Ready to fall in love?

I love making garments, obviously. But from time to time, I feel inspired to create an accessory. The requirements are simple: it has to be useful, wearable and beautiful. I think Forelsket meets all of those requirements!

Let’s not move on before I direct you to some important links for you to order my book!

Colorful Crochet Knitwear is to be released on April 12th, 2022 and you can preorder NOW here:

Forelsket (Norwegian) – the euphoric feeling of falling in love at the beginning of a relationship.

Remember that euphoric feeling of falling in love? When the lines of where you ended and your paramour started were so blurry that they were basically indistinguishable? This is the feeling that Forelsket evokes. The shawl uses striping to create a fade effect that blends colors together, while the striking chevron pattern with its lace elements results in a piece that evokes emotion and will elevate any outfit. Perfect to keep the chill away, you will want to wear Forelsket all year round. The reverse single crochet makes a beautiful rope-like edging.

To achieve a good fade effect, the yarn is as important as the technique. La Bien Aimee seriously knocked it out of the park with this fade set! I just love how the colors transition into one another!

The pattern comes with instructions to follow the color pattern or to do your own thing. You can add more colors, make it smaller or larger, or make it all in one solid color. It also follows a very easy and repetitive pattern that calms your mind in an almost meditative way. I really enjoyed making this one!

Sizes + Measurement

The shawl pattern comes in one very adaptable size.

Finished size

Wingspan: 72½ in / 184 cm

Length: 37 3/8 in / 95 cm

Materials

Yarn

I used La Bien Aimee Merino Sport (100% Superwash merino), sport (3ply), 100g (355yd/325m) in the following colors:

A: Peanut Butter and Jelly; ½ skein

B: Liesl; ¾ skein

C: Gateway Purple; 1 skein

D: Waterlilies; 1 skein

E: Life Aquatic; 1 skein

Other yarn alternatives

When it comes to a good fade effect, hand dyed yarns are the best options. However, they can be a bit more on the pricey side. So here are some alternatives that might be more affordable, but that can also achieve a good result. I have also include a few fingering and DK weight options because since it’s a shawl, size can be adapted much easier even with a different gauge and the one suggested in the pattern. There are also some degrade/ombre options as well as solid ones.

Lionbrand Yarn

Mandala® Yarn (100% Acrylic)

knit Picks / WeCrochet

High Desert Sport 50gr (100% American Wool)

Hawthorne Fingering Multi (80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide)

Muse Hand Painted Sock Yarn (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)

Lovecrafts.com

Malabrigo Arroyo (100% Merino Wool)

Rico Creative Wool Degrade (70% Acrylic 30% Virgin Wool)

Viking Of Norway Nordlys (75% Wool 25% Nylon)

Malabrigo Mechita (100% Merino Wool)

Yardage

Yarn A: 164¼ yd /150 m

Yarn B: 262½ yd / 240 m

Yarn C: 306¼ yd / 280 m

Yarn D: 355½ yd / 325 m

Yarn E: 350 yd / 320 m

Amounts included 10% extra for swatching and margin or error.

Amounts are approximate for a semi-cropped pullover with long sleeves.

Techniques used

Here is a list of the techniques used to make this top. I have added links to audio-visual aid that you might find helpful. More videos will be added in time.

Stripes

Testers

My testers were incredibly important and helpful during the writing of this book. I am forever grateful to them! Here are some of their projects (click on the images to be directed to their Instagram account)

You can also find the pattern on Ravelry and see their projects if you would like to know more information about the materials they used and the size they made.

Forelsket on Ravelry