Let’s talk about MKALs and MCALs. Otherwise known as the mystery knit along and mystery crochet along. Do you enjoy participating in these events? Do you like not knowing exactly how your project will look? Or what your project will be?
I’ve participated in a few mystery knit along events in the past. I can’t remember joining in any mystery crochet along projects. I even started a mystery quilt along but unfortunately did not finish that; the skills needed were beyond my level.
I find, for myself at least, the hype and talk of the mystery knit along tends to draw me in. I love seeing all the beautiful color combinations that are chosen by participants and offered by yarn dyers. The colors are always so gorgeous. The color combinations people come up with are often pairings I would never have thought of putting together. Seeing those color combinations tends to get my creative juices flowing. I pick out my colors and anxiously await the first clue.
Finally, the first clue is sent, usually when I’m not able to start knitting right away. I find myself searching and scrolling social media to see how that first clue looks. I finally get the opportunity to start knitting. I try so hard to keep up and complete the first clue in the week before the second clue is released. I’m usually pretty good at keeping up in the beginning but as the project gets bigger, I find myself falling behind. I try so hard to keep up and I know that it’s not a race, but my brain just can’t let me fall behind.
Then I see the next clue and look to see how the speedy knitters projects are looking. Some are beautiful. Some make me wonder what I was thinking to get drawn into such a big project. Some make me question my sanity for participating when I really think about it and realize that I wasn’t thrilled about the last MKAL I joined.
If I’m feeling stubborn, I’ll continue to knit and finish the project. Lately, I’ve found myself treasuring my knitting time and I’m just not willing to give that time to a project I’m not in love with. More often than not, I set the project aside and plan to continue at a later date. Realistically I will probably never finish that project. Someday down the line I may frog and use the yarn for something else. The project may even be stored in a bin and next time I organize my yarn, I’ll come across it and think I should really finish it. Then I’ll put it back in the bin until the next time I organize.
I’m telling myself that I will not join any MKALs this year. I will not go to Ravelry to see the latest MKALs available. Really, I won’t. I will only knit what I love.
My question to you is this, do you enjoy the mystery knit along or mystery crochet along? Do you participate regularly? I want to know, if you do, what is your favorite? Maybe I’ll join you. 😊