Coming soon: #LotsOfSocksKAL 2020!

Last year I was involved in the #LotsOfSocksKAL, and between us we raised a phenomenal $21,164.88 for Down Syndrome International! I'm very excited to announce that I am a participating designer this year as well! The Lots of Socks knitalong (KAL)* is being organised by Lisa Ross of Paper Daisy Creations, and will run from February 5th until March 21st 2020. 

Have you heard of the #lotsofsocks initiative? On March 21st every year, people are encouraged to wear two different brightly coloured socks to highlight the uniqueness of individuals with Down syndrome and to show their support for the Down syndrome community. Why March 21st? People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, so the date 3/21 was selected. Lisa started the Lots of Socks KAL to create LOTS of socks, and at the same time generate support and awareness for a great cause! 

There's a sale!  

On each day from February 5th to 19th 2020, a different designer has been selected to offer a pattern on sale for 50% off. Some of these are new designs and some will be existing designs… each day will be a surprise! ALL proceeds from the highlighted design on the designer's given day will go to supporting Down Syndrome International. To be notified of the sale patterns, either sign up to Paper Daisy Creations' newsletter via her website or follow @paperdaisycreations on Instagram. The designers participating are: Lisa Ross, Mary Hull, Megan Williams, Shannon Squire, Tracie Millar, Sarah Jordan, Vikki Bird, Anna Friberg, Mara Catherine Bryner, Tiina Kuu, Dawn Henderson, Jessie Ksanznak, Marce Smith, Kay Litton, and Cori Eichelberger.  

If you're feeling a little impatient, and want to purchase a sock pattern *right now*, I'll be donating £1 (GBP) from every sale of one of my sock patterns in February 2020 to Down Syndrome International! All my self-published sock patterns can be found here.**

What does the KAL involve? 

Starting on February 5th, cast-on ANY sock design from ANY of the participating designers (no works in progress, sorry!). For each single sock that gets knitted (this might be the perfect opportunity to finish up some lonely socks - I know I have some from last year's KAL!), you will get an entry for prizes. If you use yarn from one of the sponsors (a list of sponsors can be found in the first post of this thread*), you will get an extra entry. When you finish your sock, post a photo of it in the FO thread, remembering to include the pattern name, designer, and yarn used. If you used sponsor yarn, include a photo of the ball band or tag to get a bonus entry.  

Lisa will keep a running list of sock entries in the prize thread. After the KAL has ended, prizes will be drawn based on the entries listed (if you've finished some socks but they haven't been included on the list of entries, send a message to Lisa before the end of the KAL).  

On March 21, 2020 (World Down Syndrome Day), be sure to wear your socks and spread the word! You can post your socks on Instagram using the following three hashtags #lotsofsocksKAL, #lotsofsocks, and #WorldDownSyndromeDay AND tag @paperdaisycreations. You might also want to tag the designer and include hashtags #WDSD20 and #WorldDownSyndromeDay.  

When you're knitting your socks for the KAL, feel free to make the socks your own: you're allowed to modify patterns from toe-up to cuff-down and vice versa, switch out heels and toes to your favourites, or to make modifications for fit. However, you must use the minimum stitch count listed in the pattern and at least 25g of sock yarn for a single sock.  

What could I win?  

Lisa has done an amazing job of sourcing prizes for the KAL - you can find a full list of prizes in the first post of this thread.* 

Where should I head for more details and to join in? 

The KAL is being hosted in Lisa's Ravelry group,* so go there to join the chat and to show off your projects. I cannot wait to see what everyone knits! 

If you want to make sure you don't miss out when my pattern is on sale, sign up to my newsletter.  

Of course, it's always possible that you might already own all the sock patterns you want. If you'd like to donate directly to Down Syndrome International, you can do so via their website.

*Ravelry link; you need to be a member of Ravelry to open this link. Membership is free.

**Note that this offer only applies to single sock patterns, not to ebooks.