Westknits’ Mystery Knit A Long Shawl 2022

If you have never heard of it, no worries. We’ll tell you all about it! If you’ve been an avid follower of this exciting event every year, well, let’s get you updated on this year’s shawl!

Westknits’ Mystery Knit A Long Shawl knit-along is created by designer Stephen West. West is an expert at putting together shapes and colours that create the most interesting and intricate knitwear. Have a look at his website here!

Shawlography: Westknits MKAL 2021 and Slipstravaganza

Every year, West has a huge mystery knit along that thousands from around the world join him in. Here are some examples of past MKALs knitted by our very own Alanna aka blackctknitco.

Rules

Participants have no idea what the finished shawl would look like, but they can choose their own yarn and colour combination, with directions from the introduction (we will break down this year’s for you in a bit).

Everyone casts-on the shawl together, and every week participants get the next part of the pattern to knit along to. 

The final form of the pattern is only revealed at the end of the event when everyone has finished the shawl!

Every twist and turn is a mystery! … which brings us to this year’s shawl…

Twists & Turns: Westknits MKAL 2022 

Shape and construction

West tells us this year’s shawl will be similar to his Starflake and Rockefeller shawls. So keep that in mind when you’re choosing the colours!

Colour Suggestions/Yarns

For this year’s shawl you will need:

• 2 x 100g Colour A( Fingering Weight/ 4ply, 713m)
• 2 x 100g Contrast Colour B ( Fingering Weight/ 4ply, 713m)
• 1 x 100g Pop of Colour C( Fingering Weight/ 4ply, 357m)

Here are some of his recommendations:

Keep it Tonal

If you’re not super ready to go all out with crazy colours, pick a colour family that you like and choose three shades within that colour family. For example, a dark burgundy as Colour A, a contrasting light pink speckle as Colour B, and a bright lipstick red for Pop of Colour C.

Just try to make sure that the shades are not all super busy, and that shades A & B have an obvious contrast, as you may not be able to see the beautiful pattern as well if the colours blend together. 

Neutrals with a Pop

Sometimes less is more! Subtle neutrals allow the pop of colour to be even more poppy! Throw a little speckle in there to add some spice 🙂

2+1

Much like the first colour combination suggestion, choose two contrasting shades from the same family, then add a contrasting colour that will for sure stand out.

Needles and Tools

For this year’s shawl you will need:

• US 4 / 3.5mm circular in 40″ / 100cm length or size needed to obtain gauge
• ( Gauge : 24 sts & 52 rows = 4” / 10cm in garter stitch before blocking)
• The Chiaogoo Twist Stainless Steel Tips and Chiaogoo Twist Red Cables are perfect for the job
• 10 stitch markers (check them out here)
• Cable needle !!!! (excited to see what cables we’ll see, grab yours here)
• Tapestry needle  

Dates

Clue 1 – Thursday, October 6 
Clue 2 – Thursday, October 13 
Clue 3 – Thursday, October 20 
Clue 4 – Thursday, October 27

You can sign up by purchasing the pattern here. You’ll receive an introductory PDF with all the MKAL details, and further instructions on the dates above for each section of the shawl!

Join the Ravelry group here!

We’ll see you on 6th October at the cast-on party!
Alex and Team Loopine