EEEEEEEK!!, I have been holding on to this exciting news for a long time now and today I finally get to share with everyone! I am the designer for the final Scheepjes CAL for 2024, Festival of Lights.
For me, a highlight of the Scheepjes community is the big annual CAL. In the Scheepjes Facebook group I love seeing all the members who share their creations and provide endless encouragement and assistance. The first Scheepjes CAL I participated in was the Hygge CAL in 2017, and since then, whether actively participating or not, I eagerly anticipate the excitement that surrounds each CAL. So, when I started designing my own patterns, I sometimes dreamed of one day designing a Scheepjes CAL. It always felt like a lofty unrealistic goal.
I feel incredibly honored to be introducing my own pattern as this year’s final Scheepjes Crochet-A-Long. Please allow me to tell you all about it!
Important Links
- My Main CAL Information Page
- Bonus Blog (FAQ, Yarn Quantities, Enlarging)
- The Scheepjes website page for the CAL – English/Nederlands
- Scheepjes official Tips and Tricks PDF
- Scheepjes International Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScheepjesCAL.International/
- Scheepjes Nederlandse Facebook Groep https://www.facebook.com/groups/scheepjescal/
- YouTube Video Playlists for the CAL
- Ravelry Pattern Page
- USA: Jimmy Beans Wool Scheepjes Yarn: Organicon Kit / Metropolis Kit
- World wide: Color packs in the Scheepjes Amazon Shop
Official Scheepjes Yarn Kits
Scheepjes has made two beautiful official kits for this CAL of Scheepjes Metropolis and Organicon yarns.
The Scheepjes Metropolis Kit contains
- 1 Scheepjes Metropolis Colour Pack (75% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
- 2 x 50g balls of Scheepjes Metropolis (75% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
- Set of 3 postcards
- Special edition Scheepjes CAL mug
The Scheepjes Organicon Kit contains
- 26 x 50g balls of Scheepjes Organicon 100% Organic Soft Cotton
- Set of 3 postcards
- Special edition Scheepjes CAL mug
Purchasing Your Own Kit
To purchase a kit, you can check for a Scheepjes Retailer in your area, or please consider using my affiliate link below. Shopping though this link earns me a small commission to support my design work at no additional cost to you. Thank You!
USA: Jimmy Beans Wool Scheepjes Yarn: Organicon Kit / Metropolis Kit
I don’t have a lot of affiliate links so if you can’t buy through my link, I would encourage you to shop local or use an affiliate link from other designers that you enjoy when purchasing your kit.
Blanket Size
With Metropolis, you can expect your blanket to be approximately 100 x 100cm/ 39.4x 39.4” after blocking.
With Organicon, you can expect your blanket to be approximately 95 x 95cm/ 37.4x 37.4” after blocking.
Pattern Support
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend joining the Scheepjes Facebook Groups. The groups are incredibly friendly and supportive. There you can share progress photos, get inspiration, and ask for help if needed.
- Worldwide: Scheepjes International Facebook Group
- Dutch: Scheepjes Dutch Facebook Group
I have also made video tutorials for this CAL that I will be posting for each part on my YouTube Channel.
There will not be a complete photo tutorial for this pattern, but I will provide some supplementary photographs for the trickier bits on the blog post for each piece of the pattern.
Important CAL Dates
The CAL begins on the 16th of October 2024 and will run for 8 weeks – until December 4th. Written-only PDF pattern will be released throughout the CAL. Each pattern piece will be made available as a downloadable pdf on Wednesdays 13:00 Dutch time / 12:00 UK time. You can access these from the official Scheepjes Facebook Groups or via the Scheepjes website: International CAL Group, Dutch CAL Group, Scheepjes Website
Coloring Sheet
One of my favorite parts of publishing patterns is seeing all the interesting colorways that people come up with to make it their own. So please feel free to let your creativity run wild on color placement even if you are using a kit. I have arranged the colors roughly in a color wheel pattern, but you could make a diagonal or let them swirl or do something cool with contrasting colors.
I have made a PDF coloring sheet for you to use to try out different color arrangements if you are going to get creative with your kit or to help plan what colors you want to use if you are making your own color way. I would love to see what you all are planning so please tag me if you are sharing your coloring sheets on Instagram or Facebook.
There is an error in the originally posted coloring sheet. If your file doesn’t have _V2 at the end, please redownload the file.
Inspiration
I started designing this blanket in the Fall of 2021 after visiting some family and attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I was inspired by the hundreds of colorful hot air balloons and the quilts of a loved one who is often in my thoughts.
Going to the balloon fiesta we arrive before sunrise in plenty of time to see the dawn patrol (a few experienced pilots who launch first in the dark and report back the wind conditions).
As the sun comes up hundreds of other balloons start to inflate and launch, as you walk between and below them. It is hard to capture just how many balloons are all around you.
When we go to the balloon fiesta, we stay with family, and I get to see the blankets and quilts made by my mother-in-law. She was a wonderful and talented person. I was inspired by the hot air balloons but only when I thought of my Mother-in-Law’s quilts did the idea for this blanket form.
…
I like to think of this blanket as a celebration of the light brought into our lives by the people we love.
Photo Gallery of the Design in Progress
Here are a few images from when I was designing the blanket.
I am so excited to finally be able to share this project with you all. This blanket was designed with love while dreaming big and I am still a little shocked that I have designed a Scheepjes Crochet A-Long.
Happy Crafting!
Support My Work
Thank you for reading my blog, you are supporting my design work just by being here! Here are some other ways you can support my design work.
- Follow me on Instagram or Facebook – I post new pattern releases and such on my Instagram feed and Facebook page, following, liking, and commenting will keep you up to date and help other find my design work.
- Browse my self-published patterns – I have several patterns on Etsy and Ravelry. My portfolio of designs is not extensive yet, but I am continuing to add new patterns.
- Watch my Videos on YouTube– Video tutorials for each part of this CAL will be available on my YouTube channel along with a (very) few other tutorials I have made. Watching the videos, subscribing to my channel, commenting on and liking the videos will all support my design work. I would like to reach 1000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours this year.
- Affiliate links – Shopping through my links supports me at no additional cost to you as I get a small commission through my affiliates. Scheepjes Amazon Shop, Jimmy Beans Wool, Yarn Addicted and Co on Etsy (US shipping only)
Important Links
- My Main CAL Information Page
- Bonus Blog (FAQ, Yarn Quantities, Enlarging)
- The Scheepjes website page for the CAL – English/Nederlands
- Scheepjes official Tips and Tricks PDF
- Scheepjes International Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScheepjesCAL.International/
- Scheepjes Nederlandse Facebook Groep https://www.facebook.com/groups/scheepjescal/
- YouTube Video Playlists for the CAL
- Ravelry Pattern Page
- USA: Jimmy Beans Wool Scheepjes Yarn: Organicon Kit / Metropolis Kit
- World wide: Color packs in the Scheepjes Amazon Shop
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