Jethro Guided Make-along for 2026

Sign ups for the Jethro Guided Make-along will start January 2!

We are delighted to announce a new exciting opportunity for you to build new skills combining both Knitting and Crochet in 2026 with the Jethro Cardigan Guided Make Along. Our featured pattern is Jethro by Tanis Knits,https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jethro-2 , a gorgeous cardigan inspired by  your favorite Granny Square blanket. It uses both crochet and knitting to make a warm cozy comfortable garment. Starting with crocheting granny squares to construct the main body panels, you then pick up and knit the ribbing and sleeves to finish off a lovely design.  Using as many or as few colors as you can imagine this cardigan is an endless opportunity to play with color and build all of the skills. 

Skills we will learn this during the guided make along:

  • Magic Ring in crochet

  • Constructing granny squares and crocheting in ends as we go

  • Joining squares as we go to make body panels

  • Mattress stitching the panels together

  • Picking up stitches

  • Ribbing

  • Knitting Buttonholes (optional)

  • Knitting sleeves

Additionally, we will add some great techniques to our “makers toolbox” including:

  • Learn to decipher the sizing notes of the pattern

  • Determining desired positive ease in a garment

  • Learning to combine both skills of knitting and crochet

  • Blocking finished garments

Wondering if this MAL would be a good fit for you? While we want everyone who wants to join us to have the opportunity to do so, the Guided make along pattern is classified as an advanced beginner skill level. There are basic crochet and knitting skills we will assume you already possess, and will not be reviewing in the support sessions.

Skills you should already have for MAL success:

  • Basic knitting skills (knit, purl,  bind off) 

  • Basic crochet skills (must know chains, double crochet, slip stitch)

  • Familiarity with increases/decreases in knitting like k2tog, SSK

Our guided make-along consists of a series of support sessions designed to walk you through the pattern in manageable chunks over the course of 6 months, without completely monopolizing your crafting time. These support sessions are taught via in-person instruction at Dances With Wool. In between in-person sessions Angela and Pam will host a Q&A session over Zoom to answer any questions you may still have. You can attend these sessions virtually from the comfort of your own home.

Included in your $220 registration fee:

  • In-person guided make along sessions stepping you through both the crochet and knitting portion of the Jethro. Each in-person session will be a minimum of 1 hour in length. 

  • Live Q&A sessions will occur on Zoom for a minimum of 30 minutes in length. 

  • Email newsletters (at least once a month) with links to support session videos, extra resources, fun recommendations, and more!

  • Access to a private, exclusive Facebook group where you can interact with your fellow MKAL participants, get questions answered or advice, and watch the live Q&A sessions virtually!

Do you feel you only need help with one particular area? We will also allow you to sign up for just the Crochet portion of the guided MAL OR just the Knitting portion of the guided MAL for $120 registration fee: 

  • In-person guided make along sessions stepping you through either the crochet or the knitting portion of the Jethro. Each in-person session will be a minimum of 1 hour in length. 

  • Live Q&A sessions will occur on Zoom for a minimum of 30 minutes in length. 

  • Email newsletters (at least once a month) with links to support session videos, extra resources, fun recommendations, and more!

  • Access to a private, exclusive Facebook group where you can interact with your fellow MKAL participants, get questions answered or advice, and watch the live Q&A sessions virtually!

Supplies you will need to purchase for the Jethro Guided Make-along:

  • Pattern: Jethro pattern by Tanis Lavallee https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jethro-2

  • Needles/hooks (recommended sizes - may change based on your gauge)

    • Needle A: Size F 3.75mm crochet hook.

    • Needle B: 3.5mm (US size 4) 32” or longer circular needle for ribbing.

    • Needle C: 4 mm (US size 6) needle in your preferred needle style for working small circumference in the round for the sleeves.

  • Stitch markers (including removable/locking style)

  • Tapestry needle

  • Five, 1 cm / 0.5” buttons. (Buttons are optional)

  • Yarn 

    • DK Weight

    • Multiple Colors

    • Amounts will vary depending on size - see notes below

Jethro is a size-inclusive garment, with the following options:

Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Approximate finished chest: 87.5 (107.5, 124.5, 150.5, 175.5, 200) cm / 34.5 (42.25, 49, 59.25, 69, 78.75)”

***Notes on sizing:
The sizes given are the actual finished full chest measurement of the garment, choose a size that corresponds to 30-43 cm / 12-17” larger than your upper bust measurement or, the size that will give you the amount of ease you like. This sweater is intended to be worn a bit oversized. 

Approximate Yardage:
DK: 675 (820, 980, 1480, 1520, 1650) yds for granny squares plus 250 (300, 360, 410, 460, 500) yds of MC for the sleeves and ribbing. 

***Note: The joining round, which is shown on her Ravelry garment in the MC, is included in the yardage for the granny squares. If you are planning multicoloured granny squares with the joining round worked in your MC like my samples, approximately 230 (250, 275, 450, 360, 400) yds of your “granny square” yardage will be in your MC - so you’ll need to factor that into your MC yardage requirements.

Total yardage required

925 - 2150 yards of DK weight yarn, 3-7 total colors - see pattern for amount break down

While you are not required to purchase yarn from Dances With Wool to participate in the Guided MAL, we do want to encourage you to support the shop if possible! Shopping small businesses keeps this important fiber loving community a part of your RVA community. If you are overwhelmed at the thought of picking a color palette, let us help give you some great options, in a variety of price points! Just ask one of our associates who would be glad to guide you in selecting yarn. 

 

TIMELINE:

 

JANUARY

JANUARY 16 Welcome letter to the 2026 Jethro MKAL

Jethro Overview

Supplies Overview

Discuss MKAL TimelinE

 

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 8  2pm (In-Person)

Intro for the entire MKAL: All participants should attend

Jethro Overview

Supplies Overview (Emphasis on the MC yardage)

Discuss MKAL Timeline

Choosing Your Size: Reading Schematic & Taking Measurements

Learn/Review how to crochet granny squares including magic loop

Discuss Crocheting in ends

***Homework: Make a minimum of 2 granny squares and have them blocked for next meeting***

 

Crochet Session~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FEBRUARY 22:   2pm in-Person at the shop

Crochet session students only

Measure Gauge

Make Sure the correct size is chosen

Q&A Session

***Homework: Continue making blocks, goal is to have enough blocks (blocked) to make 1 front panel (8-15) by 3/29/26


MARCH

MARCH 8  2pm (Zoom) Follow up on Granny Squares 

Q&A Session


MARCH 29  2pm (In-Person) 

Right Front Panel (section), Remind them that the left front will be the same.

Layout blocks

Discuss how to join together the front panel

***Homework: Continue making blocks if needed. Make second front panel and back panel (Blocked) by 4/19/26


APRIL

APRIL 19 2pm (Zoom) Q&A Session

 

Knitting Session~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

APRIL 26:  2pm (In-Person) Check-in for the all participants

Picking up the ribbing for the hem

 

MAY

MAY 17 2pm (In-Person) Picking up the collar and knitting the ribbing

Discuss button-hole options

Where to pick-up stitches

 

MAY 31 2pm (Zoom)  Q&A Session 

 

JUNE

JUNE 7 2pm (In-person) Sleeves

JUNE 14 2pm (Zoom) Q&A Session


July

July 12 2pm REVEAL PARTY and Celebration!!!!!!