Soon, we’ll embark on an exciting new challenge with crochet and knitting star Katie Jones! For the upcoming Mystery Make-Along, titled #AprèsSkiMAL, we will crochet and knit a colorful winter sweater! ⛷️🧶
Do you also get excited when autumn arrives because you can FINALLY start crocheting and knitting cozy, warm sweaters again? Then this super fun project is perfect for you! 😍
In September and October, we’ll be starting a new Mystery Make-Along called #AprèsSkiMAL. ⛄ The sweet British designer Katie Jones will guide us all through the pattern for a colorful winter sweater that can be either crocheted or knitted – your choice! 🌈
Sign up for the upcoming Make-Along here:
US – sign up here ➜
EU – sign up here ➜
UK – sign up here ➜
Not sure if this project is right for you? In this blog post, you’ll find answers to:
1. What is a Mystery Make-Along?
2. What is the project?
3. When does it start, and how does it work?
4. Can I choose whether to crochet or knit the pattern?
5. What skill level is required?
6. What techniques will we be doing?
7. What’s included in the kit?
8. What’s the price of the kit?
9. How do I choose my size?
10. How can I connect with other participants?
1. What is a Mystery Make-Along?
A Mystery Make-Along (MAL) is a project where you and other participants work individually on the same project. The project is a secret and is gradually revealed to you week by week as you continue working on it. You’ll only see the final result after 7 weeks when you’ve received all 7 parts of the pattern.
A Mystery Make-Along is a super fun way to complete a project, offering plenty of opportunities to learn new techniques. Plus, it’s incredibly enjoyable to be part of a community with other creative people who are crocheting or knitting the same project.
2. What is the project?
#AprèsSkiMAL is a Mystery Make-Along, which means the project remains a secret until you’ve received all parts of the pattern. However, what we can reveal is that you’ll be working on a fabulous wintery sweater. And perhaps the name of the project gives a hint or two? ⛷️
The talented British designer Katie Jones is the creative mind behind the Make-Along design. If you’re familiar with Katie’s world or participated in the #NoShadesOfGreyMAL last year, you know that she LOVES every color of the rainbow and is a true genius when it comes to combining colors and textures! 🌈
Want to know more about the project? The final design is a secret, but we got Katie to reveal a little bit in this blog post 👀
3. When does it start, and how does it work?
Get your crochet hook or knitting needles ready for September 5, 2024, when we kick off the first part of the pattern. The entire project spans 7 weeks, with a new part of the pattern released every Thursday. These weeks will be packed with lots of fun, including plenty of amazing yarns, beautiful colors, exciting stitches, and, of course, a generous dose of wintery coziness! 😍
Important: Sign up to receive the pattern by email
Make sure to sign up, then we’ll make sure the pattern lands in your email inbox every week 📩🩷. We’ll send you the pattern every Thursday at 10 AM.
Sign up here:
Get an overview of the plan here:
4. Can I choose whether to crochet or knit the pattern?
Yes! Whether you prefer crocheting or knitting, you can join this Make-Along. The pattern will be available in both a knit version and a crochet version.
Isn’t this perfect? You can enjoy the fun project with your best crafting buddy, even if one of you loves working with a hook and the other one prefers needles. 😍 Katie has ensured that you’ll encounter lots of exciting techniques and stitches, no matter which craft you choose.
The two patterns are remarkably similar! 👀 Katie has truly outdone herself in matching tensions and techniques for both crochet and knitting!
If you really can’t decide whether to crochet or knit, Katie has one piece of advice:
“You could always make one of each!” 🤩
Get the crochet kit here ➜
Get the knitting kit here ➜
5. What skill level is required?
Even though this Make-Along introduces you to many exciting techniques, you can still participate even if you don’t have extensive knitting or crocheting experience. We start at a level where most people can join in, as long as you’ve practiced crocheting or knitting just a little bit (and if not, there’s still time to catch up). 😉
As Katie says, this MAL might even take you "from zero to hero."
Read more about what Katie says about the project HERE.
6. What techniques will we be doing?
Over the course of this 7-week project, Katie will ensure you try out a variety of fun techniques and stitches that give the winter sweater its unique and special look.
During the first 4 weeks, you’ll work on the body of the sweater:
- Week 1: Single Crochet and Double Crochet / Garter & Stocking Stitch.
- Week 2: Brickwork / Front detail color change.
- Week 3: Color change icicles and bobbles.
- Week 4: Stripes and neck shaping.
For the next 3 weeks, it’s time to focus on the sleeves and embellishments:
- Week 5: Rib and Moss Stitch.
- Week 6: Two-color stripe.
- Week 7: Embellishment, joining, and neck.
Psst! Patterns are written in US terms (with UK terms in brackets) 😉
Does this sound like something for you? Get your kit dit kit HERE.
7. What’s included in the kit?
The kit contains all the yarn and accessories you need for the project.
To achieve the perfect texture for the winter sweater, Katie has selected Aran weight yarns. She has chosen fluffy, sparkly, and slightly variegated yarns. Plus, she has carefully picked colors that evoke the feeling of winter, skiing, nostalgia, and coziness! 🎿🌲
To achieve the perfect texture for the winter sweater, Katie has combined yarns for an Aran weight. These include fluffy, sparkly, and slightly variegated options. She has also carefully selected colors that evoke the feelings of winter, skiing, nostalgia, and coziness! 🎿🌲
Please note: You should provide your own crochet hook or knitting needles
This way, you can work with your favorite tools. ❤️
Recommended crochet hook size:
- 4.5 mm
Recommended knitting needle sizes:
- 4.5 mm circular needle (50 cm)
- 5.5 mm circular needle (50 cm)
- 5.5 mm circular needle (80 cm)
Psst! Having two 5.5 mm circular needles (80 cm) can make your work a lot easier, but it’s not necessary.
Remember to match the gauge of the pattern
When you receive your kit, make sure your crochet or knitting gauge matches the pattern. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to adjust the size of your crochet hook or knitting needles.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry, Katie will help you achieve the correct gauge in this blog post ❤️
Have a sneak peek on what’s inside the kit here:
8. What’s the price of the kit?
The sweater can be crochet or knit in 3 sizes. Here is an overview of the prices of the kits.
Do you want to crochet?
- Size 1: $150 / 131 € / £114
- Size 2: $161 / 141 € / £122
- Size 3: $184 / 160 € / £139
Do you want to knit?
- Size 1: $145 / 127 € / £110
- Size 2: $172 / 151 € / £131
- Size 3: $195 / 170 € / £148
9. How do I choose my size?
The sweater has a comfortable fit that suits most body types. You can choose whether you want a classic or oversized fit – it all depends on the size you select.
You can choose from 3 sizes:
- Size 1 (equivalent to XS-M): Made to fit a burst circumference of 75-100 cm.
- Size 2 (equivalent to L-2XL): Made to fit a burst circumference of 105-125 cm.
- Size 3 (equivalent to 3XL-5XL): Made to fit a burst circumference of 130-150 cm.
We recommend taking some time to measure yourself and compare your measurements with the sizes in the chart below. There’s nothing more disappointing than spending hours and hours on a sweater that ends up too small or too large! 🫶
Tip! Measure your circumference at the widest part of your upper body.
Still not sure about the size? Here you can see how the three sizes fit on three different models:
10. How can I connect with other participants?
One of the best parts about working on the same project as many others is sharing photos and exchanging tips and tricks along the way.
Join the Hobbii Make-Along Facebook group here ➜
There’s nothing better than having a wonderful community to share the joy of a Make-Along with 🥰
Please note that the Facebook group is not managed by Hobbii. It’s a space for participants to share WIP (work-in-progress) photos and help each other. If you have a question for us, feel free to email our customer service at [email protected].
Psst! Don’t forget to join our giveaway!
We can’t wait to see your finished piece! 💙 To enter for a chance to win a gift card worth $100 / 100 € / £80, share a photo or reel on Instagram or Facebook by November 17, 2024. 😍
Be sure to tag @hobbii_yarn and @katiejonesknit, and use the hashtag #AprèsSkiMAL.
We’ll select 5 lucky winners and announce them on Instagram and Facebook on November 18, 2024.
Didn't get answers to your questions?
Contact our customer service at [email protected]. We’re ready to help answer your questions. 🤗
