Dragonfly River MAL Announcement

Posted in Crochet by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Banner image featuring the details for the Dragonfly River summer crochet makealong, running from 31 July until 15 September 2022.

I’m super excited to be joining forces again this winter with talented yarn dyer Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, to bring you a brand new seasonal make-along.

Imagine, you are on a day out; it’s a fine sunny day and you have taken a delicious picnic, and of course a brand new crochet project, to enjoy in the relative peace and quiet of the countryside.

It’s nice and warm and you are feeling lovely and relaxed! The river is flowing gracefully by your side, there’s a hint of a refreshing breeze, birds are singing in the trees and there are blue skies and fluffy clouds above you. It’s then that you hear the zip of a dragonfly flying past, and your eyes follow the iridescent glimmer of its body, as it goes on a hunt on the sparkling rippling river.

Join us on its journey as we take part in the Dragonfly River Make Along!

Collage of images featuring a river bank, a dragonfly and an image of the exclusive colourway for the Dragonfly River MAL

If you are not sure what a MAL is, you can read more on the MAL landing page here, but Kitey and I have actually had this planned since last years Christmas collab (and we may have already planned more projects into 2024 – we do get a bit over excited when we start talking!)

This time around we are going to be making a cowl, which I’m not going to show you yet, and I’m not going to giveaway too much about the project, but what I will say is that I really, really love everything about it and can’t wait to share it with you!

An exclusive pattern and kit have been created for this extra special MAL. Kitey has worked his magic, as usual, to put together an amazingly special colourway and each kit will include:

1x 100g / 400m skein of Sparkle Sock yarn, in an exclusive hand-dyed colourway
1x 100g / 400m skein of natural 4ply Slub Yarn yarn
A digital copy of the exclusive MAL pattern
a few extra treats, including some EXCLUSIVE @mrsgmakes stitch markers, just for good measure!

Pin this project for later:

Pinterest image featuring a river bank, a dragonfly sitting on a hand, and an image of the exclusive colourway for the Dragonfly River MAL

Pre-ordered kits will be available for £44 + postage, and can be ordered on The Yarn Whisperer website from 10 am on 9th May.

AND if you order your kit in the first 24 hours you can enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount.

Kits will be dyed to order over the coming weeks, with generally a 1 week turn-around from order to shipping. But get in quick to ensure you get yours in plenty of time to crochet along with us!

Last International orders will be shipped by 25^th June if ordered by the end of May. UK orders will continue to be shipped after this date but ordering early ensures your kit arrives in plenty of time to join us on 31st July.

The Make Along will run from 31^st July to 15^th September for a nice relaxed project with plenty of time for you 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.

I’ve put together all the details for this particular MAL on a landing page which you can find here, or find via the top menu of this blog under the tab ‘CALS AND MALS’.

There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group. And you can also pop in and join in with the Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch sessions hosted by Kitey – Tuesday’s from 1-3 pm, Friday’s from 5.20pm (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.

If you want to share your yarn arrivals and WIP shots on socials we will be using hashtags #DragonflyRiverMAL #kcacouk and #yarnwhisperer. We hope you will tag us as we absolutely seeing your photos.

We do hope that you will join both Kitey and I 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

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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26Jul2021

Crochet Now Magazine | Kawaii Coffee House Characters

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

A few months ago I was asked by the lovely folks at Crochet Now magazine if I’d to create some fun amigurumi’s to accompany a stitch marker set that they were giving away with Issue 71.

The cute stitch marker set was based around a coffee house theme; there was a mini cup of coffee, a little donut and an tiny ice-cream with cute little smiley faces. I couldn’t resist such a fun project!

I used Paintbox Cotton DK for the characters which, if you are not familiar with, is a DK weight 100% Cotton which comes in 50g (125m) balls so there is a lot of yarn to play with. I used 1 ball in Light Caramel (409), 1 ball in Bubblegum Pink (451), 1 ball in Spearmint Green (426), 1 ball in Paper White (401) and 1 ball in the aptly named Coffee Bean (411) to make all the characters – and I still had yarn left over.

The suggested hook size for the yarn is a 4mm but I used a 3mm as I like to go down a couple of hook sizes for my amigurumi sometimes to get a tighter gauge (and to prevent holes which stuffing could come out of!).

I think I did quite a good job of colour matching to the stitch marker set, but luckily Paintbox Cotton DK comes in 56 different colours so I had plenty of choice. It also makes it a great yarn for amigurumi making, in fact I’ve used it a few times on different patterns.

And if you on the look out for some more cotton yarn for your stash LoveCrafts have actually got their July Sale on right now, up to 70% off knitting and crochet yarns on purchases until the end of July – you’re welcome!

The finished characters end up from 17cm tall (for the ice-cream), 12cm (for the coffee cup) and 9cm diameter for the iced donut, so perfect little mascot or desk top height.

I used some pieces of felt and my trusty glue gun for some elements of the faces and embroidered on the other details to finish them off with the right look and I was really pleased with how cute they turned out.

❤️ SAVE KAWAII CHARACTERS ON RAVELRY ❤️

Issue 71 of Crochet Now magazine is packed with 39 summer patterns that you’ll love in a 100 page magazine, and it comes with the exclusive stitch marker bracelet set with the 3 super-cute original café-inspired stitch markers!

It’s available to buy from your local supermarket and some newsagents or you can grab a digital version from www.craftstash.co.uk/books-magazines

If you hook up the Kawaii Coffee House Characters 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

1Jul2021

Crochet Now Magazine | Boardwalk Breeze Wrap

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

The Brighton Beach edition of Crochet Now magazine (Issue 70) has tried to capture the feeling of holidaying in a lovely seaside town. There are loads of wonderful projects for staycations or vacations – including a new wrap design by me.

The Boardwalk Breeze wrap is a colourful, cotton addition to anyone’s wardrobe, it’s light and bright for summer but will keep that evening breeze at bay as you take a stroll along the beach.

The wrap was inspired by a combination of stripy boardwalks and the seaside pastel colours you see on colourful beach huts.

I used Cygnet Cotton for this wrap which was a totally new yarn for me, though I have used other Cygnet yarns. It’s a DK weight 100% Cotton with a subtle twist for beautiful stitch definition and gives a perfect drape to lightweight crochet projects.

It’s also available in a spectrum of bright rainbow and summery pastels – I used 8 different colours with a 4mm hook, to create my wrap.

The finished shawl measures 180 cm in length and 45 cm in depth when blocked so it’s lovely big wrap and the cotton makes it a cool and comfortable accessory to wear. You’ll definitely be turning heads as you walk along the promenade with this lovely bright summer wrap!

The pattern is very beginner friendly with easy row repeats of the sections, making it a great mindful project – or a perfect easy pattern to take with you on holiday.

❤️ SAVE BOARDWALK BREEZE WRAP ON RAVELRY ❤️

Issue 70 of Crochet Now magazine is packed with 55 patterns and comes complete with a broomstick crochet pattern book, a Paddington Bear supplement book and a broomstick crochet stick and 3.5mm hook.

It’s available to buy from your local supermarket and some newsagents or you can grab a digital version from www.craftstash.co.uk/books-magazines

If you hook up the Boardwalk Breeze Wrap 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