Almost Forgot

Where am I? I scratched the version you see in the pic below. I started with Vanilla Zephyr and size 4 Addi lace needles last week. I'm now on first part of clue 4, row 227. Scratch the Addi's. They started to turn my lovely vanilla a dirty wash water color. I was able to spot wash the area and switch to my KP options. I just have to be more careful of stitch slippage. Try to get some new pictures soon.

Curiouser and Curiouser

The Mystery Stole 3 KAL continues to roll along with the 6,000 plus members. Hard to tell just how many are actually knitting and how many are planning for a future knit. I have to say that the ones who are actively knitting are really, really, really committed. Not only do they produce a ton of posts, they have also come up with some pretty serious ways to try to get more information regarding future clues from Melanie. She just will not crack. She treats every question with respect and then goes on to tell them that she just cannot help them. I have this vision in my head of some of those questioners responding with the phrase "curses, foiled again". Their creativity and tenacity are admirable, but Melanie is a stone wall. I know I can't be the only one who is tickled by some of the questions, but I'm the only one who dared to comment. Stony silence is the only notice my post has attracted so far, which is probably a good thing. I, personally cannot imagine being so fundamentally opposed to using a life line, that I would have to be informed exactly why I was being instructed to use one, or I could not continue. These are some serious knitters in that group. There are also those that have a teeny tiny nagging doubt about the theme, who consistently point out that Melanie's other patterns are all lovely and tasteful, so they aren't worried one little bit. yeah right
I think the members that I admire the most are not only new lace knitters, but brand new knitters, period. I can't even imagine tackling something like this as a new knitter. But I suppose no new knitter ever had more generous help than these members. There are some extremely kind and supportive members who never tire of answering questions and cheering on those who have become discouraged.
All in all this is one of the most interesting group venture in which I've participated. Although, one could hardly call my membership as participation, considering my three measly posts out of over 10,000 since the second week of June. Another fascinating thing about the group is that it speaks over a dozen languages and has a group of volunteer translators. A little borg-like, if I really think about it. Resistance is futile! But then I never tried to resist.

CLUE ONE

What do you think? Here are the clues for the theme so far. It will only work exactly if the stole is knit in white, off-white, black, or charcoal. The only other hint we have is that it probably wouldn't be appropriate for bridal wear and it's not Harry Potter related.
If you look at Melanie's other designs, I'm pretty sure the theme isn't too dark. Could it be.......
sheep??? I'm stumped. I occasionally ask myself why in the world I would be knitting something when I have no idea what it will look like, or even what shape it will be. I don't have an answer, because I could just as easily belong to the group and save the clues until I was sure I liked the pattern. It seems extremely odd, but I guess 5,000 plus knitters from heaven knows how many countries can't all be nuts, can they? Oh, and as you can see, I decided to go with an entirely different yarn and color. I'm using 50/50 cashmere and silk 2 ply on #6 addi lace needles. One more thing; this is a stole, not a shawl, so it has to be somewhat rectangular! Will it be on the bias, will it change direction? I'll keep you posted.