Wow! It’s so nice to see how many people are excited about our Bernat Mystery Afghan knit-along! I loved reading your comments and hearing all of your stories. It’s wonderful to see how eager you all are! A lot of you had questions, and though we tried to our best to answer them in the comments, we thought it would be best to collect them in one place. Without further ado, presenting your KAL FAQ!
BERNAT MYSTERY AFGHAN FAQ
KAL QUESTIONS:
When and where do we start?
The first clue will be released October 23rd at Bernat.com/blog. Every two weeks we’ll release the next clue, stay tuned in the meantime as we discuss our progress in the comments
How can I keep track of where all the KAL clues are posted?
On the Bernat Blog, you will find a side bar on the right listing blog post categories. By clicking ‘Mystery Afghan Knit-along’ in this section, the blog will display only KAL posts.
How many weeks does this project last?
The afghan project will last 16 weeks, with the last clue posting February 3rd, 2010.
Will I still be able access previous KAL posts if I miss one?
No worries about missing out on clues – if you aren’t available the day a clue is released, it will still be available on the blog when you come back to it.
I’m not sure if I can keep up with the pace of the clues!
The only reason to keep up is to retain the element of ‘mystery’! It’s not necessary to match your knitting with the pace of the clues. Just knit at your leisure!
Any plans for other KAL’s?
We have plans for several Knit- and Crochet-Alongs with different types of project in the future. Stay tuned!
Will we finish the KAL in time to make it a gift for Xmas?
The KAL project will wrap up in February 2010 and unfortunately not be ready in time for Xmas.
YARN & MATERIALS QUESTIONS:
What yarn do I use and how much?
Bernat® Satin (100 g/3.5 oz; 149 m163 yds)
Contrast A – We used ‘Silk’ (04007) 4 balls
Contrast B – We used ‘Camel’ (04010l) 3 balls
Contrast C – We used ‘Banana’ (04615 ) 3 balls
Finished afghan measures approx. 50 in. [127 cm] 43 in. [109 cm]
What size needles do I need?
You will need 5 mm (U.S. 8 ) knitting needles or size needed to obtain the pattern gauge of 18 sts and 24 rows.
You will also need a 4.5 mm (U.S.7) 80cm (36 in) circular needle and a cable needle (optional).
Can I use different colors than the pattern?
Of course!
Can I knit it in one color?
Absolutely!
Can I use ombre shades?
Ombre (multi-color) shades can certainly be used. Keep in mind that certain stitch patterns won’t read as well in ombres. We recommend using ombres for the simpler knit and purl stitch pattern blocks or the border of the afghan.
Can I use a different yarn?
We recommend Bernat Satin to obtain best results, but you are welcome to substitute.
If I can’t find Bernat Satin, how to I choose a substitute?
There are several things to keep in mind when substituting a yarn. First and foremost is gauge; Try to choose a yarn that knits to the same gauge as Bernat Satin. Most yarns have a recommended gauge on their label. Next, keep in mind the structure and fiber content of the yarn. A boucle, mohair or other textured yarn will greatly effect the appearance of your afghan. Also consider the care of the yarn, as some yarns are hand wash only. For best results, try to choose a yarn that is most similar to Bernat Satin by comparing the information below:
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows on a 5mm [US 8] needle
Content: 100% Acrylic
Put-up: (solids) 3.50 oz / 100 g (ombres)2.80 oz / 80 g
Length: 163 yd / 149 m (ombres) 130 yd / 119 m
Bernat Berella 4 and Bernat Super Value are recommended substitutes.
If I use a different yarn, can I still enter the contest?
Yes, you can still enter the contest if you use a different yarn. There is no purchase necessary to enter.
PATTERN QUESTIONS:
What is the gauge?
18 sts – 24 rows = 4″ (10 cm) with 5.00 mm, US – 8
What is the pattern difficulty level?
The blocks in the afghan pattern range from Easy to Intermediate. The pattern will progress in difficulty from beginning to end. That means the earliest squares will be the simplest, but even the hardest ones can be learned by a patient advanced beginner. Tips and Tutorials will be provided for more advanced techniques.
PRIZE QUESTIONS:
What can I win?
One lucky knitter will receive the Bernat pattern and yarn of their choice to create a Bernat afghan.
How do I enter?
To be eligible to win our KAL prize, you will need to submit a photo of your completed KAL afghan along with your contact and entry information to knitalong@bernat.com. All entries are due March 12, 2010.
How is the winner chosen?
The winner will be chosen by random draw. There is no jury or judging of completed projects.
When will the winner be chosen?
The draw will take place March 17, 2010.
How will I know if I’ve won?
We will contact the winner by telephone and email.
There you have it folks! This information can be found at all times at bernat.com/mysteryafghankal. We will update the FAQ section as more questions arise.
Happy Knitting!
Julia.
A KAL! Wonderful! I’ve always wanted to do one – just as I’ve always wanted to do a row- or round- robin in quilting. I bought my yarn today.
I teach knitting at a local library, and will be encouraging my students to join as well.
I can hardly wait!
I am concerned that the stitches will be something that I don’t
have a clue how to do. Will there be some type of video or help available…I really want to do this, but I taught myself from a book and know very few stitches. Are we just getting a clue?
Sorry that I know so little about this, but I’m very excited and ready to try. I would appreciate any info !!
Thanks in advance.
We’ll be giving some tutorials and including some tips as the clues are released. Also – feel free to ask questions if you get stuck at any time – the other members of the Knit-Along and the organizers are very willing to help! This is a great chance to learn those ‘scary’ techniques you may have avoided in the past.
good luck!
Hi Kayro:
Each “clue” will be a complete block from the pattern. There won’t be a picture, but all the necessary information will be there. You don’t need to know a lot of fancy techniques to get started. The patterns/clues start out easy and progress to more difficult stitches. We’ll provide help with turorials and tips, so don’t worry – you can do it!
I ordered my yarn last night, and I’m hoping there will be other lefthanded knitters joining in for the KAL mystery project. Reading about the differences in righthanded and lefthanded knitting has confused me, and I’m still knitting at the basic level of knit and purl.
I’m left handed and knit no differently than right-handed people – was taught by a right-hander when I was six, so no confusion at all. Try to think of knitting as a non-handed activity and you’ll do fine (though if you already crochet, perhaps using the continental method would be easier, too, since it uses the left hand for the yarn).
Thank you for replying Riki. I feel more confident knowing that you have no problems being a lefthanded knitter. Can’t remember the difference between continental and english, but I know one “throws” and the other “picks”. Currently, I “throw”, but I plan to use “pick” with this KAL. Pick looks much faster with less hand and arm movements. I’m a crocheter, and I’m used to holding the yarn in my right hand.
My yarn arrived from Mary Maxim today … just in time! Anxiously awaiting the first post!
This will be my first KAL. I’ve been knitting a year and am looking forward to being challenged in a new way. I’ve decided to use Bernat’s christmas yarns for this project. Thanks for this great idea.
I found out that Mary Maxim ships overseas … so I plummeted, I fell, I plunged … from my lofty ideal of using stash yarn for this project. So many people were oohing and aahing over the yarn that I just had to order some … in shades I hope my niece likes because she has asked for an afghan!
I will, however, still stash-bust – by doing two at once. More fun that way since we have to wait so long for the next square!
This is my first KAL and love the idea of a sampler afghan, although I dread the thought of sewing the squares together.
I ordered my yarn from JoAnn’s on line – It came today! I’m ready and waiting. This is exciting.
i got all my yarn this past weekend……cant wait to get started…..this is going to be fun……
Is This KAL beginner friendly?
Oops. I just discovered the pattern for the first block. Clearly, I’ve been knitting longer that I’ve been computing.
Sorry for venting. I’m back in.
Can’t put my fingers on my information about tips regarding binding off in knitting on the right side versus the wrong side of a garment. Which is better – to bind off on right or wrong side and why? I have forgotten. I am knitting a beret for my granddaughter and am ready to bind off. The beret is done all is garner stitch so I will bind off by knitting. Thanks
For all the newbees, it might be easier to follow the pattern is you place markers between repeats. Example: knit 2 marker then every repeat has 10 stitches, so follow the pattern for ten stitches place marker. Hope this helps.
Have fun! Deb
I am in the process of going out to get my yarn for this project. I am wondering, as I would like to make the afaghan “bigger” – can I just do this by making more squares or would that interfere with the pattern? I always make the afaghans I crochet (have never knitted one) larger than the size mentioned in the pattern and usually do this by buying more yarn and just keep going with the pattern.
Thanks for any input – am a little “concerned” about putting the squares together at the end of the project.
Re: Directions
1st row: K2(P6,(K1,P1)twice) 4 times, K2
So am I actually doing K2, [P6, K1, P1, K1, P1} then repeating the portion in brackets 4 times and end with K2? Or is there 3 K1,P1 with the P6? Or am I repeating 4 times from the starting K2?
Sorry it has been eons since I tried to knit – it always seems more of a chore for me than crochet.
Hi Barbara and BTLX -
You’re correct in your first understanding of the first row, it is K2.[P6.K1.P1.K1.P1] then repeating the portion in brackets 4 times, and ending with a K2.
When reading the chart, keep in mind that it should be read from right to left on the first row (see that ‘start here’ helper at the bottom of the chart)
Hope this helps!
Like BTLX above, I do not understand the first row of directions.
I don’t think they agree with the first row of graph of the pattern.
Have the first two clues done, now awaiting the next clue. This is the first time I have knitted something that I have not seen before hand. So this should be fun. I have been knitting for 53 years now, started when I was sixteen, so all of you know how old I am now.
Joan
Hi, Have finished all 3 clues, was wondering if there are any other left handed knitters doing the KAL. My squares match the pattern pictures but slant in the opposite direction which is what usually happens for me. Mary Ann
Mary Ann:
Using the charts rather than the written directions will solve the reverse slant problem. They are a picture of the stitches the way they look from the right side of the article being knitted.
We righties read the odd rows right to left and the even rows left to right. If you read the odd rows from the left to the right, and the even rows from the right to the left, your work will match what we righties make.
However, for this project, it will probably make no difference. You’re just being creative and making your own design!
I teach knitting, and encourage lefties to knit right-handed. It is so much easier to find help that way, plus it makes reading patterns with shaping bunches easier. Lefties would read the instructions for making a cardigan left front and actually make a right front!
Anita