Downton Abbey Mystery KAL 2014 - Week #1

Hello everyone, and welcome to Clue # 1 of the DowntonAbbey Mystery KAL 2014! Thank you all so much for joining us for Season 4 of Downton, I am thrilled that we all get to be here together and have a little fun and adventure with it! 



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!

Kristen

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23 comments:

  1. Just to make sure, for this week we're to knit everything in the "Directions" section, and stop at the "Increase Pattern," no? The "increase pattern" is just FYI/practice for next week?

    I know I'm going to be a little tight on yardage, so I wanted to double check. Thanks!

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  2. I have a blank for page two. How can I get to page two,so that I can print it?

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  3. I got gauge with a size six needle. How will not knitting to gauge affect the pattern? I don't have a size six 40" circular only the size 7.

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  4. I have just wound a ball of Plymouth yarns Capetown Collection johanne yarn. Soooo very excited!! Happy Knitting all.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. @Slickvic775: I'd say if you matched the gauge suggested with a size six needle, then use the size six. The only affect it will have is how big (or small) your shawl will be. Generally you're going to want to match up your yarn with the correct needle size to get gauge. I know I'm using a slightly thinner yarn (that has fantastic drapy-ness!) so I'm using a six as well! Happy knitting!

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  7. This is my night of firsts. My very first viewing of Downton Abbey. I've been catching up these last few weeks with season 3. And my very first knit along. How far are we to go with these directions? Thanks so much. Having fun!

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  8. Will we be using Beads at all ? I LOVE adding beads to my knitting, whenever I can.

    I have been knitting forever but this is my first KAL....what fun !

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  9. To answer some of the questions here:

    1)You can choose to only knit through the directions section and not continue on with more increases, especially if you are tight on yardage. You will however have completed at least 1 set of increases. Knitting more for practice is optional.

    2)Most people find that copying and pasting the instructions into a word doc & print from there works better for them. Not everyone has this technical issue with page two so I am not sure how to help there. I would probably copy and paste.

    3)If you use a larger needle than what you got gauge on, you may end up using more yarn due to the larger gauge. I would try and use whatever needle you got gauge on.

    4)Hannah- if you are fairly comfortable with increases, then you probably don't need to "practice" I would just knit through the directions for the first set of increases and establishing your stitch markers.

    5) Melissa- I am not planning on integrating beads, but if you feel so inclined, please do! It would be lovely to see some beads on some of the FOs!

    I hope this helps everyone!
    Kristen

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  10. alive65 I have been knitting since elementary school, but I just found Downton Abbey Mystery KAL 2014 today. I ordered the yarn and am I ready to go. This is my first KAL. Also I love beads on my shawls. How many beads would you recommend ?

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  11. Returned from our Christmas road trip, and checked in on Ravelry. I copied and pasted using MS word for the first clue. What a great way to begin 2014! Now to find yarn which will work!

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  12. I binge-watched through Seasons 1 - 3 and finished 1/2 hr before Season 4 started! Yay!
    I dug through stash today and came across Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted in Nicole's 1st Anniversary colorway.
    On a size 5 needle, I'm coming up with 4 1/2 sts per inch in Stockinette. My shawl will be larger, but I have plenty of yarn and happy to find the perfect project for it. Thanks, Kristen, for leading another intriguing KAL!

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  13. Where is week two I don't know where to find it

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  14. It's 4:00 EST and still no sign of week two! This is why I don't normally sign up for mystery KALs. I don't have a computer that is on 24/7, getting ready to shut down and start supper, won't be logging on again until tomorrow. Thanks a lot.

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  15. I haven't had the chance to watch episode 1 of the new season. Is there any way that I can get the original instructions with the prompts. I'm also still waiting for my yarn to get here. Thanks!

    AuntyBeth

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  16. Siamkitty,

    The directions for post #2 were up at 6am PST on Sunday. The only reason I can guess you couldn't see them is if your computer browser had saved some cookies from the last visit to the site. Usually refreshing the screen will do the trick, and if not, you'll need to go in and clear your cookie cache. I hope this helps!

    -Kristen

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  17. Hi Beth,

    These were the original instructions for episode 1. We did not have any prompts for that week because some people were still waiting on yarn. Week 2 is where the prompts start, so if you look at the most recent post, from Monday, 1/13, you'll find them. I hope this helps!

    -Kristen

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  18. Thanks for the tip about copying and pasting the directions to a word document.

    My yarn was delayed by the polar vortex. Should arrive tomorrow. I have some serious catching up to do.

    It is my first KAL. Intrigued.

    Anne

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  19. I'd like to use some lace weight kid mohair/silk. 20 st= 4" : 7 US. I think it's going to be dreamy, any reason why i shouldn't continue? This is my first KAL too! i'm very excited. thank you for hosting and putting so much energy into providing us a super-duper wonderful experience!

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  20. I was wondering if we had to alternate the balls of yarn to keep from having large chunks of color or is that part of the design?

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  21. LovetoKnit-

    I haven't heard of anyone having issues with pooling because of the larger number of cast on stitches. I think you'll notice that this isn't an issue if you keep going. However, if you are worried, you can certainly alternate rows. But you shouldn't need to.

    Kristen

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