Happy New Year / West Coast Cardigan KAL

Happy New Year Knitters! 

I have to admit, 2016 kicked my butt. It was so full to the brim with work, life, and other adventures — by the end of the year I felt completely burnt out. What's funny is that a lot of people I talked to felt the same way. 

So to break into the new year, I've thrown myself into another Whole30 challenge (last year I did the same). It's a great way to shake things up and erase some of the bad choices I've made during the holiday season. After only 5 days I'm feeling so much better — I feel way less bloated (my weakness is bread — I make fresh sourdough, can you blame me for eating too much?) and way more energetic, which is really something considering I was feeling completely depleted the entire second half of last year! 

West Coast Cardigan KAL 

My other plan for the new year — a West Coast Cardigan knitalong! I've been dying to knit another WCC, wanna join me? The knitalong will be really flexible and fun, without hard and fast rules, just use any variation of the WCC pattern to participate!

Already cast-on? You can join in too! Or do you have the pattern but need motivation to jump in, now is your chance to do it with friends and support! Or maybe you're in the US and you're having trouble tracking down the Briggs and Little Country Roving used in the pattern. You're in luck — Firefly Fibers (one of the LYSes participating in the KAL) has 16 amazing colours to chose from and they'll even ship it for free if you spend 100 dollars (see their site for details)! Or maybe you've been eyeing the pattern or added it to your queue but it hasn't made it into your library yet. Now is the time because the West Coast Cardigan pattern will be 25% off from now until cast-on (January 10th), use code WCCKAL! So no excuses, let's knit this thing!!

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Now my biggest hurdle will be deciding what direction to go. I've already knit 3 identical WCCs using the original pattern. The first was the pattern prototype (now Elsie's camping sweater), the second is currently on display at the Beehive in Victoria, and the third is on it's way to Art of Yarn in Kelowna (another participating yarn store)! I've been itching to get creative with the blank charts that are included in the pattern. I can't decide if I'd like to knit a more traditional sweater with three bands of colourwork (one main band between two smaller ones) using traditional Cowichan colours and motifs. Or do the opposite and use unconventional motifs and colours. I've created a Pinterest board for those of you who would like to freestyle it with me, to help us get inspired.

I've created a Ravelry group as a place for us to chat and share our projects. On Instagram and social media you can join in by tagging your projects #WCCKAL. 

Are you planning to knit the WCC? Will you use the pattern or freestyle it with the blank charts? Would you chose to take inspiration from traditional Cowichan sweaters or take a more unconventional approach? 

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Also, have any of you taken the Whole30 challenge before? Do you have any favourite meals or snacks (or tips in general!) for me?

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WEST COAST CARDIGAN / Helpful Posts

If you are thinking of casting on your own WCC, feel free to post in the knit-along thread here — even though the official deadline has passed, it's a great way to share your project with other WCC knitters.

It's also become a wealth of information. I've compiled a list of all of the WCCKAL posts. Some of them break down the more involved portions of the pattern. They're a great resource if you're looking for more in depth instruction and visual tutorials!

WCCKAL POSTS : 

Happy New Year / West Coast Cardigan KAL
Cast-On / West Coast Cardigan KAL 
Yoke Knitting + Vancouver Visit 
Pocket Knitting - Part 1 
Pocket Knitting - Part 2 
Pocket Knitting - Part 3 
Sleeve Knitting - Working Inside Out 
Collar Knitting - Step by Step 
Pocket Linings
Finally Finished

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