Get Ready for Cowltopus Mystery Knit-A-Long (aka

[@Knitterly]

I’m on vacation right now, sipping a coffee across the street from a yarn shop…hmmm Shall I stop in there and commit to a cowl? Yes!

[@LauraNelkin]

YAAAS!

[@Knitterly]

@@LauraNelkin I’m usually a KAL failure. I fall behind etc. I love your no one left behind policy. And the KAL starts at a convenient time for me. And -very cool- it’s a New Years cast on… Rosh haShana, that is 😁

[@sharondurant3273]

OMG! The octopus behind you! 💗

[@LauraNelkin]

I know... so creepy and cool, right? Max did a great job!!!

[@hartmarilyn]

Very helpful! Love that guy at the end :)

[@ceasmithdavis4284]

Whoa Sounds like a fun time----just cannot catch an octopi pun at the moment, but getting ready to DIVE IN---STASH DIVE IN!!

[@LauraNelkin]

Oh, Ain't no diving like a deep sea stash dive! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

[@cathyzura5758]

Your shirt! ❤❤❤❤

[@LauraNelkin]

I mean.. it is jellyfish, so octopus adjacent?

[@aninquisitivecrafter]

Oh my goodness I’m so excited! Off to shop my stash……..or maybe buy a kit!

[@LauraNelkin]

WAHOO!

[@Knicoleknits]

I have no business joining this MKAL, but YOU HAD ME AT OCTOPUS!!! I just bought the Giant Pacific kit, not because I need the yarn, but because I NEED the stickers and stitch markers. I'm weak and I'm NOT SORRY 😋🤩

[@LauraNelkin]

LOOOOVE!

[@quiltta]

I remember doing your open mind knit a long. I ask you for help and you told me to read the pattern . That was the problem, i did read the pattern. I am sorry that I paid money for the pattern

[@LauraNelkin]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm quite surprised as that is not my typical response... I pride myself in helping knitters when they ask questions. Where was this in the Ravelry or Facebook group?

[@deniseengel1451]

Looks like fun.

[@AngieCooper-x6o]

Would love it if you could include metric measurements and needle sizes with these videos coz we metrics start falling down the lost tunnel.

[@LauraNelkin]

Yes, those are listed in the pattern and on the pattern page, I just got worried I would get it wrong and so didn't say them in the video! Sorry!

[@ellenkramer9819]

You mention in the video that you would link the scale you recommend but I cannot find the link. Thank you!

[@DQDebra]

Looks like fun!

[@LauraNelkin]

SO FUN!

[@ruthandrick6070]

I love your shirt!

[@LauraNelkin]

Thanks! Even though it is jellyfish!!!!

[@ruthandrick6070]

@@LauraNelkin close enough!

[@shirlmcgregor2895]

Can you post again the link to your favourite scale. I can’t seem to find the link

[@justinelark1027]

brand new construction and shape! can't wait to see it come to life!

[@LauraNelkin]

I'm so excited for y'all knit this one with me!

[@CrazyAuntVal]

I found this MKAL late (7 days post this video) and most of the kits are already sold out.😢 But its an *OCTOPUS* MKAL; so how can I resist?! Will Fiber Macgyver be restocking the kits?

[@LauraNelkin]

Unfortunately no! But stash diving or a trip to your LYS is always an option!

[@jlb10411]

I'm not seeing the links to magic ball and to magic knot (referenced at 13:44--preparing your yarn in the video above), and I'm not seeing a reply to @momofcems comment/question below (it says 11 days ago) I have the same question.

[@momofcems]

I'm not sure where to go to get the answer either and it starts in two days

[@LauraNelkin]

They are linked in the pattern!

[@LauraNelkin]

They are linked in the pattern!

[@knitrn56]

would love to know if your shirt can be purchased somewhere?

[@LauraNelkin]

Aw, I wish I could say yes, but I made it from a knit I found in my friends fabric shop.

[@momofcems]

You said for winding the yarns that CC4 should be on the inside and CC 1 on the outside and then you're working from the outside of the ball, could we not just wind it backwards and work from the center? Also, do you need to keep a certain length of yarn from the CC as well?

[@momofcems]

@LauraNelkin

[@ingridgomez3935]

I’ve been knitting for like almost 30 years and ummm i’ve rarely if ever made a gauge swatch. 🙈 i’ve never really understood how to do a gauge swatch tbh and i always want to immediately dive (pun) into a project. but your explanation was truly helpful. i do have a question, since i got the 8 minis, i imagine it is very important to do a gauge swatch, right? i’ve gotten away with not making swatches because 80-90% of the time if i follow your patterns to the T, I find the perfect fit. can i get away with it again? lol 😆 Can’t wait for the MKAL! 🐙🐙🐙

[@LauraNelkin]

Ah, I actually talk about this a bit more in the pattern... did you knit cowl mkal last year with a kit from susi and get gauge? If so, you can use the same ndl size you used for that!

[@susansmart8086]

I’m just the opposite. I tend to be a loose knitter and end up going down one or even two needle sizes.

[@susansmart8086]

Just an aside. You mention that you’re a loose knitter (me, too). How do you come up with the needle sizes listed in your patterns?

[@LauraNelkin]

The needle sizes in my patterns are always one ndl size bigger than I knit the gauge with!

[@dswgr6]

@@LauraNelkin That probably explains why I never get gauge the first time! I always have to go down at least one needle size.

[@janstaples4891]

How would you rate this KAL as far as difficulty? I want to participate but am worried it might be too difficult for me!

[@LauraNelkin]

Fearless Advanced Beginner... if you love new techniques, and learning then you can do it!

[@janstaples4891]

@@LauraNelkin thank you! I am getting the pattern and kit now! ❤

[@divemistress]

Giant pacific is headed to Whidbey Island in the Salish Sea, home to our giant pacific Octopus! So glad I got it in time

[@LauraNelkin]

Wahoooo! That beauty sold out quickly!

[@divemistress]

@@LauraNelkin yes it did! It looks gorgeous! And you have me stepping outside my comfort zone

[@dlord802]

ok - the nail polish tho - its a beautiful orange? what brand n color!! lol

[@patriciastapleton5211]

If I am stash diving and have two different yarn brands, both dk but different yardage. How should I do my swatch?

[@LauraNelkin]

I would swatch with the one you want to use as the MC, and once you get gauge, use that same needle size and swatch with the CC just to make sure there isn't a huge difference in gauge. In theory you could use a different needle depending on which color you are knitting with?

[@patriciastapleton5211]

@@LauraNelkin thanks

[@patbwatchin]

Watch, pause, join; watch, pause, order; watch, pause, head for stash b/c two octos are better than one. Finish watching… calamari

[@LauraNelkin]

LOLOLOLOL!

[@Knitterly]

A request: About a billion (at least) possible viewers of your channel knit in metric. Pretty please give the needle sizes in metric as well…for all your content…. I am about to look up what US 6 and 7 are for those who are NOT the 350 million US residents 😮. Thanks in advance 😊

[@LauraNelkin]

Ah. that info is always on the pattern pages... I'm just worried I am going to say it incorrectly! US Size 7 [4.5 mm] US Size 6 [4 mm]

[@Knitterly]

@@LauraNelkin Thanks! And now I’ve bought the yarn!