Scandi Style & Secret Stitches: The Story Behind the KAL

Curious about the mystery behind the #EasySummerCardiKAL? Meet the designers from easy as knit and learn how this exciting knit-along came to life.

The secret is out – well, almost! We’re so excited to finally introduce you to this year’s big summer project: the #EasySummerCardiKAL, designed by none other than Elisabeth and Christine from easy as knit. 💖

This isn’t just any cardigan – it’s a cozy, textured, step-by-step mystery knit-along filled with Scandi style, bold color, and fun techniques. And today, we’re spilling a little behind-the-scenes tea about how this project came to life.

Where It All Started: The Making of the Mystery KAL 🧶

So, how do you come up with a brand-new mystery KAL design? For Elisabeth and Christine, it all started with a meeting, a lot of ideas on the table, and a shared love for summer knitting.

“We had a meeting, talking about what would be fun to do for the mystery KAL,  something inspired by summer but still very Scandinavian and easy as knit-like,” they told us. “We put all of our different design constructions and structures on the table and tried to create something completely new.”

The process came together quickly and naturally.

“We ended up with a new construction and a fresh combination of structures, and we quickly fell in love with the idea. After that, it was just about polishing the details and deciding on techniques. But to be honest, it was a lovely process because the idea came to us very quickly.”

Want to learn more about easy as knit? Head over to our blog post and discover how the duo is on a mission to make knitting patterns clear, simple, and accessible for everyone: Learn to knit with easy as knit.

What Makes a Mystery KAL So Fun? 🕵️

Designing a mystery knit-along isn’t quite the same as designing a regular pattern — you don’t reveal the full design from the start, so how do you keep knitters curious, motivated, and having fun?

Well, it wasn't a challenge for Elisabeth and Christine – it's how they usually work!

“All of our patterns are made in various steps, so it came naturally for us to design something that would be revealed step by step.”

The only difference? This time, they wanted to make sure each part felt like a little accomplishment – something that would keep you looking forward to the next reveal.

“The only thing that was a bit different was that we needed to make sure there was a new and fun technique in each step – but honestly, that was the fun part. We loved making sure every part included something exciting to knit!”

And without giving too much away, here’s a little teaser:

“It starts off easy but with some very interesting techniques – some that we’ve never used before, which we think is really cool. Then later on, you build onto that first part, adding a new piece in each step and watching it grow into a beautiful cardigan while learning something new along the way.”

A Cardigan Design That’s Easier Than It Looks 🌸

One of the things we love most about this KAL is how it perfectly captures the easy as knit philosophy: making patterns that look impressive but are achievable.

“We love making advanced-looking patterns which are, in reality, not that advanced,” they explain. “We tried to include a lot of details that might look difficult, but actually are very simple to learn and make.”

And that’s what makes this cardigan feel especially easy as knit. It’s all about giving knitters the confidence to try something new – without feeling overwhelmed.

“It’s a lovely opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and into where the magic happens. The KAL is filled with fun and exciting techniques, and you will feel so empowered when you learn something new while you make something so advanced and beautiful looking.”

A Bold Color & a Mystery Yarn 🎨

Of course, part of the mystery is the yarn itself – but here’s what the designers could reveal:

“It was super fun to knit with the yarn because it feels very much like what we looked for in the cardigan – something that could fit the Scandinavian summers.”

One thing we can reveal is the bold and beautiful magenta color they chose for the project. But why magenta?

“The colour just spoke to us – we love bold statement colours, and the magenta is just up our alley. And when designing such a statement piece as the cardigan has become, the colour also needed to be bold enough for it. We really think the magenta is perfect for it.”

As for how to style it?

“We would just style it for anything! It could be denim shorts or flower dresses, even some sporty shorts. It would fit with the cardigan as it is even parts cool and even parts beautiful.”

If This Cardigan Were a Person… 🌞

If this cardigan had a personality, how would they describe it?

“It would be the one who can do the best of both worlds – casual, chill and relaxed (you know, the one on the couch with a movie) but also the classy, fine-dining kind of person.”

Sounds like the perfect summer knit to us!

Where the Designers Dream of Knitting This Cardigan 🌴 

We asked Elisabeth and Christine what their perfect summer knitting moment looks like – and their answer instantly made us want to pack our project bag:

“Either on the beach while tanning, knitting in between swims in the ocean, or at a barbecue with all your friends at a backyard party.”

Ready for a Knitting Adventure? Here’s Why You Should Join 🎯 

If you’re wondering whether to join in, here’s why the designers think you should:

“We think that everyone loves to learn something new, but sometimes it can be a bit challenging to ‘take that jump’ yourself. In a mystery KAL like this, you kind of get the gentle push needed to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new – you might even love it.”

They’ve made sure every part of the pattern includes a small challenge, but nothing too tricky, just enough to keep things fun and motivating.

And if you need one final teaser to get you excited:

“Knitting structures have never been so fun and addictive before.”

How to Join the #EasySummerCardiKAL

Ready to join the mystery? The #EasySummerCardiKAL officially starts on June 4, 2025 – and we’d love for you to join us!

Here’s how to get started:

🧶 Get your kit – it includes all the yarn you need, some handy accessories, and a very special project bag!

📩 Sign up for the KAL – so you get all pattern parts, video tutorials, and KAL updates straight to your inbox! Sign up now: EU – click here / UK – click here / US and Canada – click here.

❓ Still have questions? We’ve gathered all the practical info in this blog post: #EasySummerCardiKAL – 10 FAQs Answered!

📏 Having trouble choosing the right size? Follow the guide in this blog post: How to Choose Your Size for the #EasySummerCardiKAL