* A Mermaid Mystery Knitalong *

Take 25% off with code mermaidmkal through Oct. 8, 2025.

{Curious about mystery knitalongs? Find out all about them, and why knitters love them, here.}

Get ready to dive under the sea and spend time with mermaids! We will travel down from the ocean’s surface to the reef where mermaids dance. This luxurious wrap’s engaging stitch patterns take their inspiration from aspects of the underwater world in the accompanying story of the annual Mermaid Dance.

The knitalong fun will take place here on Ravelry, with chat threads so that you can get to know the other knitters, share photos, cheer each other on, and ask questions any time.

Yarn kits are available from Purple Lamb Fiber Arts. More info about yarn and other supplies is below.

What to expect from the shawl pattern:

• Crescent shape
• Lace and colorwork
• Each stitch pattern is fully written out and charted
• Closeup photos of each stitch pattern and stitch counts every time there is a change, so you’ll always know you’re on track.
• Videos that demonstrate techniques
• User-friendly, detailed instructions, with stitch counts provided any time there is a change.
• Helpful tips: The pattern includes instructions for correcting a missed yarn over (we all make mistakes!), links for fixing a dropped edge stitch, and links for using lifelines, which make it much easier to go back and fix your knitting, if necessary.
• Sizing options: The pattern provides several different opportunities with specific instructions for increasing the size of the shawl if you wish.

This pattern has been tech edited and test knitted to give you a smooth, error-free knitting experience.

To get an idea of the shawl’s vibe, check out my prior 2-color MKAL patterns, including Gift of the Mermaid, Fairy Correspondence Shawl, and Fairies in the Snow.

Timing:
When you purchase this pattern prior to Oct. 15, 2025, you will initially receive a pdf containing information about the pattern, yarn, and format. Pattern instructions will be released as “clues” according to the schedule below.

The warm and friendly chat group will open Oct. 8, 2025, to share yarn pictures and get to know the other knitters with intro questions. There will be a prize just for this!

Join the chat group: Wednesday, Oct. 8
Clue #1: Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Clue #2: Monday, Oct. 20.
Clue #3: Thursday, Oct. 29.
Clue #4: Sunday, Nov. 9.
Wrap-up: Tuesday, Nov. 18. Not done by then? No problem! You won’t be alone. The chat group will remain open for a few more weeks.

Supplies
Yarn: Approximately 75 grams/ 330 yards/ 300 meters fingering/ sock weight yarn of color 1 and 50 grams/ 220 yards/ 200 meters of color 2.
Choose colors that have good contrast with one another rather than ones that blend.
The sample was made with Purple Lamb Fiber Arts Dream Sock, a 70% baby alpaca/20% mulberry silk/10% cashmere blend with 437 yards/400 meters per 100-gram skein, in colors Dreams of the Sea (C1) and Galdriel’s Gift (C2). Other wool or wool-blend yarns would also work well for this design.

Yarn kits are available from Purple Lamb Fiber Arts.

Needles: US 6/4.0 mm or size needed to obtain gauge. The shawl is worked flat. It is possible to knit the shawl entirely on straight needles, but it will be more comfortable to use a long circular needle so that the stitches can spread out as the shawl grows. The sample was worked on a 40”/ 100 cm needle.

Size: Approximately 90”/ 225 cm outside edge x 55”/ 137.5 cm inside edge after blocking with a 15”/37.5 cm drop. There are opportunities to increase the size of the shawl.

This design is intended for adventurous beginner to intermediate knitters and beyond. The detailed pattern includes helpful tips and links to videos to support new skills. And the best part of participating in a knitalong: You’ll have the chat groups full of supportive knitters (and me) who will be happy to help if you have questions.

Many thanks to the fabulous test knitters of this pattern!
I always announce test knitting opportunities in my newsletter, and like to include testers of various experience levels. Subscribe here to see the testing calls, plus get discounts on new patterns and more.