Welcome to the Sassy Sardines Crochet Makealong for the summer of 2025! It’s the ninth annual makealong that myself, The Yarn Whisperer (aka Kitey) and Mrs G Makes have collaborated on (you can see the details of all previous CALs and MALs here).
🐟 Setting the scene!
Imagine you’re walking along the shoreline, the sand warm beneath your toes and the scent of salty sea air filling your lungs. The sun is shining brightly, and there’s a cool, refreshing breeze off the water that makes everything feel just right. You’re surrounded by the sounds of waves crashing rhythmically and children laughing in the distance. Life feels easy, carefree, and full of colour.
As you find the perfect spot to sit, a feeling of complete relaxation washes over you. You settle into a deck chair, the sun kissing your skin as you gaze out at the ocean, the deep blue water stretching out as far as the eye can see. There’s no rush, no worries—just the pure bliss of the moment.
As you kick back and let your mind wander, you’re reminded of the fun and energy of summer. The idea for your next crochet project comes to you almost instantly, inspired by the joyful rhythm of the waves and the playful dance of the sardines in the sea. You can almost picture them—little shimmering fish darting beneath the water, like flashes of silver and light.
You reach into your project bag and pull out a ball of vibrant yarn, the colour reminiscent of the sparkling ocean. Your hook feels light and smooth in your hands as you start to stitch. As the breeze lifts and tugs at your yarn, you smile, feeling the energy of the ocean infuse your project. The Sassy Sardines cowl is more than just a project; it’s the spirit of summer captured in stitches.
🐟 Pin this project for later:
🐟 Join our Summer Make-a-Long
We’re thrilled to invite you to the Sassy Sardines Summer Make-a-Long (MAL) for 2025! This year, we’re diving deep into a sea of stitches, as we crochet a beautiful cowl inspired by the playful spirit of sardines and summer vibes.
🐟 New to MALS?
If you’ve never joined a MAL before, it stands for Make-a-Long, where a specific pattern is shared along with all the details needed to complete the project, including a set start date for everyone to begin together. Unlike a crochet-along (CAL), where the pattern is typically released in parts over several weeks, a MAL gives you the entire pattern up front, with just an end date to work towards. It’s a laid-back way to create, allowing you to work at your own pace, but with a deadline to help keep you on track if you need a little extra motivation.
🐟 How does this MAL work?
An exclusive pattern and kit are being created for this extra special MAL. Each kit will include 250g in total of super washed 100% merino DK (light worsted) yarn, this time all the skeins have been dyed in special colours! You will get in each kit;
- 1x 20g / 24m skein of an exclusive hand-dyed colourway
- 1x 115g / 230m skein of another exclusive hand-dyed colourway
- 1 x 115g / 230m skein of a third exclusive hand-dyed colourway
- Exclusive @mrsgmakes stitch markers
- A digital copy of the pattern
Pre-ordered kits will be available for £47 + postage, and can be made on The Yarn Whisperer website from 10 am on Monday 7 April and if you order in the first 12 hours you can enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount.
Kits will be dyed to order over the coming weeks, shipping out from 27 May 27, with a 1 week
turn around for orders after this date. But get in quick to ensure you get yours in plenty of
time to crochet along with us!
International orders will be shipped by last week of May if ordered by the 15 May. UK orders
will continue to be shipped after this date but ordering early ensures your kit arrives in time
to join us on 16 June 2025.
🐟 Pattern Overview
- Skill Level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (light worsted) weight yarn
- Finished Size: Designed to fit most adults comfortably
- Terminology: The pattern will be available in both UK and US crochet terminology
Please note: The pattern will be sent to the same email that you ordered the yarn from, make sure we are on your saved senders list so it doesn’t go to your spam or junk folder.
🐟 Dates for the MAL
The Make Along will run from 16 June to 27 July 2025; you can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.
🐟 Is support available for this MAL?
There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group.
You can also pop in and join in with the Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch sessions hosted by Kitey on Tuesday’s evenings from 8pm GMT (see full details on Kitey’s Insta page). These sessions are a bit like going to a virtual knit and natter group, and everyone there is really lovely and helpful.
Feel free to share your progress, ask questions, and engage with others in the MAL community. Whether you’re making one for yourself or gifting it to a friend, we want to see your Sassy Sardines in action!
🐟 Let’s get social!
Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and / or The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to stay up to date with all make-along news.
Grab the image (on the left) to post on socials to share that you are joining in with the latest MAL – don’t forget to tag @the_yarnwhisperer, @kcaco.uk and @mrsgmakes in your photos!
We will be using hashtags #SassySardinesMAL @kcaco.uk, @the_yarnwhisperer and @mrsgmakes if you want to tag us on socials – we love to see what you make.
We do hope that you will join us for this fun make-along – we can’t wait to see your wonderful new projects come to life
🐟 Posts about the Sassy Sardines MAL
| Monday 7 April 2025 | Sassy Sardines Make-Along Announcement |
| Friday 16 June 2025 | Sassy Sardines Make-Along Start |
| Sunday 27 July 2025 | Sassy Sardines Make-Along Finish |
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