Petalique Make A Long - Week 2
- Natalia Kononova
- 13 hours ago
- 6 min read
Hi everyone! The first week of the Petalique Make-A-Long is already behind us, and we have made so much incredible progress! Seeing how helpful and supportive everyone has been in the groups is so heartwarming - I am truly happy to be a part of this wonderful community.
I’ve been closely following all of your posts, answering questions, and keeping a running list of notes and tips for the upcoming week. We have a few important things to go over today, so grab a cup of coffee or tea, settle in, and read on!
Previous blog posts:
Petalique Blanket Abandoned Version
Did you know that the first edition of this design was actually much simpler?
Originally, Section 3 featured the exact same geometric rhombuses you see on the back of the Petalique Bag. My amazing tester, Karin Terpstra, was the pioneer who tested those first waters for me!
But when Karin started working on that third section, she noticed that the beautiful Scheepjes Flow yarn (10 Harmonia) was mostly getting hidden. While I kind of liked the simplicity, it made me realize that making the biggest section of the blanket out of just rhombuses might actually get a bit boring to crochet.
So, we took a dramatic 2-day pause. I locked myself away to create a brand-new chart for Section 3. Meanwhile, Karin was an absolute superhero - she had to unravel quite a few rows of Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn to restart. As many of you know, frogging Stone Washed is no joke 😅! Thank you so much, Karin, for being so incredibly supportive and flexible about a sudden change in direction! 🥰
I asked you which version would you preferred and the common verdict was - the final one. What a relief! Sylvia Dovaston came up with a great idea that the older design can be used for making the blanket bigger - I might go for it in another design - I actually still have the chart and instructions for that original, simpler version stored away!
Winding a Center-Pull Yarn Ball by Hand
I love that a Make-A-Long always works both ways - while you might learn a few new tricks from my patterns, I am constantly learning from all of you!
This week, I learned a fantastic technique for hand-winding a yarn ball so you can pull it smoothly right from the center, all thanks to Barbara O'Neill Freeman. Thank you so much, Barbara!
Image: Barbara O'Neill Freeman
It is such a brilliant, handy method that I even filmed a quick video to show the rest of the community exactly how it’s done (video will be published at 8am EST, June 8):
Embracing Solid Colors (and Stash Leftovers!)
Some of you started a practice piece using leftover yarn from your stash while waiting for your main project yarn to arrive. If you did this, I want to encourage you not to unravel your work-in-progress!
A Petalique project can look incredibly unique and beautiful even if you have different color patches or unexpected color shifts within a single section. As a perfect example, take a look at this project by Pique Dame - doesn't it look absolutely gorgeous?
Image: Pique Dame
Weaving Yarn Tails As You Go
Serena Johnson: I’d love to hear how folks handle weaving in ends on a mosaic crochet project like this. I’m enjoying learning new techniques with this CAL!
Image: Serena Johnson
There is actually a video for enclosing tails in the Video sections at the end of each Petalique pattern.
You can also start enclosing the next color in the last 15 sts at the rnd before switching to it - that way you won't have any tails to weave in.
Confession time: Even though enclosing your tails as you go is a massive time-saver, I have to admit that I still personally prefer to weave mine in afterward! 😅
Which camp are you in - team weave-as-you-go, or team save-it-all-for-the-end?
Tackling Your First Mosaic Crochet Project
I honestly get goosebumps every time I hear that someone is making their very first mosaic crochet project using one of my patterns! It takes me right back to my own first mosaic piece. I remember exactly how deeply I fell in love with the technique, and I always hope this is the beginning of a long, happy creative journey for them.
At the same time, I feel a tiny bit guilty - because they are almost certainly going to get completely addicted to it, just like I did! :))
Shanti Louise Shivaya Grafström: I did it!! My first mosaic crochet project! Learning a new skill! 😍
Image: Shanti Louise Shivaya Grafström
Finding Scheepjes Yarn in Canada
This information could be incredibly important for some of the makers in our community, so I wanted to give it a dedicated section to make sure it doesn't get lost.
Hailey Perlitz-Young: It's surprisingly difficult to find fingering weight yarn in Canada, and even harder to find cotton.
There are Scheepjes retailers in Canada, one of which is Taemombo Yarn Shop.
Image: Hailey Perlitz-Young
Other Yarn Options
Colour Crafter, Colour Crafter Parade
Heather Owen: After pausing the Petalique blanket as I was not loving my colour choice, I landed on Scheepjees Colour Crafter yarn. This is the first time I have used Colour Crafter yarn, it is so soft! Thank you all for the encouragement.
See Colour Crafter Parade yarn here (feautured: 601 Summer Fun)
Image: Heather Owen
Scheepjes Mega Whirl
Jen Geutjes: Up to round 34 with my "inside outside" Petalique blanket. Scheepjes Mega Whirl.
Christopher Melton: Here’s my yarn for the Petalique MAL! Scheepjes Mega Whirl from the Dawn Chorus kit and Whirlettes in Ice. 😎🧶🥳 Here we go!
See Scheepjes Mega Whirl yarn here (feautured: Special Edition)
Loose Tension: Don't Get Too Tight About It!
Some of you have expressed worries about having a looser tension. While that concern is valid - mosaic crochet generally looks crisper with tighter stitches because it cleanly hides the background color - the reality is that we all have unique hands and techniques.
Striving to improve is wonderful, but enjoying the process is what matters most! Forcing yourself to completely change how you hold your hook or tension your yarn is incredibly difficult and can quickly take the joy out of making. There is absolutely no reason to beat yourself up. At the end of the day, consistency throughout your entire project is what truly matters for a beautiful, cohesive result.
A Community in Full Bloom 🌸
Our groups are literally blooming with flowers right now! Thank you all so much for sharing your progress photos - seeing your beautiful stitches pop up on my feed completely makes my day. Please keep them coming!
Allyson Breeds: I’m finding it hard to put this down 🙂 Red Velvet Sunrise Whirl and Ice Whirlette
Femke van der Poll: They (coasters) are going to make teachers gifts with some nice lemonades and snacks.
Tanja Gade Lemvig Villadsen: It's beginning to look like something 🤩
Charlotte von Essen: 10 petalique coasters in Scheepjes Organicon leftovers from the festival of lights. All made in pairs with reversed colours.
Stephanie Dorgelo: Using Turkish Delight whirl and Grapefruit Whirlette!
Ineke Laagland: Already started earlier (bag), now begun on the back. Scheepjes Whirlette in Ice and Liquorice
Jill Bramley: I’ve done the coaster in cotton till my Scheepjes arrives as I’ve not done anything like this before, quite pleased with how it turned out.
Gwen Schulz: Gained confidence by making Petalique coaster in fingering weight with non Scheepjes yarn and getting right size! On to the pillow with my Scheepjes yarn!
Laura Spry: For my Petalique blanket I’m using Scheeppes blackberry mint swirl and Scheepjes Ice Whirlette
Scott Lines: Here’s my progress 😁 I’m loving it! I’m using whirlettes in ice for the motif and crushed candy for the background.
Fran Cine: Petalique van Outstanding Crochet met cotton whirl 737. Het gaat beter als dat ik had durven hopen!
Lynn Linde: Ik ben er best tevreden over. Leuk om te doen en ook heel verslavend, ik wil maar door….Gebruikte garen: Scheepjes Whirl Blackberry Mint Chip, Wirlette Ice, Whirlette Plum
Trudi Bolle: Ben ook begonnen met de Scheepjes Petalique mal, is wel soms lastig met al de tekens maar volgens mij gaat het goed, geen Scheepjes garen overigens.
Renée Beumer-Fonteyne: Werk het liefst met teltekeningen,maar bij de Petalique Mal kom ik er nog niet zo uit.🫣
Where Do You Usually Crochet?
I hope to see even more of your beautiful pictures in the groups this week! Seeing everyone's setups has made me curious: where is your absolute favorite spot to crochet?
Please, share in the MAL groups:
For me, it is usually either at my desk (not by choice 😂), or curled up on the couch for an hour at night while watching a movie. Or, right now, FIFA World Cup 2026! :))
I'd love to know where you are working on your Petalique project from.
Happy crocheting, my friends!
Natalia