news

Celestia CAL: with Love to Mosaic Crochet

admin

It has not been long since we talked about mosaic crochet (check my latest Ocean Time Mandala pattern), and here is new pattern again! Well, technically it’s not a new one, as we had been working on it for at least one year now. But it was finally brought to public last week. And I am talking about Celestia blanket, exclusively designed for Crochet NOW magazine crochet-a-long 2020.
This crochet pattern was exclusively designed for Crochet NOW magazine

Add Celestia Blanket to your Ravelry Queue

You might think I am a bit obsessed with mosaic crochet at the moment, and you will be right. When Jenny, an editor for Crochet NOW magazine, approached me two years ago with an idea of designing a CAL for them, I knew it would have meant to be something mosaic. Why? Because the technique is so simple, and the finished fabric is so very effective. Every single time.

Celestia blanket is about hexagon motifs, each with a new mosaic stitch pattern. I’ve been experimenting with different shapes and hexies is one of my favourite, too. So, Celestia is a mix of several loves of mine which met together in one blanket.
Scheepjes Colour Crafter version

We decided to bring new CAL in two colourways – both with Scheepjes yarns. The original version was designed with 100% premium acrylic Colour Crafter yarn, and I was asked to use gentle pastel shades together with bright icy white.

To be honest, in the beginning I was a bit skeptical about this color scheme, as pinks and baby blues are absolutely of my comfort designing zone. But when all motifs were finished and joined together, I fell in love! And so fell in love ALL my friends who saw the blanket before it was shipped to a publisher. It looks very soft, and gentle, and fragile. A true Celestia look, whatever it means :)
Scheepjes Colour Crafter version

For the second colorway Jenny asked me to pick yarn and colors myself, and because I am big fan of Scheepjes Metropolis, I chose this yarn. In dramatic graphite gray for the main color and rainbow splash for a contrast. 
Scheepjes Metropolis version

This sample was a bit of a challenge, as I didn’t make it myself. Several lovely ladies kindly agreed to help me test the pattern, each of them made motifs with one contrast color, and Jenny joined them and added a tiny lace border. So I haven’t seen the finished blanket until the very end. I was hoping the colors would play together nicely, but the final result turned out even better than I thought! Love it, too.
Scheepjes Metropolis version

Despite difference in weight (DK for Colour Crafter and fingering for Metropolis), I decided to use same hook size (4 mm) and gauge for both blankets. And they are exactly the same size – approx. 125cm x 165cm.

Mosaic crochet uses very basic crochet stitches, but sometimes their placement might be tricky. Celestia blanket pattern comes with full row-by-row written instructions and charts. If you want additional support while working on this CAL, be sure to join this Facebook group and get in touch with others who are taking part!
Scheepjes Metropolis version

As already mentioned, Celestia blanket was exclusively designed for Crochet NOW magazine, and will only available there. A new portion of instructions will be published monthly. Part 1 can be found in Issue 55 of Crochet Now which will be in shops and available online from Thursday 23rd April!

If you’re unable to get to the shops, don’t worry! You can order a copy online with free delivery from www.craftstash.co.uk from the on-sale date, or have it delivered directly to your door before anyone else when you subscribe today. If you subscribe now, you will additionally receive all the yarn you need to create the Colour Crafter version of the blanket, delivered safely to your door!
Scheepjes Colour Crafter version

If you are located outside UK, please, be aware that due to the current COVID-19 situation, the international shipping might be affected. You might want to get in touch with your stockist to check they are shipping internationally before placing your order. To be on the safe side, you can still get access to the CAL via digital editions at Pocketmags, the magazine can be ordered for worldwide delivery from Craftstash, and international subscriptions are available at Moremags.
Scheepjes Metropolis version

Crochet NOW magazine has teamed up with UK retailers to deliver your ready yarn packs for Celestia CAL. If you want to purchase on, I would be very grateful if you use one of the links below. They are affiliate and I might be compensated with a tiny amount from each sale while you will not pay anything extra: Wool Warehouse, Deramores, Black Sheep Wools.

Because international shipping is very limited at the moment, please, also check with your local Scheepjes stockists to see if they carry yarns and colors. Find a complete list of materials below.

Colour Crafter* version:

7x Barneveld (1005)
2x Texel (1019)
2x Den Bosch (1241)
2x Coevorden (1823)
1x Assen (1065)
1x Wolvega (1099)

Metropolis* version:

11x Miami (069)
3x Marseille (019)
3x Lima (055)
3x Abu Dhabi (032)
2x Quebec (077)
2x Tehran (036)

Check further details on Crochet NOW magazine's website HERE.

Can’t wait for the beginning of Celestia CAL and seeing your beautiful creations! If you share them online, please use hashtag #CelestiaCAL and #designedbylillabjorn.

Subscribe to a newsletter not to miss a single post. You can also follow me on FacebookPinterest and Instagram.


Older Post Newer Post