I am so excited to announce that I am going to be hosting a mystery knit-a-long inspired by the novel and TV show Outlander!
Outlander MKAL
I have been a pretty huge Outlander fan ever since I discovered the books about 10 years ago. So of course, when I heard there was going to be a TV show I was ridiculously excited, and immediately began designing a pattern inspired by two of my favorite literary characters, Claire and Jaime. The Jimmy Beans Wool limited edition colors, dyed by Lorna’s Laces, were created with my input, specifically to represent them! However, the design will look lovely in any color combination, as long as there is a fair bit of contrast between the two. The swatch below shows how the Lorna’s colors knit up together!
Outlander MKAL
The design is a two color shawl of intermediate difficulty. Knit in sport weight wool yarn, it will be super warm and snuggly, even for the harsh Scottish highland weather! You’ll have to join in on the fun to learn more!
You can purchase the pattern for $3 on Ravelry. At the end of the MKAL the price will go up to $6 so get it now! Also, if you want to use the gorgeous Lorna’s Laces colors you can purchase those from Jimmy Beans Wool beginning July 31st. You will need 2 skeins of each color.
Unraveled Designs 
Two skeins of EACH color or 1? Ravelry pattern info says 800 yards total.
One skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock is 200 yards, so you’ll need two skeins of each color.
Oops, I’m sorry. I meant to type SPORT not sock.
You need 2 of each skein….a total of 4. 🙂
Isn’t the yarn available as of July 31st and not August 31? I just purchased mine. 🙂
Oops, yes it is haha! I will update that!
I have 400 yards of LL sport in red rover…so I need to pick up some more in another color…should I go for complementary, or a more subtle difference? The feature colors are blue and orange.
Should I have such a dramatic difference?
You will definitely want a fair bit of contrast so that the design really pops. Greens or blues would work well (actually Beauchamps would look great!) or you could go for a more subtle look with a tan or a gray! I think Dobson, Buckingham Fountain or Patina would be nice!
Is it a charted or written pattern?
It will definitely be written! I may do some charts, but for most of the pattern they are not needed.
Can’t wait 🙂
Will we have a Ravelry group to chat about the pattern?
Yup! Head over to the Jimmy beans Wool Group on Ravelry and the threads will be at the top! http://www.ravelry.com/groups/jimmy-beans-wool
Thanks! I joined 🙂
I am excited too. I LOVE LOVE the books and am now reading the last one that just came out. Just love this series. Anyway the tv series starts Aug 9th but what channel and when? Thanks.
It is on Starz and it technically starts August 9th, though I hear you can watch the first episode on their website for free right now 🙂
Oh, and it looks like it is on at 9pm! I’m going to go watch the first episode right now though!
Rachel, I can’t seem to find any pictures of what the shawl looks like. I’ve never done a MKAL, so is that the ‘mystery ‘ that we don’t know what the shawl looks like….and each week we get a clue revealed, it’s that about the shawl? I guess I’m Really confused, I tried to look at all the links about this KAL but I haven’t had my questions answered…lol…oooh one last question, I wasn’t going to buy ALL four skeins at once, if I start with 2 now, is that going to be ok, or would I end up being behind everyone? Thanks for your time, Jacquie
Hi Jacquie! Part of the mystery is that you don’t know what the finished piece looks like…you know it is a 2 color shawl and that’s it! Starting Saturday, Aug 9th, I will send a set of instructions, or the next “clue” in the mystery and slowly over the course of 6 weeks the shawl will be revealed 🙂 As for buying all 4 skeins at once, I would really recommend getting them togethr, otherwise you will end up with different dye lots that could look quite different. I wouldn’t worry about getting behind, everyone ends up doing these at their own pace anyway. I hope that helps!
I’ll attest to that! I’m still working on my Game of Thrones MKAL and it was over in June? They are still so much fun!
Rachel, Yes, you answered all of my questions! Thank you, and I can’t wait to start! I’ve just bought the first book on my Kindle so I can read it while I’m watching the tv show too….I’m so excited:) thanks again, Jacquie
I’m excited about this KAL! I purchased the pattern and ordered the Aug 2014 Limited Edition – Beauchamps, but I’m not fond of orange. I prefer blue-reds or blues or purples. Could you make a suggestions for an alternative? I was considering Avondale, Byrne, Fjord, Denim, Rippey, Cunberbund and Ogden. What do you think
Hi Rose! I think that as long as you choose something with high contrast you can’t go wrong. Avondale, Fjord and Denim are a little too close in color. Byrne or Rippey would be lovely. Cummerbund has a lot of orange so I don’t know if you would be happy with that color, and Ogden has a lot of pink which may not be quite right for the Beauchamps either. I hope that helps and I am so sorry it took me so long to respond!
Thanks for your reply, I decided to order Avondale before I received your reply, And the yarn arrived yesterday. I like the mix with Beauchamps, If the contrast doesn’t work well with your design I’ll be looking at Byrne or Rippey. Thanks for the help.
I am sure it will be gorgeous! The Avondale is light enough that you should have enough contrast 🙂
I just watched the first episode of the show and it is fantastic!! I’ve been reading the books for many years and now I’ve stumbled on to this! I’ve never done a mystery knit along. What if I don’t keep up? Will it be a big problem? Really sounds like fun.
No worries about keeping up, everyone ends up working at their own pace on these things! It’s more about the fun of everyone doing something (mostly) together!
Just would Like to be clean does this mean that each week after the show we will get another part of the pattern? Marie
Actually you will get the clue the mooring that the show airs. So the first clue will be available tomorrow morning 🙂
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This is my first MKAL. I purchased the pattern and the yarn, but I’m not sure how to actually join the KAL.
You can head over to the Jimmy Beans Wool Ravelry group and join in on the conversation on the board. Otherwise there isn’t an official place to sign up. It’s pretty laid back and just about having fun 🙂
When / how do we get our pattern clues? I thought they started today since the show airs tonight, but I don’t have an update in my email or ravelry library, which is how I have gotten my clues in past MKAL’s
They’ll show up in Ravelry as an update if you have purchased the pattern.
The first clue is coming out tomorrow!
I had the date wrong, but now it is the 9th, and no update in ravelry, and no email. ???? I purchased my pattern over a week ago.
It showed up now. I didn’t look at the time, and your message that said we had an update showed up at 8, and the actual update didn’t make it to my library till 8:03, and I just happened to be checking in the intervening 3 minutes. Don’t you hate us early risers? Well, off to work.
No worries! I’m glad the pattern showed up mostly on time! I too am off to work now 🙂