I’m so excited to be hosting my first star crochet along (CAL) at the beginning of February…and this blog has all the detail you’ll need if you’d like to join in!
The crochet design is based on a 9 point star and uses mosaic crochet throughout to create the peacock feathers and border detailing using only 2 colours of yarn.
Here’s how the design was inspired…
Throughout 2020 I’ve been experimenting with mosaic crochet which is such a beautiful technique for creating stunning designs with only 2 colours – usually a main colour and a contrast colour. It was the basis behind my mermaid scale blanket released in the summer of 2020 which you can find here.
In making the mermaid scale blanket I fell in love with how beautiful mosaic looked using a variegated yarn as the main colour – the blanket, of course, showed off the colour changes in a linear style, but the star of this CAL shows off the colour changes in 9 point rounds.
For those who've been with me a while, you’ll know how much I love feathers and the geometric framework of mosaic was perfect for building the peacock feather shape.
How the CAL will work…
The CAL starts on 1st February 2021 and is in 6 parts which will be released weekly on a Monday for 6 weeks. Once you have downloaded the pattern to your library, the file will be updated each Monday with the next part.
The pattern will be available in my Ravelry store here and a discount code will be available to all members of the Crochet Hooks and Magic Facebook group while the CAL is live – so if you’re not a member yet, head over there and watch out for the discount code in the next few weeks. The group is primarily for like-minded crochet enthusiasts to help and support each other through our trickiest stitches but there are often sneak-peeks and discount codes just for group members there too. We're such a friendly crafting group, we love to share our latest crafting projects together - find us here.
Here’s a quick summary of the timetable:
Week 1 - 1st February 2021
Week 2 - 8th February 2021
Week 3 - 15th February 2021
Week 4 - 22nd February 2021
Week 5 - 1st March 2021
Week 6 - 8th March 2021
The pattern is in written format, using US terminology and includes a chart for those who prefer working more visually. There won’t be any videos for this pattern - the written information is suitable for confident beginners and above and will cover all the basics, but if you get stuck, post a comment in the group and there will be plenty of support for you.
Yarns:
You’ll need 2 yarns…
MC (main colour) this will be your variegated yarn, if you choose to use one, and will be the colour(s) most obvious as the design is worked.
CC (contrast colour) this will be the background and colour used to form the design.
Both yarns will need to be 4 ply in weight and you will need about 1000m (1,094 yds) of your main colour and 800m (900 yds) of your contrast colour.
Here’s what I used:
MC – 1 ball, Twister in Carbaret (41), (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
CC – 2 balls, Twister Solid in Natural White (101), (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
There are lots of colourways in the Twister range which you can purchase from hobbii.co.uk, alternatively you could use a sheepjes whirl for your main colour and sheepjes whirlette for your contrast colour sold at Woolwarehouse. The pattern, hook and measurements are designed for 4 ply yarn, however, any yarn would work – if you decide to use a different weight of yarn, bear in mind the quantity of yarn and also the size of the finished piece will change.
Hook:
3.5mm standard crochet hook
If you’d like to join in, don’t forget to tag me in your working projects and finished pieces using @crochethooksandmagic and #Peacockdelight so I can see your unique colours!
Happy Crocheting to All! 😊