NEW Mini Crochet Kit | Mr. Mushroom Man

Posted in Crochet, Crochet Kit, Designing, Getting Crafty, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I’ve got a brand new mini kit for you today – and he’s quite a fun-gi! Allow me to introduce Mr. Mushroom Man.

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Pinterest collage of the Mushroom Man Crochet kit available from KCACOUKDesigns Etsy store

Back in August I got to see my first ever Fly Agaric mushroom in the wild, it was a very exciting find! Arguably it’s one of the most iconic toadstool species, with its white spotted red cap, but I’d never seen one in real life despite all my many walks in woodland.

Close up of a small fly agaric mushroom poking up through the leaf litter in a woodland setting

It inspired me to create a little mushroom character – and weirdly I think there has been something in the air since then, as there seems to have been so many mushroom inspired crochet designs recently, by lots of different crochet designers.

A small crochet mushroom against a tree next to a collection of real life mushrooms.

Much like the previous released mini crochet kits (see all the mini crochet kits here along with a big kit) this one was released at the October Crochet Sanctuary. I attended as a guest but was kindly allowed to bring a pop up shop to share with the other guests with a range of my KCACOUK, Yarnybobs and Dear Ewe products.

It’s becoming a little bit of a tradition to create a new kit for the Crochet Sanctuary pop up’s I attend and I have to say I really enjoy the creativity of coming up with something new. And I’m excited to say I have some new Christmas themed mini crochet kit baubles coming soon – so watch this space.

Crocheted mushroom man sitting on a small log slice, with craft moss around him, against a natural outside background.

So show a little love with the crochet Mushroom Man! This adorable little fellow, with his tiny hand held mushrooms, would make a cute addition to your home or you could make as a gift to someone special.

❤️ Add the Mushroom Man Crochet Kit to your favourites on Ravelry ❤️

This slightly larger kit comes with 130g of Scheepjes Catona, 2 x 6mm black safety eyes, a small amount of black embroidery thread, a bag of craft moss, 20g bag of stuffing and a log slice for your mushroom man to sit on. The only thing that it doesn’t come with the kit is a glue gun, which is optional for you to use to stick everything into place.

A hand holds up the crocheted mushroom man sitting on a small log slice against a background of ivy

There’s also the optional tool extra, via my Etsy shop, of including up a premium bamboo 3mm hook (US approx. size D/3) if you don’t have one of those to hand.

The pattern is written in UK terms, but shipping is available to anywhere. If you are not sure about UK terms then you might find my blog post British vs. American Crochet Terms: What’s the Difference? helpful.

PURCHASE KIT ON ETSY

Crocheted Mushroom Man kit by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK - available from the KCACOUKDesign Etsy shop.

I get so much love for these mini crochet kits that it’s an absolute delight to keep coming up with new designs for them. What do you think will come next? Or what would you love to see a mini crochet kit for?

If you have been working on a pattern from one of my crochet kits I hope you’ll share your WIP and finished project photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram), or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to sign up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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26Oct2023

NEW Mini Crochet Kit | Hero Hamster

Posted in Crochet, Crochet Kit, Designing, Getting Crafty, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a brand new mini crochet kit swooping into my Etsy shop, allow me to introduce the Hero Hamster. Wearing his red cape and his masked disguise watch him go from a normal hamster to a full on superhero!

A hand holds a finished crocheted hero hamster against a background of ivy leaves

If you have seen me in person at one of the pop up shops I’ve done this year, either at The Crochet Sanctuary or Wool@Jct13, then you will already be familiar with this little guy where he met with a really positive reception. However life, as it often does, got in the way of me adding him to my Etsy store until now so you could make him too.

The pattern was actually inspired by my lovely stalker friend Laura who had a very special emotional support hamster called Bernie. He will always be remembered by everyone at The Crochet Sanctuary as a Bonio (dog biscuit) loving cute chap – and after a conversation I sort-of-kind-of promised I would commemorate him in crochet. But little did Laura realise, Bernie had a secret identity…whenever he is needed, you just have to call and with a flash of red he’ll turn into a superhero ready to fight crime against crochet!

A hand holds a finished crocheted hero hamster made from the crochet kit from KCACOUKDesigns

It was such fun to come up with this little guy, we always had hamsters at home when we were kids (Honey, Bramble, Bilbo and Broccoli may you RIP) and I love the idea of them being superhero’s.

It’s becoming a little bit of a tradition to create a new kit for these pop up’s and I have to say I really enjoy the process of coming up with something new. In fact a brand new kit, launching this weekend at the Crochet Sanctuary will hopefully be hitting my Etsy store sooner than this one did! If you follow me on social media you might have already seen a sneaky peek reel that I’ve shared.

Hero hamster mini crochet kit, available from KCACOUKDesigns on Etsy

❤️ Add the Hero Hamster Crochet Kit to your favourites on Ravelry ❤️

This slightly larger kit comes with 40g of Scheepjes Catona, 2 x 6mm black safety eyes, a small amount of black embroidery thread, a small amount of yellow thread and 10g bag of stuffing. He’s also sold with a piece of felt you can personalise the tummy of your hamster with a lightening flash, an initial or other symbol.

Crochet amigurumi hamster seemingly flying in a blue sky with fluffy clouds in the background.

There’s also the optional tool extra, via my my Etsy store , of including up a premium bamboo 3mm hook (US approx. size D/3) if you don’t have one of those to hand.

PURCHASE KIT ON ETSY

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Pinterest collage of pictures of the crocheted amigurumi hero hamster from KCACOUKDesigns on Etsy

So show a little love to the little Hero Hamster! This adorable little project would make a cute addition to your home or as a great gift to any hamster fan.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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22Sep2023

Graceful Gull MAL | The Reveal & Pattern Release

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Well wowzers, September is flying by! It’s probably the right time to say good-bye to the summer and time to finish off the last bits and bobs of our summer Graceful Gull make-along.

The Graceful Gull shawlette draped over a stick on a beach in front of the ocean

The 15th of September was the last ‘official’ day of the latest make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself. From the 31 July until now we have enjoyed a relaxed summer make along project with lovely fellow crocheters. And now I get the opportunity to share my finished Graceful Gull Shawlette, and it’s pattern, with you!

Close up of the Graceful Gull Shawlette pinned with a shell shawl pin draped on a mannikin in front of a lake.

Inspired by the swoop of a graceful gull this pattern features textured stitches on two curving wings to create a unique and lightweight shawlette.

As always it’s been an absolute delight to work with Kitey and his gorgeously coloured yarn, I love these collabs we do – it always provides me with an opportunity to work with gorgeous yarn which in turn makes the design process super enjoyable.

Close up of a basket with the Graceful Gull makealong hand-dyed yarn inside.

This years colourways were such a lovely summery palette, I really enjoyed working with them.

And in amongst the kit there are the cutest crochet accessories from the fabulous Mrs G Makes. Continuing the seaside theme she created the most adorable little chips and ice-cream stitch markers – a cute and perfect addition to the kit!

Stitch markers of a small packet of fries and an ice-cream made by Mrs G makes for the Graceful Gull makealong kits.

If this is the first you’ve heard about the Graceful Gull MAL you can read more about it here but in a nutshell it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, of a unique crocheted shawlette designed with a special hand dyed yarn in mind.

It’s made us both incredibly happy to see the photos of folks sharing their progress with us on social media, and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your shawlettes’ if you haven’t had chance to make it yet.

Collation of Graceful Gull works in progress made by others as part of the summer make along.

Although the official end date of the MAL has come to an end DO NOT feel any panic or worry that you didn’t keep up or haven’t even started yet. The deadline was there just for those people that like a deadline, for everyone else, enjoy it when you have the time to use the yarn and / or make the shawlette – there is no rush to this crochet makealong! And sometime in the future you will have a beautiful finished object that you can gift for someone special or to enjoy yourself.

❤️ SAVE GRACEFUL GULL SHAWLETTE ON RAVELRY ❤️

The crocheted Graceful Gull Shawlette; a light and airy shawlette is wrapped around a mannikin in front of a lake.

Now that the MAL is over, I have listed the pattern in my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the Graceful Gull Shawlette.

I would suggest four different colours work best; 100g of white, 2 x 50g of different greys and 20g of orange with a 3mm (Closest US size D/3) hook.

The pattern has a written version, a chart and comes with a bonus pattern to make your own Sea Stone Paperweight – Kitey and I always like to add a little extra something for those scraps of leftover yarn if you have any! The pattern comes with all explanation of stitches used and is available in either UK or US terminology.

Close up of the crocheted Sea Stone Paperweight - bonus pattern with the Graceful Gull Shawlette.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Important MAL update

After six make-alongs, for the last three years, Kitey and I have decided to give ourselves a bit of a break for the remainder of 2023 (as it’s been a busy year so far for both of us). So this is your forewarned notice that there will be no new winter make-along for 2023.

But don’t you worry, this isn’t the end! In fact we are just shaking things up a little and are coming back with a new schedule for 2024 and TWO new make-alongs to look forward to (we’ve already got them planned). The first one we will be looking to release in the Spring with details coming out in Jan / Feb 2024 – so watch this space!

Collage of Keep Calm and Crochet On UK and Yarn Whisperer Collabs featuring Solstice Garden, Whispers of the Sea, Mellow Mallow, Dragonfly River, Peppermint Pageant and Graceful Gull.

Peppermint Pageant (and previous MALs)

And if you are looking for a new WIP Kitey has created some brand new Peppermint Pageant kit colourways especially for 2023 – check out the new colourways in his shop. There’s some gorgeous teals and blues to place with, and the Aran yarn is just joyous to crochet with.

AND all the patterns for our previous make-alongs (Solstice Garden, Whispers of the Sea, Mellow Mallow, Dragonfly River and Peppermint Pageant) are available from my pattern shops if you want to hook something up from your own stash – if you are a newsletter subscriber make sure you check out your exclusive discount code!

Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and The Yarn Whisperer’s newsletter to be the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!

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Pinterest of the Graceful Gull Shawlette crochet pattern by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected, thank you for your support.

28Apr2023

NEW Mini Crochet Kit | Love Gnome

Posted in Crochet, Crochet Kit, Designing, Getting Crafty, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I have to say that this year feels like it’s moving very fast – I can’t believe we are nearly in May and I’ve not had chance to share a crochet new kit I’ve just added to my Etsy shop! My best laid plans of sharing it in February didn’t happen, but that’s okay, you just have to do what you can do don’t you!

But now allow me to introduce my newest mini crochet kit for the Love Gnome!

Image of a amigurumi gnome holding a little heart on a stick, next to the gnome is a heart shaped bauble filled with red and pink yarn.

Much like the mini crochet kits I released last year (see all the mini crochet kits here along with a big kit) this one was released at the February Crochet Sanctuary where I was kindly allowed to bring a pop up shop to share with the other guests a range of my KCACOUK, Yarnybobs and Dear Ewe products.

It’s becoming a little bit of a tradition to create a new kit for these pop up’s and I have to say I really enjoy the process of coming up with something new – in fact a brand new kit, launching at the April Crochet Sanctuary will be coming soon!

A crochet gnome holding a little heart on a stick, next to the gnome is a heart small basket filled with red and pink Scheepjes Catona yarn.

So show a little love with the crochet Love Gnome! This adorable little gonk, with his hat pulled over his nose, would make a cute addition to your home or you could make as a gift to someone special.

❤️ Add the Love Gnome Crochet Kit to your favourites on Ravelry ❤️

Each kit contains 30g of Scheepjes Catona, the 16mm wooden bead, an eco cocktail stick, a small amount of white acrylic yarn for his beard packed in a reusable heart shaped bauble. The kit also comes with 10g bag of stuffing in small reusable organza bag (separately from the heart as it wouldn’t all fit in) so you have everything you need to your little Love Gnome.

A hand holds a heart shaped bauble filled with red and pink yarn.

There’s also the optional tool extra, via my Etsy shop, of including up a premium bamboo 3mm hook (US approx. size D/3) if you don’t have one of those to hand.

PURCHASE KIT ON ETSY

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Pinterest collage of images for the Mini Crochet Kit Love Gnome Ornament.

These bauble crochet kits have always proved popular at the crochet sanctuary and I’ve seen lots of lovely examples now of projects that have been made from my mini kits.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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2Feb2023

Peppermint Pageant MAL | The Reveal & Pattern Release

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Howdy, how are you all today? I’m just popping on today to tell you of my first pattern release of 2023!

The 26th of January was the last ‘official’ day of the latest make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself. From the 26 December 2022 until now, over a month later, we have enjoyed our winter make along project with a bunch of lovely mal’ers. And now I get the opportunity to share my finished Peppermint Pageant Stocking, and it’s pattern, with you!

Image of a green, white and red Peppermint Pageant crochet tapestry Christmas stocking

Inspired by Christmas colours of red, white and green and by hand made Scandinavian fairisle type patterns I really enjoyed coming up with my own tapestry crochet version of a tradition stocking.

The Aran yarn in this case was such a beautiful yarn to crochet with and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the slight variations of the semi solid colours come through as I worked each stitch.

Image of a work in progress Peppermint Pageant crochet tapestry Christmas stocking

If this is the first you’ve heard about the The Peppermint Pageant MAL you can read more about it here but in a nutshell it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, of a unique crocheted stocking designed with a special hand dyed yarn in mind.

It’s made us both incredibly happy to see the photos of folks sharing their progress with us on social media and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your stockings if you haven’t had chance to make it yet.

Images of various works in progress and finished Peppermint Pageant crochet tapestry Christmas stockings

Although the official end date of the MAL has come to an end DO NOT feel any panic or worry that you didn’t keep up or haven’t even started yet. The deadline was there just for those people that like a deadline, for everyone else, enjoy it when you have the time to use the yarn and / or make the stocking – there is no rush to this crochet makealong! And sometime in the future you will have a beautiful finished object that you can gift for someone special or to enjoy yourself.

Image of the crocheted Peppermint Pageant stocking hanging up on a fireplace.

Now that the MAL is over, I have listed the pattern in my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the The Peppermint Pageant Stocking.

I would suggest three different colours work best, I used 100g / 166m of a main colour (e.g. White) and 50g / 83m in contract colours (e.g. Green and Red) and a 5mm (US size H/8) hook.

If you’d like to pick up this specific kit colourway then you can pick it up from Kitey and EXCITEDLY the Peppermint Pageant kits are getting an upgrade for 2023. This design and yarn combo are going to be the first make-along kit that will keep going this year. Kitey is coming up with some exciting new colourways as we speak that I can’t wait to see come together (I’m looking at you teal and silver – oooo!)

The pattern has a written version, a chart and comes with a bonus pattern to make your own mini hanging stocking decorations – Kitey and I always like to add a little extra something for those scraps of leftover yarn! The pattern comes with all explanation of stitches used and is available in either UK or US terminology.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact we’ve already got our plans in the works for our annual summer make-along! I’m already excited about it – we will be looking to release, as before, in July but details will be sent out before that to give folks plenty of time to sign up if they want to.

Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to make sure you are the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

13Dec2022

NEW Mini Crochet Kit | Reindeer Bauble Kit

Posted in Crochet, Crochet Kit, Designing, Getting Crafty, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

December is moving far too fast for my liking and I just haven’t had a chance to tell you about a crochet new kit I have in my Etsy shop! I don’t know about you but I could do with another couple of weeks until Christmas – I think I always forget how busy things get at this time of year.

But I do deerly love the holiday season and so I’m going to squeeze in telling you about a new little crochet kit that I hope you will find quite reindeering!

Okay, it might be time to rein in the puns a little….if you haven’t already guessed the kit is for a reindeer hanging ornament. Much like the mini crochet kits I released last year (see all the mini crochet kits here along with a big kit). This one was also released at the latest weekend Crochet Sanctuary where I was kindly allowed to bring a pop up shop to share with the other guests a range of my KCACOUK, Yarnybobs and Dear Ewe products.

Add a touch of festive cheer to your home with a sweet hanging reindeer ornament; it’s that happy bit of handmade hooking which will add that personalised reindeer touch to your Christmas Tree.

❤️ Add the Reindeer Bauble Crochet Kit to your favourites on Ravelry ❤️

Each kit contains 30g of Scheepjes Catona, the pattern, a length of black embroidery thread, a silver jingle bell and a length of twine all in a reusable christmas bauble! There’s also the optional tool extra of picking up a premium bamboo 3mm hook (US approx. size D/3) if you don’t have one of those to hand.

BUY ON ETSY

These bauble crochet kits sold out when I was at the crochet sanctuary (though I’ve got some more stock now) and it’s been lovely to see some of the little reindeer that have been whipped up already from the kits.

Whether you’re super organised or more of a last-minute buyer, yule need to make a note of the following dates to ensure your pressies are (hopefully) delivered in time for the big day.

As we have had all the Royal mail strikes here in the UK I feel I’ve had no choice but to bring forward domestic Christmas posting deadlines to Friday 16 December. It’s been a fair old stressful time for small businesses with the postal issues (so please know that we do want our things to get to you as soon as possible but when it leaves us it’s out of our control). However I also want to continue to support the post office as I feel that it’s one of those that if we don’t use it, we’ll eventually lose it.

Need to send abroad? Not a problem – like Santa, I do deliver all over the world, however I cannot guarantee delivery will be in time for Christmas, but a gift of crochet is fun at any time of year right!.

Then as my children are breaking up from school also on the 16 December I’ll mainly be spending some quality time with my family until the new year – though I will be popping on, on Boxing Day as we start our Peppermint Pageant MAL.

If you make up a reindeer I hope you’ll share your WIP and finished project photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to sign up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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20Sep2022

Dragonfly River MAL | The Reveal & Pattern Release

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

The 15th of September was the last ‘official’ day of the latest make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself. From the 31 July until now, over a month later, we have enjoyed a relaxed summer make along project with lovely fellow crocheters. And now I get the opportunity to share my finished Dragonfly River Cowl with you in all it’s glory with you!

If this is the first you’ve heard about the Dragonfly River MAL you can read more about it here but in a nutshell it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, of a unique crocheted cowl designed with a special hand dyed yarn in mind.

It’s made us both incredibly happy to see the photos of folks sharing their progress with us on social media and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your cowls if you haven’t had chance to make it yet.

I’m really pleased with how the design for this cowl turned out and working with the yarn was such a delight! I’m a big fan of slub yarn, because I love the texture it automatically creates, and the lovely dragonfly colourway, with that sparkle, was just wonderful! I think I kept being slightly annoying to my husband as I kept asking him to look at it twinkling in various situations, and it really was a delight to see those beautiful tonal green and blue colours coming through in the stitches.

Although the official end date of the MAL has come to an end DO NOT feel any panic or worry that you didn’t keep up, haven’t got it done, didn’t start it or whatever! The deadline was there just for those people that like a deadline, for everyone else, enjoy it when you have the time to use the yarn and / or make the cowl – there is no rush to this crochet make along! And sometime in the future you will have a beautiful finished object that you can gift for someone special or to enjoy wearing yourself.

Now that the MAL is over, I have listed the pattern in my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the The Dragonfly River Cowl.

Use two of your favourite skeins of handdyed yarn with a 3.5mm (US size E/4) hook – I can’t wait to see what colourways you use for your own unique projects. Or if you’d like to pick up this specific kit colourway, although the original version was sold out, it will be available again from Kitey from November as a dye to order.

The pattern has a written version, a chart and comes with a bonus pattern to make your own Dragonfly brooch – Kitey and I always like to add a little extra something for those scraps of leftover yarn! The pattern comes with all explanation of stitches used and is available in either UK or US terminology.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact we’ve already made our plans for our Christmas-time make-along! All I’m going to say is that I’m already excited for it, it’s something completely different and it’s going to be a blast!

Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to make sure you are the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

9May2022

Pattern Release | Whisperers of the Sea Wrap

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So today is the official launch of the BRAND NEW summer crochet make-along (Dragonfly River which you can read about here), and so I thought I needed to get my act together and finally list the pattern for last years make-along, the Whisperers of the Sea Wrap, for anyone who just wants the pattern to make their own keepsake wrap.

The product of the wonderful collaboration between myself and The Yarn Whisperer the Whispers of the Sea Wrap is a crocheted shawl featuring light and airy stitches that give it beautiful drape and flow. Perfect for warmer weather as a cover up on the beach, for strolls along the shore, or maybe a beach wedding!

I’m really pleased with how the design turned out, I absolutely LOVED working with the slub yarn! The texture and the softness and the colours that Kitey had worked his magic with were just an absolute delight with every stitch I made. If you love the yarn I created my wrap you can still pick up the custom dyed yarn directly as a pre-order from The Yarn Whisperer on his website.

Or if you’d prefer to use yarn from your stash, the pattern is now available from my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the Whispers of the Sea Wrap – I can’t wait to see what colourways you use for your own unique shawls.

It’s made us both incredibly happy to see photos of folks sharing their progress and finished wraps with us on social media, and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your wraps if you haven’t had chance to make it yet – you can still tag us with the hashtag #WOTSMAL.

To celebrate the launch of our BRAND NEW collaboration I’m running a sale all three of our previous collaboration patterns. Use the code: COLLAB25 until 16 May 2022 to get 25% discount off Whisperers of the Sea Wrap, Mellow Mallow Scarf and the Solstice Garden Wrap

As I mentioned in my last post, Kitey and I just may have already planned more projects into 2024 – we do get a bit over excited when we start talking!) You may wish to sign up to the blog (or my newsletter) and / or The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to make sure you are the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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14Feb2022

Pattern Release | Hearts in a Whirl Wrap

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I’ve got something new for you today – surround yourself in love with the Hearts in a Whirl wrap!

A crocheted wrap featuring heart motifs in soft, flowing colours, held out horizontally against a serene wooded background.

With Valentine’s Day nearly upon us it seemed the perfect time to finally sort out this pattern! It’s been a work in progress for ever such a long time, though it’s been nothing more than being down to me to find the time to pull everything together – so I’m so pleased to finally be able to share it with you today.

A crochet wrap displayed on a mannequin, highlighting the delicate filet heart patterns woven throughout the design.

The Hearts in a Whirl wrap is a lightweight shawl which features a fun filet design with a puff stitch twist – perfect for adventurous beginners that would like to try something new.

The general shape of the wrap is a rectangle with a cute heart shaped stitch for borders on either end, if you were using a single colour, or stash busting it would be fairly easy to make it longer by adding a repeat or extending the border.

A close-up view of the crochet wrap, focusing on a section that showcases the intricate filet heart pattern. The heart motif is finely detailed, with delicate stitches creating a textured, airy design.

It’s a perfect pattern to use with your favourite gradient yarn cake; for this version I used Scheepjes Whirl Tasty Nom Nom (Shade 789) and a Scheepjes Whirlette in Grappa (Shade 855), both of which had been in my stash for a very long time, with a 3.25mm (US D/3) hook.

If you are not familiar with Scheepjes Whirls, they are a 4ply (Fingering / Sock Weight) yarn with a high twist making them perfect for crochet. The cakes are 215g (1000m) each with a blend of 60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic. I used pretty much all of the 215g (1000m) for the main part of the wrap, and approximately 45g (182m) of the Whirlette for the border at each end.

A close-up of hands crocheting the heart design of the wrap on a desktop. The hands are carefully working with a crochet hook and soft yarn, focusing on the delicate filet heart pattern. The workspace includes a tidy desktop with a few crochet tools and materials, adding a creative, hands-on feel to the image.

I’m really pleased with how the design for this wrap turned out, The nature of this puff stitch means that it should show on the right side and the wrong side of your work (leaving it practically reversible with no right or wrong side).

In fact my mum, who loves things with hearts on in general, and really loved the colour of the yarn (they really are her kind of colours dark purples and reds) has already laid claim to this wrap now that it’s all finished up, and it seems only appropriate I gift it too her as she kindly wore it for a few of these modelled photos.

A person wearing the crochet wrap draped around their neck, standing in a wooded background. The wrap features clearly visible filet heart motifs, beautifully showcased as they catch the light.

So it seems I’m still not totally done with filet crochet yet – it’s just such a versatile crochet technique! Though in truth I started this pattern when I was working on Filet Fantastic so it is a couple of years old – so it really was about time I got it released!

If you are new to filet, you might find my post Top Tips for Filet Crochet useful to look at first, but this wrap has a lovely repetition of stitches that you can enjoy as a perfect mindful make!

The crochet wrap styled as a scarf around a mannequin's neck, showcasing the delicate filet heart motifs and the pretty heart-shaped edging. The design is neatly wrapped, highlighting the intricate stitching and soft texture of the yarn. The heart edging adds a subtle yet charming detail to the overall look

The pattern is now available from my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version:

With some many wonderful gradient yarn cakes to choose from these days I’m really excited to see what you come up with!

If you make up the Hearts in a Whirl wrap I hope you’ll share any finished photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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27Jan2022

Mellow Mallow MAL | The Reveal & Pattern Release

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet, Crochet Accessories, Crochet Kit, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So yesterday was the last ‘official’ day of the latest make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself. From Boxing Day 2021 until today, a month later, we have delighted in seeing your Mellow Mallow scarves grow! And now I get the opportunity to share my finished scarf in all it’s glory!

If this is the first you’ve heard about the Mellow Mallow MAL you can read more about it here but in a nutshell it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, of a unique crocheted triangle scarf designed with a special hand dyed yarn in mind.

It’s made us both incredibly happy to see the photos of folks sharing their progress with us on social media and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your scarves if you haven’t had chance to make it.

I’m really pleased with how the design for this scarf turned out. I’m not sure what it is about working with Kitey, but working with his yarn always pushes me, as a designer, to try new challenges – and this scarf was definitely no exception! With no natural pattern repeat the final pattern ended up as 17 pages!! That’s quite long for a scarf pattern, but it does include charts and schematics.

But don’t let that put you off, whilst it doesn’t have a natural repeat, there is a rhythm to the stitches it which means you can pretty much work it without looking, just by checking the stitches at the end of each row.

Although the official end date of the MAL has now passed, it doesn’t really end because you can still make the pattern later. Kitey has a few of the Mellow Mallow kits left, then the colourway will be available as a pre-order.

Or if you’d prefer to use yarn from your stash, the pattern is now available from my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the Mellow Mallow Scarf – I can’t wait to see what colourways you use for your own unique scarves.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact we’ve already made our plans for our next summer make-along! All I’m going to say is that I’m already excited for this summer design – you are not going to want to miss it! Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and / or The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to make sure you are the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx