Hi everyone!

Here is the key for episode 4 of Downton Abbey. This is the order the knitting should have been done in. Stitch counts for each section are also noted here. Keep in mind that your stitch counts might be an odd # if you have done the beginner lace in either of the past two weeks, even if you have done some of the intermediate clues. You should still be able to knit these clues, but don't be alarmed if your stitch count does not match what this says. These stitch counts are only valid if you have stuck with the beginner or the intermediate throughout your entire piece so far. If you've been mixing and matching you will most likely also have an odd # of sts at this point.

Also, please note that in the beginner section of Prompt #3, there is an extra increase for those who are working with an odd # of stitches. If you have an odd #, you need to do the beginner prompt here no matter what. Everyone should end Week 4 with the same # of stitches.

So here is the key for this week's clues:


Prompt #1: When Daisy helps Alfred learn some important kitchen skills, knit the following:

*Daisy reluctantly helps teach Alfred some key cooking skills to prepare for his exam.

Beginner Section 1: Stockinette (2 rows)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, k to 1 st before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

                                                                                                

Row 2 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4

*69 sts between markers.

*70 sts between markers.

Prompt #2:  When Mrs. Hughes spills the beans on Anna's secret, knit the following:

*Mr. Bates threatens to leave Downton, so Mrs. Hughes tells him what happened to Anna.

Beginner Section 2: Stockinette (2 rows)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, k to 1 st before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

                                                                                                

Row 2 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4

*71 sts between markers.

Prompt #3: When Mr. Carson utters the words that were the namesake of the Lorna's Laces Limited Edition color for this month while talking to Mr. Molsley, knit the following:

*Mr. Carson tells Molsley that he will wait for his answer "with baited breath." See what we did there with the word play? Tee hee. We thought it was pretty funny. ;)

Beginner Section 3: Garter Stitch (2 rows)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, k 35, k1f&b, k to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 2 (WS): knit

*74 sts between markers (from the extra increase.)

Intermediate Section 3: Garter Stitch (2 rows)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, k to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 2 (WS): knit

*74 sts between markers

Please note: This post was edited on 1/14 for clarity in the intermediate sections. Please make sure you have the most recent version.

Hi everyone! As promised, here is the key to the episode, clarifying the clues that are used in this section of the KAL. The directions for the knitting have not changed, but I have included them again here for your reference. Also, I realize I didn't include the Abbreviation Key in the initial post, so here it is now.

Prompt #1:

"When Branson suffers a social faux pas, knit one of the two options below:"

Explanation: In the sitting room before the dinner party, Branson calls the Duchess "Your Grace" instead of just Duchess. Lady Violet corrects him and let's him know the proper title. This visibly makes Branson feel more out of place and uncomfortable.

Simple Option: Moss Stitch (also known as Seed Stitch in American terms)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (k1, p1) repeat from to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 2 (WS): k4, (k1, p1) repeat to last 4 sts (lining up your sts so that you knit the purls and purl the knits from the previous row), k4

*repeat rows 1 & 2  three more times or until you have 34 sts between the markers. You may find that the increases are a bit tricky in this pattern. You may have a row or two where you have to do two knits in a row in order to be able to do the increases. This is fine as it will work out evenly in the next row.

Intermediate Option: Moss Slip Stitch

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (sl 1 purlwise, k1) repeat to last stitch before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 2 (WS): k4, * (yf, sl 1 purlwise, yb, k1) repeat to marker, sl m; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 3 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (sl 1 purlwise, k1) repeat to last stitch before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 4 (WS): k4, *k2, (yf, sl 1 purlwise, yb, k1) repeat to marker, sl m; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

*Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until you have 34 sts between markers.

EDITED 1/14 for clarity.

Prompt #2:

"When Lady Mary gets back on the horse both physically and possibly metaphorically, knit one of the two options below:"

Explaination: Lady Mary agrees to go on a horseback ride with Lord Gillingham, a childhood acquaintance in what might possibly be her first ride since Matthew's death. There also seems to be a glimmer of a connection between them. Could it be the start of something more?

Simple Option: Easy Mesh Lace

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (yo, k2tog) repeat to last stitch before marker, yo, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

*Note: Some rows you may find that when you get to the last 2 sts before the marker, your only option is to k2tog, but then you don't have a last stitch to increase into. On those rows, when you get to the last 2 sts, yo, k2tog but don't drop off the sts, then knit into the back. This doesn't increase, but it negates the decrease and maintains the pattern.

Row 2 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4.

*Repeat rows 1 & 2 three times more. 41 sts between markers. 

Intermediate Option: Rib Lace (Updated 1/15)

Row 1: k4, *k1f&b, k2, (yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k2) to last 3 sts before marker, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 2: k4, *p3, (yo, p2tog, p2) repeat to last st before marker, p1; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 3: k4, *k1f&b, k3, (yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k2) to last 4 sts before marker, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 4: k4, *p4, (yo, p2tog, p2) repeat to last 2 sts before marker, p2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 5: k4, *k1f&b, k4, (yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k2) to last 5 sts before marker, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k2, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 6: k4, *p5, (yo, p2tog, p2) repeat to last 3 sts before marker, p3; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 7: k4, *k1f&b, k5, (yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k2) to last 6 sts before marker, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k3, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 8: k4, *p6, (yo, p2tog, p2) repeat to last 4 sts before marker, p4; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

*42 sts between markers.

Added 1/15: Some folks, said a visual of this lace pattern would be helpful. Here you go!



EDITED 1/14 for clarity.

Prompt #3:

"When Mrs. Patmore has an "episode", repeat the instructions from Prompt #1 for the same number of rows."

Explaination: In the kitchen while cooking for the big dinner party, Mrs. Patmore appears overwhelmed and has what appears to be a panic attack while trying to manage all of the preparations. Daisy and Ivy joke that it might be a heart attack, but the doctor later confirms that it was just an anxiety attack. Poor Mrs. Patmore. 

Finishing Week 2: Everyone does this the following

K 6 rows in garter stitch (knit every row) with increases on the RS rows. Beginners will have 55 sts between markers and Intermediates will have 56 sts between markers.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these clues or the knitting. As I mentioned yesterday, I am currently out of town for work and will not be back into the office until Tuesday but I will try to get to every one of your questions then.

Happy knitting!

Kristen

Please note: This post was edited on 1/14 for clarity in the intermediate sections. Please make sure you have the most recent version. Please see the Episode Guide post for all Stitch counts.

Hi everyone!

It's time for week 2! I hope you all are mostly caught up and ready! If not, that is totally ok. When you are ready you can either watch the episode again or just take notes tonight and knit this when you are ready. Actually, that is something you may want to do anyway with these clues. Chances are that this it more knitting than you can get done between each clue so you may want to watch for the events in the episode or make note of it so that you can go back and knit it later. 

I'll also be posting a key tomorrow morning, with these instructions again in case you missed anything.

So, here we go with week 2!

Week 2 Instructions: 

Prompt #1:

When Branson suffers a social faux pas, knit one of the two options below:

Simple Option: Moss Stitch (also known as Seed Stitch by us Americans)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (k1, p1) repeat from to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 2 (WS): k4, (k1, p1) repeat to last 4 sts (lining up your sts so that you knit the purls and purl the knits from the previous row), k4

*repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have 34 sts between the markers. You may find that the increases are a bit tricky in this pattern. You may have a row or two where you have to do two knits in a row in order to be able to do the increases. This is fine as it will work out evenly in the next row.

Intermediate Option: Moss Slip Stitch

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (sl 1 purlwise, k1) repeat to last stitch before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 2 (WS): k4, *(yf, sl 1 purlwise, yb, k1) repeat to marker, sl m; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

Row 3 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (sl 1 purlwise, k1) repeat to last stitch before marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

Row 4 (WS): k4, *k2, (yf, sl 1 purlwise, yb, k1) repeat to marker, sl m; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4

*Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until you have 34 sts between markers.

EDITED 1/14 for clarity.

Prompt #2:

When Lady Mary gets back on the horse both physically and possibly metaphorically, knit one of the two options below:

Simple Option: Easy Mesh Lace (Multiples of 2)

Row 1 (RS): k4, *k1f&b, (yo, k2tog) repeat to last stitch before marker, yo, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

*Note: Some rows you may find that when you get to the last 2 sts before the marker, your only option is to k2tog, but then you don't have a last stitch to increase into. On those rows, when you get to the last 2 sts, yo, k2tog but don't drop off the sts, then knit into the back. This doesn't increase, but it negates the decrease and maintains the pattern.

Row 2 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4.

*Repeat rows 1 & 2 three times more.

Added 1/15: Some folks said a visual of this lace rib pattern would be helpful. Here you go!

EDITED 1/14 for clarity.

Prompt #3:

When Mrs. Patmore has an "episode", repeat the instructions from Prompt #1 for the same number of rows.

Finishing Week 2: Everyone does the following

K 6 rows in garter stitch (knit every row) with increases on the RS rows.

*Beginners will end with 55 sts between markers and Intermediates will have 56.

Hello everyone, and welcome to Clue # 1 of the DowntonAbbey Mystery KAL 2014! Thank you all so much for joining us for Season 4 of Downton, I am thrilled that we all get to be here together and have a little fun and adventure with it! 

For those of you joining us for the 2nd year in a row-- welcome back and thank you for being here again!! And those of you just joining us for the first time this year, thank you so much for being a part of this year's KAL. I hope you enjoy it! 

If you are brand new to the KAL and haven’t already read all about it on Ravelry or in our newsletter, I would encourage you to read through the Announcement Blog Post from last week that explains the format, materials needed, and other important details you might want to know. Then, once you have your yarn ready, jump back on over here and get ready to cast on!

Today’s clue is going to give you the instructions for casting on and knitting the first few rows of the shawl pattern. It will also take you into the set up for the rest of the KAL and will establish the increase pattern you will follow throughout the KAL. Next week, we’ll officially begin with the “game” in which the clues are prompted by specific events in the show. Hopefully starting the game with the second episode will give those of you who are still waiting on yarn a little time to catch up! So for this week you can cast on and then kick back, relax and enjoy the episode. It’s a good one!

Just as a reminder, here are the supplies you need for the KAL:

-2 Skeins of Lorna’s Laces Honor in “Bated Breath” -or- 550 yards of a DK weight yarn with plenty of drape.

-US 7- 40” or longer circular needles

-9 Stitch markers (If you don’t have any on hand, you can make some with contrasting scrap yarn or use paper clips or something MacGyver would use.)

Gauge: 

20 sts & 28 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch 

*Definitely do a gauge swatch if you aren't sure about Gauge. You can rip it out and re-use the yarn afterwards!

Abbreviations:

k- knit

p- purl

co- cast on

pm- place marker

sl m- slip marker

k1f&b- knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch. This creates 2 stitches where there was only 1 stitch before. (An increase.)

St(s)- stitch(es)

Directions:

CO 200 sts with a long tail cast on.

Knit in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for 7 rows.

Row 8: k4, p to last 4 sts, k4

First Increase Row: K4, pm, *k1f&b, k22, k1f&b, pm; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k4.

*at this point you should have all 9 stitch markers placed throughout your work with the two on either end 4 stitches from the edge.

Next row: k4, sl m, p to last 4 sts slipping markers when you come to them, k4.

Now you’ve completed the first set of increases. You will knit the rest of the shawl in the following 2-row increase pattern while at the same time working the stitch patterns given throughout the KAL.

Increase pattern:

Row 1: k4, *sl m, k1f&b, k to 1 st before next marker, k1f&b; repeat from * to last 4 sts, sl m, k4.

Row 2: k4, p to last 4 sts slipping markers as needed, k4.

*Remember, you will be integrating the stitch patterns in with these increases once the game starts in Episode 2, so please feel free to knit a few more of the increase rows in plain stockinette (knit a row, purl a row while following the increases) to get comfortable with the rhythm of the pattern if you feel you need it. Another option is to cast on 20-30 sts, place a stitch marker right in them middle and practice the increases on a swatch first before casting on for the shawl. It’s entirely up to you.

And that’s it for week 1 folks! Easy peasy! I’ve started a chat thread for Week #1 in the JBW Group on Ravelry for you chat away and ask questions. I’ll be checking in there frequently to help. Hopefully those of you who are waiting on your yarn will be able to knit this up in no time and be ready for the first game clues next Sunday on 1/12!

Until then enjoy Episode 1 of Season 4 and as always -- Happy Knitting!

Kristen