Announcing a Mystery-Knit-A-Long for WWKIPD 2016!!

Mark your calendars: June 18, 2016 is World Wide Knit In Public Day!!

Since 2005, each year in June knitters around the world gather together in public venues to share our craft with each other and with the non-knitting world. This volunteer-led event is called World Wide Knit In Public Day (WWKIPD) and has been steadily growing to become what is now the largest knitter-run event in the world. It's always a super-fun event and you're sure to make some new friends throughout the day. So join along whether or not you live nearby and we can all become better knitting friends!

From WWKIPDay.com:

 "World Wide Knit in Public Day was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes. It began as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Knitting is such a solitary act that it’s easy to knit alone somewhere and sink into your work without thinking about all the other knitters out there. Neighbors could spend all their lives never knowing that the other knits.  This a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow) just for you and people like you.  Who knows you might even bump into your neighbor! Consider this a spark, to ignite a fire; getting all of the closeted knitters out into fresh air."

"Each local event is put together by a volunteer or a group of volunteers. They each organize an event because they want to, not because they have to. They bring their own fresh ideas into planning where the event should be held, and what people would like to do."

This year I've had the pleasure of organizing our local WWKIPD events and as part of the festivities (and to add my own little twist) we're going to be doing a Mystery-Knit-A-Long Pattern Scavenger Hunt! I've priced this KAL super low (only $1) to try to keep it accessible to as many knitters as possible so please share the info with as many friends/knitters as you can so we have a huge group knitting together both online and in public.
 
If you're the picture-taking type, please post pics of your knitting on the various social media boards where clues can be found and on Ravelry. I'd love to see everyone's yarn ideas as you prepare for the MKAL and it's always fun to see everyone's projects grow throughout the day! If you tag me @YumiYarns and use the hashtag: #WWKIPD2016MKAL on your posts, I'll try to re-post as many as I can. ^_^

Project Details:
The finished project is a long skinny crescent-shaped mini-shawl with a slight point in the center (approx 10" x 40"). It incorporates lots of squishy garter stitch alternating with layers of textural stitches and some simple lace. This combination gives you enough of a challenge to keep your interest while also giving you time to just knit while you talk with your friends during your WWKIPD event.

 There are 6 pieces to this MKAL, the first and last ones come with your initial info sheet and the rest are the "hidden" pieces that you can collect throughout the day. These "hidden" pieces are special because they are all completely interchangeable. That way if you only find 2 of the 4 "hidden" pieces, you can still knit a completed shawl with the 2 pattern pieces that you did collect. (Or, you can knit the whole thing with just the beginning/ending piece. But where's the adventure in that?) Another bonus to having interchangeable layers is that you can make this shawl as big as you want. The pattern is written as a mini-shawl, but you can just keep adding in layers until it's the perfect size. (Just be sure to leave enough yarn for your bind-off!)

Each "hidden" pattern piece was designed to represent the location that it can be found in during the Sioux Falls Shop Hop. There are 2 textural patterns and 2 lacy patterns, 1 pattern incorporates optional beads and 1 incorporates optional metallic thread. If you are local, please support these amazing businesses that have been so supportive of our event by buying your supplies/treats from them.

Supplies:
- 380 yds (356 m) of fingering weight yarn (tonal or slightly variegated works best)
- US size 2 (2.75 mm) Circular Knitting Needles at least 32" (ideally 40") long
- Tapestry Needle

Optional Supplies:
(If you are local, you can purchase these during our shop hop and support the participating stores.)
- 6/0 Beads
- Metalic Thread

Some things to keep in mind:
 - The local shops will only have the pattern pieces available during their individual business hours on 6/18/16, so check their sites (linked below) for times and plan accordingly if you won't be with the main group.
- The online pattern pieces will only be available online until 11:59 PM (CST) on 6/18/16, so visit the links below at the times listed to get your pieces before they're gone.
- If you still miss some of the pieces and/or want the entire pattern in my usual PDF format, don't worry. I will be releasing the full pattern on 6/29/16. Those who have purchased the Info Sheet for the MKAL ($1) will get a free digital copy of the full pattern at that time.
- Regular price for this pattern will be $4.99, so sign-up now to get the discount and join in on the fun!

There are 2 ways that you can play along:

1.) Athena Fibers Knits in Public (For locals): Purchase your Info Sheet ($1) at Athena Fibers and join our knitting group in a shop hop around Sioux Falls, SD as we visit (and support) our favorite local cafes and crafting shops. The schedule for the main group is listed below, but if you can't attend along with the group don't worry. All the participating retailers have agreed to continue passing out the pattern pieces for the entirety of the the day on June 18, 2016. When you approach the counter, just show them your knitting and let them know that you are there for WWKIPDay. (Please keep in mind that some businesses may have shorter hours so plan your stops accordingly.)

Local Event Schedule:

7-10 AM – Queen City Bakery
10-11 AM – The Bead Co.
11 AM -12 PM – Barbra’s Needlepoint
12-2 PM – Josiah’s Cafe & Coffee Shop
2-5 PM – Athena Fibers

2.) Yumi Yarns' WWKIPD Mystery Knit-A-Long (For everyone else): Purchase your Info Sheet ($1) here (buy now) or on Ravelry then get your internet skills ready! Throughout the day on June 18, 2016 I will be posting the various pattern pieces across the internet on different platforms. Times listed are estimates, the pattern pieces will be up within 30 min of the listed time. All times are Central Standard Time Zone.

 Online Event Schedule:

7 AM (CST): Facebook

9 AM (CST): Twitter

1 PM (CST): Instagram

7 PM (CST): The YumiYarns Blog

I'm so excited to see the yarns that you all pick out for the MKAL and I'm even more excited to be knitting with all of you during the event on June 18, 2016!

Have a great week of crafting!

Shaina ^_^
 

MJ Yarns Simple Sock in Copacabana