Tuesday, January 31, 2006

KAL Report

I've got nothing much of interest to report about my knitting progress other than to say, the first sleeve of Twist is an evening away from doneness, the jaywalker has a heel flap, and the mitten mate has been started. I do, however, have a couple things to report on the KAL front. I joined up with Socksalpaloooza as a beginner and am very excited to be getting my match tomorrow. I really like the whole idea of a knitting swap. It's fun to learn about someone new and knit something with them in mind, and have someone do that for me. It makes the knitting even more meaningful. I also joined in with the Project Spectrum fun that Lolly has set up. I see this as more of an exploration than a KAL. We're starting to play with red and pink shades in March. I have the perfect project to do, of course I reserve the right to change my mind and do something else. The yarn for the Angelica sweater has been languishing in my knitting bag. I bought some lovely red handpainted cotton/rayon blend from Over the Rainbow yarns. It's begging to be knit, and Project Spectrum makes the perfect excuse. I'm finding that I really do enjoy KAL's but I'm more apt to stick with one if it doesn't focus on one project. Sometimes, ok, many times, I just don't feel like doing the same project as everyone else. I'll sign up for a KAL, take the Kepler KAL for example. I love the sweater, have the yarn, and then lose interest. I think more general KAL's are more for me. How do you feel about KAL's and your participation in them?

12 Comments:

Blogger Stephanie said...

I'm kind of the same - I only sign up for KAL's if I already know I am going to knit that project anyway. Or I sign up for KAL's that are open in terms of what project you can do.

1/31/2006 07:41:00 PM  
Blogger chris said...

Your red handpainted yarn is gorgeous!! I don't think you need an excuse to play with yarn that pretty. ;-) I'm really excited about Project Spectrum, too. I love how we're free to explore any and all media. I haven't joined any specific KAL's yet, but I suspect that I probably feel the same way as you. The KAL's I've done so far have been stuff like Socktoberfest and Holiday Countdown, where you're free to be creative within the established theme, and I really like that flexibility. Take care! :-)

1/31/2006 11:26:00 PM  
Blogger amylovie said...

I agree. I don't really need the pressure to finish a project. Some KALs, however, are very beneficial. I would join a KAL for a pattern that is difficult to have people help me with my questions.

Amy

2/01/2006 03:29:00 AM  
Blogger Catherine Kerth said...

i am excited about lolly's color spectrum KAL too! i have already picked my yarn out for march too! i can't wait until i get my unsespecting pal for sockapaloooza!

2/01/2006 04:57:00 AM  
Blogger Mary Ann said...

I have the yarn for the Sexy Knitters club KAL, but got sidetracked on other projects, knitting and otherwise. So it is sitting there, staring at me in the basket by my recliner. I only feel a little pressure to get started on it. There is always tomorrow.

2/01/2006 05:00:00 AM  
Blogger Iris said...

Yay! Glad to hear you've joined Sockapaloooza and Project Spectrum as well. :-)

I like KALs, although I have to agree with you, I think I'm better if I have a bit of choice so I can change my mind what to do. I'm fickle that way. ;-) That said, the Hourglass KAL has been great - I have 2 sweaters to show for!

2/01/2006 07:55:00 AM  
Blogger Carrie K said...

That yarn is gorgeous. And it sounds like you're going to have a whole bunch of FO's all at once.

But KAL's are so fun to join! But yes, I'm better at the easy going ones. I'm so tempted to join Whit's DPN Olympic KAL, but who am I kidding? There is NO WAY I will finish anything in Feb. I'll be lucky if I get to sleep.

2/01/2006 11:12:00 AM  
Blogger Pioggia said...

Since I'm such a slow knitter, I seldom join KALs, but when I do, I choose small projects.

2/01/2006 02:18:00 PM  
Blogger SAM said...

I have only done one KAL, the Blackberry Sweater. I did feel a pressure to keep up with everyone else and didn't like the feeling much. The Irish Hiking Scarf is an ongoing KAL, so whenever I get it finished is OK - I like that idea. The Project Spectrum is going to be fun and it stirs my creative juices. BTW, your yarn is beautiful.

2/01/2006 03:45:00 PM  
Blogger Jillio said...

i am not a very good KAL-er. signing up for a KAL makes me feel obligated to one thing because there are knitters out there who crank projects out like nothing; i don't like to be held to one thing because i feel pressured to perform.
but in the case with socks, i knit socks most of the time anyway so it really doesn't feel like an obligation. joining a sock KAL just exposes my finished creation to a larger blog audience and in return, i get to see more of what's out there as far as a project i'll never get bored with.
mostly, i just knit what i like. the fact that i get brownie points for it and could potentially win something in a KAL is just gravy.
swaps, on the other hand, feel special. sockapaloooza is a major stepping stone for me because i've never knitted for someone i didn't know. making stuff for family and close friends is nothing; they'll love me no matter what anyway. but a complete stranger? dude, that's not performance pressure; that's a welcome challenge. i have to think out of my figurative box. i. am. stoked.
btw, thanks for the yarn recommendations. i was about to buy some karabella aurora 4...not that i still wouldn't; i just hadn't given the matter much thought other than "i want to use something i'm familiar with and like that's in a required color."
good luck with your knitting! have you considered soysilk? i don't know how hardy it is, but i'd be willing to donate some magenta SWTC oasis to your sock knitting if you'd be willing to try it out? i've got four balls of that stuff but no real plan...hah, maybe i should use two and you could use the other two. my sock pal likes bright colors, so i'd actually just be using it to see how it knits up as socks. you're welcome to all four, though, if you are so inclined :)

2/01/2006 05:10:00 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

I like the ongoing, low-pressure, general not specific type of KAL best too. The more specific KALs I have joined, like Stephanie, were for projects that I had already decided to do -- Kepler and Jaywalker. I am really excited about Project Spectrum because it is broader even than knitting. I really want to challenge myself to be creative in other ways. That sounds a little hokey, but true! :)

2/02/2006 03:35:00 AM  
Blogger Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

now I understand why you aren't joining my KAL, that's okay *sniff sniff*
Just kidding- looks like you have a ton on you plate! all ready. enjoy~

2/02/2006 09:00:00 PM  

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