Welcome to the Knit Stars First Pro/Am Competition! Over the last 4 weeks, our teams, comprised of one professional designer and one amateur designer, have worked together to bring you a winning design! In this Pattern Pack, you will receive both patterns by Nina Machlin Dayton/Malinda Lesko, and Louis Boria/Gary Boston.

100% of the pattern purchase benefit Gary's annual AIDS/Lifecycle Fundraising for 2024.

By purchasing the pattern, you are also invited to our Knit-Along that will begin on January 3. The Knit Along will take place via Instagram, Facebook and will have a few live Knit Alongs along the way, hosted by our Pro/AM Teams. The end of the Knit Along will culminate in your votes for who the "winner" of the design competition is!

Thank you for your participation in this cause! Information regarding the patterns is below!

Make the Turn Scarf/ Infinity Scarf

Designed by Gary Boston and Louis Boria

About the Pattern:

As we explored motifs for this design, the ones that seemed to flow were those based on 2 x 2 ribbing. The motifs began to emerge like a road to me, with various twists and turns, much like the road we travel on AIDS/Lifecycle each year. I began to see the horizontal bars in the Smocking sections as obstacles, like those - both physical and mental - that we cyclists face in both our training and on our 545-mile journey down the California coast. The road and its twists and turns are much like the journey we have been on to end the HIV / AIDS epidemic. At each hurdle, we’ve had to pivot, regroup and press on in a new direction. This design captures that spirit – twists and turns, some challenges, but with the hope of a beautiful ending.

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn.” – Helen Keller

Description:

Make the Turn incorporates two motifs based on a simple 2x2 rib. The first motif creates the illusion of cabling with a simple stitch. The other uses a couple of cabling techniques, easily accomplished with or without a cable needle, to create a unique circular motif. Both versions are perfect for an adventurous beginner, with the Infinity Scarf using some more advanced techniques. Video tutorials are provided for both motifs and other techniques.

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Specifications

Finished Size: (For Scarf before blocking)- 4.5” wide x 63” long, (after blocking): 7” wide x 71” long. (For Infinity Scarf before blocking)- 4.5” wide x 46” circumference, (after Blocking): 7” wide x 52” circumference.
Yarn: Loops Luxe Chunky (70% Royal Alpaca/30% Silk) 109 yds/ 100g – 4 skeins for scarf version/ 3 skeins for Infinity Scarf version.
Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) 24” circulars/ US Size 8 (5.0 mm) DPN’s for Infinity Scarf version.
Notions: (For Infinity Scarf version)- Crochet hook for Provisional cast on, waste yarn, cable needle and tapestry needle (for both versions).
Gauge: 21 stitches and 20 rows over 4” in 2 x 2 rib. [Note: Gauge is not critical, but for scarf version you will be close to using full yarn requirements, so best to measure.

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Candace Comfort Shawl

Designed by Nina Machlin Dayton and Malinda Lesko

About the Pattern

Malinda and I have a mutual friend named Candace, an incredibly wonderful woman who is, in many ways, responsible for bringing Malinda and I together as friends. Candace is a warm and very comforting person, both in her career as a nurse, and as a friend. When Malinda and I felt the comforting soft squishiness of Loops Luxe Chunky we thought this would be a great way to give some love and comfort back to Candace who gives so much of it to others.

Specifications
Finished Size: About 55” wingspan x 20” depth
Yarn: 550 yards Loops Luxe Chunky
Needles: Size US 8/5mm circular needles, cable at least 24”-
32”, or size to get gauge.
Notions:
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
2 stitch markers
For making tassels: Measuring tape, scissors, a piece of
cardboard that measures about 4 inches tall
Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows to 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette
stitch, blocked. Differences in gauge will impact the finished
size of the shawl and