Solstice Garden MAL 2020 | The Reveal

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

Happy Solstice everyone! Today is the last day of the make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself – though I know there are still plenty of people around the world who are just starting, or are continuing to make the Solstice Garden Wrap.

If this is the first you’ve heard about the Solstice Garden MAL you can read more about it here, but it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, on a unique crocheted wrap design called Solstice Garden.

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 shawls.

I thought I’d just share some photos of my finished shawl so you can see the final design if you haven’t already. I’m really pleased with how this wrap turned out, it is one of those designs where the yarn really knew what it wanted to be.

I think I mentioned that for this design I looked into some of the traditions of solstice time. The wrap features circles, which the pagan’s used to represent the year and stylised wreaths or blooms to symbolise the turning of the seasons. There are also symbols of protection, unity and balance with enclosing borders and repeating stitch patterns.

With everything that has happened this year this MAL and design has definitely been a highlight, and as always a lovely part of any MAL, (or CAL), has been the wonderful joining of the crafty community, the taking part, chatting about the design and making friends!

In fact there’s a Solstice Zoom catch up TONIGHT at 8pm for a final MAL meet up – doesn’t matter if you are just starting or finishing off it would just be lovely to see you. You can find the full details over on the Yarn Whisperers instagram grid.

Although there is an end date to the make along, it doesn’t really end because you can still make the pattern later. Kitey is currently taking a short break for the holidays though he’ll be re-opening on 26th December (for stock items). His dyed to order yarn, like the Solstice Garden colourway kits will be available again from January 4th 2021. The bead kits to go along with the yarn will still be included but the extra special kit exclusive ‘freebies’ will no longer be available. Kits cost £37 + postage.

If you’d prefer to use yarn from your stash then you can do the pattern alone will be available from my usual stores from 1st February 2021 onwards.

We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact we might just have some secret plans to work together again in the future! All I’m going to say is that I might just have in my possession THE MOST BEAUTIFUL yarn for a summer design that you are not going to want to miss out on! 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

14Dec2020

KCACOUKDesigns Crochet Kits

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

Who likes crochet kits? I personally love a good crochet kit, it’s so nice to have everything you need altogether in one place for a project. This is why I’ve had a plan for a while to turn some of my patterns into crochet kits – and I’m excited to say that the first one is ready!

For my first crochet kit I have chosen the Leafy Boughs Wrap which you may remember made it’s debut in Happily Hooked Magazine back in 2018 (Issue 48), it was then later chosen as a crochet along for Happily Hooked members.

It’s been one of my most popular shawl designs and is personally one of my favourites, I still love how the design turned out. The Leafy Bough‘s Wrap is a light and airy shawl that’s easy and relaxing to make as it only uses simple stitches – it’s a breeze to hook up once you get used to the row repeats.

The crochet kit includes everything you need for your project; from a gorgeously soft Scheepjes Whirl (in shade Pistachi Oh So Nice), a fully tech edited pattern booklet all contained in a handy drawstring cotton project bag to keep everything together. The kit comes with the option to purchase with or without tools for those that prefer to use their own hooks.

I must just show you a close up of the drawstring bags which are exclusively just for the KCACOUKDesign kits, I love the hooky hands, they came out just how I wanted, and once you’ve finished your shawl the project bag would make a great place for yarn storage or for other WIPs.

I think the shawl would make a great gift – whether as a project or a finished item or as an excellent gifts for crafty friends and family (or maybe as a well deserved treat for yourself!).

To celebrate the launch of this kit I’m offering 10% discount in the whole of my KCACOUKDesign Etsy store. This discount includes the kit and any of the patterns in the store; just use code KCACOUK10 before the 18 December 2020 to save!

SHOP NOW

Although there aren’t many kits and patterns in the store yet my plan is to change that in 2021 – if you want to be kept in the loop about any new pattern releases or kits then make sure you are signed up to my newsletter (link below).

Until next time, happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

3Dec2020

Crochet Now Magazine | Wreaths, Stockings and Pusheen!

Posted in Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Sometimes when you do work for magazines designs get shuffled round to fit a particular issue and that’s happened to me just recently and has meant I actually have THREE designs in the latest edition of Crochet Now magazine.

Crochet Now magazine cover of Issue 62 — © Crochet NOW magazine – Issue 62

You might just be able to spy one of them on the bottom of the cover of Issue 62 – it’s Pusheen! If you aren’t familiar with Pusheen she’s a tubby little kitty that was created back in 2010 as a comic strip and has since taken the world by storm in sticker sets on social media platforms.

We are big fans of Pusheen in this house so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to create her in crochet. As it was for a festive issue of the magazine I even got to give her a teeny tiny Christmas hat!

Crocheted version of Pusheen the cat in a festive scene wearing a tiny Santa hat — © Crochet NOW magazine – Issue 62

For Pusheen I used some of my favourite Ricorumi DK yarn with a 3mm hook which, as it has lots of colours to choose from, had the perfect ‘Pusheen’ type shades I was looking for.

I have to say I’ve seen some of the Pusheen’s you have been making from the magazine, from tags on social media, and it’s been an absolute delight! They have all turned out so cute! I hope you have enjoyed making her as much as I enjoyed designing her.

❤️ SAVE PUSHEEN ON RAVELRY ❤️

Issue 62 is all about getting your crochet hook moving and working on those last-minute gifts for friends and loved ones. There’s lots of quick gifts including a chunky stocking from me.

Chunky crocheted textured lilac Christmas stocking on a pink background — © Crochet NOW magazine – Issue 62

As it’s made with really thick yarn you can whip up this fabulously chunky stocking in no time. I used King Cole Timeless Super Chunky with a both a 8mm hook and a 9mm hook. The finished stocking works up at about 50cm long x 21cm wide so plenty of room to fit in presents!

❤️ SAVE SUGARPLUM STOCKING ON RAVELRY ❤️

Last but not least I have a wreath pattern in Issue 62. Have you ever crocheted around wire? Well for the Frosted Flowers Wreath that’s what I did to create a delicate wreath which you could have to suit your own home decor this Christmas.

To create the flowers I used DMC Natura Just Cotton with a 3mm hook and some florist (or it’s also used with sugarcrafts) green wire. There are some guidance photos on how to incorporate the wire with your crochet in the magazine, it can be a bit fiddly but once you get into the rhythm of joining them together it get’s easier.

Delicate crocheted floral wreath — © Crochet NOW magazine – Issue 62

I then used my glue gun to attach all my flowers to a large white 30cm wire craft hoop, I then finished it off with a big bow made with a mixture of different widths of ribbon.

I was really pleased with how it turned out and I think I’ll definitely but using wire in future designs, it opens up lots of opportunities!

❤️ SAVE FROSTED FLOWERS WREATH ON RAVELRY ❤️

Issue 62 is available to buy from your local supermarket or you can grab a digital version from www.craftstash.co.uk/books-magazines

If you hook up Pusheen, the Sugarplum Stocking or The Frosted Flowers Wreath I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

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23Sep2020

Crochet Now Magazine | Sweet Sighs Shawl

Posted in Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I think 2020 is definitely going to be the year of the shawl for me! Today I’ve got my third shawl release of this year to share with you – and it’s a design that was definitely born from the current pandemic situation we find ourselves facing together.

The Sweet Sighs Shawl, which is out now in Issue 60 of Crochet Now magazine, is a lovely easy shawl that includes elements of repetition and texture to help you exhale from the stresses of the day!

I think I mentioned before that lately I’ve really enjoyed working on patterns that I can easily memorise, where I can just get lost in the stitches, and I can just make. That’s totally what this shawl allows you to do, it’s perfect for a bit of mindful stitching, while watching TV or listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks – just simply hook away, relax and unwind!

To make things as easy as possible I’ve designed the Sweet Sighs Shawl to work with any of those beautiful yarn cakes that lots of different yarn companies produce. I do so love a yarn cake, there’s something so satisfying about them don’t you think, and this shawl, including the fun tassels, just takes up one 150g / 435m ball.

For my shawl I used one ball of King Cole Curiosity which was actually a new yarn for me. It’s 100% Premium Acrylic yarn that comes in a varied range of different shades. I used Ocean which, as you can probably imagine from the name, was a stripy cake of variegated marled blues and whites.

The days are definitely starting to get cooler now, and shawls are such a great thing to have as an autumn accessory as they are so versatile. I like to wear mine looped around my neck like a scarf, but depending on the vibe you are going for you could style it in a few different ways – and I love to see the blue of this shawl teamed up with jeans!

❤️ SAVE SWEET SIGHS SHAWL ON RAVELRY ❤️

Crochet Now issue 60 is available in supermarkets and online from CraftStash and you can also read Crochet Now digitally at www.pocketmags.com.

If you hook up the Sweet Sighs Shawl I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

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24Jul2020

Crochet Now Magazine | Summer Wrapsody

Posted in Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

You may have noticed I’ve been on a bit of a shawl and wrap designing kick recently, they are one of my favourite things, aside amigurumi, to make! I just love how many different combinations you can come up with to make something new – the possibilities are endless!

So I really enjoyed creating a new wrap for Issue 58 of Crochet Now magazine which incorporates four different stitches – allow me to introduce Summer Wrapsody…

This shawl was designed with sunny days in mind! It’s perfect to wrap around your shoulders to shelter from a cool sea breeze or to see you through a summer wedding or garden party pinned up with a sparkly brooch (though sadly the latter option might have to wait for a while). I’m loving the combination of yellows teamed with the blue in the magazine styling – so summery!

Summer Wrapsody is a classically shaped rectangular wrap that combines lace panels with solid sections to create a shawl that is lightweight yet cosy when it needs to be. It’s the perfect project to be worked on in summer in gradient yarn for a fun ombre effect, and is a nice mindful project mingled with different stitches for interest.

I do so love a Scheepjes Whirl! And that’s what I used for Summer Wrapsody in the lovely yellow shades of Daffodil Dolally (Shade 551) combined with a Scheepjes Whirlette in Ice (Shade 860) – but there are so many different combinations you could make this wrap in.

And this would make a super holiday project as you only need to take 2 balls of yarn with you to get a complete wrap – perfect for a bit of crochet project packing!

I do so love this wrap and I hope you will like it too. I think it’s a super easy way to ‘wrap’ up a chic summer look!

❤️ SAVE SUMMER WRAPSODY ON RAVELRY ❤️

Crochet Now issue 58 is available in supermarkets and online from CraftStash and you can also read Crochet Now digitally at www.pocketmags.com.

If you hook up Summer Wrapsody I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

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10Jun2020

Crochet Now Magazine | Pelagia Shawl

Posted in Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Issue 56 of Crochet Now magazine is out now and nestled amongst lots of lovely designs is a new pattern from me which is quite possibly one of my favourite shawl designs I’ve ever made! Allow me to introduce the Pelagia Shawl!

My inspiration for the shawl pattern was a bloom of jellyfish moving through shimmering water. Last year our family went on holiday to Anglesey and there was a beach there where the sea was just filled with jellyfish – I’ve never seen so many!

It was a design that, in my opinion, truly came to life when taken from the page and was crocheted up in the gorgeous Scheepjes Stardust yarn.

I’m already a fan of Scheepjes Stardust yarn, you may remember I used it for the Shining Light Wedding Wrap (get the free pattern here). It’s a soft and gentle blended yarn of mohair, wool, acrylic and polyester metallic thread. The yarn does have a halo around it, but it’s not super fluffy, and it feels nice and luxurious without it being too costly.

You can’t really see it on the photos but the yarn contains fine sparkling fibers that add an elegant shimmer when they catch the light – my inner magpie is in love with them. Aside from the sparkle and the light airy feel of the yarn I love the fact that it’s also soft without being scratchy like some sparkle yarns can be. I don’t think it will be the last time I use Scheepjes Stardust yarn!

It’s classed as a DK weight (Light Worsted / Sport Weight) and I’d say it’s definitely on the finer side of that spectrum, but I’ve found a 3.5mm (US size E/4) hook works perfectly to create the stitches and drape I was looking for.

For this design I chose Virgo (Shade 664), which is a gradient yarn with ranges from darkish almost maroon colour, through to white, with all blended pink shades in between. I wouldn’t normally class myself as a ‘pink’ person but this is a really pretty colourway and was just spot on for what I had envisaged.

Everytime I look at this shawl I just fall in love with it again! I hope you all will like it too. It’s such a light and airy shawl, with that lovely subtle hint of sparkle, which I think would integrate perfectly with any modern wardrobe.

❤️ SAVE PEGAGIA SHAWL ON RAVELRY ❤️

Crochet Now issue 56 is available in supermarkets and online from CraftStash and you can also read Crochet Now digitally at www.pocketmags.com.

If you hook up the Pelagia Shawl I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

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28Nov2018

Skimming Stones MCAL | Finally Finished!

Posted in Crochet, crochet-along, For Adult, From the Stash, Inspiration by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So today I’m going to celebrate the fact that I’ve finally finished off a WIP (work in progress) that’s been sitting by my chair for the last four months…which isn’t TOO bad I suppose. I’m sure I’ve got other WIPs that are gathering cobwebs in dusty recesses of hidden boxes and bags…but we won’t mention those.

Today it’s all about the WIP that is no longer in a state of incompleteness. Cue triumphant fanfare…my Skimming Stones Shawl is finally finished!

I don’t know if you remember but I joined the Crochet-Along (CAL) by designers Kat Goldin and Joanne Scrace (aka The Crochet Project) for their Skimming Stones Mystery Crochet A-Long that ran over June and July this year. You can read about my start here but, as with most things that are for myself, it got put to one side whilst I had to work on other commissions and things.

But I recently had a little bit of time to get it finished off, blocked and ready to wear. And actually as the weather is turning colder in this part of the UK it couldn’t have come at a better time!

I did a complete wet block for this shawl as it had been scrunched up in a WIP bag for ages. I left it pinned out over night on foam mats on the floor, which my family was really pleased to have to walk around, and the next day I did the fun unpinning part to see it in it’s new shape!

It turned out so pretty – I love this colour combination of Scheepjes Stonewashed together and I love the texture and the edging…

I was very lucky to get a bit of winter sunshine to take some photos – I hate this time of year when there’s very little natural light around (or it’s so grey outside it still seems like night time!) but Mr Sun was very obliging on this occasion…

We have a lovely wall of ivy in the back garden that stays green all year round, it’s one of my favourite places to use as a backdrop, and I think it really helps show you how the colours really appear!

My new shawl is going to keep me lovely and cosy! But I’ve still got shawl fever and want to make another one!

So I’ve been thinking about what other WIP projects I might start to work on in between other things. I’m not going to do another CAL right now but I’ve got my eye on the stunning Grinda Shawl by Tatsiana Kupryianchyk aka Lilla Bjorn which was released as a MCAL by Scheepjes.

That MCAL has finished now but I think the pattern is absolutely smashing and I have a Scheepjes Whirl (Black Forest Zinger) in my stash which I think has this shawls written all over it! Watch this space!

Have you made the Grinda Shawl? I’d love to hear about it and your top tips before I start.

Until next time! Keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

23Aug2018

Free Crochet Pattern | Shining Light Wedding Wrap

Posted in Crochet, Free Patterns, Life, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

This pattern is a special one for me as it’s the wrap I designed for my best friends wedding. The shawl is named after my friend Helen, whose name means shining light, and also the twinkly Scheepjes Stardust yarn I used to make the wrap.

You may remember I designed a ring cushion for her (which you can read about here) but this was something that was a surprise for her just from me – as I know she has a tendency to feel the cold.

I felt very grateful to be able to create something for my best friends special day, we’ve known each other for over 25 years and so much love was put into this shawl with every stitch.

This pattern is a relatively easy to make, and would suit a beginner that was looking to learn some new crochet techniques.

I think this simple and pretty bridal wrap is a perfect combination between tradition and stitch-crafts that a perfect element for a handmade wedding!

This simple yet stunning wedding wrap is perfect for brides (or guests) to add a new dimension to wedding attire and to keep warm too!

If you aren’t familiar with the Scheepjes Stardust I used to make this wrap and would like to learn more then you can read my yarn review here or just scroll straight down to the pattern below.

Shining Light Wedding Wrap

Materials:

Yarn: 8ply / Double Knit / yarn weight #3; Scheepjes Stardust used in photos in the following amounts and shades:

3 x 100g (1620m) of Capricorn: 653

Hook: 3.5mm (US size E)

You will also need: Yarn needle

Gauge: Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project.

Finished Size: 50.8 cm wide x 167.6cm long (20 inches wide x 66 inches long)

Abbreviations:

st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch
ch(s) = chain
dc/sc = UK double crochet / US single crochet
tr/dc = UK Treble Crochet / US Double Crochet

Stitch Guidance:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
UK Double Crochet/US Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and draw up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, draw through both loops on hook.
UK Treble / US Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Pattern:

The main pattern is a two row repeat (e.g. rows 2-3)

Row 1: Ch102; 1dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook *ch5, miss 3ch, 1dc/sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end, turn (99 sts / 25 ch loops)

Row 2: Ch5; 1dc/sc in the first loop *7tr/dc in the next loop, 1dc/sc in the next loop, ch5, 1dc/sc in the next loop, * repeat from * to * until the last dc/sc in the last loop; ch2, 1tr/dc in the top of the dc/sc of row 1 to finish end, turn

Row 3: Ch1; 1dc/sc in the first st, *ch5; miss two sts (first sc/dc and the first st of 7tr/dc of previous rnd), 1dc/sc in the next st, ch5, miss 3sts, 1dc/sc in the next st, ch5, 1dc/sc into the next loop * repeat from * to * until the ch5 loop, finish with a dc/sc in the beginning ch5 loop of row 2, turn

Rows 4 to 92: Repeat rows 2-3 ending on a row 2, turn

Rows 93: Ch1; 1dc/sc in the first st *ch3; miss next st (of 7tr/dc of previous rnd), 1dc/sc in the next st, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc/sc in the next st, ch3, 1dc/sc into the next loop * repeat from * to * to end, finishing with a dc/sc in the beginning ch5 loop. On the last st do not fasten off but continue straight to the edging instructions

Edging:

Ch3, Work * 1tr/dc in each dc/sc st along (or 3tr/dc in each ch3 sp) ; add 5tr/dc in the last st of each edge to turn the corner * then repeat from * to * until end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

I would greatly appreciate if you add this pattern to your “favourite” on Ravelry (just click the pink heart button on the top right hand side of the listing).

And if you hook up the Shining Light Wedding Wrap please share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make!

And that’s it!

Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

11Jul2018

Skimming Stones MCAL | Parts 1 and 2 done!

Posted in Crochet, crochet-along, For Adult, From the Stash, Inspiration by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

It’s work in progress Wednesday! If you follow me on Instagram then you will have seen that over June and July my WIP is the Skimming Stones Mystery Crochet A-Long by designers Kat Goldin and Joanne Scrace (aka The Crochet Project). It’s a paid for pattern CAL that started on 20 June with a new section released each week for a total of 4 weeks.

There’s always so many amazing CALs out there but unless it’s my own CAL I’m usually a bit rubbish at not letting other things get in the way. However the Skimming Stones CAL seemed manageable (for me) as it’s four parts released on a weekly basis. So not too long a CAL to start impeding on my other commitments and the right kind of project to make me feel like I’ve really accomplished something as I get a nice new shawl just for me at the end.

And I was extremely good and didn’t buy any new yarn for this project (I’m not ill I promise!) I just really need to start using some of my own yarn stash before we all become buried alive in it. And I have some lovely stuff in my stash, so I’m beginning to try and get more of a use it up attitude – so it was stash shopping I went!

I picked out some of my favourite yarn, Scheepjes Stonewashed, from my stash in the following colours and amounts:

Col A = 2 x 50g / 260 metres of Smokey Quartz (802)
Col B = 1 x 50g / 130 metres of Corundum Ruby (808)
Col C = 1 x 50g / 130 metres of Lilac Quartz (818)
Col D = 1 x 50g / 130 metres of Amazonite (813)
Col E = 1 x 50g / 130 metres of Crystal Quartz (814)

And I’m pretty much in love with how these colours are working together! With the Stonewashed I’ve used a 3.5mm (US size E) hook and of course keeping all my WIP together in a handy Dear Ewe project bag 😉

I’m really enjoyed a mini break from designing and found it so refreshing to just follow a pattern were someone else had done all the working out for me!

It’s such a fun design too and I basically followed all the helpful tips by Lynn Rowe (from the Woolnest); starting with a 2ch and carrying my yarn up the side of my work too, I also made sure to weave in my ends as I went (anyone else usually leave that till the end – or never if they get the chance?!).

I’ve made it up to clue 2 and I’m a little behind as I stopped to crochet a platypus (more about that in another post)…but I’m very pleased with myself for keeping up as a reason I don’t usually join in the CALs is because I know I will get caught up in other projects and not finished! But not this time (I said to myself)…

By the time this post is published I’ll hopefully be off to download parts 3 and 4 of the pattern and finish it all off!

Have you been working on the Skimming Stones CAL too? I’d love to hear how you are getting on with it too if you are?

Until next time folks! Keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

5Apr2018

Leafy Boughs Shawl CAL| All Finished!

Posted in Crochet, crochet-along, Inspiration, Magazine, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

All good things come to an end at some point and so it happens that with the arrival of April that the March Happily Hooked Magazine crochet-along, with my Leafy Boughs Shawl, is now OVER. I have been left completely flabbergasted all the shawls that have been made, the amazing colourways, the fact that people made more than one in the time frame – just amazing!

So we couldn’t come to the end of an amazing CAL without having a little showcase of some of the amazing shawls that have been made – get ready for a feast of inspiration for your eyeballs!

All of them were amazing but I did have a couple of favourites; this one by Corrie really drew my eye because it’s just so gorgeous. She used Scheepjes Whirl in Tasty Nom Nom, a colourway which I adore, and I think the pattern works so well in the mixture of rich pinks and purples.

This one by Laura, using some indie dyed yarn from Etsy, also came out beautifully – move over pastels! I love these rich spring colours.

This version of the Leafy Bough’s shawl by HHM editor Emily is so lovely, I love the variegated blues and greens and I also love that the staff of HHM join in the crochet-alongs with their members – how wonderful is that!

And this one by Lee, Assistant Editor of HHM, is just stunning too isn’t it!! Lee used Katia Spring rainbow which is a yarn I’ve never tried before but one I’m certainly going to look out for.

And finally how amazing is this backdrop! Spring in the Yucatan apparently and wow what a place to be crocheting! And Lynne’s shawl is a perfect compliment to the backdrop, her shawl in variegated blues and purples is just stunning too.

And here is a little collage of some more of the wonderful shawls people have made, thanks so much to; Amy, Ann, Anne-Mary, Carole, Charlene, Christena, Coco-Lee, Corrie, Debra, Emily, Geneva, Jackie, Karen, Kim, Laura, Linda, Lynne, Missy, Naomi, Nicki, Nora, Pamela, Patrice and Sara for sharing your finished works with me.

Happily Hooked magazine run a new CAL every new issue of the magazine. If that’s something you think you might be interested in you can SAVE over 50% on your first year when you start a digital subscription through my link:yearly subscription. Or if you aren’t quite ready for a yearly subscription why not try the monthly subscription.

Well until next time, happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx