The Woodland Colours would not leave me alone – I really should NOT have started another project, I have so many WIPs knock-knock-knocking on my conscience but when there is a creative itch that strong – there is nothing for it but to give in!
Along came Jen Tyler with the lure of her Karoo Vintage Mystery Crochet Along – I can’t seem to resist a CAL and I love a mystery. I love the sense of community that builds up around crochet-alongs. So, with my sensible head telling me not to, I started the Karoo Vintage Mystery Along back in July.
Crocheting along with Jen is like going on a crochet Safari, one never knows what is around the corner – it is a rocky road and not for the faint-hearted, be prepared for a challenge! She does not have her patterns tested before publishing them and so there is the odd mistake. She gets her puffs and popcorns mixed up on the video so one has to remain alert and cross-check with the written pattern. But her patterns are still worth the effort.
You can see more photos of the stages of this one on my Ravelry Page,
If I made this pattern again (I will NEVER make this pattern again!) I would make changes to simplify it and add to the stitch count in certain rounds which pull the work too tight – that middle dark brown section for instance.
But! it is done and it is an amazing piece. The details are extraordinary. I learnt a lot.
– it is finished apart from about a month’s worth of ends to sew in! Yikes!
It is worked in Stylecraft Special DK and a 4.5mm hook and it measures 1.5m square.
The colours I used are as follows: Gold, Lime, Claret, Burgundy, Copper, Tomato, Bottle, Pistachio, Mustard, Khaki, Spice, Walnut, Dark Brown, Meadow, Cypress.
I did enjoy making it, but I have to admit it was an effort to finish it: mainly because I have no specific use for it and it does not go with any of the colours in my house. But I am sure that by the time all those dratted ends are sewn in it will have found a home and a purpose.
Remind me, I must not be tempted by another Crochet Along until I have finished the 8 blankets for my 8 grandchildren ……. oh wait – I’m doing one now! with Attic24.
What can I say, I am a hopeless case.
Ravelry
Wild Daffodil 
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Wow, beautiful work, Sandra, it reminds me of a Tibetan mandala. I think you could frame it, as it shows off just how skilled you are with all those intricate stitches. Any of those grandkids would be lucky to get such a piece. 🙂
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Thank you Eliza. I can see what you mean about the Tibetan Mandala – what a nice link. It will be interesting to see what its onward journey will be. But first there are all those ends to sew in!
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The texture on this is phenomenal! As someone whose skill in this area is limited to double crochet stitch, I’m really impressed!
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Thank you Kerry. I could not have done it without the videos.
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Wow, that really does make me think of woodlands! Now you must stop finding CALs and stick to your real homework for the Grands!! :0)
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HaHa! Yes Mum! 🙂 ❤
There are far too many gorgeous patterns out there – but I'm very happy for you to keep me focussed on the jobs in hand!
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It sounds like you have to be quite dedicated to follow this one. And it really is a work of art! Maybe you could sell it off to raise funds for the next complex CAL project – which I’m pretty sure you will sign up for, banned or not! 😀 But maybe get some of those eight blankets for grandies off the hook first…..
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HaHa!!! you know me too well!
I have made 6 of the 8 blankets so far, and am in the middle of the 7th, so the ban should not last too long!
The Amanzi I’m making is for my 8 year old granddaughter – but I’m making two versions as she is having difficulty deciding on colours.
I would love this Karoo to go to a family member really, as it feels like an heirloom piece – I do have 5 nieces and nephews, so maybe one of them will like it.
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I’m absolutely sure someone will snap it up – yu are right it is an heirloom piece! My Amanzi is waiting until a) I’ve finished the two projects underway and b) my colour choices are made – this could take a while…….
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A stunning work of art- well done you. NO MORE CALS!
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HaHa! Thank you. YES! I agree!
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I have never seen such detail. Positively beautiful and the colors too
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!Thank you – I really don’t know how Jen comes up with such designs!
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It is an amazing piece. And challenges, as long as they don’t drive you crazy, bring zest to life.
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Thank you Laurie. Yes, I like the way you put that. It was close to driving me crazy at times, but then I just left it until my brain felt up to the challenge – I’m so glad I stuck with it.
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I am always amazed at all the intricate crocheting you do. This one is no exception. I love the colors.
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Thank you Lisa. I really enjoy the challenge of the intricate patterns. I love the colours too – they just do not go with anything else I have.
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Good luck with all your projects. I could never cope with having that many it would make me too anxious. The blanket is amazing. When I create a pattern I tend to make it several times before I am sure it works. Imagine if Jen Taylor did that with her blanket!
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Thank you Jane for your encouragement.
If Jen Tyler did all that testing I suppose her patterns would just never get printed, she really is an extraordinarily inventive designer. Her patterns are really cheap and so the first few ones who take them up become her testers and there are plenty of devotees to help us all out if we get stuck. Ravelry is awash with the most wonderful intepretations of her designs – the colour combinations are just amazing!
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Wow! Well done you, it looks amazing.
I must say I wouldn’t have been tempted by this one – I like a bit of a challenge but this looks far too complicated for me. I still have a Jane Crow blanket kit started but nowhere near finished – again, too complicated and I’m not even sure what I’d do with it if I managed to get it done. Still, plenty of other uses for all the Stylecraft colours that came with the kit.
So, eight blankets for the grandkids eh? Time to keep your eyes on the hook and off the computer screen I’d say.😉
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You are so right! I need to keep hooking!
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