It all started with a skein of yarn... Last October, I was invited to join my colleagues and crochet friends at the annual meeting of the Scheepjes designers in the Netherlands. We meet up every year and participate in the themed workshops. Last year, we learned how to dye yarn, and that was my first every experience with hand-dyeing yarn. You can read more about it here on my blog.
I brought home two gorgeous skeins of Scheepjes Nakid yarn, hand dyed by me. One was sock yarn in wool blend, and another was alpaca blend in DK weight. And of course, I started to think of possible designs using this yarn right away.
At first, my idea was to create a one-skein project, but the colorchanges were too vivid, and it was tricky to think of an elegant design showing off the colors nicely. So, after a few attempts, I decided to add another skein of similar weight (Scheepjes Arcadia) and matching color, to complement and emphasize the beauty of the hand-dyed yarn.
I also decided to go for stipes, as they are predicted to become popular this spring and summer (and in general, the striped patterns always look interesting and classy). And to add even more interest, I mixed the wide and narrow stripes and thought of a slim textured edge.
And I simply love how it turned out.
The pattern is very easy and is good for beginners. It is fully adjustable for length, you can create a mini-shawl, too.
You can either follow the instructions below, or purchase an ad-free ready-to-print pdf with complete instructions (and a chart as a bonus) on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Hope you enjoy!
***
MY SCARF CROCHET PATTERN
Copyright
An original Lilla Björn Crochet Design (Tatána Kuprijančik). Copyright 2014-2025. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only. It cannot be sold, redistributed or edited in any way. Translations and video tutorials are not allowed. You can sell your finished products, but you cannot use my pictures to promote them. Please, always credit me as a designer of this pattern. Thank you!
Materials
Scheepjes Arcadia (75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamide; 100g/396m)
Yarn A: 803 Moraine x 1 ball
Yarn B: 807 Canyon x 1 ball
Alternative yarn
Scheepjes Nakid (75% Supewash Wool, 25% Nylon; 100g/400m)
Yarn A: x 1 ball hand dyed
Yarn B: Scheepjes Arcadia in matching color x 1 ball
For a mini version, I used approx. 40g of Scheepjes Arcadia yarn in color 802 Crag
3mm hook
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Gauge: 24 sts and 20 rows to measure 10cm x 10cm/ 4in x 4in with pattern for gauge (counting each st and ch1-sp as one stitch)
Measurements
Regular size: 200cm x 45cm/78¾in x 17¾in (fully adjustable)
Mini: 90cm x 18cm/35½in x 7in
Abbreviations (US terms)
beg beginning
ch chain stitch
lp(s) loop(s)
pm place marker
sc single crochet
sc2tog single crochet 2 together
st(s) stitch(es)
sp(s) space(s)
yo yarn over the hook
Pattern for gauge
The gauge is important only if you choose the same yarn/weight as listed in the pattern and would like to obtain the same measurements. Otherwise, the gauge is not important.
Row 1: Ch28, 1sc in second ch from hook, [ch1, skip next ch, 1sc in next ch] rep to end, turn – 27 sts.
Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next sc] rep to end, turn.
Rows 3-25: Rep Row 2.
Wash and block gauge swatch, measure the gauge in the middle.
Pattern notes
My Scarf can be worked with one, two or more colors. It can be worked with or without the stripes. My version uses a mix of wide and narrow stripes, but you can make them all the same width if you like. The scarf works from tip to tip. First an increasing part is done and when you reach the desired width, a decreasing part follows.
INSTRUCTIONS
Important: before you start, weigh the total of yarn and note the amount carefully.
Increasing part
Row 1: Beg with Yarn A. Make an adjustable ring, ch1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), 1sc into ring, turn – 1 st.
Row 2: Ch1, 2sc in first st, turn – 2 sts.
Row 3 (inc): Ch3 (does not count as a st here and throughout), 1sc in first st, ch1, 1sc in next st, turn – 2 sc and 1 ch1-sp.
Row 4: Ch1, 1sc in first st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st, turn – 2 sc and 1 ch1-sp.
Row 5 (inc): Ch3, 2sc in first st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st, turn – 3 sc and 1 ch1-sp.
Row 6: Ch1, 1sc in first st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 2sc to end, turn – 3 sc and 1 ch1-sp.
On the next rows, you will introduce Yarn B and continue working with stripes. Use Yarn B for 2 rows and Yarn A for 4 rows. For example, use Yarn B for Rows 7-8 and Yarn A for Rows 9-12. Ch3 in the beginning of every increasing row will be worked with two colors held together.
Row 7 (inc): Ch3 together with Yarn A and Yarn B (two strands held together, here and throughout), cont with Yarn B only, 1sc in first st, ch1, 1sc in next st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in last st, turn – 3 sc and 2 ch1-sps.
Row 8: Cont with Yarn B. Ch1, 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 3 sc and 2 ch1-sps.
Row 9 (inc): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 2sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 4 sc and 2 ch2-sps.
Row 10: Ch1, 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to last st, 1sc in last st, turn – 4 sc and 2 ch2-sps.
Row 11 (inc): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc in first st, ch1, 1sc in next st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 4 sc and 3 ch1-sps.
Row 12: Ch1, 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 4 sc and 3 ch1-sps.
Rep Rows 9-12 alternating Yarn A and Yarn B as described above (2 rows with Yarn B and 4 rows with Yarn A) until you use approx. half of total yarn. Finish either with Row 10 or Row 12, making sure you have a full last stripe (either with Yarn A or with Yarn B). Then proceed to Decreasing part.
For a Mini-version, rep Rows 9-12 until you reach approx. 45cm/17¾in along the straight side.
Decreasing part
On the decreasing part, switch the colors and now use Yarn B for 4 rows and Yarn A for 2 rows. For the first row of the Decreasing part, choose the opposite color than for the last row of the Increasing part.
Depending on which row you finished the Increasing part with, proceed either with Row 13 (if you finished with Row 12) or Row 15 (if you finished with Row 10).
Row 13 (dec): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc in first st, skip ch1-sp, 1sc in next st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 1 st decreased.
Row 14: Ch1, 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to last st, 1sc in last st, turn.
Row 15 (dec): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc2tog over first 2 sts, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn – 1 st decreased.
Row 16: Ch1, 1sc in first st, [ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st] rep to end, turn.
Rep Rows 13-16 alternating Yarn A and Yarn B as described above (4 rows with Yarn B and 2 rows with Yarn A) until you have 3 sc and 2 ch1-sps left. Then proceed to Row 17.
Row 17 (dec): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc in first st, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in next st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in last st, turn – 2 sc and 1 ch1-sp.
Row 18: Ch1, 1sc in first st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 2sc to end, turn.
Row 19 (dec): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc2tog over first 2 sts, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in last st, turn – 2 sts and 1 ch1-sp.
Row 20: Ch1, 1sc in first st, ch1, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in last st, turn.
Row 21 (dec): Ch3 with both colors, then cont with one color only, 1sc in first st, skip next ch1-sp, 1sc in last st, turn – 2 sc.
Row 22: Ch1, 2sc, turn.
Row 23 (dec): Ch1, 1sc2tog, fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and block the scarf to measurements.
Purchase an ad-free ready-to-print pdf with complete instructions (and a chart as a bonus) on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
My crochet designing career started nearly 11 years ago (and I still cannot believe it was so long ago when I first introduced my own crochet pattern on Ravelry). Before that, I had been crocheting for years already, since I learned to crochet at the age of 5. And because we did not have access to fancy crochet magazines, often I created my own patterns with leftover yarn I had at hand. The yarn fibres were limited, and so were the colors, but still it felt like creating on your own give a special kind of freedom.
Time passed, we moved to the Czech Republic as a family, internet entered our lives and suddenly a whole new world of the yarns and handcrafting was introduced to my life through a laptop screen. I could order yarn online from different parts of the world, enjoying the variety. And it felt like even more freedom than before!
In 2015, I was invited to join a Scheepjes designer collective group and got a unique opportunity to work with a wonderful company and meet the best crochet designers and creative souls. We made many friendships, and probably the first time in my life I got the sense of belonging to something big.
Mostly working with Scheepjes yarns, I kept looking at the “candy” hand-dyed skeins in the yarn shops, and I kept buying them for display in glass closets in my studio. Not lying, I still have skeins which I bought 10 years ago! And still don’t dare to use them for anything.
And I kept dreaming about dyeing yarn myself. One day.
And so… one day it happened!
Being a member of the Scheepjes designer group (a group of independent designers working with Scheepjes yarns), every year I come to the Netherlands to meet up with my colleagues and friends. And every year Scheepjes organizes some themed workshops for us.
It is always a surprise, and we never know the agenda in advance. And guess what we did last year? We dyed our own yarn!
To my shame, working with Scheepjes yarns for 10 years now, I thought I knew all yarn ranges by heart. But I did not know they are also producing the series for hand dyeing.
There are several yarns in Nakid series: undyed sock yarn, undyed pure wool (in fingering, sport and DK weight), and undyed alpaca blend (in DK and chunky weight).
And Scheepjes is also stocking a full range of pigments (paint) for the hand dyeing. A huuuge number of colors, which can be mixed into an unlimited number of new shades.
Back in October at the hand-dyeing workshop with the lovely people from Draadkracht I painted my first ever hand-dyed yarn! The whole process was much easier than I expected. I thought you needed special equipment and tools, but in fact you can do it with just the paint (of course, special paint for hand-dyeing), acid water and a microwave.
I might not have remembered all steps properly, and I have not tried to repeat the process at home (yet). So, if you have not tried hand-dyeing yourself yet, I would recommend participating in a workshop first. And if you are in the Netherlands, don’t hesitate and contact Draadkracht. They are passionate about yarn dyeing and have been organizing workshops for 10 years now.
It was surprising that you can pick just two base colors and add a third color on top and that will be enough for “colouristic magic”. I would think you need some basic knowledge in colouristic to combine the colors, as they mix up unpredictably (at least for me as a beginner).
For my first skein (sock yarn) I picked the petrol and dark chocolate color, and Geja suggested a neon orange on top of them. Well, to say I was shocked is to say nothing. I am not fond of orange in general, and I would never use or wear the neon colors in particular.
And I was very hesitant to pick neon orange for my first every hand-dyeing attempt.
But well, I was a guest and did not want to make an impolite impression, and because I lacked any knowledge in dyeing yarn, I decided to trust the professionals and just keep up with the flow.
And look at what I got in the end! A nice skein inspired by forest greens, browns and rusty colors.
The neon orange was vanishing and blending with brown and petrol, giving them a breath of a new life. And additionally, all the colors blended with each other. Such a satisfying process and result!
I chose some blues and ochrea colors for another skein of the alpaca blend and got a soft gradient for that one. It’s interesting that different fibres absorb the paint differently, and especially alpaca fibre tends to become paler compared to regular wool.
As you can guess, I came back home with two gorgeous skeins of yarn, inspired to design something special with them.
And unless other hand-dyed skeins looking at me from behind the glass if the closets, these two new ones were used up at once!
This Friday, a new crochet pattern will be released here on my blog. So, stay tuned!
UPDATE: A special pattern with my own hand-dyes yarn is already up on my blog, and you can find it HERE.
Hooded scarves have become a huge trend this year. You could see them literally everywhere: on the shelves in the stores, on the pages of the fashion bloggers, and of course among the new releases from indie designers. Hooded scarves have become popular mostly in the knitting world, and I thought it would be nice to design something similar in crochet, too.
Browsing Pinterest, I have seen many different shapes and styles of the hooded scarves, but I especially liked the Sophie Hood from Petiteknit (a modern knit designer based in Denmark).
I loved the simplicity of the shape and decided to take it as a template. With a totally different construction, though. And my Como Hooded Scarf is fully adjustable for the length and depth as-you-go.
You can find the pattern for the Como Hooded Scarf on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
And if you are curious about the name, it was inspired by the short walk along the Como Lake in Italy. We took a train there from Milano, where we spent a few days together with my girlfriends.
I honestly think the idea of the hooded scarf is ingenious. As the same accessory works as a scarf and as a hood/hat at the same time. To me, this is a must-have in any wardrobe.
The pattern was designed with DK weight yarn in mind and with a specific gauge. However, if you have finer yarn in stash, you can still use it for the scarf, with small adjustments in the very beginning.
The Como scarf is worked from tip to tip starting at the center back, and the tips are shaped with every new row. By working more or fewer rows, you can adjust easily adjust the length and the depth of the hood, customizing it according to your needs.
And if you are not happy with making your own adjustments, you can keep on with the pattern instructions, which come in 3 sizes.
It would be safe to say that this pattern is completely beginner-friendly, and with a video tutorial support everyone with basic knowledge of crochet will be able to follow the instructions. The best result is guaranteed!
For my two samples in sizes 1 and 2, I used freshly released Woolwise yarn by Scheepjes, which is 100% recycled super wash merino wool and comes in 100g balls with 200 meters.
To achieve the gauge needed, I opted for a slightly bigger hook that was recommended by the producer, with the aim of a more relaxed drape.
The crochet fabric becomes even softer after the blocking.
Esther Schippers helped me with testing and made the largest version of the Como Hooded Scarf, also with Woolwise yarn. Look at how snuggly it is.
Grab your own copy of the Como Hooded Scarf on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Hope you enjoy!
Welcome to the first blog post of the year 2025. Do you make resolutions at the end of the year? I used to promise myself to start or quit doing something on January 1st, but well… We do not change overnight and in fact, we stay the same person in the morning, after the New Year's champagne is finished, and fireworks are silent. So no, I have not made any resolutions for this year. Except for a wish to crochet a lot.
And I crocheted a lot in January. So much, that I have two new designs to show you!
First, I would like to thank everyone who joined me for the Gift Mystery make-a-long last December. I was happy to see your cute small projects, and I was also happy to hear you learned some new crochet techniques.
One of them was the short rows. In the past, I already created a few designs with the short rows (check out Astrid Shawl, Hygge Neck Warmer, Ebba Neck Warmer, City Neck Warmer, For Them Sweater, Early Waves Cowl and Seeds Collection).
I knew that some of you were a little overwhelmed with the intricacy of these stitch patterns.
To help you overcome the fear of the short rows, I designed a Gift Coaster, which has become a huge success. The pattern for the Gift Coaster included a heavy support with photo and video tutorials, and I know that it helped you to feel more confident with the technique.
After the make-a-long, I have received a lot of requests for more patterns with short rows, and I heard you! Please, let me introduce a brand-new Shelly collection!
The Shelly Scarf (find it on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE) and Shelly Square (find it on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE) are available as stand-alone patterns and can be also purchased together as a collection at a reduced price.
It all started with an idea of creating seamless design with textured shells. You can probably find shell patterns out there, but most of them are cut-and-join, while I was trying to come up with an infinity stitch which does not require cutting yarn after every motif. And well, it was possible!
First, I created a Shelly Scarf – a long, textured beauty which is at the same time fully adjustable for length and width. The gauge is not important here, and you can choose any yarn you like (Sport/DK weight is recommended).
The scarf was designed as a parallelogram, but you can easily turn it into a triangular shawl, if you wish.
The construction of the Shelly Scarf is a unique one, and it probably differs from what you have seen before. The pattern is written in macro-rows, each consisting of several motifs (full shells and half-shells).
That might sound scary, but do not worry. The pattern includes full support with video and photo-tutorials. And once you memorize instructions for separate motifs, the crochet will be almost mindless. And hopefully you can continue crocheting the scarf watching your favourite TV series.
My first sample was done with Scheepjes Whirlette and Scheepjes Mohair Rhythm yarns held together. I opted for a larger hook, and I just love the warmth, fluffiness and the drape.
If you cannot wear wool, you can choose cotton-blend yarns. Another sample was crocheted with Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn, which is a blend of cotton and acrylic.
If you follow the gauge in the pattern, your scarf will become softer and even more drapey after the blocking.
Esther Schippers, who helped me with the testing, made Shelly Scarf with Scheepjes Whirl and Scheepjes Mohair Rhythm held together. Her gauge was a little bit tighter, and the scarf turned out a little smaller than mine, but still with a generous length.
For one Whirl cake you will need 5 balls of the Scheepjes Mohair Rhythm yarn. Find Scheepjes yarns in your local Scheepjes shop or buy via online retailers: Caro’s Atelier (NL and Europe), Wool Warehouse (UK with worldwide shipping), Taemombo (US and Canada).
The Shelly Scarf works in rows, and I was wondering if it was possible to use the same stitch pattern but working in the rounds. And this is how my Shelly Square was brought to life.
This is a continuous infinity stitch pattern which can be grown to any size at all. You just need to continue with the same macro-rounds until you are happy with the measurements. And create either a cushion, or a blanket. Or maybe a bag?
I made two samples of Shelly Square and turned both into pillows by stitching the crochet pieces onto the ready-fabric pillowcase by hand.
You can either go for a chic minimalist look with the chunky yarn in one color (I used Scheepjes Chunky Monkey yarn).
Or move off-the-grid with the variegated yarn. Here is my sample with the Stone Washed Minerals yarn. Is anyone in need of some unicorns?
Find Shelly Scarf of Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Find Shelly Square on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
