Sassy Sardines Makealong starts today!

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Promotional graphic for the Sassy Sardines crochet make-along featuring two stylized fish and event details.

Hello, my fabulous friends! 🐟✨

I’m thrilled to announce that today marks the official start of the Sassy Sardines Makealong! 🎉🐠 It’s time to grab your hooks, pick up your sassiest yarn kit, and join me in creating a charming cowl that’s sure to brighten up any day.

All the folks that ordered the exclusive Sassy Sardines MAL kits should have already received the gorgeous Yarn Whisperer yarn (plus fab extras), and the pattern has already been sent out to everyone (from Kitey – so maybe check your junk mail if the pattern doesn’t seem to have appeared).

As usual the exclusive kit colourway that Kitey has come up with for this summer is simply gorgeous, and with it being our first double knit (DK / Light Worsted) collab weight project, it’s an absolute squishy delight to work with.

An arrangement of yarn skeins in shades of grey and turquoise beside three yarn balls stacked on top of each other, with a whimsical illustration of fish at the bottom.

The kit includes a total of 250g (484m) of Superwash 100% Merino DK yarn, with all colours in tonal semi-solids. We have 1 x 115g / 230m skein of Sardine Shimmer in a subtle light grey colour, and 1 x 115g / 230m skein of Seafoam Glow which is a delicate light turquoise hue, reminiscent of serene ocean waters, then finally we have 1 x 20g / 24m skein Deep Sea Spark which is a rich teal-turquoise blend, perfect for adding a splash of ocean-inspired depth to the project.

What’s really fun is that the Seafoam Glow yarn reacts to black light because it contains fluorescent pigments that absorb the UV rays from the black light and re-emit them as visible light, creating a glowing effect. I had so much fun working with this particular palette for this crochet design. The pattern was inspired by a conversation with Kitey at Carry On Crafting last year, and it’s been a real joy to bring it to life!

And Amanda from Mrs G Makes has outdone herself once more, picking the perfect stitch markers to compliment our makealong. I know I always say this, but these truly are my new favourites – a darling little stripy enamel fish and a lovely facetted iridescent bead!

A close-up photo of stitch markers featuring a blue and white striped fish and a silver bead, resting on a sandy surface with rocks in the background. The markers are displayed on a turquoise card that says 'Mrs G Makes' and '@mrsgmakes' in white text.

For the full information about this particular make along (MAL) you can find all the details here (or via the top menu of this blog under the tab ‘CALS AND MALS’). But generally the idea is that the MAL is a relaxed event designed to be made during the winter months.

If you’ve fallen in love with how the kit looks but didn’t get a chance to sign up for the MAL you’re in luck, Kitey can do some dye to order kits. To get one, simply send him a message via The Yarn Whisperer website or a DM on Instagram. Kits are priced at £47 plus postage.

Three skeins of yarn in shades of turquoise and grey alongside smooth stones and a small green plant, arranged on a wooden surface.

As a reminder this MAL will run from today (Monday 16 June) until Sunday 27 July 2025 giving everyone plenty of time to make the pattern. You can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.

There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group and in Kitey’s Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch zoom sessions. Kitey will also be holding a MAL start ‘hook on’ / intro session on Instagram Live at 10am-ish (GMT) today (16 June 2025).

SHARING WITH THE #SASSYSARDINES COMMUNITY

We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – we’d love to see what you make! We will be sharing our progress with the hashtags #SassySardinesCowl #kcacouk #yarnwhisperer #mrsgmakes. If you’re blogging, feel free to leave links to your post(s) in the comments here.

You might also want to sign up for the blog (below) and/or join my mailing list to get the latest updates about our fun makealongs as they come up – our 10th collab is coming up this winter, and we’re planning something big!

Pin this project:

A selection of yarn skeins for the Sassy Sardines Summer Makealong, featuring shades of turquoise and light grey, displayed stylishly on a light surface.

We do hope that you enjoy this fun make-along; Kitey, Mrs G and I can’t wait to see your wonderful Sassy Sardine Cowls come to life – it’s sure to ‘reel’ in compliments wherever you go.

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

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7Apr2025

Sassy Sardines MAL Announcement

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Greetings, fellow yarn enthusiasts! It’s time to get swimming into a new wave of fun and creativity with the Sassy Sardines Summer Makealong 2025! It’s the ninth annual makealong that I’ve had the pleasure of teaming up on with yarn dyer Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer and Amanda, aka Mrs G Makes and I’m really looking forward to this years project.

🐟 Pin this project for later:

Pinterest collage 'Excited to announce' new crochet makealong, Sassy Sardines crochet make-along starts 16 June and runs until 27 July 2025.

For this ninth edition, we’ve cooked up something a little quirky and a lot of fun! You can expect a cheerful pattern, gorgeous yarn, and carefully chosen extras – all curated with our usual dose of love and creativity.

You’ll find all the details over on the MAL landing page [here], including a little introductory tale to set the scene for our star of the summer – the wonderfully whimsical Sassy Sardine who’s swimming her way into your stitches!

This time round we are going to be making a cowl. 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.

Collage of images for the Sassy Sardine crochet makealong including an image of the yarn we will be using in the kits alongside some graphics of sardines.

🐟 About the kits

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.

SHOP NOW

🐟 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.

I'm joining in with the Sassy Sardines Crochet Make-along, 16 June - 27 July 2024. Find all the details here: www.keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com

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!

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

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21Feb2025

Merry Marble Cowl | The MAL Reveal & Pattern Release

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

The time has come, my crochet friends, to reveal the finished design for the Merry Marbles Makealong (MAL)! I’ve been bursting with excitement to share this colourful project, and now it’s finally here. Although the MAL was designed with fun and vibrant holiday vibes in mind, I think the cowl would be perfect for anytime of the year – in fact I’m already planning on making another one!

Pin for later:

Collage for Pinterest showcasing the Merry Marbles make-a-long, featuring images of completed rainbow cowl.

For those that weren’t aware this latest make-along was a collaboration between myself, Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, and Mrs G Makes and was designed to be a perfect pop of colour for your winter wardrobe.

The Merry Marbles Cowl is a cosy yet lightweight accessory that combines playful stitches with a cheerful, rainbow design. It’s simple enough for adventurous beginners but has enough detail to keep seasoned crocheters entertained. Plus, the funnel shaped design ensures maximum warmth, making it as practical as it is pretty.

Reveal of the Merry Marbles make-a-long cowl, featuring sections of sparkly white with eye-catching bold rainbow elements. Lovely funnel shaped cowl perfect to add a pop of colour to any outfit.

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.

The yarn choice for the Merry Marbles was a lovely mix of rainbow shades (red, purple, blue, green, yellow and orange) alongside a large 100g skein of sparkly natural yarn. The photos don’t do that twinkle justice, it’s just lovely and who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle in the festive season (or at anytime)!

Collage featuring hand-dyed yarn inspired by toy marbles, with skeins of undyed sparkly cream, and vibrant mini skeins of rainbow tones.

Kitey perfectly captured some excitingly vivid shades for the rainbow that were a joy to work with, and of course you didn’t have to use the colours as a rainbow you could place them in any order you wish.

Also in the kit, as always, were the cutest crochet accessories from the fabulous Mrs G Makes. Continuing the marbles theme Amanda created the sweetest set of ‘marble’ stitch markers which were such a useful tool when making this cowl.

Close-up of three stitch markers from the Mischievous Magpie make-a-long kit: beautiful bright beads that catches the light with a subtle shimmer like a toy marble, adding a playful touch to each crochet project.

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.

And of course it makes us all incredibly happy to see YOUR photos of the various stages of progress you make with your projects 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 or finish it off yet.

Collage of Merry Marbles crochet cowl works-in-progress and images of the kit yarn, created by participants in the winter make-a-long 2025, showcasing various stages of completion.

❤️ SAVE MERRY MARBLES COWL ON RAVELRY ❤️

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 Merry Marbles Cowl:

I would suggest 7 different colours and at least 220g would work best; e.g. 100g of cream, 6 x 20g of rainbow or different colours with a 3.5mm (Closest US size E/4) hook. The pattern includes a written version with supporting charts, detailed stitch explanations, and is available in both UK and US terminology.

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

My lovely mum showcasing the Merry Marbles Cowl where you can clearly see the beautiful rainbow and the unique funnel shape of the cowl.

Sassy Sardines Summer Makealong

Now that the Merry Marbles MAL has wrapped up, don’t despair! Our next Spring / Summer make-a-long 2025 is going to be launching in April 2025! In our 9th collaboration we’ll dive into a splash of colour and creativity with the Sassy Sardines Cowl – a fun and vibrant crochet adventure perfect for brightening up your wardrobe. Packed with a playful design and cheerful vibes, this project is all about celebrating the sunny season with a community of like-minded makers. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the craft, grab your hooks and join the fun as we stitch up some serious summer sass!

And I’m just going to say for our 10th collaboration (Winter 2025) we are already planning something truly epic that you won’t want to miss out on!

Previous Makealongs

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. Mischievous Magpie and Merry Marbles.

All the patterns for our previous make-alongs (Solstice Garden, Whispers of the Sea, Mellow Mallow, Dragonfly River, Peppermint Pageant, Graceful Gull, Mischievous Magpie and Merry Marbles) are available from my pattern shops if you want to hook something up from your own curated hand dyed yarn stash.

Some of these patterns are now also available as a physical printed pattern from my Etsy shop; this was so, upon request, that I am able to take patterns with me to shows – and I’m adding to the list all the time.

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 next new collaboration projects are revealed!

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.

26Dec2024

Merry Marbles Makealong starts today!

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Merry Marbles Crochet Make-along, 26 December 2024 - 31 January 2025. Find out all the details on www.keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com

Happy MAL day folks!

It’s here! I’m thrilled to announce the start of our 2024 winter makealong, Merry Marbles! This festive crochet adventure promises to be full of colour, joy, and creativity, and I can’t wait for you to join in.

All the folks that ordered the exclusive Merry Marbles MAL kits should have already received the gorgeous Yarn Whisperer yarn (plus fab extras), and the pattern has already been sent out to everyone (from Kitey – so maybe check your junk mail if the pattern doesn’t seem to have appeared).

Close up of the Merry Marbles crochet makealong yarn kit alongside similarly coloured toy marbles.

As usual the exclusive kit colourway that Kitey has come up with for this winter is really different from what we’ve had before. I’m a massive lover of rainbows and the vibrant tones of the mini skeins in the kit were just such a delight!

Each yarn kit contained a 100g (425m) skein of ‘Moonlit Marble’ which is a gorgeously soft hand of undyed yarn with a exciting pop of sparkly stelina running through it. Alongside this we have combined six 20g (85m) skeins; Purple Swirl, Blue Vein, Emerald Gleam, Amber Glow, Tangerine Quartz and Scarlett Shard.

And Amanda from Mrs G Makes has done it again! She has chosen the most ideal stitch markers to accompany our makealong—beautiful beads that look just like colourful marbles, adding the perfect playful touch to every stitch!

Close up of the Mrs G Makes stitch makers made for the Merry Marbles makealong inspired by colourful toy marbles.

I had such fun working with this particular palette for this crochet design. All the colours worked so well together to create a unique design. I hope you’ll agree that the cowl that will add a wonderful pop of colour to any outfit and will make a fun addition to your wardrobe – I have to confess I’ve already been wearing mine!

Close up of the 100g skein of undyed yarn, with sparkly stelina in, alongside a toy glass marble that has a white area of coloured glass running through it.

As a reminder this MAL will run from today (Thursday 26 December 2024) until Friday 31 January 2025 giving everyone plenty of time to make the pattern. You can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one. If you were wanting to join in after the event has started…

There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group and in Kitey’s Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch zoom sessions. This year he’s also holding a MAL start ‘hook on’ Instagram Live party at 10am (GMT) today (26 December 2024).

The yarn kit for the Merry Marbles Makealong is shown in pre-wound balls alongside a wooden yarn bowl and a small ceramic dish with colourful marbles inside.

If you’ve fallen in love with how the kit looks, but hadn’t previously signed up to the MAL, Kitey has a couple of kits left, then he’s offering any future required kits on a pre-order basis. You can either message him via The Yarn Whisperer website or send him a DM on Instagram to request a kit. Kits are priced at £45 + postage and new orders will be posted when he opens his shop in the new year.

SHARING WITH THE #MERRYMARBLEMAL COMMUNITY

We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – we’d love to see what you make! We will be sharing our progress with the hashtags #merrymarblesmal #kcacouk #yarnwhisperer #mrsgmakes. If you’re blogging, feel free to leave links to your post(s) in the comments here.

You also 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 – I’ll just say that Kitey and I already have a summer and mega winter project in mind for 2025!

Pin this project:

Pinterest collage of images relating to the Merry Marbles crochet make-along including undyed and rainbow skeins of yarn and various coloured marbles.

We do hope that you enjoy this fun make-along; Kitey, Mrs G and I can’t wait to see your wonderful Merry Marble cowls come to life! Let’s make this winter one to remember with the Merry Marbles MAL! Happy crocheting, and let the festivities begin!

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

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30Oct2024

Mischievous Magpie MAL | The Reveal & Pattern Release

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

Apologies for the delay with this release, the summer just flew by and I don’t know where September and October has gone! But I’m thrilled to at last share the final details of the Mischievous Magpie Shawlette with you! This shawlette was part of our 2024 summer make-a-long (MAL), and I’m beyond excited to unveil the completed pattern with all the special elements that made this project a joy to work on with each of you.

Pin for later:

Collage for Pinterest showcasing the Mischievous Magpie make-a-long, featuring images of completed shawlette

For those that weren’t aware this latest make-along was a collaboration between myself, Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, and Mrs G Makes and was all about embracing the spirit of magpies—curious, playful, and just a bit mischievous!

This pattern was designed with versatility in mind. It features an elegant triangle shape that drapes effortlessly around your shoulders, perfect for those breezy evenings, early fall outings, or layering up as we head into the cooler months.

Collage featuring hand-dyed yarn inspired by magpie plumage, with skeins of semi-solid black, undyed cream, and vibrant sparkly blue tones. The yarn colours reflect the nearby images of two magpies, showcasing their contrasting black and white feathers and flashes of iridescent blue, mimicking the birds' striking, natural elegance.

The yarn choice for the Mischievous Magpie Shawlette was inspired by the magpie’s striking plumage. Kitey perfectly captured the bold, contrasting colours and subtle sheen with a semi-solid black for depth and drama paired with an undyed yarn reminiscent of light catching on a feather’s edge. To complete the look, a touch of sparkly blue adds a wonderful pop of colour and shimmer, mirroring the flashes of iridescent blue that magpies flaunt in the sunlight.

Close-up of two stitch markers from the Mischievous Magpie make-a-long kit: one featuring a tiny enamel bird with black and white detailing, and the other an iridescent bead that catches the light with a subtle shimmer, adding a playful, magpie-inspired touch to each crochet project.

And in amongst the kit there were, as always, the cutest crochet accessories from the fabulous Mrs G Makes. Continuing the magpie theme she a cute enamel bird with black, white and blue detailing, and the other an iridescent bead that catches the light with a subtle shimmer, adding a playful, magpie-inspired touch to each crochet project.

It makes us all incredibly happy to see YOUR photos of the various stages of progress you make with your projects 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.

Collage of Mischievous Magpie crochet shawlette works-in-progress, created by participants in the summer make-a-long, showcasing various stages of completion.

❤️ SAVE MISCHIEVOUS MAGPIE SHAWLETTE ON RAVELRY ❤️

Reveal of the Mischievous Magpie make-a-long shawlette, featuring blocks of white, sparkly blue, and deep black, with eye-catching black and white striped tips along the edge, inspired by magpie plumage for a bold, elegant finish

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 Mischievous Magpie triangular shawlette.

I would suggest three different colours work best; 100g of blue, 2 x 50g of black and white with a 3mm (Closest US size D/3) hook. The pattern includes a written version with supporting charts, detailed stitch explanations, and is available in both UK and US terminology.

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

Shawlette from the Mischievous Magpie make-a-long hanging against a lush backdrop of ivy, showcasing its contrasting blocks of white, sparkly blue, and black, with striking black and white striped edging that stands out beautifully against the rich green foliage

Merry Marbles Makealong

Now that the Mischievous Magpie MAL has wrapped up, don’t despair! Our winter make-a-long, Merry Marbles, is just around the corner, and sign-ups are still open. This festive event promises to be a colourful, joy-filled crochet journey that’s perfect for adding a little extra fun to your holiday season. With vibrant projects designed to bring cheer and warmth, Merry Marbles is all about celebrating the cosy spirit of winter with a community of fellow crafters. Whether you’re a returning participant or joining us for the first time, come along and add a dash of merriment to your hooks!

Previous Makealongs

All the patterns for our previous make-alongs (Solstice Garden, Whispers of the Sea, Mellow Mallow, Dragonfly River, Peppermint Pageant and Graceful Gull) are available from my pattern shops if you want to hook something up from your own stash. Some of these patterns are now also available as a physical printed pattern from my Etsy shop; this was so, upon request, that I am able to take patterns with me to shows – and I’m adding to the list all the time.

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 next new collaboration projects are revealed!

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

2Oct2024

Merry Marbles Crochet MAL Announcement

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Get ready to roll into a world of colour and creativity with the Merry Marbles Winter Makealong 2024! It’s the eighth annual makealong that myself and yarn dyer Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer and Amanda, aka Mrs G Makes, have collaborated on (you can see the details of all previous CALs and MALs here).

This time round we are going to be making a fun and festive cowl. The makealong will run from 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day) until 31 January 2025; you can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.

Just like our previous endeavours, this makealong promises to be filled with creativity, community, and of course, crochet magic. As we embark on this journey together, let’s set the scene for this years makealong!

Collage for the Merry Marbles Winter Crochet Makealong from The Yarn Whisperer, Mrs G Makes and Keep Calm and Crochet On UK. Features images of marbles and multicoloured rainbow and cream yarn.

This year’s theme is all about not losing your marbles during the holiday hustle and embracing creativity with a splash of vibrancy. Whether you’re sipping cocoa by the fire, decorating your home, or sneaking in a few rows between wrapping presents, this makealong promises to keep the fun rolling. Think vivid hues, playful stitches, and festive flair designed to bring a bit of merry making into your holiday season.

Don’t worry if life gets a little hectic—this is your chance to unwind, relax, and connect with your fellow crochet enthusiasts, as we stitch together a really marble-ous project. So, grab your exclusive kit, your hook, and let’s make this winter one to remember. After all, with the Merry Marbles Makealong, the only thing you’ll be losing this winter is yourself in the magic of crochet!

‎️‍🌈 Pin this project for later:

‎️‍🌈 About the kits

An exclusive pattern and kit are being created for this extra special MAL. Each kit will include the following super washed merino 4ply (Sock weight) yarn;

1 x 100g / 425m skein of natural yarn
6 x 20g / 425m mini skeins of exclusive hand-dyed colourways
Exclusive @mrsgmakes stitch markers
A digital copy of the pattern

Pre-ordered kits will be available for £45 + postage, and can be made on The Yarn Whisperer website from 10am Wednesday 2nd October 2024…

AND if you order your kit in the first 12 hours you can enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount.

SHOP NOW

‎️‍🌈 Let’s get social!

Grab the image below 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!

Image for the Merry Marbles Crochet Make-along image below to post on socials to share that you are joining in with our latest MAL

We look forward to you sharing your WIPs with us and we will be using hashtags #MerryMarblesMAL #kcacouk, #mrsgmakes and #theyarnwhisperer if you want to tag us on socials – we love to see what you make.

Whether you’re a crochet newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll hopefully love diving into the vibrant design we’ve curated to keep your spirits high. Grab your yarn, your hook, and let’s make this winter truly marble-ous!

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

P.S. You may wish to sign up to the blog (or my newsletter) if you haven’t already, and The Yarn Whisperer newsletter so you’ll be the first to know any new collab updates!

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1Jun2024

Mischievous Magpie Makealong starts today!

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Mischievous Magpie crochet makealong. Running from 1 June to 19 July 2024. Find all the details on www.keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com

Happy MAL day folks!

Are you exciting for our latest makealong? Today marks the official start day for our Mischievous Magpie crochet makealong (though of course feel free to join in whenever you’re ready). This summer we are creating a distinctive lightweight shawlette perfect for a fun and creative summer project which I hope you’ll enjoy making as much as I enjoyed designing it.

All the folks that ordered the exclusive Mischievous Magpie MAL kit should have already received the gorgeous Yarn Whisperer yarn (plus fab extras), and the pattern went out to everyone yesterday (from Kitey – so maybe check your junk mail if the pattern doesn’t seem to have appeared).

Close up of the Mischievous Magpie yarn kit dyed by The Yarn Whisperer in beautiful colours inspired by magpies.

The exclusive colourway that Kitey has come up with for this summer is really different from what we’ve had before – such gorgeous dramatic colours.

It contains a 100g (425m) skein of ‘Blue Flash’ which is a stunning royal blue colour with a exciting pop of sparkly stelina running through it. Alongside this we’ve combined two 50g (212m) skeins; a natural ‘White Feathers’ alongside a bit of ‘Black Mischief’ which is a marvellous, almost black, tonal shade.

And Amanda from Mrs G Makes has done it again! Staying true to the magpie theme, she has created stitch markers with a stunning iridescent blue bead and a gorgeous enamel magpie, both complete with gold clasps. These delightful additions are the perfect complement to the project.

Close up of stitch markers on top of a piece of blue crochet. The stitch markers are a stunning iridescent blue bead and a gorgeous enamel magpie, both complete with gold clasps.

I had such fun working with this particular palette for this crochet design. Each colour choice brought a unique element to the piece, and seeing them come together was incredibly satisfying. It turned out exactly how I envisioned it when the idea for the shawlette first sparked in my mind. I can’t wait to share the finished shawlette with you, but I’m going to keep it a secret still for now until everyone has started their projects.

The Mischievous Magpie yarn kit dyed by The Yarn Whisperer in Blue Flash, Black Mischief and White Feathers - ready for the crochet makealong.

The MAL will run from today (Saturday 1 June 2024) until Friday 19 July 2024 giving everyone plenty of time to make the pattern. You can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.

SHARING WITH THE #MAGPIEMAL COMMUNITY

We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – we’d love to see what you make! We will be sharing our progress with the hashtags #magpiemal #kcacouk #yarnwhisperer #mrsgmakes. If you’re blogging, feel free to leave links to your post(s) in the comments here.

Pin this project:

Pinterest collage for the Mischievous Magpie Summer 2024 Crochet Makealong from Keep Calm and Crochet On UK, The Yarn Whisperer and Mrs G Makes.

So join us as we embrace the spirit of the magpie and let our creativity take flight! We do hope that you enjoy this fun make-along; Kitey, Mrs G and I can’t wait to see your wonderful Mischievous Magpie shawlette’s come to life!

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

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1Apr2024

Mischievous Magpie MAL Announcement

Posted in Collaboration, Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Mischievous Magpie Crochet Make-along, 1 June - 19 July 2024. www.keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com

Greetings, fellow yarn enthusiasts! It’s with immense joy and anticipation that I announce the crochet make-along for 2024 in collaboration with the one and only The Yarn Whisperer!

As seasoned crafters know, our make along series is more than just an event – it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the sheer joy of crafting. Building on the success and magic of our past collaborations, we’re thrilled to embark on a new crochet project with you which we’ve called ‘The Mischievous Magpie’.

🖤 Pin this project for later:

Pinterest collage of images relating to the Mischievous Magpie crochet make-along including magpie coloured yarn skeins, a feather and a magpie.

For this seventh edition, we’ve brewed up something truly special. Prepare to be enchanted by a delightful pattern, beautiful yarn and special notions curated with love and care.

Get the full details on the MAL landing page here, including a little introductory story that sets the scene for the mischievous magpie – our inspiration for this summer’s creations.

This time round we are going to be making a shaped scarf / shawlette. The make-along will run from 1 June to 19 July 2024; you can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.

Collage of images for the Mischievous Magpie crochet makealong including an image of the yarn we will be using in the kits alongside some photos of magpies.

🖤 About the kits

An exclusive pattern and kit are being created for this extra special MAL. Each kit will include the following super washed merino 4ply (Sock weight) yarn;

1x 50g / 212m skein of natural yarn
1x 50g / 212m skeins of an exclusive hand-dyed colourway
1 x 100g / 425m of another exclusive sparkle hand-dyed colourway
Exclusive @mrsgmakes stitch markers
A digital copy of the pattern

Pre-ordered kits will be available for £45 + postage, and can be made on The Yarn Whisperer website from 10 am on 1 April 2024 (no fooling!);

AND if you order your kit in the first 12 hours you can enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount.

SHOP NOW

🖤 Let’s get social!

Grab the image below 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!

Image for the Mischievous Magpie Crochet Make-along image below to post on socials to share that you are joining in with our latest MAL

We look forward to you sharing your WIPs with us and we will be using hashtags #MagpieMAL #kcacouk and #yarnwhisperer if you want to tag us on socials – we love to see what you make.

So mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to join us for an unforgettable Mischievous Magpie MAL experience.

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

P.S. You may wish to sign up to the blog (or my newsletter) if you haven’t already, and The Yarn Whisperer newsletter so you’ll be the first to know any new collab updates!

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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.

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.

❤️ 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!

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

31Jul2023

Happy MAL day | Graceful Gull starts today!

Posted in Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Image of a seagull perched on a wooden pole against a cloudy blue sky.

The Yarn Whisperer and Keep Calm and Crochet On UK logos are in the top right hand corner.

Text reads Graceful Gull Crochet Make-Along, 31 July-15 September 2023. www.keepcalmandcrochetonuk.com

Happy MAL day folks!

I hope you are ready for our Graceful Gull shawlette make-along – today is the official start day (though of course you can start whenever you like). I’ve designed our shawlette to be a unique lightweight accessory which I hope you’ll enjoy as a crafty summer project.

All the folks that ordered the exclusive Graceful Gull MAL kit should have already received the gorgeous Yarn Whisperer yarn (plus fab extras), and the pattern went out to everyone a few days ago (from Kitey – so maybe check your junk mail if the pattern doesn’t seem to have appeared).

Image of 4 skeins of hand dyed yarn on top of shells and drift wood, there is a wooden crochet hook alongside the yarn.

The exclusive colourway that Kitey has come up with for this summer is so pretty! It contains a 100g (425m) skein of a natural ice-cream colour alongside two 50g (212m) skeins of beautiful gull greys; one lighter and one darker. Then we have a wonderful pop of colour with a 20g (85m) mini skein of feet and beak tonal orange.

Kitey has also outdone himself with the packaging this year – all the Graceful Gull kits were packed in fish and chip boxes, how fun is that, I love it!

Image of a 'traditional fish and chips' box which was used to pack the Graceful Gull crochet make along kit. This is sitting on a bed of sea shells and drift wood.

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

Close up of two silver stitch markers on top of a piece of drift wood. The stitch markers are of a packet of fries and an ice-cream.

I’ve loved working with the Graceful Gull colour palette this year. The cool tones of the greys really felt wonderfully summery, but I equally enjoyed the modern edginess of the inclusion of the pop of orange colour! I can’t wait to share the finished shawlette with you, but I’m going to keep it a secret still for now until everyone has started their projects.

Image of a cardboard fish and chip box resting on a collection of shells and driftwood. It has been open to reveal skeins of yarn wrapped in tissue paper, there is a yarn whisperer sticker holding the tissue paper together.

The MAL will run from today (Monday 31 July 2023) until Friday 15 September 2023 giving everyone plenty of time to make the pattern. You can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.

There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group and in Kitey’s Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch zoom sessions. This years he’s also holding MAL start ‘hook on’ Instagram Live parties at 10am and 6.30pm – see full details on Kitey’s Insta page.

SHARING WITH THE #GRACEFULGULLMAL COMMUNITY

We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – we’d love to see what you make! We will be sharing our progress with the hashtags #gracefulgullmal #kcacouk #yarnwhisperer #mrsgmakes. If you’re blogging, feel free to leave links to your post(s) in the comments here.

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