Stephen West MKAL 2023 - Knitting Vlog - Week Three - Geogradient Shawl

[@angieanderson6082]

Yes. Yes to everything you’ve shared! All the feelings, ends, slight disappointment, boredom…yes. I’ve felt it all. Even ‘adapting’ the pattern to just stockinette and reverse stockinette stripes instead of the chevron slips, it took FOREVER even not counting to 4. 😅 I’m thankfully ready for the last clue and to finish this shawl!!! 🎉

[@RowRowandKades]

I know. It's been such a slog. Yours looks beautiful, though. I'm so glad we both stuck it out and got to the end. ❤️

[@monikabiedermann9673]

I'm still on clue 3. It took forever and only thing I learned is that I don't like stripes and I hate cutting the yarns so often. But the shawl is (so far) pretty I'll finish it even if I curse every time i have to cut the yarn :D

[@RowRowandKades]

Exactly this! Cutting the yarn so much is just heartbreaking. I think he's done it so we HAVE to finish the shawl because the yarn can't be used again 😂 Keep going. It's beautiful in the end. ❤️

[@brendawatkinson8198]

😂😂😂 Honestly you’re just saying what I’m thinking I’ve loved watching you do this MKAL x

[@RowRowandKades]

Haha, I'm glad! I knew I wasn't alone in this one. Thank you for watching. I hope you've managed to finish or get close, at least 💓

[@zillahrhodes3848]

Oh my, Kelly, well done you for persevering! I was initially tempted to try this M cal , after doing the socks earlier, but the amounts of yarn, and so the time involved , put me off. I must say I have been underwhelmed on this one, BUT, you have kept me laughing and cheering you on to the finish line! ( but only if you want to) thanks so much for taking us along with you, and your shawl will be amazing when finished, kind regards, Zillah🙏 x

[@RowRowandKades]

Aww, I truly appreciate you cheering me on Zillah! I think if it wasn't for the vlog, I would have given up, but I'm happy I did the vlog because of that. It's kept me going, and I'm almost at the end. 🥳

[@FrannyDoMakes]

Well you know I am feeling the exact same as you Kelly, thanks for being so honest with us and for keeping up with it. We can get through this together I’m sure, which I guess is the whole point of a knit along , mystery or not.

[@RowRowandKades]

That's totally true. I think without the camaraderie, this would have been a total disaster. We've all pushed each other through, and it's actually felt good knowing that we're not alone in our feelings. I can't wait to see yours finished, Fran. It's beautiful. It's just been the biggest snoozefest, hasn't it 😂❤️

[@fairygodfatherknits]

Beauty and the Beast! My brother and I used to LOVE that show when we were kids! To be fair, Linda Hamilton’s hair is almost exactly the same as Ron Perlman’s - it was the era of big hair!!! Oh I’m so glad you found your glasses, that was really adding some drama! 😂 I agree clue 3 takes FOREVER, I am hoping to finish today. I’m somewhere around 58 stitches or so.

[@RowRowandKades]

Yes! Beauty and the Beast! I loved it when I was a kid, too. It was definitely big hair era. I remember wanting the Farrah Fawcett flick 😂 Haha, I think I got pretty giddy over the glasses drama! 😂❤️

[@yorkshirenome]

Aw Kelly, I can see how tedious that would be to knit, but it looks absolutely amazing!! Really hope this last clue is more enjoyable for you 😄

[@RowRowandKades]

Oh I really hope it is too! I feel like I've done nothing but complain this time. It's not been fun. But it does look good. Xx

[@astitchinthesky4212]

Your staying power is amazing. I hope the next clue is more enjoyable for you.

[@RowRowandKades]

I think it's the designer in me. Some aspects of design are incredibly tedious, so I'm almost used to it. The next clue is finally fun though 🥳

[@fairygodfatherknits]

Omg the ends, I felt rising panic as you showed them all 😂😂😂

[@RowRowandKades]

Haha, I know! There are way too many in this. Thank you for sharing that you carried your yarns up the edge because thar was my saving grace! ❤️

[@fairygodfatherknits]

@@RowRowandKades just don’t tell Stephen! 🤣🤣🤣

[@barbarawilson236]

It be a chore for you to knit it, but your shawl is so beautiful 🎉

[@RowRowandKades]

It is. And I'm happy I've persevered because it's beautiful 💓

[@janlizKnit5968]

I feel your pain. I spent the entire week on Clue 3 and I do work 9 to 5 but no kids and a very helpful partner lol. I barely finished in time. I am knitting 2 shawls and will be doing garter sts instead of the slip sts pattern for clue 3. Never again! Lol

[@RowRowandKades]

Oh wow! 2 shawls! I couldn't cope! 😂 I hope you love them both when they're done. X

[@ShellyString]

Hang in there Kelly; clue 4 is the saving grace of this pattern in my opinion xx

[@RowRowandKades]

It really is! Thanks Shelly 💕

[@wendycaldwell5723]

I actually love clue 3 - to look at - but I agree it was a lesson in perseverance. 🤣🤣🤣 Clue 4 is more one of endurance. So many stitches my hand is cramping up!

[@RowRowandKades]

It all looks so beautiful, but it's just an entire chore to knit, isn't it. I do love clue 4, though, thankfully!

[@ginnyc]

It is too many stripes! I wish there was a couple of solid color blocks of knitting because all the ends are crazy. I'm just finishing clue 2 . I'm so glad I went budget yarn, I don't buy a lot of really expensive yarns. I would be gutted if i had to cut up hand dyed yarn! I'm sorry you aren't enjoying the MKAL. Maybe just do longer blocks of color rather than all the striping. I think that's what I'm doing for clue 3. Hope you and the family have a great Halloween! 🎃🧡🎃

[@RowRowandKades]

Way too many stripes. Not what I imagined at all. And I've been wondering what the space helmet has to do with anything. It really drew me in as I love Sci fi 😂 I'm glad I didn't use hand dyed too. I'd be crying with every snip. I definitely recommend carrying the yarn up the side on clue 3. I have a friend who did stocking stitch stripes instead of clue 3 and its just as beautiful. X

[@enidshaw3852]

''Beauty and The Beast''' starred Ron Perlman unable to remember female lead, but her character named ''Catherine'' hope this trivial post helps 😁 keep taking care xxx

[@RowRowandKades]

Haha yes! Beauty and the Beast. It's Linda Hamilton as the leading lady. I loved it when I was a kid. The era of big hair! Thanks Enid x

[@shetlandlace]

Your videos are great! I am doing KnitVent, and I am glad I am not doing this MKAL. I agree with everything you are saying. Counting gets to me, very quickly. I like knits that are intuitive. Keep knitting. Can't wait to see Rowan's Halloween Cardigan.

[@RowRowandKades]

Aw thank you! Enjoy knitvent! I'm not surprised you're glad you're not doing the mkal 😂 x

[@khabsamum6074]

This is my first mkal and thank you for persevering. Im not the greatest knitter and its not been the best experience. But am having a break from stripes and making your atheneum socks. Which is such a lovely pattern to follow, and im really enjoying it. As the shawl has turned into a chore. And only realised after clue 2 and seeing everyones shawl i had picked up a size too small needle 😂So I definitely will finish when i pluck up the motivation for the last clue and the final stripes. Love watching and your eweknitty podcast.

[@RowRowandKades]

Aw, I'm sorry this is your first because they're usually much more fun than this! I don't blame you for having a break, though, and I hope you enjoy the Athenaeum Socks! Hopefully, it will still be a lovely big shawl even with the smaller needle 🤞🏻 Thank you for watching the EweKnitty podcast as well! I'm so glad you're enjoying it ❤️

[@knitterscarlet]

I think your whinging is very entertaining and you’ve certainly made me lol as I have pneumonia so am feeling rather crappy. I have heard a lot of people complaining about this mkal, so it’s not just you. I’ve only recently finished dyeing up my yarn for it and haven’t even started it. I agree wholly with you that this mkal isn’t as good as his others which is a shame as this is the first of his mkal that I have done. The bit about you losing your glasses made me laugh so much that my dog sat on my knee starring at me as she didn’t know what I was laughing at, I’m sure she thought I was going mad lol xx

[@RowRowandKades]

Oh I'm so glad I've cheered you up. I hope you feel better soon! At least you can knit it at your own pace and just enjoy the process. X

[@angelagrant9937]

I totally agree with you I'm a bit bored doing this one. This is my third MKAL and I definitely enjoyed the other two more. Some of the yarn I'm using is hand dyed so not liking having to cut constantly as I won't be able to frog if I don't like the end result. Like you I'll persevere tho.

[@RowRowandKades]

I think that's why he's made us cut the yarn so much. No frogging available! 🐸 I do hope you like the end result! I think it's beautiful but I wouldn't knit it again in a thousand years 😂💕

[@bernbee1679]

Yes monotonous yes you need to concentrate but it’s pretty. I will be so glad when clue 3 is done, I’m not yet finished side 1 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@RowRowandKades]

It IS pretty. Just not a joy to knit. It feels very slow going. I hope you get done soon too. I'm about half way up side 2 now. Xx

[@bernbee1679]

@@RowRowandKades oh I envy you! Sooooo slow! Good luck on 4 😊 I think it will be fun ❤️

[@emmacmakes]

Just caught up with you Kelly - sorry but you did make me laugh when you lost your glasses, and also the lion man hair 🙈 The thing with KALs for me is that you have to work on them all the time to keep up, and as soon as I know I HAVE to work on something I just don’t want to 😄 I would definitely be wanting to play Stardew Valley instead - that community centre won’t complete itself 😁

[@RowRowandKades]

Ahh, haha, I'm glad it made you laugh. I'm used to having to knit on certain things due yo design deadlines, but when they're boring, it's the absolute worst. And you're right! That community centre is gard work! 😂 x

[@SarahChurch-t4y]

I am so glad for your honesty Kelly, I have never participated in a Stephen West KAL because I look at his designs and they do nothing for me whatsoever! I know this will be controversial, but I just find his designs have a bit of the emperor's new clothes vibe for me. Lots of people fawning all over them when in reality they are not that inspiring.

[@RowRowandKades]

There are not many SW patterns that appeal to me either. I was actually the same as you for a long time but I do enjoy the mkals, normally! This one has just been so boring 😂 I think too many people fawn over him and it gets silly. X

[@veppie0]

I felt the same last years mkal, it actually gave me a knitting burnout and I only started knitting again a few months ago. If you don’t enjoy it, just stop, don’t punish yourself for the sake of your vlog.

[@RowRowandKades]

Oh I'm so sorry last years gave you burn out! That's awful. Don't worry. I'm kind of used to knitting things that I don't want to but have to with the design process and deadlines, so it shouldn't burn me out. I'm a glutton for punishment with my stubbornness 😂 I'm glad you're knitting again! 💕

[@followin_Jesus]

* suggestion being made without seeing clue 4 and would probably apply more to someone who hasnt started clue 3 * if you are also annoyed with all the stripes and ends, divide it into 4 sections and do it more like color blocking instead of striping. Hmmm....I might have to take my own advice! since I'm still no where close to clue 3 and can definitely understand why you would be annoyed.... Ive definitely enjoyed your videos! Feel free to modify clue 4 to make it more enjoyable

[@RowRowandKades]

I would definitely recommend carrying all the yarns up the icord edge on clue 3, rather than cutting. The same could even be possible on clue 2, but I didn't try it there, so I can't be certain. There really is no need to be cutting every 8 rows, and I'd much prefer to deal with the tangle of 4 balls that weave in the ends. Clue 4 turned out fun! Finally!

[@dexterlovesannie]

Lol I don't mind the 'moaning' (aka honesty) at all. As a human that is not part of the die hard Westknit cult it's refreshing 😉

[@RowRowandKades]

Haha I know we are on the same page Kat 😄 xx

[@josemuylaert3466]

Oh, I don't mind your whining, I guess I would have done the same. Those waves do look nice though. But, eh... with all the un-fun that's gone into it so far... what will you do with it once it's finished ?

[@RowRowandKades]

Well, it's taken me a while to get to your comment because I've been poorly, so now I know what I'll be doing with it. Clue 4 is so pretty, and once it's all complete, I actually really like it. I'll be keeping this one. Plus, my mother in law hates blue 😂 (She got my twist and turns shawl last year).

[@mettejuhlnielsen1429]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jenniferknatters3263]

Did you know that George R R Martin, the author of the Game of Thrones books was a writer for that Beauty and the Beast telly programme? Fun fact for the day. You say you like the WestKnits MKALs but....do you? You don't like this one, you didn't like last year's, you didn't like the surprise socks... Is it possible you liked Slipstravaganza (that would've been the first one you knit, right?) and you like the _idea_ of the MKALs but maybe they're not actually your thing?

[@RowRowandKades]

Ahhh I did not know George wrote Beauty and the Beast! Brilliant! So you probably know already that your question made me think a lot, but I do actually like the mkal and usually the shawl at the end. My shawlography really needs to be blocked so I can wear it, my twist and turns was gifted purely because I could see the sparkle in my mother in laws eyes when she looked at it, and I actually really like this one now it's finished. I just really haven't enjoyed the process with this one. It hadn't felt like an mkal. There's been no exciting elements or things to learn. It's just stripe, snip, stripe, snip. Not fun. Clue 4 was fun though. Finally! 😂💕