Crochet Scheepjes Hygge CAL 2017

 

Sheepjes CAL 2017 - Hygge

After crocheting for a little over 2 years, I decided to join my first CAL (Crochet Along). This page is meant to be a journal of the adventure and lessons learned for others.

What interested me first about this particular CAL was the use of Cross Stitch embroidery to create a Fair Isles look. I used to do cross stitch before learning crochet, so that part should be easy.

The 4" x 4" Gauge Square was 4" tall x 4.75" wide using a Clover F (3.75 mm) hook. I couldn't get the fabric to match exactly, But that's okay. This is the first gauge square I've ever made, as I never worry about that. 

The obvious thing is that the heart is not in the center of the fabric. There are 2 SC on the right and 3 SC on the left. If I were to do this again, I'd make 20 SC in each row, not 19.



The backside has knots, but the stitches make a straight line because I worked across each row.

To see how much yarn to cut to use as the embroidery thread, a 24" strand makes 15 Xs.

I found the CAL on Ravelry, which started on February 15, 2017.  Each part is published on Wednesdays in different languages at Sheepjes. I'm using English US terms. 

This beautiful heirloom quality shawl was designed by Kirsten Ballering of Haak Maar Raak and uses Sheepjes Yarn. Ester at It's All In a Nutshell has a YouTube channel with how to videos.

Sheepjes is not readily available in the US, but I bought my kit from Wool Warehouse UK ($47.29 US). The Royal Mail came in 14 days from ordering. I found out about this wonderful store on the Sheepjes CAL Facebook page.

   Sheepjes Rainbow Kit

The rectangular shawl is 15" tall by 75" long. It consists of 10 skeins of Sheepjes Stone Washed Black Onyx in sport weight (78% cotton/22% acrylic), and 11 skeins of Sheepjes Catona in 25 grams 100% cotton. There is an organza drawstring bag, needle and button. 



It is easy to see that the Stone Washed is thicker and fuzzy, equal to a size 3 DK yarn. The splotchy dye reminded me of denim yarns. 142 yards each.

The 25 gram Catona looks like shinny cotton string and is thinner to carry along (size 2). Both are very soft and obviously high quality cotton. 68 yards each equal to a "Bon Bon".

Colorway Key Card

As always I approached this project with an analytical mind and focused on getting organized while waiting for the kit. I made a colorway card using Microsoft Word & Adobe Photoshop software printed on white card stock. All of my projects go into a large 3 ring binder. The colorway consists of 11 colors, one of which is the field color. 

One thing I noticed right away is that Kirsten clearly loves crocheting with many yarn colors and lots of bobble stitches. The bobble stitch is similar to a popcorn stitch in that it creates a puffy ball of yarn that protrudes from the base fabric by grouping 5 double crochet stitches joined at bottom and top in one space. The secret to making them pop, is to pull the closing draw through YO tight.

I had to practice doing bobbles with Red Heart size 4 acrylic yarn and a Clover J (6.0 mm) hook. I chained 31, did 3 rows of SC, then started bobbles on row 4 just as pattern. The benefit of practicing with acrylic is it stretches. The goal is to space the bobbles correctly as diamonds, have consistent popping bobbles, and have consistent background fabric in the right gauge. This wasn't hard to do in one color. Note the fabric starts to curl.

Lessons learned (in one color): 

• While making bobble, use middle finger holding hook to push yarn back on hook shaft.
• After pulling up each loop, bring hook to horizontal position so loops are consistent in height.
• With all loops on shaft, keep tight tension as you draw through. With that one loop on shaft, place hook in next space for SC, yarn over. Use middle finger to pop bobble forward. Press two loops together and pull tight. Finish single crochet.
• Don't twist or cross over loops on shaft. Keep them straight in a row.
• The finished top of each bobble should be one stitch only. You are "securing" the bobble in the next stitch.
• While working the next SC row on the wrong side, it was easy to accidentally grab the wrong loops on the top of the bobble. To avoid this, I placed the hook down to the far side by the "V".
• Uncurl the fabric with your crochet hand as you go across, so the gauge will get off.

There are four available: Pastel, Rainbow, Jewel and Mermaid. Some people are using stash yarn and making their own colorways. Apparently the Catona comes in a zillion colors and different gram weights.

   4 Sheepjes kits

Some people are doing two or three different kits at the same time. Rock on you overachievers! I'll be playing catch up.

Week 1 goal: Make heart cross stitch gauge swatch. (Someone turned theirs into a small pillow.) Make rainbow bobble shawl end as below with 29 rows.

  Front side

  Back side

Week 2 goal: Make diamond separator and 3 flower cross stitch pattern. I used a Clover 7 (4.5 mm) hook for the separator. I also changed the left side leaf pattern to be symmetrical to the right side.

Week 3 goal: Make diamond separator and 5 hearts cross stitch pattern.

 
Week 4 goal: Make diamond separator and 3 flower cross stitch pattern. This goes to row 95.

Week 5 goal: Make diamond separator and crochet 57 rows of background. This goes to row 152.

Week 6 goal: Make 57 rows of background crochet and diamond separator. This goes to row 209.

Week 7 goal: Embroider center flower and one half of back panel.



Week 8 goal: Embroider 2nd half of back piece.



Week 9 goal: Make diamond separator and 3 flower cross stitch pattern.



Week 10 goal: Make diamond separator and 5 yellow diamonds cross stitch pattern.