“What is an MKAL?” you may be asking yourself! Why, it’s a Mystery Knit A Long! The mystery is that you have no idea what you’re making other than a category. You’ll know if it’s a cowl or a shawl but not much more than that. You get a clue, usually once a week, with directions for each section of your project which always causes great excitement.

The designer will give you the yarn requirements, suggested needle size, and gauge. You will be able to glean some information from the first part of the pattern.

There are always threads on Ravelry as part of the fun is talking to others who are joining in. There is one where you can show pictures of your progress. There’s another one where no one shares pictures but they talk about how the design is unfolding. This is where you go for help with the pattern. The very first part of the pattern will give information about how to access these threads.

How about this set of five? Those two variegated colorways are glorious!

It just so happens that Carol is participating in an MKAL that starts Wednesday, March 2nd and she hopes that you will want to join her! The kick-off is at the shop on Wednesday, March 2nd starting at noon. She will be at the shop knitting on her MKAL project the following 4 Wednesdays at that time. She doesn’t want to be lonely so plan on joining her, the more the merrier!

This MKAL is called Brighten Up MKAL, designed by Lisa K. Ross. It’s on Ravelry where you can get Lisa’s Getting Ready Guide as the first part of the pattern. By reading it you can get a good amount of information:

This set of five is reminiscent of the ocean

Size 4 needles are suggested
32” or 40” are needed
Also a 24”, interesting
And you’re going to need DPNs or use magic loop, hmmmmm
The gauge is 24 stitches over 4” in garter stitch. A closer look reveals that Lisa gives us gauge before and after blocking. Also interesting.
Here’s something else intriguing…you’ll need 8 stitch markers for Color A and 16 stitch markers for Color B. It sounds as if there might be some textured stitches, definitely a design of some sort.
Lisa also says you’ll need a smile and 3 deep breaths! Does that mean that she has a sense of humor or……
Going back up to read the first paragraph, which some people would have done first, I find that the project is a bandana-style cowl. She says there’s unique construction involved and that sounds mysterious.
You’ll need five colors of fingering weight yarn that gradually change from dark to light.

Ahh, think of spring-like green leaves, a path in the forest, and wild buttercups

If you can’t join Carol, you can still take part in this MKAL; it sounds like a fun one that you won’t want to put down with five colors and numerous stitch markers needed!

Also, on the first Wednesday of each month, Tiina will start the Sock of the Month beginning at 11. March’s sock is Curio Socks, designed by Andrea Mowry. They are knit toe-up with an afterthought heel. This design calls for two yarns, Spincycle Dyed in the Wool and a contrasting yarn. Tiina is using Walk. Any brightly colored speckled or variegated yarn could be substituted for Dyed in the Wool. Of course, you can use any two fingering weights that please you! This group will only meet on the first Wednesday of each month. Tiina also does not want to be lonely, so come on in and cast on!

Happy knitting,

MKAL Time!

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