The Great Cowl Along....

I did it!!  I managed to complete a Knit ALong (KAL) in the alloted time.  I frequently have really good intensions, but manage to either not get started or get distracted half way through.....

KALs (Knit ALong), CALs (Crochet ALong), and swaps are an interesting cultural phenomena. There have to be several PhD topics for sociology majors in it somewhere. For my non-knitting and crocheting friends a KAL or CAL is an event sponsored a local yarn store, a magazine, a yarn supplier, a Ravelry group, a designer, (or anyone else with a public forum) during which they select a pattern or type of project to work on during a designated time period. In this case the forum is Ravelry.  Anyone else who wants to work on the same pattern can sign up and craft along.  The idea is to compare notes, learn from what others have done with the same pattern but different yarn, and get help when you're stuck.  In this case the knitting was easy, but it is fun to see what kind of yarn other knitters are using for the same project and how their projects turn out.  Sometimes the sponsor provides prize incentives as well to encourage participate and completion of the project. 

The Great Cowl KAL is hosted by designer Feministy (aka Liz Abinante).  For this year's KAL, she published one free pattern.  If you complete the project and provide proof, she gives you a second pattern for free for the next phase of the KAL.  (Usual cost of the pattern would be about $6, so it's a nice perk for participating.)  Now I just have to pick the yarn for the second project.  It's a cable pattern.  I love cables...     

Do you particpate in "alongs" or other social events that encourage you to complete a project?