Knitalongs & Mystery Knitalongs, Explained
What a KAL actually is, how an MKAL works when the pattern is hidden until the last clue, and where to find dyers, shops, and communities running them worldwide.
The basics
A knitalong (KAL) is a group activity where many makers work the same pattern at the same time. An MKAL is a KAL where the finished object stays secret until the last clue.
Related guides
Flagship events
- Ambah O'Brien Festive/Halloween/Mini-Munch KALs [KAL] — Ambah O'Brien (Australia) (details)
- Earthtones Girl I Love Books & Sock Knitting KAL [KAL] — Earthtones Girl (details)
- Expression Fiber Arts Spring Knit-and-Read Along [KAL] — Expression Fiber Arts (details)
- Guild KALs (in-person) [KAL] — Local guilds (details)
- Hamburg Knit Festival Knit-Along [KAL] — Hamburg Knit Festival + designer Eva, yarn by Pascuali (details)
- Indie Design Gift-A-Long (GAL) [KAL] — Ravelry designer collective (details)
- Julie Asselin Spring Make-Along [KAL] — Julie Asselin (QC, Canada) (details)
- Keep Calm and Carry Yarn Archive Knit & Crochet Along [KAL] — KCACY podcast (details)
- Laura Nelkin First Quarter KAL [KAL] — Laura Nelkin (details)
- Louie & Lola year-long make-along [KAL] — Louie & Lola Yarns (Tasmania) + Fibremates (details)
- Olive Knits 4 Day KAL [KAL] — Marie Greene (Olive Knits) (details)
- Ravellenic Games [KAL] — Ravelry (details)
- Rhinebeck Sweater KAL [KAL] — Bare Naked Wools/Knitspot, Magpie Fibers, Junction Fiber Mill (details)
- Sock Madness [KAL] — Ravelry community competition (details)
- Socktober [KAL] — Community-wide; hosted by many dyers/shops/brands (details)
- Tour de Fleece [KAL] — Founded 2006 by Star Athena; Ravelry group (details)
- Westknits Hiberknitalong [KAL] — Stephen West (details)
- Westknits YAL (Yarn-A-Long) [KAL] — Stephen West / Stephen & Penelope (details)
- Zanete Knits ZKAL [KAL] — Zanete Knits (details)
- Ambah O'Brien Sol Shawl MKAL [MKAL] — Ambah O'Brien (details)
Directory hosts
- Berroco MKAL resources hub (details)
- Indie Untangled (marketplace + newsletter + event) (details)
- Interweave Knitalong hub + newsletter (details)
- Oombawka Design '2026 Crochet Alongs' list (details)
- Ravelry blog craft-along round-ups (details)
- Ravelry groups 'KAL Fanatics' / 'A Place To KAL My Own' (details)
- Ravelry group 'Upcoming MKAL/MCAL Calendar' (details)
- Ravelry knitalong & crochetalong directory (details)
- r/knitting annual 'KALs in 20XX' threads (details)
- Skool — Zanete Knits community (details)
- The Woolly Thistle 'Upcoming KALs' (details)
- Westknits KAL hub (details)
- Yarn Me Calm KAL/CAL round-up (AU) (details)
- Ancient Arts Yarns / Fibre — Canada (Calgary, AB) (details)
- Bare Naked Wools / Knitspot (Anne Hanson) — USA (details)
- Cat & Sparrow Fibres AU — Australia (details)
- Earthtones Girl — USA (details)
- Expression Fiber Arts — USA (details)
- Hedgehog Fibres — Ireland (Cork) (details)
- Hobbii — Denmark (details)
- Indie Yarn Club (Katy Stevens) — UK (Folkestone, Kent) (details)
- Julie Asselin — Canada (Sherbrooke, QC) (details)
- Junction Fiber Mill — USA (details)
- Knitcircus Yarns — USA (details)
- La Bien Aimée (Aimée Gille) — France (Paris) (details)
FAQ
What is a knitalong (KAL)?
A knitalong (KAL) is a group event where knitters make the same pattern (or the same category of project) on the same timeline, usually organized around a Ravelry group, Instagram hashtag, Discord server, or shop community.
What is a mystery knitalong (MKAL)?
A mystery knitalong (MKAL) is a knitalong where the finished pattern is hidden until the end. The designer releases the pattern in weekly clues and knitters cast on without knowing what the finished piece will look like.
How do I find knitalongs to join?
Search Ravelry's knitalong directory and groups, follow indie dyers and yarn shops, join fiber Discord servers, and use the YarnCompass directory of hosts and flagship events.
Is an MKAL good for beginners?
Choose an MKAL rated for your skill level and read the yardage and gauge requirements before buying yarn, since you will not see the final design. Many designers flag beginner-friendly MKALs.