Do You Know the Way to Gallifrey?
K.A.R.T.I.S. {Knitting and Relative Time in Space}
(Choose-Your-Own Adventure Mystery Knit-Along)

The acronym-rich, pan-galactic, seriously fun DYKTWTG? K.A.R.T.I.S. CYOA-MKAL is hereby officially announced!

This group knitting activity is the one that you’ve been waiting for … The CYOA builds upon the MKAL and adds a delicious twist … (blind) choice. That’s right; you, the knitter, act both generally and specifically within the design framework to shape your own adventure … from materials and tools to step-by-step preferences you express that lead to consequences that are delightfully unexpected and uniquely yours.

With 18 choice points and 36 unique stitch patterns, there literally are more than a quarter of a million possible different outcomes for finished objects based on stitch-pattern choice alone! (Include variations due to needle size, yarn category, color factors, etc., and the number goes much higher.)

On February 15, 2016, the first of 18 weekly sections of the pattern will be distributed via Ravelry Library PDF download. For each of the next 17 weeks, you’ll receive another section; each section requires that you knit a segment 24 rows long and 61 stitches wide. (You also will be provided with a copy of the segment that you might have knit had your choice been different at that point.)

The final (18th) weekly section distributed on June 13, 2016, will also include the minimal finishing required. On June 20, 2016, a full (complete) pattern file will be released, complete with previously unreleased pictures of finished pieces.

Note on Release: Length of full (complete) pattern file -- now released as downloadable PDF/eBook -- is 116 pages.

Our theme is one that has fascinated humankind for as long as philosophers have tried to understand reality – no, not life, the universe, and everything (that’s been done) – namely, the nature of space and time. To that we add how knitting affects their relationship to each other and is itself in turn affected by them …

Be sure to visit the public pages of the Ravelry group for this CYOA-MKAL for more information about this great adventure! (Now that the entire CYOA-MKAL pattern has been published, the nine text-inclusive images that formerly accompanied this listing may be viewed there as well.)

Note on Price: As is now customary, CYOA-MKAL pattern pricing is tiered, based on time of purchase in relation to completeness of pattern released thus far. So, the amount above may be either $10, $12, or $15. From announcement until first-component release, price is $10 all-inclusive {excepting any VAT, if applicable, of course}; after first-component release and until final-component release, price is $12; and once entire pattern has been published, final price is $15.

Note on Yarn: Any one of six weights of yarn may be used; the six are: Bulky (Category 5); Medium (Category 4); Light/DK (Category 3); Fine/Sport (Category 2); Superfine/Fingering (Category 1); and Light Fingering (Category 0). Any number of different yarns (that is, different brands and/or different manufacturers) within the same chosen weight category may be used together, and one color or any number of colors of yarn may be used. Three yarns (per weight category) which the designer has used and can confidently recommend are listed; they are not, however, specifically required for this design.

Note on Needles: Only one needle size is required; one of the six needle sizes listed is chosen. No US size equivalent was provided for 7.0 mm; however, some manufacturers do offer US 10.75 or 10-3/4 needles, and those are closest to that size. (If unavailable, then US 10.5 or 10-1/2 may be substituted.)

Note on Gauge: Gauge will necessarily vary as a function of yarn weight and needle size. Gauge for Category 0 yarn and US 8 needles is 4.1 sts/in and 4.4 rows/in; gauge for Category 1 yarn and US 10 needles is 3.2 sts/in and 3.5 rows/in; gauge for Category 2 yarn and US 10.75 needles is 2.7 sts/in and 2.9 rows/in; gauge for Category 3 yarn and US 11 needles is 2.3 sts/in and 2.5 rows/in; gauge for Category 4 yarn and US 13 needles is 2 sts/in and 2.2 rows/in; and gauge for Category 5 yarn and US 15 needles is 1.7 sts/in and 1.9 rows/in.

Note on Total Yardage: Total yardage required is also a function of yarn weight (and needle size). The stated range incorporates all six sizes; more usefully, recommended total yards for Category 0 are 900–1,000; for Category 1: 1,060–1,160; for Category 2: 1,220–1,320; for Category 3: 1,380–1,480; for Category 4: 1,540–1,640; and for Category 5: 1,700–1,800.

Note on Sizes Available: Six sizes are available: The Category 5 (Bulky) version measures about 35 x 261 inches (XXL) and is called Universe Supereon. The Category 4 (Medium) version measures about 31 x 231 inches (XL) and is called Supercluster Eon. The Category 3 (Light/DK) version measures about 27 x 203 inches (L) and is called Cluster Era. The Category 2 (Fine/Sport) version measures about 23 x 173 inches (M) and is called Galaxy Period. The Category 1 (Superfine/Fingering) version measures about 19 x 144 inches (S) and is called System Epoch. The Category 0 (Light Fingering) version measures about 15 x 115 inches (XS) and is called Planet Age.