MKAL stands for Mystery Knit A Long! Knit Alongs (KALs) are fun, social activities in which a group of knitters all make the same project in a specified timeframe. A Mystery Knit Along adds an extra level of spice, because you won't know what the thing you're knitting is when you start. A section of the pattern (clue) is released each week, and at the end of the Knit Along, the final design is revealed. 
 
The Westknits MKAL is always a shawl design, and always incorporates interesting techniques (shaping, stitch patterns, and other design features), but beyond that, it's a mystery!

Clue 1 is released on 3 October 2024.

From August 31st you can purchase the MKAL pattern on westknits.com or ravelry.

There will be lots of fun chat in the MKAL 2024 Ravelry group and on Instagram.

The clues are released every Thursday. If you purchase the pattern through Ravelry, you will receive an email and be able to update your pattern in your Library. If you purchase the pattern through westknits.com you will receive an email when the update is available for download.

There are four clues:

Clue 1 - Thursday, 3 October

Clue 2 - Thursday, 10 October

Clue 3 - Thursday, 17 October

Clue 4 - Thursday, 24 October

The pattern will be suitable for adventurous beginners (you should already know how to knit, purl, increase, decrease, and read a pattern), and it will be enjoyable for seasoned knitters too. There is so much support throughout the KAL so you will find a lot of help and tips on completing each section in the MKAL 2024 Ravelry group. There will be photo tutorials and step-by-step videos to assist you with visualising the techniques and construction.

If there is brioche, there will also be a non-brioche option ;)

This year’s shawl features 2 contrasting colours of fingering weight yarn, 200g of each colour, plus an optional 25g of mohair.

This shawl is designed for fingering weight yarn.

It’s important to have some contrast between your colours to see the details and crisp lines in the fabric.

Solid, semi-solid, and speckled fingering weight yarns are all great options for this year’s shawl. If you want to use a variegated yarn or a very splashy speckled yarn, then Stephen recommends using that as the CC combined with a more solid and contrasting MC.

If you want to use a self-striping yarn, then he recommend using it as the CC together with a solid MC. Both colours will be used equally throughout the fabric. You will get a good idea of the MC/CC relationship during Clue 1.

Think about the MC as the framing colour. It doesn’t really matter which colour is the MC or CC, but if you have a really bold colour pop or a very splashy speckled yarn, then use it for the CC.

Knit the recommended swatch to get a good representation of this year’s colour relationship.S uperwash and non-superwash wool yarns will both work beautifully for the shawl. If you prefer to knit with non-wool fibres, then try your favourite cotton or cotton blend quality. Alpaca or silk blends would also be beautiful drapey fibre options.

Yes of course! The Mystery Knit Along is open to everyone, it's not necessary to buy a kit to participate. We're offering kits at a range of price points, and our customer service team are always happy to help you match yarn to skeins in your stash. 

Not yet. The MKAL gifts are initially only available as part of our official MKAL kits.

Saturday 31 August, 16:00 Amsterdam time - check what time this is for you here.

The pattern is not included with the yarn kit. You can purchase the pattern on westknits.com or Ravelry.

We have lots of beautiful kit options so you should be able to find that perfect palette for your MKAL shawl! However, it's important to know our system doesn’thold stock that you have in your shopping cart. Your order is only confirmed once payment has been received.

Our top tips for MKAL ordering is to add any extra items you'd like with your MKAL to your basket ahead of time and to make sure you already have a Stephen & Penelope account.

Because of the volume of orders, unfortunately it's not possible to wind yarn in MKAL kits.

All customers outside of the European Economic Area (whose order is shipped outside of the EEA) will have the sales tax deducted at check out. Once your address is added during the check out process, you will be shown your invoice without tax.

If you want to find out more please email us at info@stephenandpenelope.com

We will do our best to combine your MKAL order with another purchase!

If you have multiple orders placed within 48 hours of one another we will do our best to combine your orders together and refund any excess shipping.

If you would not like your orders to be combined - please email us as soon as possible at info@stephenandpenelope.com and we will send your orders separately.

If you placed a second order more than 48 hours after your original order, please send us an email to info@stephenandpenelope.com and we will see what the options are in regards to combining your outstanding orders.

Unfortunately this isn't something we can offer to customers in the UK.

Due to the volume of orders we aren't able to hold orders to be shipped at a later date.

During the MKAL our orders can take a bit longer to ship out than usual but we'll be working hard to get your order out as soon as possible. All orders should be on their way by 25th September.

Of course! You're more than welcome to purchase additional kits.

You can definitely order your kit to be picked up in store however, it might take a few weeks for us to process the MKAL kit orders so make sure you've received a message that your order is ready before heading to the shop, if you're unsure you can always call ahead.

If you've incorrectly input your address, we can update it for you, provided we have not yet begun processing your order. Please contact us at info@stephenandpenelope.com to request an address change.

Please keep in mind that as soon as we start processing your order we will not be able to make any address changes, nor can we alter a shipment address once it has been sent. Our team begins shipping out the first orders almost immediately after launch, so please contact us as soon as possible if you need to make a change.

Get free shipping when you order an MKAL kit and spend over €200 (excluding shipping)! This offer is valid until 16th September - the last day to order your kit with guaranteed delivery before the cast-on date.

Orders under €200 will be charged standard shipping rates.