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!

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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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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!

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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

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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!

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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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