Petalique Make-A-Long - Week 4
- Natalia Kononova
- 22 hours ago
- 7 min read
Image: Allyson Breeds (Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlettes. Red Velvet Sunrise, Ice, Grappa and Citrus)
Hi everyone!
We are diving into our last week! As always, don't feel rushed (even if it was possible with these patterns heh heh :)) - continue at your own comfortable pace and enjoy the process and your accomplishments.
New milestones are reached this week: one finished project, finished sections and an urge to see how the next one is going to look! Grab a cup of coffee or tea, settle in, and read on to see some amazing progress photos and learn how to conquer a few common challenges!
The MAL takes place in these Facebook groups:
OFFICIAL Scheepjes - International Group
OFFICIAL Scheepjes - Nederlandse Groep
Previous blog posts:
3 Patterns with 20% off until July 29 are available here:
Understanding Mosaic Crochet Chart, Practicing Stitches
Crochet charts can be incredibly useful, and many makers successfully use them instead of written instructions - or just for verifying a tricky stitch. I create charts for all of my patterns because that is actually how my entire design process begins. I might be a bit biased, though; until I was 34, I didn't even know written instructions existed! :)) Plus, one of my favorite subjects in college was Isometric Technical Drawing, so go figure. :))
My ultimate dream as a designer? Everyone using crochet charts, and nobody needing written instructions at all! Just the thought of all that extra time... oh, the things I could do! But to be honest, I'd probably just use those extra hours to design twice as many patterns! :))
Last week, I explained how my charts are different from other mosaic crochet diagrams and why (you can check out last week's post here). This week, I remembered a special video I made for the Forager Ruana/Shawl Make-A-Long, where I explain the stitches right along with the chart. Check it out if you feel like the Petalique challenge isn't quite a big enough workload yet! ;)
How to Watch YouTube Videos in Dutch (or Other Languages)
Did you know you can listen to YouTube videos in different languages using YouTube's auto-translated audio feature? If you prefer to hear instructions in Dutch - or another language - you can easily change the audio track right inside the video player.
Here is how to switch the language on both mobile and desktop:
On a Mobile Device (Phone or Tablet):
Open the video you want to watch.
Tap the screen quickly to bring up the player controls.
Tap the Gear icon ⚙️ (Settings) in the top right corner.
Tap Audio track.
Select Dutch (or your preferred language) from the drop-down menu.
On a Computer (PC or Mac):
Open the video in your web browser.
Hover your mouse over the video screen to reveal the control bar.
Click the Gear icon ⚙️ (Settings) at the bottom right of the video.
Click Audio track.
Select Dutch (or your preferred language) from the menu.
Note: This feature relies on YouTube's available multi-language audio tracks. If you don't see the "Audio track" option on a specific video, you can also enable translated Subtitles/CC under the same Gear icon menu by selecting Subtitles/CC > Auto-translate > Dutch.
No Full Round Videos After Round 10
I understand it can feel like a sudden halt when the video tutorials stop after Round 10. But for the most part, it’s just that initial fear of losing your training wheels! You actually already know how to do this, even if it feels a little scary at first.
Unfortunately, due to the massive scope of this project, it isn't possible for me to create a video for every single round. My best advice is to simply dive into the written instructions or the chart. You already know how to do the work thanks to the videos, and once you start, you’ll see how quickly your eyes and hands get used to reading the pattern. If you do run into a tough spot, just snap a picture and ask in our groups - we have your back!
Tall Stitches
These kinds of stitches are definitely not universally loved! :)) Tall stitches like treble, double treble, and triple treble crochet usually turn out a bit loose, which can make it feel like you're doing something wrong. Please don't stress about them! In the Petalique pattern, these are front post stitches. This means another front post stitch will be worked into them two rounds later, which completely covers up those loose loops.
Modified Decrease Stitches: /dec and \dec
Two other stitches that can feel like total brain twisters are these modified (skinny) decreases. Fortunately, there aren't too many of them in the pattern, and you can always replace them with regular stitches if you prefer:
/dec: replace with double crochet (dc) and extended double crochet (edc) worked together
\dec: replace with extended double crochet (edc) and double crochet (dc) worked together
Need Extra Help with Round 64 / Round 68?
Round 64 (Pillow / Wall-Hanging) and Round 68 (Blanket) feature a unique stitch technique where front post stitch is worked into one of the legs of a decrease.
I received a few questions about this and was planning to record a new video, but then I remembered we already covered this exact technique in the Petalique Coasters!
If you skipped the coasters and need a visual demonstration:
Petalique Coasters – Round 8 is identical to Round 64 of the Pillow/Wall-Hanging.
It is also very similar to Round 68 of the Blanket (the technique and corners are identical; it simply starts in a different spot).
Watch the Petalique Coaster Round 8 video below.
You can also watch the Coasters video for Rounds 9–11 if you need a visual guide for the following 3 rounds.
Finished Petalique Wall-Hanging
Tah dah! We have a third finished Petalique project!
Sandra van Dis got an early start, so don't feel behind! Her inspiration came from pattern tester Karin Terpstra, who divided a Whirl and Whirlette into color sections and used them in reverse order for her own two wall-hangings and two pillows. When Sandra's finished piece turned out a bit too large, they used a larger (60 cm) wire frame and literally "chained" the crochet piece right in. What a genius idea!
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl in 771 Jumpin' Jaffa Pop, Whirlette in 883 Bitter Coffee.
Sandra van Dis: Eindelijk zijn ze klaar. Vorig jaar ben ik hieraan begonnen. Ik was geïnspireerd door testster Karin Terpstra haar schilderijen. Mijn haakwerken werden met de rand net te groot voor de lijsten. Dus kreeg ik het idee om ze in een frame te haken. Ik wilde graag een frame van 55 cm, maar deze heb ik niet kunnen vinden. Dus werden het frames van 60 cm. Toen heb ik lussen eraan gehaakt zodat de beide werken in het frame gehaakt konden worden. De Whirl die ik gebruikt heb was Jumpin Joffa Pop. Ik heb nog wel een beetje van een tweede Whirl nodig gehad. En de Whirlette was Bitter Coffee. Hier had ik ook nog een derde bol van nodig. Ik ben superblij met het resultaat.
Inspiring Project by Karin Terpstra:
Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl 793 Goji Sorbet Dream, Whirlette 880 Delicious
Finished MAL Projects
Our collection is growing!
Amber Sky: Bag made with Whirl in Shrinking Violet
Rineke Rottiné: Pillow made with Scheepjes Cotton Create.
Lida VanVliet: Bag made with Scheepje Whirlette Ice and Liquorice.
Sandra van Dis: 2 Wall-Hangings Set made with Scheepjes Whirl in 771 Jumpin' Jaffa Pop, Whirlette in 883 Bitter Coffee
Ineke Laagland: Bag made with Scheepje Whirlette Ice and Liquorice.
Crafting Memories: Crochet as the Ultimate Souvenir
There is something truly magical about how a crochet project can capture a memory.
When you pack a project in your suitcase, every stitch becomes intertwined with the sights, sounds, and relaxed vibes of your trip. Years later, picking up that blanket or pillow instantly teleports you right back to paradise. (And let's be honest, yarn takes up way less room in your luggage than three ceramic statues and a decorative plate!)
But even if your suitcase was already bursting at the seams and you couldn't bring a project along, all is not lost. Inspiration has a sneaky way of following you home!
That is exactly what happened to Karoliina Sensi. After returning from Portugal, she couldn't stop seeing beautiful, traditional blue azulejo tiles everywhere she looked.
Naturally, the tile-like motifs of the Petalique pattern called her name, and she immediately un-stashed her blue and white yarn to recreate those Portuguese vacation vibes stitch by stitch.
Whether you crochet on location or get struck by inspiration the moment you unpack, a project infused with travel memories becomes so much more than just yarn - it becomes a memory you can actually wrap yourself in.
Our Progress This Week
Thank you so much for sharing your progress! It makes this designer so happy, and it keeps our group members incredibly motivated and inspired. Sharing your projects helps tremendously for everyone who is following in your footsteps!
Thank you for sharing love for the patterns and challenges you are facing!
Stephanie Dorgelo: I am absolutely loving this pattern so far! It is beautiful and intricate!
Shanti Louise Shivaya Grafström: The Petalique MAL is going slower than my usual projects because I’m learning how to read a new type of pattern and a new type of chart. But it’s fun and exciting and my helper is doing a good job.
Tanja Gade Lemvig Villadsen: My 14-year-old daughter has already said she wants a blanket, so we'll see if I want to offer this to her, make one, or buy a regular one. ;)
Kristina Hill: Mentally preparing for 80, yes 80, puff stitches in upcoming rounds, but really loving this project.
Jacqueline Strand: I kept trying and ripping until I finally got the invisible join where it was much improved. And now, I am happy to say, I am back on track.
Erin Neville Oradesky: Hope my sister likes it when I am done.
Heather Owen: So thrilled with my progress to date. What a fun pattern, I am so addicted, I keep saying just another round. I feel extra lucky to have a local store, Artisanthropy, located right here in Whitby that sells Scheepjes yarn! I ran there Saturday afternoon to get more yarn. Yarn: Colour Crafter Create.
That is all for this week's update! Seeing your tiny 3-row squares start to bloom and reading your stories makes me so happy. Please keep sharing your progress - or your lack of progress, for that matter! It truly helps, because there are always others in the exact same boat who shouldn't feel bad about stalling their project just because it's too hot to do anything. We are all in this together!
Happy crocheting!
Natalia
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