FAQ
If your question is not answered below, feel free to reach out to me at tellybeanknits@gmail.com.
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE PATTERN?
You can find the pattern on tellybeanknits.com or Ravelry. Click on the links below to purchase the pattern:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/witchs-brew-cowl
https://www.tellybeanknits.com/pattern-shop/witchs-brew-cowl
IS THERE A DISCOUNT ON THIS PATTERN?
Yes! The Witch’s Brew MKAL will be 50% OFF until October 1st, 2024. Use the coupon code HALLOWEEN at check out.
WHAT WILL I BE KNITTING?
This MKAL is going to be a COWL.
WHERE CAN I GET YARN FOR THE MKAL?
You can find a list of dyers who have created kits HERE.
You are welcome to stash dive and use leftovers for this MKAL!
WHEN DOES THE MKAL START?
Clue ONE will be released on October 1, 2023.
BUT, you can start chatting and planning NOW. Join me in the GETTING READY CHAT on the Tellybean Knits Group on Ravelry or share your MKAL plans on Instagram using the hashtag #witchsbrewmkal.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Beginning September 4th, you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry or tellybeanknits.com.
You can join in the GETTING READY CHAT on the Tellybean Knits Group on Ravelry now or share your MKAL plans on Instagram using the hashtag #witchsbrewmkal.
HOW MANY CLUES WILL THERE BE?
There will be 13 clues.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY CLUES?
Clues will be released on the following schedule:
Clue One: October 1
Clue Two: October 2
Clue Three: October 3
Clue Four: October 4
Clue Five: October 5
Clue Six: October 6
Clue Seven: October 7
Clue Eight: October 8
Clue Nine: October 9
Clue Ten: October 10
Clue Eleven: October 11
Clue Twelve: October 12
Clue Thirteen: October 13
The clues will be released every day by 9am EDT.
HOW WILL I GET MY CLUES?
If you purchased your pattern through Ravelry, you will receive an email and you will be able to update the pattern in your library to download the clue. If you purchased the pattern through tellybeanknits.com, you will receive an email each day containing the clue. The clue will be sent to the email you used to purchase the pattern.
WHAT YARN DO I NEED?
This pattern requires fingering weight yarn in six colors. The yardage requirements are:
Color 1: 126 yards [115m]
Color 2: 96 yards [88m]
Color 3: 110 yards [100m]
Color 4: 86 yards [79m]
Color 5: 124 yards [113m]
Color 6: 65 yards [59m]
When you purchase the pattern, you will receive a “Getting Ready Guide” with instructions on how to choose your yarn. If you need help choosing your yarn either before or after you purchase the pattern, join me in the GETTING READY CHAT on the Tellybean Knits Group page or email me at tellybeanknits@gmail.com.
I don’t recommend using speckled or variegated yarn for this project. Solids and semi-solids will work best!
WHAT SKILL LEVEL IS THE MKAL DESIGNED FOR?
This is an intermediate pattern. This pattern includes stranded colorwork. In fact, most of this pattern will be worked in stranded colorwork. The Witch’s Brew Cowl is intended for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with stranded colorwork. All colorwork is done in the round and you will never need to carry more than two colors at a time. The stranded colorwork portions of this pattern will be charted, but will not include written instructions. There will also be a portion of this cowl that includes textural stitches. The textural stitches will include charts and written instructions. I provide tutorials to help you through the textural stitches.
This pattern does not include brioche, intarsia, or mosaic knitting.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I’M NOT ON RAVELRY?
YES! Join in the MKAL fun by using the hashtag #witchsbrewmkal on Instagram. Share photos and chat with other knitters. Don’t forget to tag me @tellybeanknits and any yarn dyers you might be using to create your cowl (dyers love to see their yarn knit up!). Be sure to use a cover photo (like the one above) when you post your progress. This helps to preserve the mystery for other knitters. Instagram accounts must be public in order to be eligible for prizes. If you meet these criteria, your photos will be entered in a drawing for prizes. Prizes will be awarded randomly at the conclusion of the MKAL.
CAN I USE STASH YARN & STILL WIN PRIZES?
Absolutely! I love to use stash yarn and leftovers for my projects. No matter what yarn you use for your project, you can qualify for prizes!
WILL 20 GRAM MINI SKEINS BE ENOUGH?
For most of the colors, NO, but KEEP READING. This pattern was designed using six 38g/133yd mini skeins. Several of the colors require more yardage than you would typically find in a 20g mini skein (specifically Colors 1, 2, 3, & 5). However, there are two things to keep in mind:
1. All of my yardages include a 15% security. That means that I recommend you plan for 15% more yardage than I used to knit my (top secret) sample. When working with mini skeins, 15% isn’t a lot of yardage, but it is always helpful to know. Just keep an eye on your gauge.
2. You can make this cowl with scraps. If you are willing to add in extra colors or do some color swapping, then you might be able to make it work. I designed this cowl so that each individual clue has a yardage recommendation JUST FOR THAT CLUE! So, if you want to substitute in a new color for Clue Five, you can check the yardage recommendation at the beginning of the clue and make the substitution.
IS IT REALLY A HALLOWEEN COWL?
Yep. This year’s MKAL cowl has a witch theme, and is most definitely a Halloween-themed cowl. Can you wear it all year round? You bet, but keep in mind, it does have a holiday theme!
WHAT IS A SHAWL-SHAPED COWL?
The SHAPE of this cowl is NOT a surprise. This will be a shawl-shaped cowl. This is my absolute favorite shape for knitting a cowl. This shape is wonderfully wearable, and it is PERFECT for working colorwork in the round. This cowl has a top down seamless construction. The cowl is worked flat, like a triangle shawl and then joined to knit in the round. If you are interested in seeing some of my other cowls that use this same shape and construction, check out the COWLOWEEN and the STOCKING STUFFER cowls. AND, definitely check out last year’s Halloween MKAL cowl: Haunted House.
WILL I HAVE TO CARRY MORE THAN TWO COLORS IN THE STRANDED COLORWORK SECTIONS?
No. You will never have to hold more than two colors at a time when working stranded colorwork in this pattern.
WILL I HAVE TO WORK COLORWORK FLAT?
No. All stranded colorwork in this pattern will be worked in the round.
CAN I ADD BEADS?
Certainly. The pattern does not include information for adding beads to the cowl. If you are a bead lover, I think you will have no problem adding some sparkle to this cowl.
HAS THIS PATTERN BEEN TESTED AND TECH EDITED?
YES! All of my patterns are tested and tech edited. I work with an EXCELLENT team of testers on my patterns. Additionally, throughout the MKAL I will be monitoring the chats, updating the FAQ and/or sending out pattern updates as needed for each clue.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER HALLOWEEN-THEMED PATTERNS?
I SURE DO! Here are links to all of my Halloween patterns (with more coming soon):
Cowloween
Venomous
Haunted House
Boneyard Sweethearts Hat
Boneyard Sweetehearts DK Hat
Boneyard Sweethearts SWEATER
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR BROOM?
Every witch needs a proper ride!
I got my broom (and my witch’s hat) from The Wicked Witch Hat Co. I originally planned to store my broom November-September, but I love it so much that I’ve decided all months are witch-worthy. It’s broom parking only at my house! I’m currently rearranging my office, so I can properly display my broom all year long.
FYI…This was not a paid promotion. I bought my broom. It was worth every penny! Same for the hat. Actually, I had a pretty good time finding a cloak, boots, and tights. I’m basically ready to treat every day like a quest. I won’t though, because I have a middle schooler, and they would be mortified if I wore a witch’s costume every day in October. Luckily, I’ve got a witch’s cowl that I plan to wear every day. Soon you will, too!