#twelvedaysofknitmasMKAL

Ah, Knitmas…

🎶 It’s the most wonderful tiiiiiiiiiime of the year 🎶

You know that awkward chunk of time after Christmas where no one knows where they’re supposed to be or what they’re supposed to be doing? Yeah – you know what I’m talking about.

We fixed it. With knitting!

The Twelve Days of Knitmas Mystery Knit-Along(MKAL) is our annual let’s-spend-this-awkward-post-holiday-time-knitting-together-and-shaking-off-the-stress-of-the-season MKAL.

Put more plainly: The #twelvedaysofknitmasMKAL is a free twelve-day knit-along full of fun and friendship, and at the end of it, you have a beautiful project to gift or keep.

It’s really that simple.

To join in the fun, sign up for our Knitmas email list.

Who is Knitmas for?

Knitmas instructions are generally a bit more detailed than a standard knitting pattern. Why?

Because Knitmas is for everyone!

In past years, knitters from around the world have joined in the Knitmas fun. With skills ranging from beginner to expert, they’ve encouraged one another and delighted in helping each other choose colors and learn new techniques. I really can’t overstate what a magical experience it is.💕✨

TL;DR – Whether you’re an adventurous beginner or a seasoned expert, if you love to knit – Knitmas is for you.

There are THREE simple steps to ensure a wonderful Knitmas-time:

1:  Grab a copy of the Twelve Days of Knitmas MKAL 2023 pattern on Ravelry. It’s free! The discount is automatically applied when you add it to your cart.

Why get a copy on Ravelry? If life gets busy and you miss a day or accidentally delete an email, you will still have a copy of the pattern saved in Ravelry. This pattern will no longer be free or available on the Blog after Knitmas, so grab it now!

2:  Sign up for the Knitmas emails here.

Why sign up for the emails? The emails are where all the magic happens.✨ You’ll receive updates leading up to the MKAL and daily clues throughout the Twelve Days of Knitmas (December 26 – January 6). These emails contain your pattern for the day, along with freebies and discounts from Nomadic Knits and our collaborators.

3:  Bookmark this page. This is the best place to find answers to your Knitmas-related questions.

Why bookmark this page? You might have questions along the way. You’re a busy human and don’t need to be filling up all of your brain storage with Knitmas details. I’ll keep the details safe for you right here. This page will continue to be updated with the most recent information regarding Knitmas.

What should I expect when I sign up for the Knitmas emails?

You’ll receive one clue via email each day for twelve days, beginning on December 26th. Each clue contains the knitting pattern for that day. The day’s pattern is in the body of the email, and a printable PDF is attached.

These emails also contain wonderful freebies, discounts, and random fun bits and bobs from us – Nomadic Knits – and our amazing collaborators. Many of the gifts being offered have expiration dates, so even if you’re not ready for the next clue, open your email every day so you don’t miss out on the goodies!

How do I get the clues?

Email: If you are signed up for the email list (you already clicked the link and signed up, right?), the clues are delivered to your inbox first thing every morning (around 3 am EST) throughout Knitmas. 

Ravelry: Clues are also released on Ravelry around 7 or 8 am EST daily. (It’s later than the email updates because it has to be released manually, which requires me to be awake.😉) To receive these updates, you must purchase the pattern through Ravelry (It’s free!).

If you don’t have Ravelry notifications turned on, you will not be notified that you have received a pattern update. That’s ok! Just go to your Ravelry library and check for updates. They will be waiting for you there. The Ravelry updates don’t include the fun freebies that are in the emails, so be sure to sign up for the emails, too!

Nomadic Knits Blog: Lastly, the clues are posted on the Nomadic Knits Blog. This is our failsafe to ensure that EVERYONE has access to the pattern and won’t be thwarted by any tech grinches that rear their nasty little heads.

Where can I hang out with my fellow Knitmas-ers?

Facebook: This is where it gets really fun! You can find other Knitmas-ers in our Facebook group, Nomadic Knits : Knit the World! It’s a wonderfully kind community where all are welcome.

Ravelry: If Ravelry forums are more your speed, we’ve got you covered! There will be #spoiler and  #nospoiler feeds  – choose whichever one sounds more fun to you.

Instagram: Instagram users can share and search for posts tagged with #twelvedaysofknitmasmkal. Your profile must be public for others to see your posts when searching the hashtag.

Can you give me any hints?

Absolutely! Let’s get you ready so we can cast on together on December 26th. 

This year’s Knitmas project is a luxurious Moebius cowl full of beautiful motifs to keep your fingers happily knitting row after row!

Size: 8.75”/ 22cm wide, approximately 29”/ 74cm circumference.

Needles: US 5/ 3.75mm or size to obtain gauge in SS, and US 6/ 4.0mm or size to obtain gauge in colorwork. Use your preferred needles for working in the round. I found that a 16” circular needle was perfect.

You will need two circular needles in your gauge size to work the Kitchener Stitch.

*It is recommended to change needle sizes if you are new to colorwork (the pattern is simple, don’t worry!) or have tighter stitches when knitting colorwork.

Gauge: 21 stitches and 28 rows = 4”/ 10cm over Stockinette Stitch and colorwork.

Yarn: lace weight in MC; 328 yds/ 50g MC; fingering weight in six colors; 80 yds/ 20g each CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5, CC6.

You will also need approximately 4 yards/ 2g of scrap yarn in a contrasting color. Non-sticky yarn in fingering weight is ideal.

Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, blocking supplies, crochet hook in a similar to slightly larger size than your gauge needle.

Sample knit in: Nomadic Knits Twelve Days of Knitmas 2023 kits.

1 skein: Emma’s Yarn Suri Silk (74% Suri Alpaca, 26% Silk); 328 yards/ 50g)

6 skeins: Emma’s Yarn Practically Perfect Smalls (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon); 81 yards /20g

Can you help me choose color combinations?

Sure! We’ve curated six beautiful kits featuring Emma’s Yarn in Suri Silk and Practically Perfect Sock. If you look at the kits, you’ll see a range of colors in various contrasts. They are a great reference when choosing your colors.

Kits will be available for purchase on November 25th at midnight EST.  They will ship in plenty of time for you to cast on for Knitmas! 

Last Knitmas: Last Knitmas, I gave you my heart. But this year, I’m staying home and knitting.
Light the candles, drop the needle on your favorite album, and settle in with this moody, romantic palette. This kit has a less defined contrast between colors than the others. If you enjoy a more subtle contrast in your knitting, this is the one for you.

Knitmas Island: How’d you like to spend Knitmas… on Knitmas Island?
If sun and sand are your idea of holiday heaven, we’ve got you covered. These gorgeous yarns pull together all the shades of a beautiful sandy beach, complete with the perfect piece of driftwood to sit on and knit.

O Knitmas Tree: O Knitmas Tree…how lovely are your stitches.
Does your perfect Knitmas involve sitting in front of a roaring fire in a cabin in the woods, holding a steaming mug of hot cocoa? Mmmmm… that sounds nice. This cozy kit will fit in perfectly!

All I Want for Knitmas: … is this gorgeous bundle of yarn!
Purple-lovers rejoice! All the purple-y goodness you can handle is packed into this decadent kit. 

Blue Knitmas: I’ll have a Blue Knitmas without you. I’ll be so blue just knitting without you…
This sophisticated color combo will knit up into a versatile cowl that goes with practically everything. Jeans? ✓ Blazer? ✓ A classic through and through, this combo never goes out of style!

Welcome Knitmas: Maybe Knitmas, perhaps, means a little bit more…
There’s no room for Grinchy-ness when knitting with such a vibrant palette! This color combo will chase away the winter blues and take you to your happy place.

PS – If you’re wondering about the names, they’re all songs.🎶  Were you singing along as you read them? Some fun Knitmas playlists for you to knit along to will be headed your way soon.

Each Knitmas Kit includes a special edition Love and Leche Little Bee Balm. These solid lotion bars are perfect for traveling with or tossing into your knitting bag! No more worries about a tube of moisturizer popping open and making a mess. To use the bar, warm it in your hands and apply it wherever needed – lips, hands, feet, elbows – anywhere you need long-lasting moisture. No more scratchy hands that catch on your yarn!

You’ll also receive a swag bag packed with all the lovely things that make a knitter swoon. There’s a stitch-saver cord to help you block your project, Soak wool wash, official Knitmas stickers, including this year’s snowflake❄, and some fun little treats to enjoy while we’re knitting together.

Last but not least, I’ve included a super secret gift from me to you – a brand-new product from Nomadic Knits! I’m going to keep it under wraps for a bit longer, but I can’t wait to hear what you think!

I’ve simplified pricing this year – the price you see is the total price you pay, including shipping!

Kits shipped within the US are $97 and include USPS Priority Shipping.

Kits shipped to Canada are $114 and include UPS Ground Shipping. UPS currently has Ground Shipping listed as taking 3-7 days to most locations in Canada. Please note that items are subject to handling and duty fees upon arrival.

A note on shipping: A Free Shipping option will appear when you add your Knitmas Kit(s) and ONLY your Knitmas Kit(s) to the shopping cart. Choose that option.😉  Adding other items to your cart will make the Free Shipping option disappear.

If you’d like to purchase other items from the Nomadic Knits online store, doing so separately will help your shopping experience run smoothly. Be sure to take a look – we have a variety of yarn and knitting accessories, soon to include Knitmas Swag!

Before we jump right back into color selection, let’s talk about Suri Silk.

If Suri Silk is new to you, you’re in for a treat! It’s exquisitely soft and has a beautiful halo. It’s often compared to Mohair because they are both sold as laceweight yarns and usually blended with Silk to add strength. Whereas Mohair Silk generally has a shinier appearance and a wiry, thinner texture, Suri Silk has a soft, cloudlike appearance with zero scratch factor. 

While I love how Mohair looks, I find knitting with it and wearing it to be irritating. I wish it weren’t so, but the fibers irritate my eyes and skin.💔 Enter Suri Silk. Now, I can knit all the fuzzy things to my heart’s content. If you also struggle with Mohair, I hope you’ll give the Suri Silk a try and embrace the fuzz again! 

Mohair Silk will work beautifully if you are substituting for the Suri Silk.  Although Suri Silk is technically laceweight, it is very fluffy and can be knit up in a variety of gauges. If you are substituting for the MC and not using Suri or Mohair, choose a fingering-weight yarn as your MC.

For stash divers, here’s some guidance for creating your color combination:

The Twelve Days of Knitmas MKAL contains some simple lace and colorwork sections, along with a few other fun techniques. Your MC will come into contact with each of your CCs. Keep that in mind when choosing your colors.

If you are knitting with the suggested yarns (Suri Silk & Practically Perfect Sock or the equivalent), there will be a contrast in texture between the MC and CCs. This helps define the motifs, even at a lower color contrast.

If you enjoy high-contrast colorwork, be sure that the majority of your CCs are in high contrast to your MC, and that one of your CCs is in high contrast to at least one of the other CCs.

If you prefer a more subtle contrast, choose colors with lower contrast for a more delicate effect.

If you are unsure if your yarn has high or low contrast, take a black-and-white picture of all skeins together. This will make your contrast level clearer. This is also a great time to knit a gauge swatch. It can double as a test for your colors!

Solid and tonal colors can help to highlight the stitch pattern in lace sections. But perhaps you love the look of an intense or busy colorway over lace. That’s fine, too!

Experiment. Have fun. When I feel myself getting wound tight and worrying far too much about the very thing that brings me so much joy, I remember my mantra → It’s a (insert name of knitting project here), not the Sistine Chapel. 😂

You may discover that you really love a technique / color combo that you never would have tried before. How wonderful!

You may also discover that you were 100% correct and HATE speckles over lace. You win some, you lose some. And that’s when you decide that your cowl will be a gift, or that you’re about to get really good at tinking.😉 Thank goodness yarn is reusable!

The MKAL doesn’t instruct you on which specific CCs to use for each section of the pattern. That will be up to you! Each section offers guidance to help you choose your CCs and will list the amount of yarn used in that section to ensure you have enough of each color.

Please remember – this is just knitting, and there are no hard and fast rules for color selections. Choose what makes your heart happy. 💕

If you’re looking for color inspiration, I’m newly obsessed with these Color Cubes and the Color Catalog!

They’re perfect when you need fresh ideas or a new perspective on combining colors.

Are there prizes?

Yup. Anyone who participates will be eligible to win prizes regardless of when they finish. We’ve also been known to award prizes to enthusiastic cheerleaders, so join us in sharing your love for everyone’s projects, even if you’re not knitting along.

Winners are chosen from the Facebook Group, the Nomadic Knits’ Ravelry Forums, and Instagram. When sharing on Instagram, your project must be tagged with #twelvedaysofknitmasMKAL using a public profile, or we won’t be able to see it.

We have some wonderful prizes this year, but you’ll have to wait a bit longer to hear about them.

What about the rest of the details?

More? After all of that, you want more?!  You deserve a prize just for making it this far! 🙌🏼

There will be more updates, but for now, you have almost all the information you need for a very merry Knitmas. Just one more thing…

. 

THIS PART IS IMPORTANT 
(It is so important that you’ll probably see it repeated multiple times before the MKAL begins😉)

Please add [email protected] to your contact list.

The biggest frustration people encounter during the MKAL is not receiving emails. If you add us to your contacts, there is a much lower chance that your Knitmas emails will go into your spam or promotions folder or will not be delivered at all. 

If you run into trouble with your email or accidentally delete it, I cannot re-send it. (I would love to, but it’s just one of me and thousands of you!) But don’t despair; you can also find the clues on Ravelry and the Nomadic Knits blog! 

A gentle reminder: Knitmas is a time to shake off the stress of the season and relax into the pastime we love: knitting. There are twelve days of clues, but it isn’t a race against time to complete your project in twelve days. The goal is to enjoy your knitting and have something fun and relaxing to look forward to each morning.

The KAL will “officially” run through the end of January, but our Facebook group and Ravelry forums are open year-round. Members of #teamturtle and #teamsloth stretch their knitting out for as long as it takes. And when they finish, whether in February or September, we celebrate their accomplishment!

I can’t wait to Knit(mas) with you! 

Becky

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