Every crochet design begins with an inspiration. Probably as in any other form of art. Although sometimes it is possible to kind of create inspiration artificially by starting to work on a new project mindlessly, in most cases inspiration is not dependent on our will or wishes and can hit suddenly when we do not expect it. Inspiration makes the designing process quick and easy, as if someone else is guiding you.
The best designs (at this is how it is for me) are born in no time, in days or sometimes even in hours. They carry the passion and strong energy which you can feel by just looking at the pictures.
I am often asked where my inspiration comes from. And usually, I do not know what to say as I simply do not know. I just feel highly inspired sometimes by traveling, or going to art galleries, or spending time in nature. And sometimes I do not feel inspired for weeks and months, and here the automatic designing work starts, which sometimes leads to the birth of inspiration. But usually ends with nothing creative.
No secret, that often crochet designers get inspired by yarn. Being a member of the Scheepjes designer pool, I get early access to the new yarn launches. The first time I saw promo pictures for the newest Woolwise yarn, I immediately felt “aha” moment. Just looking at the pictures I could literally smell the yarn. Sometimes we use this cliché like “love from the first sight”. Guess, this is what I felt.
I ordered a few skeins to try and see if it was any good for crochet, as some yarns are brilliant for knitting but do not work the same way for crochet. The yarn arrived, the gauge swatch was made, and the stitch definition was amazing.
A few more skeins landed on my next order, and here we go! Today I would like to present three neck warmers I designed with Woolwise yarn. They all are worked with the short rows technique, are relatively quick to make (with DK weight and 4mm hook), and are suitable even for beginners.
Hygge
I named the first one Hygge, as it feels very soft and squishy. It has more like a poncho style, but I prefer to think of it as a neck warmer. Hygge uses the similar stitch pattern as Astrid Shawl. It took me a while to figure out smooth increases and decreases, and once it clicked, I fell in love.
Hygge neck warmer comes in 4 sizes which should fit a wide range of body sizes, starting with XXS and up to 4X. You can choose a larger size for more room to wear Hygge over the coat, or a smaller size to go with your favourite long sleeved shirts.
Hygge neck warmer pattern is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
Ebba
Ebba neck warmer is a smaller design with round shape and the buttons. The story of Ebba is a little longer than Hygge’s. For Hygge I knew what I wanted to create from the first second. While Ebba was meant to become a wide straight cowl with the buttons on one side.
I finished the design, and not matter which size I was adjusting to, it just did not fit well around the neck. So a decision was made to add increases at the bottom to turn it more into a round yoke shape.
Ebba neck warmer comes in 3 sizes. It has a high ribbed collar which can be rolled out or styled straight for a maximum neck protection. And again, you can choose or smaller or a bigger size depending on how much of the ease you prefer. You can also easily adjust Ebba as-you-go both for the height and width and create a custom neck warmer for yourself.
The Ebba pattern is beginner friendly and is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
City
And finally, a City neck warmer is a simpler version of the Hygge with the same shape but easier stitch pattern. And slightly smaller than Hygge. Same as Hygge, City neck warmer comes in 4 sizes and I am safe to say that it is suitable for beginners, or those who have never done short rows in crochet before.
City neck warmer pattern is available on Ravelry HERE and Etsy HERE.
All three neck warmers were created with Scheepjes Woolwise yarn, which is 100% recycled superwash merino wool. Soft, not scratchy, wonderful to crochet with. And again, the stitch definition is dreamy.
The patterns are written in English language with US terms and include written instructions and are supported with detailed video tutorials (the links included in the pattern).
Woolwise is DK weight with 200m pre 100g, and it comes in maaaaany colors. Check them with your local Scheepjes stockiest, or shop online with Caro’s Atelier (NL & EU).
And if you cannot wear wool, you can substitute Woolwise with a different DK yarn. Laura of @taemombo helped me testing the patterns and used Scheepjes Stonewashed. And both neck warmers turned out just great!
Macarena Marskell made an Ebba neckwarmer with DK yarn from her stash.
And Esther Schippers crocheted Hygge with Woolwise yarn in size 3. To me, all samples look just gorgeous, whatever yarn you pick.
Hope you enjoy,
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