In need of some fun, selfish knitting after the holidays? Get ready for the second mystery knitalong from Ysolda, with a choose your own adventure style twist. Just like last year there will be five clues, and every clue will come with two options either of which builds perfectly from whichever you chose previously. The result is thirty-two possible combinations – a really mysterious adventure. In addition, it has been designed to work equally well in a single colour, using different colours for different clues or with a small amount of contrast colour detail.

What do I get?
You will receive the full pattern on February 16th with the release of the final update. When purchasing before the start date of January 19th you will not receive a pattern, the download is just an outline of the schedule, yardage and gauge.

The pattern will be written out or charted depending on what makes most sense for that segment of the design. Some stitch pattern directions will only be given in a charted format.

Cast on on January 19th when the first clues are delivered, in the meantime have fun picking out your yarn and swatching.

Until January 19th the price is £3.50, on January 19th it will rise to £4.50.

When will I get the next clue?
The schedule for clues is as follows:

19 Jan — clue 1 — released
26 Jan — clue 2 — released
2 Feb — clue 3
9 Feb — clue 4
16 Feb — clue 5

You’ll receive a PM in your Ravelry inbox and an email when the update is ready to download (you may wish to turn on Ravelry messages if you have them turned off because they aren’t subject to spam filters the way email is). Be aware that when I initiate an update it enters a queue and can take several hours before they all arrive. Please be patient when you see that the first people have received theirs, yours is on the way!

What yarn should I use?
Suggestions rather than set directions are given for using different colours so having plenty of each colour you want to incorporate on hand will give you the most options.

I’ll be sharing some of my yarn choices I used over the next week.

I totally understand the choice not to swatch for a shawl, but make sure that you like the fabric you’re getting and remember that gauge affects the amount of yarn used — have extra on hand!

Sharing the adventure
Part of the fun of a knitalong is the shared experience with the community. We’ll have two threads running for each clue in the Ysolda Kals group. One thread for chatting and questions and one for sharing your project photos.

How difficult is it?
Some clues will be easier than others but the overall difficulty level should make for an easier / more relaxed project than last years mkal. You don’t need to have made a shawl before but you should be comfortable reading your work against a chart, counting stitches, marking repeats, and working a variety of increases and decreases.

I like the idea but I’m super picky!
The mystery format might not be for you and that’s ok, but here are answers to a couple of common areas of pickiness. I don’t want to give too much of the design away but there is a focus on texture with more options for those who aren’t into heavily lace patterned shawls. The overall shapes aren’t weird and won’t form an arrow pointing at your arse. They are designed to be easy to wear casually wrapped.

Maintaining the mystery for everyone
Please avoid posting spoilers (any progress photos) as either the first photo on your project page or in any Ravelry thread other than the official spoiler thread.

Helpful links
Technique Thursday - Wrapless short rows
Technique Thursday - Blocking shawls
Technique Thursday - Yarn overs
Blog post - Using charts

Tips, tricks and videos can be found in the Ysolda KAL group here.