Category Archive

We had so much fun with the CIA cowl MKAL! Now one last move to complete the cycle, declassifying the top-secret design. Knit in two easy parts “Operation Base Cowl” created the lace cowl design. Upon which secret knitting agents would encode their messages. Of the 6 provided in the pattern, “Shadow the Rabbit” was the most popular! I chuckled behind the scenes as that was the code I selected for the pattern photo shoot way back in April too! I loved seeing how a simple design allowed for such vast variations when each secret knitting agent brought her own vision and creativity to the coding process! Thanks again for taking part and bringing your uniqueness to the MKAL challenge.

For me, my favorite part about any (M)KAL coming to an end is the FO thread. In our current MKAL for the CIA Cowl, what I loved in particular was how unique and personal each FO is! All these different cowls came from the same pattern, but with yarn choice and code selection, each conceals itself in different environments perfectly keeping these secret knitting agents undercover! The secret knitting agents agreed to let me share their work with you… enjoy! Shadow the Rabbit Weave and Bob Custom Code Shadow the Rabbit Weave and Bob Custom Code Shadow the Rabbit Share your congratulations with those who created this fabulous codebook by popping your comments into the CIA Cowl FO thread here.

The exciting thing about researching themes is all the cool information I come across, so I dedicate today’s blog to tidbits from June 1948. In 1946 the Iron Curtain bisected war devastated Berlin, separating the communist East from the democratic West. Shortly after the end of WWII, the relationship between World War II allies, USA & USSR, quickly disintegrated from frenemies to enemies resulting in the Cold War between the two powers. Just a few months after its 1947 beginning, we find ourselves in the conflict during which this MKAL is placed, The Berlin Airlift. Asserting their communist power, the Soviets blockaded rail, road, and water access to West Berlin – the Allied-controlled areas. The Soviets closed the Autobahn to …

With a degree in philosophy, you knew it wouldn’t be long before I had a “String Theory” blog. But, I wager, this isn’t going to be quite what you expected. Originally designed and knit WAY back in January and tech edited a few months later, CIA Cowl MKAL languished as an unpublished FO for the simple lack of an appropriate hook. I hummed and hawed over different theme concepts, but lacked passionate conviction that any did the design justice. Finally, April arrived and I was still in a state of “undeclared” – had I still been a uni student that would have meant an entire semester was wasted on extracurriculars! Desperate, I applied to my friend and design mentor, the …

It’s a mystery knit-a-long! Time: Induction June 1st, 1948Place: Knit Eco Chic group on RavelryBYO: favorite DK weight yarn (in 1 to 2 colors), US 6/ 4mm circular needles, and your mystery-loving selfProjetct Type: cowlHistorical Tidbit: Tensions in the Cold War ran high the summer of 1948 culminating in the Berlin Airlift, which began June 24, 1948. Jump back in time for the theme of this MKAL and imagine you were a CIA agent on the ground of Berlin leading up to the 24th and the cowl is your way of sending out coded messages! Mark your Calendars SecretKnittingAgent and grab your pre-induction copy of the MKAL – Puddles and I look forward to knitting together with you this June!