Grab your TSCArtyarns or Artyarns yarn and let’s knit this together.  You can knit it using one or two colors, and adjust the number of stitches you cast on according to how many skeins you are using.

I was inspired by Jon Snow in Game of Thrones:

                           

I love the way the animal skins that he wears create drama around the neckline.  This knitted design evokes the look, without using any actual animal skin.  I will be posting Part 1 for everyone to try on June 1 on Ravelry.  However, to participate in this free knitalong, you must use TSCArtyarns or Artyarns yarn and have a Ravelry account.  I used 2 skeins of Zara Hand-Dyed, one in color Z3, and one in color Z18.  Have fun with your own combinations.  Remember that you can view color options for TSCArtyarns yarn here:

www.tscartyarns.com

and color options for Artyarns yarn here:

www.artyarns.com

 

So make sure to have it ready and in hand.  Once you have posted a photo of Part 1 using Artyarns yarn, I will be sending you subsequent parts by Ravelry private message.  There will be prizes for completing it by August 1.

The pattern will be available for sale by December 2013 for the holidays as part of an E-book.  So if you can’t join this knitalong for any reason, just hang on.

Here are some yarn ideas to help you pick your yarns and colors:

1. Completed version shown in Zara Hand-Dyed, 1 skein each color Z3 and Z18.

2. Here’s one started in Cashmere 5, variegated color, and I am knitting it using just 1 yarn:

 

I have set up a link on Ravelry to discuss yarn options here:  http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/artyarns-knitalongs-and-patterns/2581509

 

There is a great buzz about this one.  Lots of folks are excited to make this ancient Egypt inspired shawl, that includes a few interesting techniques and angles.  The window of time that this will be available is short–May 1-June 15.  You need Artyarns yarn in order to participate and I recommend 2 skeins in 2 different colors of Cashmere Sock Yarn for the small version, or 2 skeins in 2 different colors of Ensemble Light for the large version.

Sign up for this knitalong here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cleopatra-perpendicular-triangle-kal

Here’s the small version.

Here’s the large version.

They are identical except that the large version has some extra repeats of the stripes and the perpendicular lines grow as the reach the middle point in the back.

 

If you are a total beginner, or prefer to make the easy version, you can just keep adding stripes, and leave out the perpendicular lines.  You can make it as large as you like, since it it knitted top down.  Here’s how it will look with only stripes:

 

SPECIAL PHOTO TUTORIAL FOR KNIT ALONG:

I use a special technique to carry the unused color up the side.  This makes it difficult to forget about the second color and end up with unsightly loops at the edging.

Here’s a brief photo tutorial of how I do this:

After adding the second color there are 2 tails on the working yarn side.

Using both A and B together, pull a loop out of the first stitch, leaving the original stitch on the needle.

Use only B (the working yarn for the current stripe) to pull the second loop out of the stitch on the left needle.

Again use only B to pull the 3rd loop out of the stitch on the left needle–so you have 3 loops, 1 with AB together, and 2 with just B.

Continue knitting as instructed.