Seaglass Shawl: Crochet-a-long (CAL) + Giveaway

I'm so pleased to announce that there will be a Crochet-a-Long (CAL) for the Seaglass Shawl. If you've never taken part in one, they are such fun; You basically get to crochet along with a bunch of virtual friends, sharing progress update photos, swapping tips and solving hick-ups. 

There will be a dedicated Facebook Group for you to join. I'll try to check in myself daily, and generally be on hand to answer any questions, offer encouragement, and get to know you a little bit. I'll also have a few diagrams and step-by-step photos prepared, so you'll have access to those before they go up on the blog. If you're at all worried about whether you have the right skill level for this, therefor, don't be - a CAL is the perfect way to try something new with a bit of hand-holding. The group will be kept closed, which just means I have to approve each new member. It's a way of keeping things friendly, safe and spam-free. 

The CAL will officially run from Monday 7th May to Sunday 1st July, but I'll open the FB group on 23rd April so we can say hi and oggle each other's yarn. There's no pressure to finish your shawl by 1st July either; I'll leave the group running but I'll just be a little less available as the kiddos will be on summer holiday. 

So what do you think, are you in?? To get your appetite going, you might want to take part in a little giveaway:

Petra from Fru Valborg has very kindly agreed to give away one kit in a colourway of the winner's choosing. The kit INCLUDES a PDF copy of the pattern, bringing the total value of this prize to 835 SEK (about $100). So it's not that little a giveaway, is it :-)

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post stating which colourway you would choose. You can see all five of them at Fru Valborg's webshop. The giveaway is open worldwide*. I will choose a winner at random on 27th April, hopefully leaving enough time for the winner to receive their kit ahead of the CAL start date, should they want to join in.

Good luck!

*Please note: I will cover postage to any location in the world, but if you are outside of the EU you may be liable to pay customs charges. Neither myself nor Petra at Fru Valborg can accept liability for such charges, should they be incurred. 

PATTERN RE-RELEASE: Seaglass Shawl

Light and drapey, versatile and soft- the Seaglass Shawl has it all. As fun to make as it is to wear, the main body of this triangular shawl works up quickly in easy TC filet and solid TC stitch. It then moves into a section of beautiful, colourful mixed stitches, and is finished off with a delicate picot edge.

And... there are kits! To make the sample for this re-release I teamed up with Petra from Fru Valborg. She hand-dyes on the the most beautiful, cruelty-free merino yarn to produce original and exquisite palettes. There simply had to be kits!

But there is of course also choice: you can either buy the pattern on its own from my Ravelry store, or purchase a kit from the Fru Valborg webstore. Any purchase of a kit will INCLUDE a copy of the pattern at a 10% discounted rate, along with 2x 100g skeins and 2x 50g skeins of either pure merino yarn or a nylon + merino blend (so you'll be able to use any leftovers for socks!). The kit will retail at 835 SEK. 

The Original Colourway: Glacier Bay Dark (CC3) | Azure (MC) | Muddy Pink (CC2) | Oak Light (CC1) 

Amethyst (CC3) | Hold Your Breath (CC2) | Fog (CC1) | Ice Mint (MC)  

From Afar (MC) | Sweet Honey (CC2) | Flame (CC1) | Amethyst (CC3)

Fidelity (MC) | Chocolate (CC3) | Crazy Daisy (CC2) | Sweet Carolina (CC1)

Emmy Lou (CC1) | Ice Mint (CC2) | Mud (MC) | Storm (CC3)

We spent hours pouring over the colour combinations, and so along with the original colourway we hope there's something for everyone. Jewel or pastel, moody or light... And of course EVERYONE gets at least one speckle! Please note though: the above pictures show 4x 100g skeins, but the 2nd and 3rd contrast colours (CC2 and CC3) will come in 50g skeins. Do you have a favourite yet? 

There will also be a CAL (crochet-a-long) and giveaway. More details to follow soon, so stay tuned.

Size
220 cm (top edge) x 150 cm (side edges) x 80 cm (middle top to tip)

Materials + Notions
3mm (D/3) crochet hook , or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn: Fru Valborg Merino Single (fingering; 365m per 100g skein; 100% superwash merino) - 3 skeins in Azure (MC); 1 skein in Oak Light (CC1); 1 skein in Muddy Pink (CC2); 1 skein in Glacier Bay Dark (CC3)
With special thanks to Fru Valborg for providing yarn support

Actual Yardage Used:
MC (Azure) - 200g / 730m
CC1 (Oak Light) - 58g / 212m
CC2 (Muddy Pink) - 38g / 139m
CC3 (Glacier Bay Dark) - 16g / 59m
 
Yarn Alternatives
Any fingering to 4-ply yarn (look for a meterage of 340 to 380m per 100g) will result in a similar drape. Use 100% cotton for a light, summery shawl or a merino/merino+silk blend for a warm and luxurious feel.  

Gauge
21 sts x 11 rows = 10 cm measured over main patt (3 rows of TC filet, 1 row of solid TC) after blocking. 
NOTE: The original sample of this shawl, as it appeared in Crochet Now, uses TC filet st throughout for the main body of the shawl. This version uses a little less of the MC yarn and has a looser structure. 
 
Construction
This triangular shawl is worked flat from the top down, with increases at the far edges and the tip. 

Skill Level
Intermediate - includes simple increases and mixed stitches

Pattern
The pattern includes clear written instructions, UK to US term conversion chart, and a hand-drawn illustration (PDF only).

You can purchase the PDF download for 45 SEK (about $5.35) from my Ravelry Store, or visit Fru Valborg for a kit that includes both pattern + yarn.

This pattern originally appeared in Crochet Now issue no. 15.

BOOK REVIEW: Round and Round the Crochet Hook

My crojo has gone missing. Do you know what crojo is? It stands for "crochet mojo" and, as with so many things, I didn't know it was "a thing" until I saw someone mention it on instagram. It's that feeling when you're so into a project you dont want to put it down at all, when you're full of inspiration for what to make, when you're generally just so crochet-y. Usually, that's me. Since baby 2, not so much. 

It's okay, I know exactly why it's happened to me at this time. Crochet is my Creative Thing, but it's hard to be innovative and original when you're so sleep-deprived you can barely string a sentence together. It all goes in phases, doesn't it, and in the meantime I'm thankful I have knitting as my Making Thing. 

I do miss it though. The weight of the hook in my hand, zipping through rows (god, knitting is slow), my favourite familiar textures... 
So when Emily Littlefair (who you may know as The Loopy Stitch) asked whether I'd like to take part in a virtual tour for her new book, I jumped at the chance. Emily's IG page is full of gorgeous crochet, and I thought, what better way to try to tease my crojo back but with one of her patterns?

The new book is called "Round and Round the Crochet Hook", and contains 19 patterns that are all worked in the round. Most of them are small, reasonably quick projects, but there is one stunner of a blanket as well. Each pattern comes with detailed written instructions, complete stitch charts, and clear project photos. At the back of the book there's a handy "Crochet Basics and Techniques" section as well. 

When I received the book, the first thing that struck me was how pretty it is. As you'd expect from Emily, the colour palettes are very, very beautiful, with just the right balance between bright and sophisticated. We're in the depths of gallingly-grey November days here, and even just flipping through the pages is a enough for a bit of a visual pick-me-up. 

The other thing I really like is how clever the whole thing is. I've always admired crochet mandalas, both for how they look and for their meditative round-and-round-and-round construction - but I don't often make them because, well, what do you do with them all? Emily has anwsered that question for me: you make cushions, coasters, table runners, wall hangings... And you end up with truly beautiful as well as usable pieces for the home. 

It was such fun flicking through this pretty book in a quiet, baby-is-finally-napping moment. I made tea, my favourite crochet notebook came out...

In the end, I chose the Spotty and Dotty garland as my first project. I'm using bits of leftover Vinnis Colours cotton and bamboo because I just love the colours. We're doing up the boys' room at the moment, so that's where it will go, assuming I can bear to part with it! I'm pleased to say I'm really enjoying making it, to the point where I'm already toying with the idea of making them a rug from the book in matching colours.

Well hello there crojo, my old friend...

---

Round and Round the Crochet Hook by Emily Littlefair is published by Tuva Publishing and available to buy now. Thank you to Emily and Tuva Publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this lovely book and take part in the virtual book tour (for a full list of participants, click here). 

Crochet speckle

I'm sure that, in between pondering what to cook for dinner yet again and hoovering up crumbly leaves and sand and whatever else the preschooler/dog/cat has stormed in with, you've wondered: what does a crochet speckle look like? Yes yes, me too, it's an important question. So here you are:

Did you spot it? That little dash of burgundy red? Lovely, isn't it.  

But it's also made me wonder, why aren't there more crochet speckles about? Why do speckled yarns seem to be mostly a knitterly thing, so much so that I've even heard mutterings of solid colours being "refreshing" in a "world of speckles and fades".  

As a new-ish knitter, I'm new-ish to speckles. I've decided I like speckles. I didn't really come to them entirely of my own accord; It was Petra, the indie dyer I'm collaborating with on a merino version of the Sea Glass Shawl who suggested it with such an air of "well why wouldn't you", that I thought, "well why not?" And now, I like them. 

Perhaps the reason you don't see so many crochet speckles is because they tend to feature on socks or fingering weight yarns (the very thin, light ones), and my impression is that crocheters prefer DK and above. Speckles are also a bit subtle - you need tiny stitches to show them off. Are we crocheters just a bit too impatient, a bit too used to our projects growing quickly, to really appreciate speckles? 

I hope not. Because I want to re-release the pattern for this shawl soon and more speckly ideas are forming in my head. So at some point (providing the baby ever learns to go without mama milk for more than two hours at a time, but that's a story for another day) there will be more crochet speckle. Just a little bit. It's just too pretty not to, isn't it?

Nikkim Milo

This summer the lovely Petra from Fru Valborg asked if I wanted to try some new cotton she'd be stocking in her webshop. Would I?! To justify yet more yarn parcels arriving when I'm not exactly small of stash, I asked whether she might be happy to provide enough for a couple of tops for the boys {altruism on my part, and all that}. She was, and this arrived:

Vinnis Colours Nikkim, a handdyed, hand-balled cotton produced by a fair trade, women's cooperative in South Africa. I've worked with this yarn before for a commission, and it's truly lovely. The colours are vibrant and enticing, while the cotton itself is much softer than you'd expect. Petra stocks lots of colours, and ships worldwide if you fancy giving it a try.

I decided to make another Sea Breeze Hoodie for the Bean in the "brick red" (because everything must be red at the moment) and "camel". Initially I had planned to make a mini Sea Breeze for the smallest boy in the "pacific blue" and "sand" shades for a bit of sibling non-matching matching, but my severe allergy to Making the Same Thing Twice put paid to that. 

I reached for a knitting pattern I had in my Ravelry Library but bollicksed up the first time: Milo by Georgie Hallam. I think it was the second thing I ever knit and as I don't fail gracefully, a second attempt seemed like a good idea. Luckily it went much better this time. It's a delight of a pattern, one I'd recommend to anyone with little people to knit for. The raglan increases are clever, the garter stitch is appropriately smooshy, the cables add interest. Best of all, there being no sleeves means it works up really fast. 

I had the whole thing done in about a week. The small boy looks so snazzy in it, in my completely biased opinion, that I might even be tempted to make him another in wool now the weather is beginning to turn. With a different cable, mind (the pattern provides no less than six). 

Disclosure: I was sent Nikkim yarn to try, free of charge. All images, words and opinions are my own.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Are you a sea person or a mountain person? I don't know what the theory behind it is, but I've always been told that you are either one or the other. 

I think I might be the former. I did love the majesty and drama of the Alps (how could I not?) when we lived near them in Italy, and all the pretty little towns nestled around the lakes at the foot. If I had to choose though, I think I would always opt for the sea. The openness, the wind to blow out all the cobwebs in your brain, the freedom to just walk and walk and walk in a straight line. I get antsy when I haven't seen or smelled the sea for a while, even in the depths of winter. 

Plenty to draw on then, when Crochet Now magazine announced "Beach Comber" as one their Spring themes for this year. The May issue is out now, and I've got not one but two beachy designs in it: the Sea Glass Shawl and the East Coast Treasures Wall Hanging.

Both took me out of my comfort zone - I don't design shawls much, the mandalas were a total first - but in the end they turned out exactly as I'd hoped.

Sea Glass is a lightweight shawl inspired by the treasures my Bean and I like to collect from our local beach here in the south of Sweden: stones and bits of driftwood (him), brightly coloured sea glass (me). Then, the rippling sea to wash it all in, represented by rows and rows of rhythmic TC filet stitch.

Made in Scheepjeswol Sunkissed (100% cotton 4-ply), it grows quickly, has a bit of fun with different colours and stitches towards the bottom, and is so easy to throw on over any spring or summer outfit. 

For the East Coast Treasures wall hanging, on the other hand, I looked to the Norfolk beaches where my husband grew up and where we still try to spend some time each summer. Each of its three contemporary mandalas is inspired by a specific feature of this rugged coastline: the dunes, the sea and the (occasional!) sunshine, the driftwood. 

For this pattern I used Vinnis Colours Nikkim, a hand-dyed, hand-balled cotton from South Africa which comes in the most delicious, vibrant colours. The maths in these mandalas in particular proved quite the brain bender; I changed colours and stitches and then hook sizes and HOOP sizes... and I ended up with a big pile of rejects before getting them right. But you know what? I'm not that sorry, because isn't it a pretty pile!

Issue 15 of Crochet Now is in UK shops now, or you can buy a digital copy through any of the platforms listed on CN's where to buy page.

Shrug, bolero, or capelet??

I like all of the designs that I've been commissioned to do this past year (which is lucky, isn't it!) but every now and again I make a sample that I really don't want to send in. Because I don't want to take it off. 

This little number, a 1950s-inspired shrug/bolero/capelet - I eventually settled on bolero - was one such design. Commissioned by Crochet Now for their retro-themed issue, it is exactly the kind of practical-but-pretty thing I like to wear myself. So now I am eagerly awaiting the day the sample finds its way back to me. Because I really don't think I'll take it off, at all, all summer. I'll wear it over a dress, or team it with one of my million stripey tees with jeans. 

Betty is worked up in Blacker Lyonesse, a DK blend of wool and linen. I've always shied away from linen as it's quite stiff, but this yarn is wonderful. It has all the crispness of linen, but with the softness, drape and memory (i.e.: it holds its shape, unlike pure linen which can go very baggy) of wool. 

The construction is very simple, just a flat rectangle with tapered edges that are seamed up into sleeves at either end. The ribbed collar (for which a tutorial is available here) is worked directly into the selvedge edge. 

It's ever so versatile, and can be made small and snug or large and loose - it all depends on how much coverage you want. And for a little Mama and Me style? We can do that. 

Issue 14 of Crochet Now is in UK shops from April 20th, or you can buy a digital version through any of the platforms listed on CN's where to buy page.

PATTERN RE-RELEASE: Floss Scarf

Floss feels light as feather yet gives incredible warmth - the perfect antidote to winter’s heavy layers.

This scarf was designed to use up small leftovers of beautiful alpaca silk and mohair yarn. It combines them into a captivating stitch pattern - a bit of lace, some mindless panels of dc, ombre-effect colour changes using linen stitch - to ensure Floss is as fun to make as it is lovely to wear. 

First released in Issue 9 of Crochet Now, Floss is now available for individual purchase from my Ravelry store.

Materials
2.5mm (C/2) and 3mm (D/3) crochet hooks, or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn: Rowan Fine Lace (lace; 400m per 50g ball; 80% alpaca, 20% wool) -
1 skein each in Antique 921 (A1), Cameo 920 (B1), White 944 (C1), Retro 923 (D1), and Cobweb 922 (E1);
Rowan Kidsilk Haze (fingering; 210m per 25g ball; 70% mohair, 30% silk) -
1 skein each in Shadow 653 (A2), Vanilla 670 (B2), White 612 (C2), Hurricane 632 (D2) and Ghost 642 (E2) 

Total yardage required
Approx. 550 metres / 600 yds
 
Yarn alternatives
To achieve the contrast in texture of this design, use a combination of smooth and fluffy yarn in lace to fingering weight (2-ply to 4-ply). For example, team a fine merino or alpaca with a mohair or a brushed alpaca, or a shiny yarn containing silk with a more rustic wool. 
To focus on only the stitch pattern and ombre effect, use any yarn weight in a set of five complementing shades. Bear in mind that final size and yarn quantities will vary, and remember to use the appropriate hook size for your yarn.

Important: Always go up at least half a hook size for the linen stitch sections to ensure the edges of the scarf remain straight. Floss must be blocked well to open up the stitches and ensure a good drape.

Gauge
10 x 10 cm/4” x 4” = 20 sts x 23 rows over DC in FLO, using smaller hook and measured after blocking.

Sizing
One size - ca. 181 x 26 cm / 72” x 10”
Gauge is not crucial for this pattern, but a different gauge will result in a narrower or wide scarf. Length is easily adjusted by working additional rows. To adjust the width, increase or decrease the number of starting stitches based on a multiple of 8+1. 

You can purchase the PDF download in US and UK terms from my Ravelry store now.

40SEK (about €4.00, plus VAT if applicable)

Tiny Things

I can now count the number of weeks until the Bug arrives on one hand. It's gone so very fast, this time around. There are still a bajillion Emmy + LIEN-related things I want to get finished, and then there is the baby bed linen to get ready, the nappies to wash, the meals to freeze, the Bean to give my undivided attention to, the friends to catch up with while I'm still capable of holding a conversation, the ripped jeans to mend. 

I know, I know. I will be lucky to even achieve a tenth of those things, and the undone things won't ultimately matter anyway (mostly - I do worry about the thing with the Bean. Mothers shall worry). 

What I really need to be doing is to sit. And just be. This time around it's gone faster, but it's also been much more difficult. I feel like there is an earthquake going on in my belly, while in my head there is nothing but fog. My sleep is erratic, my moods even more so. I wake up in the morning feeling sore but alright, happy, positive about what is to come. By 2PM I'm so thoroughly p+ssed off with the muddled thoughts, the screaming hips, the lack of breath and the angry fireball lemons charging up my oesophagus, the general exhaustion and sheer hurtiness that I want nothing more than to press fast forward and get. this baby. out.

But fast forwarding children will never do and, in any case, as a wise friend of mine pointed out: they cause less trouble while they're in. 

While it's still in, then. I'll try to sit and be. My desk is a happy mess of beads and things. I'll knit a little, dream of tiny outfits for those even foggier first weeks. Maybe, IF I get the time, I'll plan ahead for summer and make a dent in the stack of fabrics that's been singing to me for months. The Bug will need rompers and popper vests and teensy leggings, while the Bean could do with some tank tops as well as a new sunhat. He's been asking for a bobble vest for weeks, so I've made a start on that. And I would love a lightweight cardigan for myself, so I'm itching to get the winder out. 

Again, I know. Realism will be required. But a girl can sit and day dream. 

Dribble bib (self-drafted) in Birch Organic | Lil Shepherd vest in Pickles Summer Wool | Teether toy in Birch Organic 

Barley Hat in Pickles Summer wool

A little, as yet unnamed experiment in de rerum nature Ulysse. Nope, I couldn't help myself...

Popcorn Vest in Onion no.4 Organic Wool + Nettle

Mine, all mine:  Malabrigo Sock

PATTERN RE-RELEASE: The Bretonbone Top

Bretonbone is a practical, modern layering piece inspired by the classic Breton top. It works up quickly and suits lots of different fibres - cotton for summer, cotton+merino for mid-season, alpaca or wool for winter. The pattern includes options for both DK and aran weight yarns.

First released in Issue 6 of Crochet Now, Bretonbone is now available for individual purchase from my Ravelry store.

Construction
The Bretonbone Top is made in rows of Herringbone Half Treble Crochet from the bottom up in two panels - front and back. The shoulders and neckline are shaped using short rows. Once the front and back panels have been seamed, the cap sleeves are worked in the round directly into the selvedge edges using rows of slipped stitches. Finally, a crab stitch round is worked into the bottom and sleeve hems for a neat finish.

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL) - to fit bust size 76 (86, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm / 30 (34, 38, 40, 46, 50)"
This top is designed to fit with 5cm positive ease. It finishes on the hips and has a boxy, forgiving style that suits lots of different body shapes. Ideas on how to adapt the pattern to suit your own body shape are included in the pattern.

Materials
Crochet hooks: 4.5mm & 5mm / 7 & H/8 with DK yarn, or as required to obtain gauge; OR
                          4.0mm & 4.5mm / G/6 & 7 with aran yarn, or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn – DK: DROPS Cotton Merino; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls each in Mustard 15 (A) and Off White 01 (B); 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s) in Light Grey 20 (C); OR
Yarn – aran: LANAR Serena 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins in Muschio 00523 (A); LANAR Ecolana 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins in Avorio (B); LANAR Big Merino 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s) in Grigio Medio (C) 

Total yardage required per size
A & B 720 (720, 960, 960, 1200, 1200) m / 790 (790, 1050, 1050, 1320, 1320) yds  in total
C 120 (120, 120, 240, 240, 240) m / 130 (130, 140, 260, 260, 270) yds

Yarn alternatives
Choose either a yarn that is on the heavy end of DK, or an aran/worsted weight yarn. 

Gauge
a 10x10 cm / 4x4” swatch should consist of 12 rows of 14 stitches in HHTC, using larger hook and measured after blocking

You can purchase the PDF download in US and UK terms from my Ravelry store now.

45SEK (about €4.50, plus VAT if applicable)