It's time for our summer KAL! Join Carol and a wonderful group of knitters as we all cast on the Laminarius cardigan. There are some interesting construction techniques as well as cables and textured stitches along with professional finishing techniques. We are quite excited about this one!

WHAT'S A KAL

KAL stands for Knit-along, and it's where a group of knitters all knit the same project simultaneously. This is done by a timed release of pattern sections so that everyone has a chance to complete each section before moving forward.

People do fall behind in stages, and that's where the support of both Carol, our wonderful group of knitters and all the tutorials and chat threads come together to help you get your garment off your needles so you can show it off with pride if you think that you're not experienced enough or that you've never knitted a garment before pop down to our FAQ at the bottom of the page.

HOW IT FITS TOGETHER

This cardigan starts from the top with a small double garter stitch saddle on each shoulder

From there, you will work the front and back separately until you reach the underarm, where it joins together for the body.

Below the bust, you'll begin working in Double Garter Stitch again, and some cables are introduced as well. Finally, the sleeves are picked up around the armhole, where we will use short rows to create a seamless set-in sleeve.

YARN & SIZING

This sweater is knit in Nua Sport using two colours. Equal amounts of both colours are used. Nua yarn is a heavy sports weight, non-superwash yarn with Merino, Yak and Linen. (Psst scroll below for an early bird yarn discount offer!)

You will need the following yarn amounts in each colour with finished sizes given underneath:

Approximate Yardage: 558 (612, 666, 706, 759, 810, 865, 907, 960, 1016) yds / 511 (560, 609, 645, 694, 741, 791, 830, 878, 930) m of each colour

Version 1:

Colour A: Chalk and Plum (9815), 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins

Colour B: Cerebellum (98175), 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins

Version 2:

Colour A: Mosquito Coast (9801)

Colour B: Frog on The Wall (9802)

Finished Bust Circumference: 32.75 (36.25, 39.25, 42.25, 45, 48, 51, 53.75, 56.75, 60.25)" / 83 (92, 99.5, 107.5, 114.5, 122, 129.5, 136.5, 144, 153) cm buttoned

KAL TIMING

Clue 1: 27th May 2021 - it all kicks off!

Clue 2: 10th June 2021

Clue 3: 24th June 2021

Final Prize: 9th July 2021

DISCOUNTS & PRIZES

Get a special KAL discount of 10% off the KAL yarn kits in Stolen Stitches Nua Sport, with code LAMINARUS10 valid until the first clue comes out on the 27th of May.

You can find all of the yarn kits HERE.

The final prize will be announced on the 9th of July 2021. This is a raffle drawing for the grand prize from images posted on Teachable and the Facebook Group Finished Images post.

LET'S GET SOCIAL

One of the best parts of the KAL is getting to know other knitters from around the globe. There is no right or wrong way to join in. You can be as chatty or as quiet as you like!

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you want to share your progress on social media, you can use the hashtag #stolenstitchesKAL21. That way, I can always find you and share your progress.

If you want to work along with other knitters on this project, join us at our Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/stolenstitches

Please do introduce yourself in the introduction KAL thread. Everyone is very friendly and supportive.

If you are still wondering about the KAL or have some questions, please check out our FAQ or be afraid to ask us a question in our Facebook Group.

FAQ

What happens once I purchase?

You will be sent a PDF with detailed instructions on what happens next. This includes all the information you need for picking your size, ordering yarn and most importantly, swatching. This gives you time to see if you meet gauge and if you like the fabric you are getting. The document also has information on what to do if you don't meet gauge or like your fabric.

Do I need to be an experienced knitter?

Nope. This is a resounding no. You need to know how to cast on, bind off, and hold gauge while you are knitting, but many beginner knitters have taken on KALs in the past and excelled.

I've never knitted a garment before!

Then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Many knitters are intimidated by larger projects. By joining in a Stolen Stitches KAL, you not only have the support of Carol and our community, but you also have step by step tutorials should you meet a technique that you're unsure of.

I'm not sure I can keep up with the group.

That's absolutely fine. The KAL is released in stages to give everyone a chance to progress together, but life happens! The tutorials are available forever, and you will have access to them so you can complete your garment in your own time if you want to.

Are the tutorials available for a limited time?

Once you have access to the tutorials on Teachable, then you have access forever. Stolen Stitches was built on finding time for knitting in whatever stolen moments you can find, and we continue to support that as far as possible.

As this is a KAL, as each new section of the pattern (the clues) are released, there will be new videos added to the workshop at the same time. All the videos you need are released at each step, and once we reach the final clue, all videos will be available.

These tutorials are only free for the duration of the KAL, so do make sure you sign up here on Teachable!

Is there a yarn kit available?

Yes, there are yarn kits available here.

What is a clue?

When a KAL goes on presale, you will get an information pdf which included sizing and swatching information as well as a schedule for the release of the 'clues' Each clue will be a section of the pattern that will be released on the date shown in the schedule.

What if I just want the pattern?

While the KAL is in progress, the pattern is only available as a series of clues. Once it is complete, you will have the completed pattern. If you only want the complete pattern, you can wait until the end of the KAL.

How do I ask questions?

All of our current KALs are now combined with video workshops on Teachable. You can ask any questions you need there. We will also have chats in various forums, usually Facebook Groups, Stolen Stitches blog and Ravelry. Information on this will be in your pattern pdf.

What if I can't get a pattern gauge?

If the gauge is off and you can see that the fabric is too loose or too tight, then try a different needle size to see how it works out. You might also consider trying a different needle material; sometimes, changing from metal to wood can have a big difference in your gauge. Make sure you block your swatch in the same way you treat your finished garment to know what the finished size will be. This prevents unwanted surprises!

I'm not sure about picking the right size.

The sample pictured shows the Size 36.25” / 92 cm modelled with 1.25”/ 3 cm positive ease. The model is 5’ 6” tall. The sweater works best with 1-2” / 2.5-5 cm of positive ease. This is a top-down saddle shoulder construction with short-row set-in sleeves, so each section can fairly easily be adapted to adjust size without having a big impact on other parts of the garment. If you're unsure how to measure yourself, you can find a detailed blog post here.