That’s what Cheeko said when I tried to explain my latest project – a double-knitted, reversible, Fair Isle bag I designed to hold my writing stuff. It became the project’s nickname: the “my brain hurts” bag.  I admit the knitting was a bit more complicated than anything I’d attempted, especially since I’d never tried Fair Isle knitting, double-knitting, or designing before. But hey, science says to keep the brain active – use it or lose it.

I’m inviting you to join me in keeping your brain active and engaged by participating in my first KAL (knit-along). I am hosting a series of KAL’s, each focused on 1 or 2 specific skills. The first one involves reading charts, a bit of lace knitting, and optional beads. (Okay, so that’s technically 3 skills if you do the beads. The charts are small, the lace knitting simple, the beads optional, and I’ll guide your hands as much as you need me to!) I’ll be available in person at Picasso’s Moon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 – 1:30 throughout the summer as well as on this blog and through the Picasso Moon Facebook page. If needed, I’ll also make appointments to meet you at the store outside of the MWF lunch hours.

The first project will be a neckerchief/short scarf. The pattern will be a free pattern from the new Picasso’s Moon Originals collection (more details to follow). I’m moving the starting date by a week, to start on July 23, 2012. This will give me time to put the finishing details on the pattern. Keep watch in the next few days for a list of materials needed!

Let me end here with a thought from Linda Medina, Designer:  “Explore outside the rules, and don’t ever be afraid to try something new or to make mistakes. You never know where they will lead you. After all, it’s only knitting. You can always rip out.”

-Anne