Audio Mystery CAL

And now for something completely different....

Just saw this post through the Crochet Partners list. I think it sounds pretty interesting so I signed up.

It's a mystery audio scarf crochet along hosted by The Stitch Stud, Charles Voth. Here are the details.

* It's FREE!
* It's an Audio Crochet Along. This means that the hints (stages of instructions) will be given to you in an audio format. Okay, Why? is what I hear some of you asking/wondering. Well..it's just to try something different. Come on & give it a try.
* The mystery lies in having to wait for the different stages of instructions, and not knowing what the scarf will look like.
* If you have basic to low-intermediate skills you will be comfortable.
* Once you attempt a stage with audio instructions and post your successes/attempts/confusions/whining you will receive a symbol chart AND text version of that stage.
* There will be a variety of lengths in wait times between stages depending on the amount that will be crocheted.
* You will receive a full version of the pattern in PDF format at the end of the CAL.
* This group will be closed after the final deadline and the pattern will subsequently be available for sale to the general public.
* Sign-ups start now and will end Sept. 12. The CAL will not be available after that date. We should be done be mid-November, roughly.
* Supplies: 800 yards (200 gms) of 3-ply (lightweight) sock yarn. (Symbol #2 from yarnstandards.com) If you use a multi-coloured yarn, you'll want the colours to be similar in value, no dramatic dark/light contrasts, so that the lace is visible. 3.5mm (US E/4) Hook.
* Gauge: you'll find out more if you sign up.
* Finished Dimensions: 9.5 x 44 inches
* By joining this CAL, you are agreeing to not share any part of the pattern in any format with any non-group member. The pattern will be available for sale once the period of exclusivity is over.
* To access the files and group discussion, you will have to join Google Groups. If you already have gmail or other Google Membership service, then you can use that login and go here: http://groups.google.ca/group/scarf-cal
* will use North American terms in audio version, charts are not term specific, text will have both UK and North American versions.
* stitches used: chain st, slip st (thru both loops), single crochet, double crochet, double-treble stitch, triple-treble stitch.

If you wish to join the CAL but are not a google member, please send me an email at stitchstud@gmail.com with ScarfCAL in the subject line.

You can find some FAQ's in my ravelry group, (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/stitch-stud--his-bride-podcast/780611/1-25#1) or you can email me if you have questions before signing up.

Here are some answers from the Ravelry FAQ's:

"The CAL runs from Sept 12 till the end of November…only to give LOTS of opportunity for everyone to keep up, not because it would actually take that long to make. My crocheting speed is average and the project took me about 25 hours total…I’m hoping that people use this project to take a break from other things they are doing…for entertainment’s sake. If most of the group wants me to speed things up, I will do that; otherwise, I’ll send advanced hints to speedy crocheters who want to get it done to move on to other things."

"The audio instructions will be posted as an MP3 file, which is what most non-mac-made podcasts are. Using the mp4 format causes too many problems for PC-users. Because it’s a “closed” CAL, the files will only be available to group members, and can’t be hosted on i-tunes. The 800 yards does seem like a lot, but one of the motifs in this scarf uses some interesting stitching which uses up a tad more than a basic double-crochet scarf. The other thing is this is almost laceweight yarn. If you use 4-ply sport weight instead of the 3-ply fingering weight the scarf will be wider and longer. In that case, or if you don’t have 800 yards, you will be able to work the scarf to a shorter length…and I’ll explain that during the CAL."

"With my podcaster hat on, I was thinking about creative ways to make my podcast more interactive and came up with this. I don’t know how easy or difficult it’s going to be. I’m not going to be simply reading the text version in a robotic voice…I hope to be a little more spontaneous and with more flow to the instructions. We’ll see how it goes. Part of doing it audio first and withholding the text/symbols is to raise the bar a little, make this a little competitive/fun (for those who like that kind of thing), but I completely understand that it’s not everyone’s bag to hear the audio or race against others, so that’s why I’m using all formats…so that everyone enjoys themselves at some point along the path…and then, what if you hate my voice!? At least it’s free, and you can simply wait for the non-audio clues. :) "