Welcome to the Scéal Grá KAL!
Scéal Grá is designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn, and she writes a beautiful description for this beautiful sweater:
“We say that knitting is a labour of love. And at no time do I feel this more keenly than when working lace into a garment. The care, the trust, the commitment, the passion — they all must be present, and sustained, for the needles to work their magic and yield a wearable piece of my heart.
An ode to this process, Scéal Grá (pronounced scale grah) is Irish for ‘love story.’
Worked seamlessly from the top down, this lightweight, easy-to-wear top is constructed with fitted 3/4 sleeves, relaxed bodice, and flounced hemline.
The circular yoke features a delicate lace motif of drooping blossoms, elements of which are also echoed in the sleeves. All edgings are finished with i-cord, for an airy, elegant aesthetic.”
In this KAL you will learn how to:
- Make a proper swatch to test your gauge and ensure that your garment will fit
- Knit a seamless sweater in the round from the top down
- Make modifications to the pattern so your sweater fits better
- Do a provisional cast on
- Knit a circular yoke
- Knit lace
- Read your knitting so you can always tell what row you are on
- Use a lifeline so you never have to rip all your work out again
- Knit in the round
- Knit short rows
- Pick up and knit
- Knit an applied i-cord
- Do the i-cord bind off
- Read knitting charts
- Block your sweater
Participants must know how to cast on, knit, purl, cable, and bind off prior to starting this KAL.
Recommended Supplies (available below)
- Scéal Grá pattern (click here to purchase the pattern – if you purchased your pattern before mid-August 2021, be sure to download the updated version)
- Yarn Requirements:
This pattern is suitable for a variety of fingering to sport weight yarns (380-440 yards on a 100 g skein), in solid or semi-solid colorways. We recommend Malabrigo Sock in a semi-solid colorway. (Lacework shows up better in solid and semi-solid colorways as compared to variegated colorways.)
Scéal Grá is designed to be fairly fitted at yoke and sleeves, and relaxed throughout the bodice. The designer suggests 2” to 3” of positive ease at the bust. Select the size with your desired amount of ease.
I recommend that you purchase the pattern and read the Materials & Information and Pattern Notes sections – as well as the corresponding lessons below – before purchasing your yarn since the pattern has multiple design options which affect the yarn you choose and the gauge you use, including how to make half sizes (in case you are between sizes or need a size slightly smaller or larger than the stated sizes).
Yarn requirements for the A-Line bodice with 3/4 sleeves version:
- US 2½ (3.0 mm) circular needles – or size needed to obtain gauge – preferably 32” or longer, though for the smallest 2 sizes, 24” might be a better choice. You’ll also need circular needles or DPNs in the same size to knit the sleeves. If you use the Magic Loop method, you can use a 32” or longer circular needle for the sleeves.
- For the largest 4 sizes only: you will also need a US 1 (2.5 mm) circular needle (or one that is 0.5 mm smaller than your main needle)
- Darning needle
- Stitch markers
- Scrap yarn or spare interchangeable cord to hold live stitches
KAL Store
For your convenience, we have available for sale the yarn and pattern you need for this KAL. Save time and support our small business by purchasing what you need here. Click on the item name to see more details and larger photos. If you do not need your yarn immediately, we are happy to special order whatever color you like! Just call or text (423) 218-2238 or email support@knitalongclub.com, and we’ll help you find the perfect yarn!
| Image | Name | Price | Buy | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Clover Locking Stitch Markers | $5.49 | These durable Clover locking stitch markers are the most versatile stitch markers. You can use them on your knitting needles or pin them to your fabric to keep track of your stitches and progress. 20/pack | |
 | Clover Soft Stitch Ring Markers | $5.25 | These flexible Clover soft stitch ring markers are pliable and easy on your hands. The package includes 10 small and 20 large stitch markers. The small stitch markers fit needle sizes 0 to 5 and the large stitch markers fit needle sizes 5 to 11. 30/pack | |
 | Malabrigo Sock | $19.20 | Malabrigo Sock is a hand dyed light fingering weight yarn that is luxuriously soft. 100% superwash merino wool; 100 grams / 440 yards |