The First of Several

• Posted on 1 October 2025
• By Anne
• 0

The leaves are changing colors and falling off of the trees (and all over my driveway). It's a bit nippy in the evenings, necessitating a sweater when I take the pups out to do their business. And everyone's sipping on a frothy Pumpkin Spiced Latte. It must be that time of year. The onslaught of holiday themed MKALs, of course?!

I am soooo excited! October marks the first of several annual holiday inspired MKALs that I live for. Two will take me to the Grimblewoods, and the third will culminate in a spooky cowl to wear while handing out treats (I don't do tricks) on Halloween. My oh my, those needles are gonna be humming.

Tomorrow morning, I'll wake up to the first clue of Imagined Landscapes' Gnumpkin and Gnettle - an October mystery gnome knitalong. And not just one, but two adorable little creatures. In designer Sarah's words:

"Gnumpkin is a very pumpkin-y gnome. Gnettle takes that pumpkin-y base and adds a witchy look. Gnumpkin and Gnettle are like fraternal twins - similar, but different. They are fundamentally the same pattern, but a few changes create a big personality difference. Perhaps Gnettle is Gnumpkin dressed up for Halloween? Or Gnumpkin is the unassuming secret identity for Gnettle when she’s not saving the world? Or perhaps they’re just really close cousins."

Yes, I'll knit both. And with DK weight yarn this time - new eye popping Kaffe Fassett colors of Felted Tweed. Gnumpkin will be orange, brown and white, while Gnettle will take on a witchy theme in orange again, but also spooky purple and glowing lime green. All very tweedy. My basket of needles and yarn are perched on my knitting chair, ready to go!

If you want to join in, visit Sarah Schira's website HERE.

But wait, there's another adventure for my needles in October. Tellybean Knits kicked off her 3rd annual Halloween Party KAL yesterday. And like the past two, this year's cowl promises to be peppered with stranded colorwork tricks and treats. One new clue each day through the 13th, giving me (hopefully) plenty of time to finish before the witching hour begins. I made the first one several years ago - a collection of pumpkins, cauldrons, skeletons, and all the creepy crawly things that make for a scary Halloween. Yesterday kicked off with 'Bobbing for Apples' - a garter tab cast-on, then increases and textured stitches in apple green and white strips. Can't wait to se what today holds - Ravelry is my next stop after finishing this post.

There's still time to join in. You can come to the Halloween Party HERE.

And don't you worry about me having nothing to do once October comes to a close. My all time favorite MKAL is fast approaching in December. The big one - the December Advent Mystery Gnome Along. Gnandad's Adventure goes on sale sometime in November and starts December 1. Each December day through Christmas brings a piece of the adventure - a new chapter of Gnandad's holiday story, a knitting clue, a recipe, coloring page, and other fabulously gnomy treats. If you love gnomes, you absolutely can't miss this one. I cherish the daily distraction from the hectic season - a chance to find a quiet corner and indulge my passion as a maker. Mmmm, I can already hear the carols and smell the peppermint cocoa.

If you love gnomes as much as I do, sign up for the Imagined Landscapes newsletter HERE. You'll be kept up to date on all the happenings in Sarah's gnome world.

There you have it - my very busy October and plans for the holidays other than gift wrapping, decorating, baking, shopping . . . oh my, it's just around the corner! TTFN - I'm off to Ravelry for the next Tellybean clue.