Calling all Lonely Hearts!Â
(Happy hearts welcome, toođź’•)
In 2021, the Lonely Hearts Club KAL was created in an attempt to bring some joy to the sometimes bittersweet “season of love.” The world was almost one full year into the pandemic, with no clear idea of what the future held. Cautiously hopeful, we turned to our favorite source of comfort: knitting.
It was so much fun knocking out a super fast project with our favorite knit-friends (that’s you!) over Valentine’s week that we decided to make it an annual tradition, and here we are in year four!Â
After the whirlwind of knitting that is the Twelve Days of Knitmas MKAL, a quick and easy project is in order.
Welcome to the Lonely Hearts Club Knit-Along (KAL)!
What is a KAL?
A knit-along, also known as a KAL, is an exciting opportunity for knitters to come together and work on a common project. It’s a great way to challenge yourself, learn new techniques, and connect with other knitters from around the world.
Who is this KAL for?
The Lonely Hearts Club KAL is perfect for knitters of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or have been knitting for years. As long as you have a solid grasp of the basics (cast-on, knit, purl, read a pattern), you’ll be all set!
When does the Lonely Hearts Club KAL happen?
The #lonelyheartsclubKAL will begin on February 14th and last through February 21st. Participants can choose from four Lonely Hearts Club patterns, including our latest Lonely Hearts pattern, made just for 2024.
The Lonely Hearts Club 2024 Pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry. The full pattern will be released February 7th. The pattern is discounted, and the price will incrementally increase as we approach the KAL. $1 will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association with every purchase.*
What will we be knitting?
This year’s Lonely Hearts Club pattern is a fun hat designed to be knit in a wide range of sizes. It uses a fun technique that may be new-to-you, and I’ll be sharing videos to walk you through the entire project.Â
You have the option of a contrast color cast-on, and only THREE rows require you to do any stitches beyond knit, purl, and slip, yet the overall effect packs a real punch!
You can also choose from any of our past Lonely Hearts Club patterns!
Lonely Hearts Club 2023Are there kits available for purchase?
Yes, there are! We’ve teamed up with Olive & Two Ewe to create two sizes of divinely squishy Lonely Hearts Club Kits in four color combos for this year’s KAL.✨ $5 from every kit purchase is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association*.
These kits will also work for the 2022 & 2023 Lonely Hearts Club Patterns!
Choose the color combination that makes your heart sing. Can’t decide? Grab one of each!Â
- Dreaming of Ewe: This magical purple-on-purple combo is absolutely swoon-worthy. With a deep, royal purple contrast worthy of a queen, this one’s for the romantics.
- Wool You Be Mine: If your heart skips a beat at the thought of a hike in the woods or watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade, this is the one for you! Rich green and a warm neutral with the tiniest, faintest blue speckles your eyes have ever seen combine for a down-to-earth vibe.Â
- Sheep Thrills:Â This vibrant combo is for the wild hearts! Bold splashes of citrus create a sassy backdrop for the bold berry contrast.
- Ewe Complete Me: This combination of soothing blue and an almost-peachy neutral is dreamy and sweet. Perfect for the daydream believers out there.
All Lonely Hearts Club Kits include:
- A digital copy of the 2024 Lonely Hearts Club Pattern
- A beautiful swag bag packed with amazing goodiesÂ
- USPS PRIORITY SHIPPING – Choose LHS Free Priority Shipping at checkout. The Lonely Hearts Club Kit must be the only item in your cart for the Free Shipping option to be available.
Each swag bag is packed with fun Lonely Hearts Club treats. There’s a stitch-saver cord in the perfect size to allow you to try on your project, an official Lonely Hearts Club sticker, an organic lavender sachet to keep your knits fresh and moth-free, and a removable stitch marker.
Where can I participate?
We’ll be hanging out in our Facebook group, Nomadic Knits : Knit the World!, and would love for you to join us there! We have a wonderfully kind community where all are welcome. We’ll also follow and share posts on Instagram using #lonelyheartsclubkal. If you prefer to participate on Ravelry, there will be a thread in the Nomadic Knits group.
If you are a Ravelry user, I’d be thrilled if you showed the pattern some love by favoriting it and creating a project page! It helps more knitters see the pattern so they can join in. It’s also a great source of inspiration for folks looking for color combinations or modifications.
How do I participate?
- There is no need to sign up anywhere. Your participation is noted as soon as you post in the Facebook Group, in the Ravelry Group Lonely Hearts Club thread, or on Instagram using the hashtag #lonelyheartsclubkal.
- Purchase the Lonely Hearts Club 2024 Hat pattern on Ravelry. (FULL PATTERN IS RELEASED FEBRUARY 7TH) The digital pattern is included when you purchase a Lonely Hearts Club Kit. For every Lonely Hearts Club Hat Pattern purchase, $1 is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association*.Â
- Choose your yarn or treat yourself to a Lonely Hearts Club Hat Kit! $5 from every kit purchase is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association*.
- Gather your needles and notions.
- Check your gauge.
- Anxiously await cast-on day!
Pattern details:
Needles: US 6/ 4.0mm or size to obtain gauge in Four Stitch Ribbing, US 4/ 3.5mm or .5 mm smaller than gauge needle for brim of hat. Use your preferred needles for working in the round.
Gauge: 21 stitches = 4”/ 10cm over Four Stitch Ribbing. (Four Stitch Ribbing: (P1,k3))
Yarn: DK weight in MC; 231 yds/ 100g; DK weight in CC; 49 yds/ 20g.
Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Sample knit in: Lonely Hearts Club Kit.
1 skein MC: Olive & Two Ewe Homer (80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 231 yards/ 100g)
1 skein CC: Olive & Two Ewe Hawthorne (75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon; 49 yards /20g) or Olive & Two Ewe Homer (80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 231 yards/ 100g)
Short and sweet, this KAL is so much fun! I hope you’ll join us.đź’•
From my heart to yours,
Becky
* I was fortunate to spend most of the last two years caring for my Aunt and Uncle as they journeyed toward their next great adventure. My Aunt had dementia, and caring for her raised my awareness of how desperately research and aid is needed.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. They invest more than $320 million in over 1,000 active projects in 54 countries. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association benefit those affected by Alzheimer’s disease through face-to-face support, online education programs, and worldwide research initiatives.Â
4 Comments. Leave new
Hi Becky, I would love to participate but unsure about the kits. You have two sizes: is one for making an adult size hat and the other for a child?
Hi Viv,
I’m so happy you’re thinking about joining us!
The Luxe kit contains a one full-size skein and one mini-skein and can make 1-2 hats depending on what size you choose. You can absolutely make an adult size hat with this kit.
The De-Luxe kit contains two full-size skeins and can make 2-4 hats depending on what size you choose. It also allows you to switch your MC and CC.
I hope that helps!
I bought my pattern, but I’m guessing the instructions won’t show up till February 14th ? Is that correct?
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks so much for purchasing the pattern! It will be updated on February 7th so you have time to prepare.đź’•