so much I ordered the January LE color in sportmate

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  64. Ready for clue 2! Forgot how much I enjoyed knitting on double points. Thank you.

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  65. I just started knitting these this morning because I didn't have a crochet hook until yesterday. I was wondering, should I switch the needles 1 & 3 around for the other side because I'm assuming you'd want drawstring and lace to be on the same part of the other arm. I hope this made sense.

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  66. Nevermind, I just saw the clue is for a right hand gauntlet.

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  67. I was so anxious to get started that I skipped the "knit 4 rows" at the beginning. Because there is a provisional cast on, can I just knit those 4 rows & leave live stitches on a life line?

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  68. I just got my Downton yarn today!! Candy cane was a nice touch, too. Thanks JBW. -CA

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  69. Do light colors work beeter for the lace pattern? In other words, can you see the pattern better with a lighter color than a darker color?

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  70. I just received notice today that the Christmas at Downton yarn is again available. I ordered mine and can't wait to start the project. Thanks to all of your posts, I should have no trouble finishing the project!

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  73. KristenJBW shares her excitement for the Downton Abbey Mystery KAL, inspired by Lady Violet. She provides detailed instructions, including materials list, abbreviations, and measurements. Kristen's humor adds a relatable tone. The article encourages community by sharing arm measurements and promoting a sense of community among knitters. Flyoke

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