Make-a-Longs 2025

Sun Dragon Make-a-longs are a community event: near or far, we are enjoying the feeling of knowing others are knitting or crocheting the same thing or style! Our make-a-longs are no mystery, there are no required fees to participate, but that also means there are no prizes or reward-type enticements: we are a community near and far that participates for the joy of challenge and camaraderie!

Our Make a Longs in 2025 are a spin on what we have previously offered: MAL are free to participate, though instruction if wanted or needed comes with associated fees. One can participate from anywhere, and share progress in the Sun Dragon MAL Facebook page, or send us photos for our newsletter!

For locals, every MAL will have an optional intro class with a fee where we go over the project, prep participants and answer questions: paying for this class paves the way for reduced assistance throughout the make-a-long, and qualifies you for 10% off supplies.

We are adding in shop MAL-specific Sit n Stitch times: scheduled times on specific Wednesday or Thursday afternoons free to attend in the “Living Room.” If assistance or questions arise that moves to the Teaching Room where fees apply: $10/hour if you attended the intro class, $15/hour if you did not; these fees are for any time shorter than an hour as well. This is a great way to keep going on you project while seeking assistance only if and when you need it!

Virtual versions of these are still being developed, we will keep you informed if we are able to do this in the future.

Many of you know my love for sweaters and tops in general, so 2025 MALs focus on these. Every two months we will kick off a new project: if it interests you, join in! There is no deadline on finishing these projects, but MAL sit n stitch times will be focused on these projects only during these months. Any of these are open to someone who knows the basics of the skill required, such as the knit and purl stitch for knitting, though if you’re looking for a gentle intro to sweater making, check out our “My First Sweater” option in June when we will be making the Flax Worsted, a great first sweater.

Alongside this MAL will be an ongoing Amigurumi, or stuffed animal crochet MAL, info coming soon.

February-March (knit): texture

The Staffin By Rebecca Clow caught my eye when looking for a pattern for our new yarn Amano Turay, a cotton-wool blend. This just-release pattern (January 2025) looks like lots of fun with multiple stitch patterns, as well as three style options: a pullover, cardigan, or vest! With something for everyone, I thought it would be a great start to our year of sweaters.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/staffin-2

February 1, 10:30-12:30: Optional Intro Kickoff Class, $50. This class will go over the pattern and general structure of all of the options, as well as going over basic techniques used and answering questions. We may practice some of these techniques or swatch for gauge! Attending this class affords 10% off supplies and a reduced rate for help throughout the MAL.

Every other Wednesday in February and March are MAL Sit n Stitch sessions, 2-4. Free to attend in the Living Room, assistance and questions move to the teaching room: $10/hour (or fraction thereof) for intro attendees, $15/hour (or fraction thereof) for everyone else.

Staffin Sit n Stitch:

February 12

February 26

March 12

March 26

Supply list:

• Staffin pattern on Ravelry, we can assist you with acquiring it

• At least 1000 yards of DK or Light Worsted yarn, more depending on the size you intend to make.

• US 4 & 8 circular needles, or size needed for gauge.

• tapestry needle

  
  

April-May (crochet): granny hexagons!

The Granny Hexagon Cardi is a super fun crochet project that can be made with any weight yarn and corresponding hook, and can be made over and over with unique results! We will be using the pattern by Kelly Phelps, though many have published variations on this pattern. Knowing how to double crochet is a bonus, though not technically required for this MAL. If you’ve never crocheted you may want to take our intro crochet class first.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-granny-hexagon-cardigan

April 5, 10:30-12:30: Optional Intro Kickoff Class, $50. This class will go over the pattern and general structure of the sweater, as well as going over basic techniques used and answering questions. We may practice some of these techniques or swatch for gauge! Attending this class affords 10% off supplies and a reduced rate for help throughout the MAL.

Every other Wednesday in April & May are MAL Sit n Stitch sessions, 2-4. Free to attend in the Living Room, assistance and questions move to the teaching room: $10/hour (or fraction thereof) for intro attendees, $15/hour (or fraction thereof) for everyone else.

Hexagon Cardi Sit n Stitch:

April 16

April 30

May 14 (may be rescheduled due to the Yarn Crawl)

May 28

Supply list:

• Granny Hexagon Cardi pattern on Ravelry, we can assist you with acquiring it

• An average of 1000 yards of any weight yarn: this will be size and yarn dependent.

• A crochet hook that is a good size for the yarn selected

• tapestry needle

June-July (knit): My First Sweater

My First Sweater MAL: the Flax Worsted by Tin Can Knits.

This is the sweater we often recommend as a first sweater for anyone who has been hesitant to try one: medium worsted weight, basic raglan shaping, you can make it with or without the short row shaping in the back, and also with or without the “garter” decorative panel down the sleeves. You can choose to tackle the sweater with the full support of the $120 option which covers the intro class and unlimited help at the sit n stitch sessions and drop in Fridays, or pay for the kickoff class at $50 and more help as needed.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flax-worsted

June 7, 10:30-12:30: Optional Intro Kickoff Class, $50. If this is indeed your first sweater, we highly recommend this intro class, or $120 covers the intro class and all follow-up sessions. This first class will go over the pattern and general structure of the sweater, as well as going over basic techniques used and answering questions. We may practice some of these techniques or swatch for gauge! Attending this class affords 10% off supplies and a reduced rate for help throughout the MAL.

Every other Wednesday in June & July are MAL Sit n Stitch sessions, 2-4. Free to attend in the Living Room, assistance and questions move to the teaching room: $10/hour (or fraction thereof) for intro attendees, $15/hour (or fraction thereof) for everyone else. Please note July dates are subject to change.

Flax Worsted Sit n Stitch:

June 11

June 25

July 2

July 16

July 30

Supply list:

• Flax Worsted pattern FREE on Ravelry, we can assist you with printing it

• Approximately 1000 yards of Worsted yarn, more depending on the size you intend to make.

• US 6 & 8 circular needles, or size needed for gauge.

• tapestry needle

August-September (knit): Colorwork

Jennifer Steingass Sweater MAL, with focus on the Harvester

Jennifer Steingass writes beautiful top-down patterns with colorwork (often in the yoke, or section between the collar and underarms). The Harvester, published late 2024, has wonderful movement in a classic design. Written for DK or light worsted yarn, it is perfect for the climes of the mountains of North Carolina. If this pattern doesn’t speak to you, grab another of hers and still join us!

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-harvester-2

August 2, 10:30-12:30: Optional Intro Kickoff Class, $50. This class will go over the pattern and general structure of the sweater, as well as going over basic techniques used and answering questions. We may practice some of these techniques or swatch for gauge! Attending this class affords 10% off supplies and a reduced rate for help throughout the MAL.

Every other Wednesday in August and September are MAL Sit n Stitch sessions, 2-4. Free to attend in the Living Room, assistance and questions move to the teaching room: $10/hour (or fraction thereof) for intro attendees, $15/hour (or fraction thereof) for everyone else.

Harvester Sit n Stitch:

August 13

August 27

September 10

September 24

Supply list:

• Harvester pattern on Ravelry, we can assist you with acquiring it

• At least 1000 yards of DK or Light Worsted yarn, more depending on the size you intend to make.

• US 3, 4, 5 circular needles, or size needed for gauge.

• tapestry needle

October-November (knit): straightforward comfort

The Anyday Sweatshirt by Ysolda Teague is a comfy, drop-shoulder style sweater knit seamlessly top-down with short row shaping and optional bust modifications. Written for DK or light worsted weight, it will look great with a solid or multicolor yarn.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anyday-sweatshirt

October 4, 10:30-12:30: Optional Intro Kickoff Class, $50. This class will go over the pattern and general structure of the sweater, as well as going over basic techniques used and answering questions. We may practice some of these techniques or swatch for gauge! Attending this class affords 10% off supplies and a reduced rate for help throughout the MAL.

Every other Wednesday in October & November are MAL Sit n Stitch sessions, 2-4. Free to attend in the Living Room, assistance and questions move to the teaching room: $10/hour (or fraction thereof) for intro attendees, $15/hour (or fraction thereof) for everyone else.

Sit n Stitch:

October 15

October 29

November 12

November 26

Supply list:

• Anyday Sweatshirt pattern on Ravelry, we can assist you with acquiring it

• At least 1000 yards of DK or Light Worsted yarn, more depending on the size you intend to make.

• US 3 & 5 circular needles, or size needed for gauge.

• tapestry needle

previous Make-a-longs:

Echo Point, Northbound Knitting

Ranunculus, Midori Hirose

Super Simple Log Cabin Shawl, Atty Van Norrel

Montana Bag, Assia Colozzo

Viking Gnomes

Cables

Mosaic Knitting: Pressed Flowers

Granny Squares

Top-Down, Stranded Colorwork Yoke Sweaters

Corner to Corner Crochet

Brioche Knitting