The 17th annual Westknits MKAL is here and we’re knitting with the most colors since the 2017 MKAL season! You’ll need eight contrasting colors of fingering weight yarn to compose your wearable work of art inspired by the kaleidoscope theme. This year’s shawl is all about bold geometric fragmented shapes and mesmerizing reflective color stories. Are you going to knit the rainbow or embrace harmonious hues in one color family? The excitement begins now as thousands of knitters from all around the world gather to inspire and express their color desire in kaleidoscopic form.

SCHEDULE
Clue 1 - Thursday, October 1
Clue 2 - Thursday, October 8
Clue 3 - Thursday, October 15
Clue 4 - Thursday, October 22

When you purchase the pattern before October 1, you will receive a PDF containing introductory information for the Mystery Shawl Knit Along (MKAL) 2026. You will receive the first instructions for the pattern Thursday, October 1. Then, you will receive a section of the mystery shawl pattern each week until the final design is revealed on October 22.

MKAL Kits
Check out this year’s MKAL kits available in a spectacular range of color combinations! To top it all off, each kit comes with our signature goodies designed especially for this launch! https://www.stephenandpenelope.com/pages/westknits-myster...

Finished Measurements
The overall shape and dimensions are part of the mystery! The Color Kaleidoscope Shawl will be a similar size to the past couple MKAL shawls (Go Go Dynamo & Mystery MusiKAL) with 400g of yarn.

Yarn
Fingering weight + an optional lace weight Mohair Dare

Yardage
Approximately 1528yds / 1397m total
Color A - 191yds / 175m
Color B - 191yds / 175m
Color C - 191yds / 175m
Color D - 191yds / 175m
Color E - 191yds / 175m
Color F - 191yds / 175m
Color G - 191yds / 175m
Color H - 191yds / 175m

Notions
1 split ring marker, 16 stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle

Needles
US 4 / 3.5mm circular in 40″ / 100cm length or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge
24 sts & 48 rows = 4″ / 10cm in garter stitch before blocking
Try to get close to the recommended stitch gauge to ensure you don’t run out of yarn. A similar stitch gauge is more important than getting an exact row gauge.

Color Relationship
Gather a contrasting palette of 8 colors of fingering weight yarn. I like to have something light, medium, and dark in my color palette to exaggerate the contrast in the design. Get inspired by the kaleidoscope theme!

RAVELRY GROUP
Join the MKAL 2026 Ravelry Group to share your colors starting September 3 and your shawl progress during October.

What is an MKAL?
The Westknits MKAL or Mystery Knit Along is our annual shawl knitted in four clues or sets of instructions. Each week starting October 1, you will receive a new PDF clue update as you knit the same shawl together with knitters from all around the world. The MKAL is always full of surprising techniques and color play with video tutorials accompanying each section.