We came, we saw, we conquered (and knitted!): the Vikings Binge Mystery Knit-Along (and Vikings Binge MCAL with MerryClusters) is over, but you can still join the raid!

Like the famous fjords, this was a long time in the making, and we hope you’re as excited about it as we are! The reason I love the show so much (besides Ragnar Lothbrok, tee hee!) is because it’s so rich with Viking culture and lore - apart from the action, it’s actually interesting!

The speckled color used in the design is the February 2016 Lorna’s Laces Limited Edition color, Ragnar’s Revenge (now sold out, unfortunately)! It’s a splatter-dyeing first for Lorna’s, and was available exclusively at Jimmy Beans Wool. We’ve paired it with Aqua to represent Ragnar’s magnificent eyes, but other pairing options, including La Regina, Blackberry, Bold Red, Chagrin, Pink Blossom, Dobson, and Kerfuffle, are equally gorgeous. And in case you don’t love the LLE color as much as we do, here’s a list of other Lorna’s Laces colors that look great together:

Blackberry/50 Skeins of Grey – Mrs. Robinson
Fjord/Avondale, Ma Ruth, Midway, or Navy Pier
Aqua/Amy’s Vintage Office, Icehouse, Devon, or River

Materials:

• 1 skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (100g / 435 yds) in color ‘Aqua’ (color A)

• 1 skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (100g / 435 yds) in color ‘Ragnar’s Revenge’ (color B) (Or 2 colors of fingering-weight yarn, at least 435 yards each; this pattern looks best if Color A is a lighter, mostly solid color)

• US 3 (3.25mm) circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge), at least 40” long

• Tapestry needle for weaving ends

Gauge:
- 26 sts/4 in (6.5 sts/in) in unblocked garter stitch

Gauge swatching is not crucial to this project; the top part of the pattern can serve as a gauge swatch of sorts. However, it’s essential that you like the look of the fabric once it’s knit, so change needle size to get a fabric you like - as long as you also account for how this may affect your yarn usage. If your gauge is substantially different than the pattern states, I’d recommend having extra yarn on hand. When I finished the sample in Shepherd Sock, I had 10 grams (about 45 yards) of the contrast color and 20 grams (about 90 yards) of the LLE color left.

For even more fun, please join the Vikings Binge MKAL/MCAL Thread on the JBW Ravelry Group; if you need tips or pointers, check out the individual threads for MKAL and MCAL help.

Many knitters have had great success adding beads to their projects. There are no specific instructions in the pattern for adding beads, but you can peruse the projects here and decide on your own strategy!