Thread the Needle is a quick, fun, and unpredictable cowl, presented to you as a mini MKAL. The pattern contains some texture and colorwork elements inspires by hand sewing. It is a very versatile and wearable but unusual shape. Trust me when I tell you this is the cowl shape you’ve been missing all your knitting life. It also has an interesting, satisfying construction and is knitted flat… well you’ll see how it works.

Schedule
The pattern will be released in 3 parts according to the schedule below.
Clue 1 - Sept 1
Clue 2 - Sept 8
Clue 3 - Sept 15
Each clue will automatically be sent to you as a pattern update through Ravelry each Friday starting September 1st.
Please post your progress on Ravelry. Join the X&Y knits group and post in the Thread the Needle MKAL thread to share with others and to ask questions if you need help.
Use #ThreadTheNeedleMKAL to tag posts on Instagram, twitter, and Ravelry.

This is a “mini MKAL”
Meaning you only need a large skein, a mini skein, and 3 weeks to participate. You won’t need to spend too much time finding your yarn (stash dive) and the project won’t take all season to finish. You’ll still have time and money to knit other exciting patterns this season. I’m always hesitant to make a big investment on a mystery project, and with this one, you don’t need to worry.

Note: Cowl is an unconventional shape and can be worn more than one way. The measurements reflect the unusual shape. Don’t try to guess, it’s part of the mystery.
Finished Size: 40 ˝ (102 cm) long and 9˝ (23 cm) tall.
Yarn: Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light.
MC: 1 skein, 420 yards/100g (384m/100g) Astrid Grey
CC: 1 Unicorn Tail 52 yards (48 m) Neon Peach
Needles: Size 7 (4.5mm) 32˝ circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 19 sts x 24 rows = 4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) square in stockinette stitch.
Other Materials: Markers, tapestry needle, steamer for blocking.
Skills: This pattern contains slipped stitches, twisted stitches, increases, decreases, and a knitted seam (a video demo will be available alongside this clue).

Choosing yarn
You will need fingering weight yarn in two colors - one full skein and one approximately 50 yard/meter mini skein. I used Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light because it is easy to find in the full skeins and the mini size, but you can use almost any fingering weight yarn. Scraps are great for the contrasting color if you do not have access to mini skeins.
The two colors that you pick should have good contrast. My CC is neon because I really want it to stand out. It is best that at least one of them be a solid color. If you like variegated, speckle, gradient, or self striping yarns, choose one and pair it with a strongly contrasting solid. I recommend keeping the CC in a solid unless you pick a multicolored yarn with a very strong contrast against your MC