Ghost of the Moon Mystery Knitalong Clue 1

Welcome to the Ghost of the Moon Shawl Mystery Knit along, hosted by Plymouth Yarn Company and Meghan Jones of Little NutMeg Productions. Join me (Meghan) for weekly clues, spooky poems, and helpful tutorials on how to make this beautiful autumn accessory!

 

Clue Schedule

CLUE 1: Click here, CLUE 2: Click here, CLUE 3: Click here, CLUE 4: Click here,

CLUE 5: Click here, CLUE 6: Click here, WRAP UP: November 12th

 

Location

Clues are available for free on the Plymouth Yarn Magazine (right here! you are in the right place!) and also on Ravelry as a free download.

 

Materials Needed

4-100g skeins of Plymouth Yarn Electra-Lite, sample and tutorials used color #0002 Silver, (this pattern uses a few yards more than 3 skeins, 4 skeins are recommended)

1 set US size 6/4mm 32″ circular needle (pattern is worked flat, circular needle is required to accommodate the large number of stitches).

6 stitch markers.

Tapestry needle, scissors, dpns are optional but nice to have handy.

 

Gauge

17 sts / 24 1/2 rows = 4 inches after blocking, gauge is not critical but can affect yardage.

 

 

PATTERN

CLUE 1: DARKEST NIGHT

In the darkest moment of the night the stage is set for autumn fright! Enjoy this quiet peaceful moment, as soon begins your spooky torment…

 

Garter Tab

Cast on 3 sts.

Knit 12 rows.

Pickup Row (RS): k3, turn work ¼ turn to the right,  pickup and knit 6 sts along edge of work, turn work ¼ turn to the right, pickup and knit 3 sts along cast on edge –12 sts.

Next Row (WS): k3, p6, k3.

Setup Row (RS): k3, [k1, yo, pm] 6 times, k3 –18 sts.

Next Row (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

 

Section 1: Darkest Night

Row 1 (RS): k3, [k1, yo, knit to marker, sm] 6 times, k3- 6 sts increased.

Next Row (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts slipping all markers, k3.

Rep last 2 rows 26 more times- 180 sts

 

ABBREVIATIONS: cdd = slip 2 as if to knit, k1, psso, k = knit, k2tog = knit 2 sts together,  p = purl, psso = pass slip st over, p2tog = purl 2 sts together, p2togtbl = purl 2 sts together through back loop, pm = place marker, RS = right side, sl = slip, sm = slip marker,  ssk =  slip 1 st as if to knit, slip a second st as if to knit, knit them together through the back loop, st(s) = stitch(es), tbl = through back loop,  tog = together,  WS = wrong side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front.

Want your pattern all on one page? Download this clue from Ravelry: CLICK HERE

TUTORIAL

The beginning of this shawl is worked with a garter tab cast on, this involves knitting a small strip of garter stitch and then picking up stitches along the edge to create a top edge that matches the side garter borders on the remainder of the shawl.

You can absolutely work this tab with a regular long tail cast on, but you can also customize the cast on for a totally seamless shawl using a provisional cast on for the garter tab.

Seamless Provisional Garter Tab Cast-On (also known as Judy’s Magic Cast on)

For the beginning of this technique I like to use three double pointed needles (dpns), but you can also use the circular needles you plan on using for the remainder of the shawl. (Sometimes the circular needle can stretch out the stitches a bit, but the dpns are more fiddly so it’s a 6 of one half a dozen of the other type situation).

1. Start with both needles held in the left hand with tips parallel and the yarn end looped over the back needle with the short end to the front and the end attached to the ball at the back.

2. Wrap the short end of the yarn around the index finger on the left hand, and the long end (attached to the ball) around the thumb on the left hand twisting the yarns together in the process.

3. Using your index finger bring the bottom yarn (long end) to the front up and over the bottom needle, then to the back between the needle tips. (one stitch on each needle)

4. Now swing both needles down and bring the top yarn (short end) up between the needles guiding it with your thumb

5. Bring this top yarn (short end) over the top needle from front to back (two stitches on the top needle, one stitch on the bottom).

6. Swing both needles down so that the bottom needle is over top of the yarn around the index finger (short end) and bring the yarn around the bottom, to the front over the bottom needle and back through the needles. (two stitches on each needle.

Repeat Steps 3-6 once more (three stitches on each needle).

Turn the needles around so that the yarn is at the back on the right hand side of the needles, twisting the yarns at the back to secure the ends. Insert a third dpn into the first stitch on the top needle, if you cast-on using the circular needle slide the bottom needle out (leaving the 3 bottom stitches on the cable section of the needle) and use it to knit.

Wrap and pull through, continue for remaining 2 sts.

Did your bottom needle fall out as soon as you started knitting? Me too!

Try using a removable stitch marker, or waste yarn to hold those 3 sts until you need them.

Once you have knit 12 rows get your circular needle ready (if you haven’t already been using it), knit across the 3 live stitches.

Turn the work ¼ turn clockwise, pickup and knit 6 sts along edge.

Now you have reached your held stitches.

Place them back onto that rogue dpn.

Knit across them.

You now have the 12 sts needed to start Clue 1 Darkest Night.

 

GET SOCIAL

COMMENTS: If you have any questions or comments on this Knitalong please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on this post!

FORUMS: You can also knit along on one of the two Ravelry threads for this KAL, the Mystery forum and the Spoilers forum.

POSTING: Instagram use hashtags #ghostofthemoon #gotmkal #plymouthyarnkal and tag @meghanjoneslnmp and @plymouthyarn

 

 

Meghan Jones is a full-time knitwear designer who lives with her husband and 4 children in the Inland Northwest. When she is not knitting she spends her time nurturing obsessions with gardening, cooking, and sharks. You can find more of her work at www.littlenutmegproductions.com on Instagram, Facebook, and Ravelry.