Dog Star KAL — That's a wrap!

Winters in Maine can be LONG — our winter knit alongs are a great strategy for keeping a positive mood through January and February. Our pattern this year was Dog Star by Tin Can Knits, a colorwork yoke sweater that's a great project for practicing stranded colorwork techniques.

"I never would have knit this pattern but I'm so glad I did!"

We hear variations on this theme with every KAL. And Dog Star was our biggest KAL yet with 197 folks. 

Each week we had between 15-20 folks who joined us on Zoom from as far as London, England and Washington state, as well as some Maine knitters who found it more convenient to meet-up virtually. For our weekly in-person meet-ups, we usually have two sessions. This time both sessions filled so quickly (with a waitlist), that we added a third session for a few weeks.

Dog Star was a Goldilocks pattern.

When we choose knit along patterns, we agonize a little bit. We need something just right...

Is the design a classic piece that could become a wardrobe staple? Is the designer known for clear, easy to follow instructions in their patterns? Does the design look good on various bodies and shapes? Is there room for customization? Will knitters at a variety of skill levels find it engaging? Is there a new skill to learn?

Dog Star ticked all the boxes.

This pattern was our most size-inclusive knit along yet, from baby through adult — 29 sizes in all. This was also our first knit along that was gender inclusive. Some folks opted to knit Puppy Dog Stars for babies or children, a smaller investment in time, but with a very high cuteness factor.

"Colorwork is addictive."

That quote is from a brand-new colorwork convert! Yay!

With Myranda's stranded colorwork classes, plus the SOS Goat Support sessions, our KAL participants who were newbies had the support they needed!

It was thrilling to see knitters embrace the challenge of a new technique like colorwork, building their confidence and skills over the eight weeks of the KAL. Our colorwork veterans — on Zoom and in person — shared their tips and wisdom generously.

We also LOVED seeing the many and varied ways that our KAL participants customized the Dog Star colorwork charts, added more than one contrast color, and even added whole bands of new colorwork motifs. 

Ready for our next KAL?!

We'd LOVE for you to join us. Our KALs are free, you get a discount on yarn for the project (or use stash yarn!), we provide support, plus tutorials, optional meet-ups online and in-person, plus a special Zoom with the designer. Read all about Goat KALs here!

We're about to launch our March KAL — the Grid Gambit by Samantha Guerin. This is a bandana cowl with slipped-stitch (mosaic) colorwork. Read all about it and sign up HERE!