"Kaffe Fassett" knitalong

Update 19 September 2005

Please do be reassured, ladies and gents, that we are in this for the long haul.  It is quite OK to be in the planning or pondering stage at the moment .  It's quite OK to take three years to finish the project too.

Initially I had thought it would be mostly aimed at people who had a kit or started project lurking ready to pick up - and that's great if you do.  Diane has pointed out in the comments though, that it takes a while to plan such a big project and collect the yarns, never mind create the space in your knitting schedule. Now this is a good point.  I was in fact going to start by asking if anyone wanted to share ideas as to what might be a good project for a beginner or help in tracking down their yarns.  If you do - post a comment and hopefully someone will be able to help!  And join in when you're ready!

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Unofficial knitalong for mutual support and encouragement in completing the most amazing and impressive knitted designs in the world!

See the current participants and progress on my sidebar.

What’s the idea?

Everyone taking part is working on a Kaffe Fassett knitting design.  We are not all knitting the same design, as it’s such a matter of personal taste, but the idea is to encourage the participants to tackle/resume/finish something a little more challenging than usual.  Brandon Mably and Zoe Hunt designs also count, by the way, as do own designs using a Kaffe style.  I’m open to other suggestions as to challenging colourwork.

Not all Kaffe Fassett designs are difficult to knit, many striped and Fair Isle designs just rely on frequent and exciting colour changes.  Once you have got the hang of intarsia, you just need organisation and persistence to finish a beautiful garment.

How do I get involved?

Just email me here at Blithe Dance with details of your blog or email address, and the project you'll be working on.  You might like to download this button and it's link (just to this page) for your blog.

Any tips?

First have you any Kaffe Fassett knitting books?  If you read the editorial or the bit at the back, there are some great tips and explanations of how to make your knitting easier.

Sam’s ten commandments

1. Thou shalt have no other project…. Well not quite, it’s great to have some “easy knitting” to relax with, but you will need to give this a reasonable priority to make noticeable progress! The more you knit, the faster you will go, so try and get in a few long sessions
2. Are you knitting the right size and tension?  Do a gauge swatch if you are not sure.  If fit is important, be quite sure you will want to wear it when finished.
3. Don’t set too high a standard of neatness.  Can you see the irregularities from six feet away?  A good blocking will sort most of it out.  Have you seen the state of the finished garments in the photographs, anyway? 
4. Get organised!  Make a shade fringe.  Have all your yarns together in a decent bag.  Put all your bits/ends into a plastic envelope as you go.
5. For intarsia, use plastic bobbins, yarn butterflies or manageable lengths to keep the tangling at bay
6. Make a working photocopy of the pattern and colour in a copy of your chart, if it is not already in colour.
7. Don’t worry about small errors.  You can Swiss darn them out, or may just decide it doesn’t matter at the end.  On the other hand, count your stitches and shaping very carefully to avoid soul destroying mistakes.  There is no ripping back. 
8. Knit in your ends.  Knit in your ends.  Knit in your ends wherever possible, or it will take longer to finish the garment than to knit it!  Knots are OK too.
9. Repeating pattern?  Find out what yarn length is needed for a block.  Measure by stretching out your arms ( equal to your own height).
10. Are you a true disciple?  Ignore all of the above, gather a pile of colours you adore, and go where the fancy takes you!

See also this link for some more tips:

www.knitting-and.com/knitting/tips/fassett.htm

Who’s taking part?  This, I think is everyone who's expressed an interest - let me know when you make a start and send a picture!

Heather

Joanne

Judith

Diane

Sam

Tracy

Anmiryam

Daisy

Comments

[Ann (aka OnlyWhenPigsFly]

Please let me join - I beg you! I'm definitely a beginner but I have big aspirations (and a burning desire to knit this particular Kaffe pattern as a baby or bigger blanket....). Am I crazy? Probably! Thank you, Ann

[Laura]

I'm late jumping on most bandwagons. Is there room here for one more Fassett fan? And a newby at that?

[Jeanne]

Late as usual, but can I join? I'm collecting 4-ply for a Toothed Stripe Waistcoat....

[Elayne]

The decision is:
To design as I go. I'll make a "British Breed Wrap" using my handspun wool from 11 different breeds of British Sheep. I have 4 oz of each of the breeds giving me a lovely variation of natural colors.
I'm a true 10 in Sam's Commandments so I'll wing it while working both ends of the wrap separately but at the same time to be sure the patterns match and that there will be enough yarn. I'll Kitchener the two together at some point. The patterns will vary using Fairisle and Intarsia (I must have 11 sheep in there somewhere).

Now I'm excited and itching to get started.

[Wannietta]

Well I finally got started today! I did a swatch to get block lengths, cut scrap yarn to use a measures and dove right in! I am loving how the bright colours are coming out.
Thanks for hosting this KAL Sam!

[celeste]

'm knitting norweign ski hats with a riot twist for christmas for my brother's growing gradnkid tribe. these kids will be wild. Is Michigan ready for this
celeste/la

[Kirsty]

I'm watching progress with great anticipation. I found your blog the other day and had already started Mystical Stripe but it's not intarsia, so it doesn't really count for your knit-along. Have a look to see how far I've got http://www.castoncastoff.co.uk/blog/2005/10/06/almost-seeing-double/

[Carol]

PS Forgot to mention - I will be attempting to finish off Pebbles from book 24.

[Carol]

Sam - I would like to join in if I am not too late - I am going to try and finish off an old Kaffe that has been languishing around now for ages if thats ok. I have a back done 1 sleeve and 1 front done and 1/2 a sleeve I think still sitting on the needles. I am also collecting the yarns for China Clouds - only a couple to go now so maybe I will start that one at some point too if I get lucky yarn wise. I am a slow knitter though so the 3 year timing will be about right!

[anmiryam]

Hi Sam, I'm still contemplating which Kaffe to work on. There's the one for Martin from Vintage Knits (name is escaping me at the moment), Ancient, Foolish Virgins plus a few others lurking around (Old Tile, Kilim, and a couple of others that I don't remember the names of). I'll let you know as soon as I decide -- in the next couple of days. I'm excited and I'll clear the decks for this one, after I finish the River stole!

[joy]

I've been wanting to do Powder Puff from Rowan 34 for a long time and recently bought the last of the necessary yarn. I can't start for at least another month as I've got a list of other things to do. Could I join in?

[Mary]

I think I'll just watch from the sidelines. I admire the skill involved in his designs but I can't see myself wearing any of them. However, I'm open to being proved wrong...

[Karin]

Wow, I don't think I could ever attempt Kaffe, unless it is the stripy sweater. You are all very brave!
I love your ten commands. I look forward to all your progress.

[Diane]

I think you are going to have to count me out of this one. I didn't realise it was starting so soon. I have so much on the needles at the moment, Christmas is looming, we are going away for 3 weeks in November.
It takes me ages to make a decision and collect yarn and actually start a project like this. Lets face it, Sam, you started planning yours in May this year. How are we all supposed to catch up. I could probably start on Jan 1st 2006.
Have Fun Everyone,

[P]

very tempting, I'm going to dive into my books and see if there's anything appealing. I've never done a kaffe before.

[Sissel]

Sam, I sent you an e-mail on the 5th, but it seems you didn`t get it. I`d like to participate in the KF-knitalong knitting Scales by Brandon Mably from Rowan mag #38. I aim to start on October 1st, or thereabout.

[mary deB]

I'll be following along with interest! I've got a couple of things I have to finish first, but I've got my many colours and my pattern books and I'm gearing up for a Fake Fassett sometime soon. Looking forward to seeing some great stuff, and I'll let you know if I can join in any time soon!

[Alison]

Oh, please, count me in! I'm not yet 100% sure what my project will be, but it may well be a darn good excuse to *attempt* that Brocade! CraftyOtter

[Tracy]

Oh help! Now I've gone and done it. Better find my Rowan books and see what I can come up with...must finish Poetry first though, I'll be the late starter, hope that's ok?

[dawn]

Nope I'm not joining but I had to laugh at #1! I can't imagine having one wip!

Dawn