Scheepjes Yarn Reef and Skies

Some crochet can be ugly. I'll admit it. Sometimes it's just lumpy, old-fashioned and tacky. But then there's that crochet that makes your heart sing--that is true fiber art--beautiful, functional, stylish, trend-setting. YARN book-a-zine is all of that and more. The newest edition of the book-a-zine was just released and it is a sight to behold, I tell ya!

Not a tacky or unstylish thing in there--just mind-blowing creative bliss.

Here are just a few of my favorites from this issue...

Window to the Whirl Part 2

Last week I shared the free crochet pattern for Part 1 of my Window to the Whirl Blanket which included the panel with the nifty little "windows" created by the intermeshing crochet technique. Today I'm sharing Part 2 of the blanket. This section, made with its own coordinating Scheepjes Whirl, is really rhythmic and relaxing but perfectly highlights the gradient fade of the yarn. Let's get on with the details of how you can crochet your own.

When you've completed your intermeshing panel, grab your second whirl. The one below is Murderous Mint (C) from the Scheepjes Whirl Ombre Collection and your Whirlette in Liquorice (A), and poise that hook.

Window to the Whirl Free Crochet Pattern Part 1

The flowers of spring are now officially proclaiming their presence here in Utah--the pinks and purples of the phlox, the vibrant red tulips, the bright white blooms of candytuft, the pale pink floral popcorn adorning the cherry trees, and brilliant yellow of the creeping buttercups. They all make me happy as they foretell of the warm and colorful days of summer. But no matter the time of year, my hook stays busy trying to keep up with the colorful ideas in my head. Remember my Window to the Whirl Blanket that I shared here?

Today I'm sharing Part 1 of the crochet pattern with you. Why only Part 1? I quickly realized during the pattern writing phase, that this pattern took a little bit of explaining beyond what some other designs might require. And a blog post with the whole pattern might be a bit overwhelming for you and for me. So I'm sharing Part 1 today, and will provide Part 2 next week in a separate post to simplify things a bit. Next week the PDF for the whole pattern will be available for a small fee--ad-free and with all the pictures in a section together so printing is easy peasy.

So let's get on with the pattern for Part 1, which is this panel--Section 1...

Window to the Whirl Blanket Reveal

In my part of the world, the crocuses and hyacinths have peeked through the ground, the forsythia is shouting in bright yellow blossoms, and in some southern facing flower beds the daffodils are in bloom! I'm still waiting on the tulips, but it will be soon, very soon. All these flowers spark my dream of opening my own flower shop one day. For now, I'm happy to sit and crochet in the crisp spring air that smells of freshness and sounds of birds getting ready for new birth. Today I even put out my wee table and green chairs--perfect for crocheting outdoors.

Speaking of crochet...remember the yarny peek I showed you last week?  I've since worked out the border and my Window to the Whirl Blanket is officially finished!

A Window into my WIP

Helllloooo, my beautiful friends! I hope things have been wonderful in your little part of the world and that you've had lots of time to crochet and enjoy the changing seasons. I'm particularly in love with this time of year--spring in Utah--where the crocus and daffodils peek through the oft-times snow-covered ground and offer a hint of pending warmth and color and outdoor play! Besides being yarn and color-obsessed, I'm a bit flower obsessed. So is my daughter, Lizzie. For years, we've dreamed of opening a floral shop together so we can smell, arrange, display and design with colorful blooms. And this season always re-ignites that desire. Even when that dream comes to fruition, I'll still never abandon my love for hook and yarn. Last week I shared a few things that were on my hook, but today I'm popping in to show you a "sneaky peeky" of my latest crocheted blanket happiness. 

Trio Update and Whirl WIP

Have you made a Trio Blanket yet? It seems like so many have made at least one, and many people have shared with me the multiple Trios they've made. I recently made up a lovely new Trio with three Scheepjes Whirl Ombre cakes. Wanna see?

Why do you think it has been so popular? Maybe it's because it's a super rhythmic and relaxing crochet project with a gloriously magical effect. In other words, the yarn does all the hard work! Isn't that fade terrifically cool? Such a different vibe going from rich and intense to pale and pastel. 

Duo Shawl Free Crochet Pattern

It's that time of year when things are starting to warm up a bit in Utah. But spring in Utah is a bit like a yo-yo--up and down, up and down--like it's teasing us and making us believe things are really going to change. This is a fabulous time for a lightweight shawl to cover my shoulders and warm my neck when it's a bit chilly, but breathe during the warmer spells so I can go outside without a coat. 

So I made up a new shawl...

Sweven Throw Crochet Pattern Reveal

Although I've never been very good at drawing, I've certainly been a doodler--while talking on the phone, while listening to the radio, while sitting in a class, on the paper placemats at a restaurant while waiting for my food to arrive. It turns out that doodling is a form a fidgeting and I'm a master fidgeter! Sitting still is almost painful for me. I think crochet is a supreme method of fidgeting, but you get something purposeful and beautiful at the end of all that "wiggling"!

I'm here today to share my newest blanket pattern that was inspired by my doodling. I'm calling it the Sweven Throw. Sweven, an archaic word, means dream or vision. See, my childhood doodles were often these little "flowers" that consisted of a swirl with a little leaf on the corner. I still doodle them today. So my doodle has come to life in a big way!!

It all started when I got my hooks into the Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn*. I shared a bit about them here. I've also designed a few things with it, one of which is my free Find Your Tribe Scarf which you can find here.

Asanas Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

Last week I popped in to show you my new Asanas Pillow cover that I made from my Asanas Blanket square. Today is the day to share with you the free crochet pattern. 

You can read my thoughts  about the bulky and heavenly Scheepjes Namaste yarn here.

I decided that the texture of this square called for a touchable and squishy pillow, so let's get on with it...

Asanas Pillow Reveal

Since the beginning of the new year, I've been super busy planning lots of crochet designs for the year, hosting my 5th Dimension Blanket CAL, and keeping my hook flying! I probably should have spent more time on my computer than with my crochet hook, but who wants to do that? Not me. Let me show you one of the things that has recently rolled off my hook.