Ambah’s 2026 MKAL

Join us this June for Ambah’s annual Solstice KAL! This year features the Sol Shawl MKAL, a mystery knit-along where the design unfolds over three weekly clues. You can choose between DK or fingering weight yarn, offering plenty of opportunities to experiment with

When designing this piece, I imagined sitting by a fire, perhaps a summer campfire in the Northern Hemisphere or a cosy hearth during the Southern Hemisphere winter, with an engaging knitting project to savor. The resulting shawl is versatile for any season, whether worn around the shoulders or as a kerchief on your next adventure.

Join the fun in the dedicated MKAL & pre-KAL threads in Ambah’s Ravelry group, and via

 #SOLshawlMKAL2026

DATES
Cover Page + Materials list: May 19 
CLUE 1: June 19 
CLUE 2: June 26 
CLUE 3: July 3

PATTERN DETAILS The techniques are suitable for an advanced beginner, with video tutorials to accompany each clue.

COLOUR NOTES
For the most effective result choose a strongly contrasting C1 and C2. 
A colour change yarn may be used for either C1 or C2. 
A 5 x 20 g fingering weight mini-skein set, ideally in a fade arrangement, would also work well as a C1 option for the fingering weight version, with a highly contrasting 6th mini-skein for C2. 

Perfect for stash diving 

Check out the pattern page on Ravelry for more information.

Not everyone likes participating in a mystery KAL. You want to know what it’s going to look like before you start. That’s okay. Here is a link to Ambah’s Ravelry group. As people start knitting you can see how their shawl is progressing and decide if you want to join in.

Last night after dinner we watched a movie. I was merrily knitting along and not really paying attention. I laid my shawl out just before bed and I messed up two rows back. I switched from K1below, P1 to knit every stitch. 👿🤬. I said a few bad words and threw the shawl in the corner. I will figure it out tonight.

We’ve had dinner and I sat down to figure out my shawl. I ended up ripping back the 3 rows. Then I decided to take it back to the beginning of the last 2 colours. I didn’t like how the colours looked so I’m starting again going from the other end of one skein. I want to cry but in the end I’ll be happier. Now the hockey game is on. Back to my knitting.

Summertide

It feels like summer today. Isabell Kraemer has a new pattern out - you can purchase the pattern for Summertide on Ravelry.

Summertide is worked seamlessly from the top down. 
The upper part of the yoke uses a beautiful combination of increases that highlights the shoulders. 
First some short rows are worked back and forth to shape the neck. Then the yoke is worked in rounds to the final shoulder width. 
Front and back are worked separately (back and forth) to the underarm. At underarm, front and back are joined to work the tapered body top down in rounds to the short row shaping and garter stitch hem. 
For an optional armhole finishing, stitches are picked up around the arm openings to work a matching garter stitch edge. 
Neck is left raw.

Isabell is using two strands for her garment. You can get the tension using one strand of

• Rowan Summerlite DK
• BC Garn Allino (more stock coming soon)
• Estelle 50 Cotton Lux

If you are using one of my suggestions, please swatch. I think you will need to use a 4mm needle for the body of the sweater.

I hung out in the store long enough to meet Mr. UPS with the new Atenti bags. Here is a quick picture - the fabrics are beautiful.

Stay safe out there tonight. I received a warning on my phone to take cover because of a tornado. Beth and dad didn’t receive it so I’m not worried but it’s serious in other areas around us.

Happy Victoria Day

Beth and I took a trip to Terra this morning. We’re having our front lawn torn out and the sod redone. It is full of weeds and needs to be replaced. An irrigation system is going in to keep the grass looking good. We are adding new planter boxes so we went to see if anything grabbed us. Of course it did - the back of my truck was full when we came home.

I didn’t find planters for my store but they keep making new ones.

There were naps and a relaxing afternoon. The newsletter I was supposed to write will be on tomorrow’s to do list.

Dad is earning his keep. Beth does most of the mowing and dad does a few times around. It was still warm  after dinner.

Now we’re sitting outside watching the Jays play. It’s going to be a late night watching hockey but I’ll be in the store tomorrow packing boxes. Thanks to everyone who ordered over the weekend.

Rainbloom

Meet the newest pattern from Jenn Steingass.

This is Rainbloom and you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Rainbloom is a top down, seamless sweater design featuring botanicals and precipitation. Is it rain? Is it snow? Up to your interpretation and how you represent this design with your color choices. This pattern calls for fingering or sport weight yarn for a lightweight and versatile garment.

Jenn used Le Petit Lambswool for her sweater - we have lots of colours in stock including the colours that Jenn used. You could use Starke 6 or Dyed in the Wool for the contrast colour.

The second set of colours are almost finished. Hopefully tonight during the hockey game.

Cleared for Take Off

We have a new store sample - Diana dropped it off yesterday. The shawl is lightweight - perfect for a spring/summer evening.

It is called Cleared for Take Off and you can purchase the pattern on Ravelry. We used one skein of Emma’s Super Silky in Whisper with one ball of Starke 6 in 2546.

After taking some time away from designing to travel, I wanted to create a project that reflected the ease and joy of the journey itself. This shawl is designed to be simple, soothing, and perfectly portable—the kind of knitting you can pick up on a plane, road trip, or while waiting for your next adventure to begin.

Cleared For Take Off ✈️ is designed with travel in mind, this soothing shawl is the perfect companion for your journeys near and far. Worked sideways from a tiny corner, simple stitches and an easy 2-stitch repeat makes it an ideal project to knit on the go.

The magic comes from pairing one solid yarn with a self-striping or color-changing yarn—the colors shift and unfold as you knit, creating a mesmerizing fabric that looks far more complex than it is. The result is a lightweight, versatile shawl that’s just as beautiful wrapped around your shoulders on a chilly plane as it is draped casually over your favourite outfit.

From Diana

It was a satisfying knit with great results! Definitely a perfect project for traveling

I’ve been working on the website. The new Atenti bags are online and should be here early next week.

The Traveler Cowl in Estelle 50 Cotton Lux is growing. I’m trying to go fast to see if one ball will make the cowl.

What a beautiful day! It was hard being inside. Dad brought me lunch and said that the garden centre he passed was jammed.

Flock Vest

Andrea Mowry has a new pattern. 

Nothing says layering goals quite like a classic vest. You can choose from a cropped or full length. I love to wear it buttoned up as a tank, or worn open over t-shirts. I love this little knitted vest with its fun play on stripes, and I hope you do, too! This vest is worked from the top down, seamlessly, beginning with the back neck, and has 2 different body length options. The button band and armhole ribbing are picked up and knit out from the body of the vest.

You can purchase the pattern for the Flock Vest on Ravelry.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

The vest is knit in worsted weight yarn. Some of the knitters on Ravelry have used

• Cascade 220
• Cascade 220 Heathers
• Cascade 220 Superwash Merino
• Malabrigo Rios
• Blue Sky Fibers Woolstock

Emma’s Smalliday sets are available for preorder on the website. Here is the link. You have until June 1st to order. This year you can order the set with Practically Perfect Sock or Seashell Sparkle Sock which is wool and nylon with Stellina.

There are many, many patterns available on Ravelry for Advent kits. I will feature a few this week.

It’s going to be a busy evening. Survivor, baseball and hockey. 

Organic Cotton Worsted

Before I went away I placed an order for Blue Sky Organic Cotton Worsted. Our shelves were looking bare. 

Environmentally friendly and naturally soft making it ideal for baby knits and your favorite sweater. A worsted two-ply yarn in a robust line of colors.

FIBER CONTENT:

100% Certified Organic Cotton

 

WEIGHT:

(Solid) 100g / 150yds / 137m

 

NEEDLE SIZE:

7-9 US / 4.5-5.5mm

 

GAUGE:

4-5 sts per inch / 2.5cm

* Suggested gauge only. Works beautifully with large or small needles. 

The shipment should be arriving next week. All out of stock colours should be in the boxes.

Here is a picture of my train/cruise knitting. I’m still on the second set of colours. I spent so much time looking out over the ocean trying to see whales that I didn’t knit much.

Last week I talked about the new bags from Atenti. They have left California and will be in the store next week.

I will work on the website tomorrow. We have hockey and baseball starting soon.

I will be updating the website tomorrow - we received lots of needles yesterday and today. Addi, KnitPro and Lantern Moon. We also received a restock of Crazy Zauberball and Edition 3.

Thank you to everyone who ordered while I was away. All boxes have been shipped. The store will open at noon tomorrow. I’m excited to see everyone again.