Hello, sweet soul! I’m so happy you’re here because Clue #11 of our 2024 yearlong Mystery Knit Along (MKAL) is here! I hope you’ll read on to learn how you can be a part of the fun!

Brilliance was designed by Jennifer Matlock. She says, “In the diamond-finishing business, the brillianteer is responsible for the detailed shaping and polishing that takes each basic stone to its spectacular final appearance. Every knitter is a kind of brillianteer. We take three very basic stitches – knits, purls, and slips – and shape and finish them in ways that produce stunning finished projects.”

“The blank page I had at the beginning of this project produced a moment of anxiety and dread (much as I imagine a diamond-cutter would feel when faced with the task of making the first cut to a raw diamond). ‘Brilliance’ became my vision and motto for this design. I wanted to utilize a wide variety of techniques to shape the basics – in ways that even the adventurous beginner would be able to work – into a finished item that shines and reflects the many different and amazing facets that this craft offers.”

“For the adventurous beginners considering this project, I want to offer this encouragement: yes, there are parts of this that will at first look hard. I promise, every single part breaks down to knits, purls, and slips. Take it one stitch at a time. You CAN do it. Not only that, I guarantee that you will finish this year with a vast array of new skills under your belt and a finished project you can be immensely proud of accomplishing”

This pattern is an Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate level pattern and is for knitters who have made a few projects and are ready to work with more than one color of yarn. Skills/concepts include stranded and slipped stitch colorwork, lace, cables, i-cord, and working multiple skills in a single stitch pattern. Pattern sections that include multiple concepts will follow sections in which each skill is worked separately.

To knit Brilliance, you will need 12 different colored skeins of our luxurious, dreamy soft Buttery Sport yarn or an equivalent amount of yarn/yardage in another sport-weight yarn. For Clue 11, we used our lusciously rich Pine Buttery Sport yarn, and for Clue 12, we used our oh-so lovely Balm Buttery Sport.

This month, we’re releasing the recommended colors for both Clues 11 and 12, so you can order them and get started immediately on Clue 12 when it releases next month. For Clue 11, you’ll actually use the remnants of your previous clue colors. If you are running short of any of the previous colors, alternative options are provided in the pattern instructions.

Buttery Sport is a fun and boingy, 100% Superwash Superfine Merino Wool yarn that’s squishy and bouncy! No itchiness or scratchiness here! What’s not to love about this super soft, lush, and cuddly sport-weight yarn that’s also machine washable? This 2-ply yarn produces fat, full stitches and is wonderful for projects of all types! 300 yds/274 m per 100-gram skein.

Brilliance is offered in four different options – blanket, shawl, symmetrical blanket, and symmetrical shawl. One skein of each clue color is required for the blanket or shawl option. An additional skein of Colors A, C, D, E, G, and I are needed to work the symmetrical blanket and the symmetrical shawl options.

We’re also putting together an alternative set of Buttery Sport colors that could be used for the 2024 MKAL. The clue colors in this Warm Cottagecore palette are: A) Ceres, B) Frond, C) Dawa, D) Gerbera, E) Levanna, F) Bulan, G) Lucine, H) Signy, I) Elara, J) Umbriel, K) Fuchsia Glow, and L) Terra Buttery Sport.

We’re also curating a set of Twisted Tweed Sport colors that could be used for the 2024 MKAL. The clue colors in the Magnificent Moment palette are: A) Stardew, B) Aleutian, C) Take Chances, D) Light Sea Blue, E) Cherish, F) Clover, G) Light Raspberry, H) Blush Brush, I) Merryweather, J) Farm Eggs, K) Fawn, and L) Nougat Twisted Tweed Sport.

We filmed a video for Clue #11. Take a look!

 

We are also having a yearlong contest for this pattern with prizes! And they’re going to be bigger and better than ever with both monthly prizes and HUGE grand prizes! The Mystery Knit Along event is being hosted solely on Ravelry. Click HERE to learn more and to sign up for the MKAL. I hope you’ll join us to get in on all the fun!

I appreciate you reading this far, and if you’d love to get brand new, premium knit and crochet patterns weekly, just hop onto our email list there on the site. We list new patterns most Fridays, and many are free for a limited time. I hope to see you there.

Talk to ya soon.

XOXOXO  Chandi