Life is a journey. Each of us follows a path from birth to death. Due to the nature of linear time, we can’t go back and change choices we’ve made or things that happened to us – we just have to move forward, even through life’s unexpected twists and turns. It’s these twists and turns that shape who we become as a person.
I’ve certainly had my share of twists and turns over the past several years. And while I am still processing a lot of it (and its eventual effect on my creative career), I can’t simply stay away from knitting entirely even if much of my work is on hold.
So even though I’m not applying to shows right now, some shows know of me and reached out to schedule my workshops. Red Alder, a show I’ve worked a number of times, scheduled me to teach Double-knitting Short Rows, a workshop I have taught virtually but do not yet have a pattern to show off. So while traveling to DFW Fiber Fest, I decided to take the sample swatch from the workshop and extrapolate it into a pattern. While I was there, I started thinking about how to make it into an even better pattern, and the concept for this KAL solidified.
Plot Twist is a double-knitted scarf where short-row wedges continually change the direction of the path, based on rolls of an 8-sided die. Depending on the numbers you roll, you may end up with a relatively straightforward path, or one that ends up traveling in a more convoluted way. But because the path never takes more than a 180-degree turn, it never doubles back on itself.
Unlike other KALs, I’m actually going to be working up my final version during the KAL period, so what you see in the photo is just a prototype. When I’m done with my scarf, I’ll take photos and release a final version of the pattern, after which point I will post it to other places such as Payhip and LoveCrafts.
Interested in joining the KAL? Visit the KAL post on my Fallingblox Designs group on Ravelry!
One thing to add to the FAQ posted on Ravelry that wouldn’t make sense if I posted it there:
I don’t have a Ravelry account. Why is the KAL only on Ravelry?
Ravelry allows me to update patterns and sends those updates to people who previously purchased the pattern. Since this is not the final version of the pattern, there will be an update later. Ravelry makes this easy to do; other platforms don’t. So the KAL version will be on Ravelry only, while the final version (when it comes out) will be on other digital platforms as well.
What’s next?
Well, as it happens, this past week the Red Alder workshop listings went live, so I can now announce my workshop lineup for Red Alder in February of 2025 (all times in Tacoma, WA local time):
- Fri, Feb 14, 9am-12pm: Introduction to Double-knitting
- Fri, Feb 14, 1:30-4:30pm: Two-pattern Double-knitting
- Sat, Feb 15, 9am-12pm: Reverse Double-knitting
- Sat, Feb 15, 1:30-4:30pm: Double-knitting Short Rows
- Sun, Feb 16, 9am-12pm: Double-knitting Lace
- Sun, Feb 16, 1:30-4:30pm: Advanced Beginner Double-knitting
I will also be teaching at the Bazaar Girls retreat in Port Townsend, WA in April, but (as I understand it) that retreat is already sold out!
No really, what’s next?
Oh, you mean for Fallingblox Designs in general? Well, I did say that I’d be putting everything on hold until the end of this year, but not everything goes completely to plan. We are approaching the end of the year, and while our condo building is 90-95% built, the power company is still dragging its feet and we don’t expect to have power (which would allow us to finally get a certificate of occupancy from the city) before the end of this month; without that, we can’t sell the three units that we need to sell before we can move in.
On top of that, my supervisor at the Meeting House (where I live and work as the Maintenance Manager) has left on 6 months of maternity leave. Given the uncertainty, we’ve decided to stay at the Meeting House until my supervisor returns in March, and we’ll officially leave by April 1. At that point, my life will simplify somewhat (I hope) and I’ll be able to make some decisions on next steps for Fallingblox Designs. Until then, please have patience with me. I will update you as I am able.
Thanks for sticking with me and stay tuned!
Alasdair Post-Quinn, “Softwear Engineer,” Fallingblox Designs
Aklasdair, good to hear things may be looking up by spring for the condo rebuild. My lesser fire reconstruction experience in 2003 still took 1-1/2 years. It’s excrciating.
We’d love to see you at the Bourbon Coffee knitting zoom, even for a quick check-in. Best wishes to you both!