A mystery knitalong which unfolds at an easy, unhurried pace over four clues, offering comfort, curiosity, and of course, a few surprises along the way.

This is a presale so you will receive an info sheet to help you prepare for the first clue, which will be revealed Thursday, February 12th, 2026!

A hedgerow is a little streak of wildness. Though they trace out the domesticated boundaries of fields and pastures, hedgerows are not tame. Thick with thorns, layers of growth, and tangled textures, they are a place of refuge for small creatures who depend on them for shelter, food, and safe passage through the human landscape.

Hedgerows are highways of biodiversity, often supporting hundreds of species in a single stretch. They are also liminal spaces, wreathed in folklore, marking the line between known and unknown, safety and adventure, the everyday and the otherworld.

The Hedgerow Shawl Mystery Knitalong reflects this balance of the known and the unknown. You begin knowing the overall shape and yarn requirements, while the finer details remain just out of sight. Designed to be knit in three contrasting colours or in a single, carefully chosen shade, this mystery shawl unfolds over four clues.

How it works:

The pattern is released in four parts, as clues, with a new clue published each week. Each section introduces new stitch patterns and textures that build on what came before, creating depth and interest without ever losing cohesion.

The pattern reveals itself gradually, layering stitch patterns and textures in a way that invites curiosity and rewards attention. Subtle shifts, small turns, and a sense of forward movement guide the knitting, resulting in a finished shawl that feels considered, balanced, and quietly complex.

As always, this MKAL is also a shared experience. Knitters gather to compare yarn choices, share progress photos, ask questions, and encourage one another in the Curious Handmade Ravelry Group and on Instagram. It’s a chance to enjoy the rhythm of a communal project, connected, but unpressured.

We keep the design under wraps until the KAL finishes so that everyone can enjoy the surprise together at the end. There will be both spoiler-free and spoiler-friendly discussion threads in the Curious Handmade Ravelry Group, so you can knit at your own pace, peek ahead if you wish, or stay completely in the dark until the end.

The Hedgerow Shawl Mystery Knitalong begins Thursday, February 12th, when the first clue is revealed.

MKAL schedule

Clue #1: Thursday, February 12 th

Clue #2: Thursday, February 19 th

Clue #3: Thursday, February 26 th

Clue #4: Thursday, March 5 th

Yarn hints & materials:

The Hedgerow Shawl is designed to be flexible and adaptable, making it a great project for both careful planners and enthusiastic stash divers.

Yarn

Approx. 220g / 880m / 964yds of fingering-weight yarn

Choosing yarn for a secret pattern can be challenging, so here are some hints:

I used three semi-solid colourways to create a contrasting, colour-block effect. When deciding on your yarn, you might think about picking three relatively high contrast skeins that all look good together.

The amount of contrast you like between the colours is up to you. The shawl would also be gorgeous in just one colour: feel free to be as creative as you like with your yarn picks!

The sample shawl was knit using NNK Hand-Dyed Yarns MCN fingering
(80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 400m / 438yds per 100g skein)

Approximate amounts used in the sample:

Colour A: 60g (240m / 263yds)

Colour B: 100g (400m / 438yds)

Colour C: 60g (240m / 263yds)

These amounts are a guide only. Exact quantities do not need to be precise, and you may adjust based on your yarn choice and knitting style.

Needles

4mm (US 6) circular needle, 100cm / 40” long
(or size needed to obtain gauge)

Notions

Tapestry needle

Optional stitch markers

Gauge
18 stitches and 32 rows = 10cm / 4” in stockinette stitch after blocking.

Exact gauge is not critical for this shawl. Focus on creating a fabric you enjoy. If you knit at a looser gauge, you may wish to allow for a little extra yarn.

A note for stash knitters
This pattern is intentionally forgiving. Choose yarn you already love and feel comfortable knitting with: familiarity and ease are wonderful companions in a mystery project.