Introductory Offer:
The Forest Walk MKAL shawl is available at 40% off the full price by using the coupon code ForestWalkMKAL in your Ravelry shopping cart. This offer expires at 11:59pm EDT on Wednesday July 9, 2025.

Early spring in the Ontario woods is my favourite time and place. To be in the woods after the snows have all melted away but before the mosquitoes emerge is magical. Every day, it seems, sees a new species of wildflower in bloom, and tracking that rhythm of flowering is a part of the magic of the spring woods.

The Forest Walk MKAL shawl is a tribute to the earliest of the native blooming flowers in my Ontario woodlands. A sampler style shawl that starts in the center and grows out in two slightly curved wings, it is an excellent piece for using up larger leftover scraps or mini skein sets. Each section features a unique lace motif representing a different wildflower.

Won’t you come for a walk with me? Join the MKAL discussion here!

Materials Needed:
- 4mm (US 6) circular needle suitable for magic loop or whatever size you need for gauge
- @325 yards fingering weight yarn for Main Colour
- @466 yards fingering weight yarn for Contrast Colour, or six mini skeins/remnants of @77 yards each
- 1 Beginning of Round stitch marker plus 3 additional markers
Optional Materials:
- 4mm (US 6) DPNs set of 5 needles or whatever size you need for gauge
- 4mm (US 6) straight needles if preferred or whatever size you need for gauge (First Clue is worked in the round; subsequent clues are worked flat.)
- 28 additional stitch markers
- additional 85 yards of fingering weight yarn for the practice swatch if you do not intend to reuse your swatch yarn

Gauge: 19 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches in swatch stitch part A
The completed practice swatch should measure roughly 11” long by 8” wide unblocked and should use @84 yards of yarn.

Measurements are given for the unblocked swatch because it is difficult to ensure every person blocks their swatch with equal vigor.

Note that I do not consider gauge to be essential for a shawl; you should instead swatch for a pleasing fabric. The swatch is included to practice the trickier parts of the pattern, and to give you a rough estimate of yardage. If your swatch measures significantly differently from the expected dimensions, you will need proportionately more or less yarn.

Clue Release Schedule:
Information and Swatch Bundle: June 5
Clue One: June 27
Clue Two: July 4
Clue Three: July 11
Clue Four: July 18
Clue Five: July 25
Clue Six: August 1
Clue Seven: August 8