July KAL - And the Yarn is 20% Off!

It's time for another one of Michelle Hunter's Progressive Needles Knit Alongs!  The July Knit-Along is a repeat of Michelle's very first (and outrageously popular) sock KAL called “Center of Attention.”  Bonus:  The Skacel Zitron Trekking XXL sock yarn is on sale at 20% off!

Why the repeat? Two reasons ... with so many new participants in Michelle's KALs, many knitters missed this great toe-up sock design. Second, for every ball of Trekking XXL “Susanne” color purchased, Skacel will donate $10 to the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. This lovely sock yarn was specially dyed in the turquoise color of ovarian cancer awareness.

Never done a KAL?  It's easy ... Michelle will reveal the pattern on her website in four segments, every Thursday in July starting on July 4th (if you have the day off work, you may as well knit!).  Have a question?  No problem ... the pattern includes photos and online video instructions.  It's like having a knitting tutor right by your side.  How much does it cost?  Nothing!  You don't have to register or pay any fee to participate. Bonus: you may even win some cool prizes from Skacel.

Trekking XXL in Susanne

You will need:

• One ball of Trekking XXL yarn – 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Nylon, 459 yards/100g.  We expect Susanne will be the most popular color (and we have plenty of it in stock!), but we also have ten other great colors to choose from.
• Size 1 / 2.5mm needles. Adjust the needle size you need to achieve a gauge of 8 stitches per inch (if necessary).
• Cable Needle

The Center of Attention sock pattern may be knit with double points, on two circular knitting needles, or with the magic loop method (see Michelle Hunter's magic loop video instruction). If you prefer to knit on two circular needles, we recommend two 24" length needles for this project.  I prefer the circulars, and my favorite needles are a toss-up between the addi Turbo, addi Lace, Sock Rockets or the Natura circulars.  For the magic loop method we recommend one 40" circular needle.

I'm looking forward to this KAL!  Michelle's mystery patterns are always fun, plus the Susanne yarn supports a great cause!

Happy Knitting . . . . Amy