I’m taking a step in a more advanced direction with my two current projects.
When I signed up for Lillabjorn’s Crochet newsletter, so I could keep up with the Peacock Tail Bag CAL, I received a link for the Macaron Pincushion. So a couple of nights ago I made half of the pincushion (which was all I had time for that night as it got really late).
It turned out to be the perfect intro to the designer’s writing style and techniques, so that when I started the Peacock Tail Bag last night (again, way too late) I could understand it easily.
The pincushion and bag both use overlay crochet techniques, which just means stitches add texture by being made over the top of plain stitches in previous rounds. The patterns recommend very small hooks for the type of yarn, and I am using a 3.5mm one as I find anything smaller splits the yarn and also is too tiring.
This is the yarn I’m using for both projects:
Deramores Studio DK, 100% acrylic. It’s very soft and nice to work with. These colours are from the Gemstones Pack that I bought some time ago but it’s still available. (That link will take you to the main site and prices in UK pounds, but click on the thingy at the top for the currency of your choice. They ship everywhere. Very reasonably.)
This is the first half of the pincushion:
And this is part one of the bag CAL – it seems we will be crocheting the front and back of the bag at the same time. The front will have the fancy overlay stitches, the back is plain stripes. I now have to wait until the middle of next week to get part two, but that’s fine – I’d rather progress slowly than fall behind with too high of an expectation.
Later I can finish the pincushion and even add to my ripple blanket.
Have you done any Crochet- or Knit-alongs?
NICOLA KNITS 
I’ve never done either, but I keep considering it. Your work is looking fab so far. 😊
I signed up to the site you mentioned, and got that pin cushion pattern too. I also got the first part of the bag, but haven’t got the yarn yet!!! I might just collect the CAL and do it when we return from BC in mid September as my days seems quite busy right now.
Sounds like a good plan. I think the CAL is being released over six weeks and there’s no laws about when you start or finish! I like that there are other people doing it at the same time as me in the Colourful KALs/CALs group on Ravelry.
I see you have become addicted to the overlay crochet and Lilla Björn experience! My most recent discovery. I am signed up on the Peacock CAL but haven’t been up to it…yet. I am also tempted by the Mandala Madness CAL when Insee wonderful work on Facebook! Looks like you are mastering this technique very well indeed! 🙂
I’m not sure if I’m addicted (yet) – overlay crochet gives a lovely effect but it’s comparatively slow going.
Hopefully you’ll get around to the bag CAL soon 🙂
Yes it does take a lot longer but I think it is worth it for the effect. Mind you, it does take concentration so I have been doing relatively easy tapestry crochet during my period of convalescence. Look forward to seeing how your project develops! 🙂