Practice Makes Perfect

This pattern will be released as an MKaL (mystery knit-a-long), which will be hosted via my Instagram account (@knit1dance2), and the hashtag #PracticeMakesPerfectMKAL. The Warm Up and Step 1 are ready for download now with all the details. (Be sure to enter your email address to get the updates when new Steps come out.)

Practice Makes Perfect is a knit scarf using various knit & purl patterns normally seen in gansey sweaters. It is suitable for everyone in your life, although it might be a bit long for those under 12.

What do ganseys, and knit & purl patterns have to do with Irish dance, you may be asking. Great question! Knits and purls are to knitting what trebles and treble-hop-backs are to Irish hardshoe or 3s and 7s are to Irish dance in general. They’re the building blocks that we lay a foundation of to continue learning. And like any skill, practice makes perfect!

Skills & Techniques used in this pattern:

• slipknot
• knit and purl (K and P)
• yarnovers (yo)
• decreases: K2tog (knit 2 together), SSK (Sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 purlwise, yo, pass both slipped sts over), P2tog (purl 2 together) and Sl 2, K1, P2SSO (slip 2 sts together knitwise, knit 1, pass both slipped sts over the knit st and off the needle)
• twisted sts: K tbl (knit through the back loop) and P tbl (purl through the back loop)

You'll have your choice of knitting this scarf from two separate pdfs each week. The first will contain written (line by line) instructions and a chart. Use one, or both, it’s completely up to you and how you work best. The second pdf which is Low Vision and Screen Reader Accessible. This contains the same written line by line instructions as the first pdf but presented in a 24 point sans serif font (Verdana) in all black type with no italics, and has been left justified. I’ve also eliminated most abbreviations so screen readers can best relay the information to those knitters that use one. Each pdf is complete and gives you the option to work how you’re most comfortable to knit your scarf. The Warm Up also comes with standard, and Low Vision and Screen Reader Accessible files

Measurements: 11 inches/27.5 cm wide & 81 inches/ 202.5 cm long

Gauge: 24 stitches & 34 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Stockinette stitch
*While gauge isn't vital to this project a much looser gauge will use more yardage than listed.

Materials:

• 895 yards/818 m of worsted weight yarn

Look for a smooth yarn in a solid, or semi solid colorway so the patterns show up nicely. Busy variegated yarns will definitely obscure them. This pattern is suitable for any fiber and/or blend as long as you’re fairly close to the gauge given. Yarns that are suitable include: Briggs & Little Tuffy (80% wool, 20% nylon; 215 yards/197 m = 113g), Bernat Premium (100% acrylic; 360 yards/329 m = 198g), Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (100% Peruvian Highland wool; 110 yards/101 m = 50g), and Patons Canadiana (100% acrylic; 205 yards/187 m = 100g), but there are many many more.

• size 4.5 mm/US 7 needles to knit flat, or size needed to obtain gauge above. (There are 71 sts in the longest rows, so the scarf can be comfortably knit on straight needles or a circular needle, depending on the knitter’s preference)

• a tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• a locking stitch marker; the first few patterns are reversible and marking the right side of your knitting can save a lot of headaches (optional but recommended)

The Steps will be released on the following schedule:

Step 1: August 30, 2022

Step 2: September 6, 2022

Step 3: September 13, 2022

Step 4: September 20, 2022
 
Step 5: September 27, 2022

Step 6: October 4, 2022

Step 7: October 11, 2022

Step 8: October 18, 2022

Step 9: October 25, 2022

Step 10: November 1, 2022

Each Step release will be accompanied by an Instagram post on my account (@knit1dance2), where you can ask any questions about that Step. Be sure to post your progress using #PracticeMakesPerfectMKAL so other participants, and I, can find them and give them the attention they deserve. I'll share some of your posts in my stories each week too. And don't forget to post finished photos on or before the MKAL ends on November 15, 2022. Why? Read on!

Scarves finished with photo(s) posted to Instagram before or on November 15th, 2022, with the hashtag #PracticeMakesPerfectMKAL will be entered into a random draw for the MKaL prize! The draw, via random number generator, will take place on November 16, 2022. The winner will receive Newfoundland and Irish dance related knitting notions, including a hank of Windswept Fibres beautiful hand-dyed Best Kind BFL Sock (75% BFL, 25% nylon; 425yds/389m = 100g) fingering weight yarn in their glorious “Come Home 2022” colourway! I have posted photos of the prize pack on my Instagram. You can also see Windswept Fibres beautiful yarns on their website here: www.WindsweptFibres.com