Here we are, at the fourth and final clue of the Lunar Phase Mystery Knitalong.  If you don't want spoilers, you might want to check this out later.  As for the rest of you, I hope you enjoy this project reaching its wholeness at long last!

The layout was one of the things I had the most worry about when it came to this.  I'm not particularly into small shawls, and by the second clue I was beginning to worry that this would be a big circle when it was finished.  I'm sure it would have been pretty that way, but I prefer practicality.  Most circle shawls fall off me quicker than I can put them on.  I am rarely ever sitting completely still (thus a big reason why I knit all the time) so having a shawl that can't handle me bounding around madly is essential.

This layout also reminds me of the triple goddess symbol that looks like this )0( if you're not familiar, and is a symbol that holds a special place in my heart for celebrating nature, femininity, and obviously the moon.

With all my celestial swooning aside, this was probably the most fun clue to knit.  The rows felt like they took forever since I was knitting clear across all of the active stitches, but it was exciting to unite the three pieces.  It was also nice that the night sky yarn was the only one used for this clue, because it mellowed out some of my bright colours a bit, making it something I'm far more likely to wear.  

Plus Larissa Brown included some nice short rows to even out the dips and likely save the knitters some sanity ;) . 

The icing on the cake though, was the 3-stitch i-cord bind off.  I considered not doing it because it would take longer than a standard bind off, but I'm so glad I continued to put my trust in Larissa Brown.  The i-cord bind off is springy, lays perfectly even and flat, and simply looks beautiful.  I fully plan to use it on other projects in the future.

After scrunching this in my hands like a cat for an hour I set up my blocking mat and got to blocking.

Then, much to my surprise, it grew to be twice its size!  I mean, I did my gauge swatch, and it grew, so I was kind of expecting it to grow but seeing it in real life was extraordinary! 

It's for the better it grew too, because now it's truly a proper shawl size and gave the shawl some much needed width.

After working on this and soaking up all of the beautiful pictures of others' shawls, my only sadness is that it isn't autumn yet.  I'm already looking forward to the cooler months when I can sport my shawls, sweaters, and other happy knits.

But I suppose these warm summer months will give me some time to prepare more beautiful knits to wear.

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.

After a few detours for fun events and a long-term project getting finished, I'm pleased to announce that I'm back for the Lunar Phase Mystery Knitalong and a spoiler post for clue number 3! 

The third clue is much like the first clue in design but with a different colour pattern.  

Which with the colours I chose, it made for a delightfully bright piece that made my transition colour look almost rainbow like.  I was the most ecstatic about how it looked at first, but as I got further into it (like the last clue) it grew on me and turned into something I love. 

I became particularly fond of this clue when the moon colour (pearly blue) had a larger section and balanced out the earthy rainbow colours.  It's not that I don't like colours, I just shy away from them because I'm the kind of person whose wardrobe is 95% grey, black, and white.  I am a master of looking like a professional and adult goth, and I need a little bit of balance to the brightness that I've been slowly reintroducing into my wardrobe over the last 10 years.  

Plus Larissa Brown, through her great wisdom, added a nice chunk of the night sky colour in at the end so I wouldn't go into too much panic over how bright my piece was turning out.  

And here we are, one more clue to go before this turns into a fabulous shawl that I'll use to brighten my wardrobe and celebrate the moon with.  The last clue makes up 15% of the shawl, so hopefully soon you will be seeing what these wonderful pieces turn into all together.  

Until then,

Stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.

Tonight marks the first quarter moon in the Lunar Phase Mystery Knitalong.  I haven't gotten the first hint yet for this wondrous mystery pattern, but you best believe I am anxiously waiting with my yarn.  

So let's introduce you to the lovely yarn I'll be using for the project.

This is the Moon.  It's the colour Moonstone from Madelinetosh, and the beauty of this yarn positively glows which seems more than a little apropos.

This is the Transition, which is Rocky Mountain High, Colorado also from Madelinetosh.  This was the yarn that inspired the whole colour scheme.  I was originally planning for deep moody blues and purples with pearl white being the moon and electric blue being the stars, but as soon as I saw this yarn the idea had to change to work with it.  I've been a bit homesick for the last couple of months, and these bold and oh so familiar Rocky Mountain colours couldn't be denied.  They feel like home, and when I paired them with the moon I knew I was making the right choice.

To further honour those majestic mountains, I got Whiskey Bar by Madelinetosh (are you sensing a theme here?).  It reminds me of the deep and earthy darkness that comes from being out in the country.  When the night feels gentle and sincere, and lights are few and far between- so all you have to guide your way are the moon and stars..  It's dark, but you can still feel the strong presence of the earth all around you.    

And finally, the stars that shine through.  These are both Glazed Pecan by (you guessed it) Madelinetosh.  I chose these because they had all the brightness that the stars deserve, but still had that earthy aspect that makes the colours rich while still popping.  

Together they are bold, yet still play off of each other nicely.  None will become muddy, but they will also not become the sore thumb of the group.  Plus this way I will have a symbolic piece of home to wear and cherish.  

It also doesn't hurt the excitement that the magnificent woman who is writing the pattern commented that these colours are going to be, as she put it, "stunning".  So far so good.  I can't wait to show you what comes next!

And until then, stay sweet, stay crafty, and stay tuned.