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[b]My original post is below the row of **'s 
WEEK 1: The year of the sweater begins!!
If you haven’t already picked your pattern, do so this week. Plan on getting other notions or tools you need as well.
Read through your pattern COMPLETELY-- do you understand how it is constructed? Are there any techniques or stitches required that you don’t know how to do–or need to practice? Use our search feature on the forum, and post questions here or in the how-to forum.
If you haven’t decided on yarn yet, now is the time to get some. Remember you don’t have to use the yarn specified in the pattern; you can substitute a different weight, color, etc, as long as you get the correct GAUGE. If you DO want to substitute yarn., make sure you get the correct YARDAGE (not necessarily the specified number of balls). YOu might also want to get extra, just in case, and be sure to checck your dye lot numbers.
Speaking of gauge… Knit a gauge swatch. You can do this before you buy the yarn, if your LYS has some you can try–that way you know how it knits up. See Amy’s gauge guidelines here on how to knit your swatch and correctly calculate your gauge. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size. This step is crucial to a sweater that fits correctly, so
don’t skip it… Remember that a gauge that is off by a half stitch can turn into a discrepancy of several inches. And we don’t want to spend three months on a sweater and have it not fit, do we??
Finally, take your measurements. Be HONEST with yourself. Make sure that the size you’re going to knit will actually fit you! Measure your bust at the fullest part, while wearing proper undergarments 
You may also want to measure your hips and waist, if your pattern covers those areas.
Go through your pattern, and highlight or circle all of the numbers that apply to your size. (I think it’s okay to make a copy if you don’t want to mess up you’re original)
To review:
Get your pattern, yarn, tools
Take your measurememnts
Knit a gauge swatch
Mark your pattern as necessary
Breathe! you’re done!
If you’re a picture-taker, take pictures of each week’s progress–this will add to your gatification at the end of the process!
Do a little bit each day-- you have until Saturday to complete your mission!
Good luck, and happy knitting!
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Since we’re all going to be hitting the end of the year clearence sales this week, I thought I would jump the gun on a new KAL for next year.
It will be an ongoing KAL, all year. Next December, you will be the proud owner of not one but FOUR handknit sweaters… yes, YOU will own them, because you’re going to knit them for YOU.
But I don’t have time to knit for myself, Hildie!!! Yes you do! And something more than a scarf, too! This KAL comes with something special–a schedule and time line! We’re going to spend 3 months on each sweater, doing a little bit each week. At the end of the year, you’ll have a different sweater for each season!
The first sweater will start in January. You can pick your own pattern. Since we’re going to be spending time on this sweater until March, this pattern should be a spring sweater–maybe short or 3-quarter sleeves. Some trends for spring are:
- Neutral colors–shades of white and brown especially
- Blue, Turquioise, Aqua
- Eyelets
- Polka Dots
Here is a link to knitting pattern central’s page of “women’s clothing.” These are free! Or you can use whatever pattern you like that you already have.
In April we will start a summer sweater–okay it will REALLY be a tank top. This one will be special, though–you’re going to design your pattern YOURSELF. Yes you can do it! Hildie will help you! You can pick any yarn you like–something cottony and airy would be good for summer–you’ll knit up a swatch, and you will use your gauge and your measurements to knit a custom sweater, in the round, with very little seaming at the end. FUN!
In July, we’ll start a fall sweater (cardigan?), and in October, we’ll start a winter sweater–more details about those as we get closer!
Again, we’ll be doing just a little bit each week—so let 2006 be the year you knit for YOU! The January KAL will start the first week of January, so be thinking about what pattern you’re going to use. Each week you’ll have a task to complete (kind of like homework!) They will all be reasonable, small amounts of work-- and the teacher won’t give you detention if you’re late! And the first week for each sweater is going to be the same: Decide on a pattern, buy your yarn and any supplies you need (i will always recommend knitpicks because their prices are great!!), knit a gauge swatch, and post all that stuff on the forum.
Of course, you can just do any or all of them–but wouldn’t it be great to be sitting here in 12 months, with FOUR sweaters for yourself, and all ready for a new year of wear? Join us! We are cool! You know you want to!
[size=2]Uhm, and I say “we” and “us” but I really mean me :shifty: Don’t leave me alone, i’m scared!!! :shock:
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