Showing posts with label Scheepjes Bloggers Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scheepjes Bloggers Days. Show all posts
Hello! My name is Tatsiana, I am 37 years old, I am a crochet designer… and I have never been to any yarn show before. And when I say – never – I mean never in my entire life. Born in the USSR I didn’t have opportunity to visit a show like this. And in Czech Republic, where I live right now, we don’t have (I think) a tradition of spinning and hand-dyeing yarns. But last weekend everything changed. And my small crochet world exploded once again. We, Scheepjes Bloggers, came to YARNDALE!
I’m sitting in front of my laptop right now trying to concentrate and think of a best way of how I can tell you everything. Everything about what happened over last weekend. And my brain is not doing great, really. All I have inside my head is a crazy whirly kaleidoscope of emotions, impressions and pictures. I don’t think I will be able to build up anything logical, so please forgive me. I guess I will need another week, or month, for feelings to settle down.
Disclosure: my camera lense was broken at Yarndale. And credit for most of the pictures you see in this post go to my dearest Scheepjes blogger friends. Thank you for letting me use them!
So Yarndale. Yarndale is the biggest annual yarn show (“a festival of creativity”) in UK. This year it was the sixth event already (and just a week ago it won British Knitting&Crochet Awards as the best show). Every year hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors meet together in Skipton (North Yorkshire). If you, like me, have never heard of Yarndale before, check their official web-site for all information.
“Come and enjoy the fun and friendly atmosphere where you can socialise, learn new skills, soak up the creative vibes and shop to your heart’s content.”
And this is true to every bit. I have never seen so many like-minded and passionate crafters per one square meter. Thousands of people met in one place to share their love for yarn, crochet, knitting, spinning, felting and more!
This year Scheepjes had their own stand at Yarndale, and we, Scheepjes bloggers, were invited to join our yarny friends for bloggers days in UK. I think I’ll be safe to say Scheepjes stand was one of the busiest. Lots of visitors came in to say hello to us, bloggers, and to squish Whirls, balls of Stone Washed and Namaste.
It’s difficult to describe that particular moment when suddenly in the crowd you see a project made with your pattern. When I was walking along the stands and drooling over hand-dyed yarns I suddenly spotted a Grinda shawl. The shawl didn’t look like Grinda entirely, as it was modified a bit.
But I clearly recognized Whirl yarn and the lace border. And I decided to be brave and ask lady which shawl she was wearing. And yes, it was Grinda! Petra recognized me at once, and we started a nice talk. Like me, she came to Yarndale for the first time, and was very excited to see everyone and everything…
And then I noticed another lady in the crowd wearing Lilla Bjorn sweater and Peacock Tail bag. Yay!! We met with Tamara (@craftyescapism) later at the Scheepjes stand and had a lovely chat about crochet… And then Jenny Yu Chen (@yumushroom) came in (please, forgive me as I forgot to ask your real name!) to show me her stunning Winter Light Poncho! You know? Online people became real! And we all were talking, and talking, and talking…
Last weekend was not only about Yarndale, but also about Scheepjes Bloggers Days which happen once a year, and when I can see my lovely dearest beautiful blogger friends again (LOVE you girls and boys!).
I am often asked how to become a Scheepjes blogger and why on Earth I work for Scheepjes. Answering the first question – there is no application from or admission procedure to become a Scheepjes blogger. I didn’t pitch them anything. They just found me themselves (hey, a lucky girl here!). And answering the second questions – no, I am not working FOR Scheepjes, but WITH Scheepjes.
There is something special in our relationship which cannot be described or put into words. Something that makes all of us feel like friends, regardless the status. I mean… You can meet an owner of Scheepjes at Yarndale, he will sell you a few balls of yarn, offer you a Dutch stroofwaffle, give you bloggers’ postcards and you will never even recognize he is the “big boss” behind the company. And at the same time art director will chat with you about crochet and you’ll not know she is actually the one who put all Scheepjes magazines together and helped to develop innovative yarns. Like everyone feels equal. If you understand what I mean.
And this feeling of belonging to something huge, creative and… equal… makes my heart extremely happy. I don’t think I realize myself how much I grew up in designing over past 3 years being a part of Scheepjes Bloggers team.
*****************************************************
I came home in the middle of the night. My sleepy dog was greeting me. After almost 13 hours drive with a plane and several trains I could hardly believe Yarndale happened for real. Next morning my husband was drinking coffee in the kitchen. Silently. I supposed my yarn bills finally came through and he was in a kind of financial coma… But well, you know, it was Yarndale! And it happens once a year. Or once in someone’s life.
The end :)
Subscribe to a newsletter not to miss a single post. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
I’m sitting in front of my laptop right now trying to concentrate and think of a best way of how I can tell you everything. Everything about what happened over last weekend. And my brain is not doing great, really. All I have inside my head is a crazy whirly kaleidoscope of emotions, impressions and pictures. I don’t think I will be able to build up anything logical, so please forgive me. I guess I will need another week, or month, for feelings to settle down.
Disclosure: my camera lense was broken at Yarndale. And credit for most of the pictures you see in this post go to my dearest Scheepjes blogger friends. Thank you for letting me use them!
Yarndale!
So Yarndale. Yarndale is the biggest annual yarn show (“a festival of creativity”) in UK. This year it was the sixth event already (and just a week ago it won British Knitting&Crochet Awards as the best show). Every year hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors meet together in Skipton (North Yorkshire). If you, like me, have never heard of Yarndale before, check their official web-site for all information.
“Come and enjoy the fun and friendly atmosphere where you can socialise, learn new skills, soak up the creative vibes and shop to your heart’s content.”
And this is true to every bit. I have never seen so many like-minded and passionate crafters per one square meter. Thousands of people met in one place to share their love for yarn, crochet, knitting, spinning, felting and more!
This year Scheepjes had their own stand at Yarndale, and we, Scheepjes bloggers, were invited to join our yarny friends for bloggers days in UK. I think I’ll be safe to say Scheepjes stand was one of the busiest. Lots of visitors came in to say hello to us, bloggers, and to squish Whirls, balls of Stone Washed and Namaste.
 |
| Scheepjes stand at Yarndale 2018 |
It’s difficult to describe that particular moment when suddenly in the crowd you see a project made with your pattern. When I was walking along the stands and drooling over hand-dyed yarns I suddenly spotted a Grinda shawl. The shawl didn’t look like Grinda entirely, as it was modified a bit.
But I clearly recognized Whirl yarn and the lace border. And I decided to be brave and ask lady which shawl she was wearing. And yes, it was Grinda! Petra recognized me at once, and we started a nice talk. Like me, she came to Yarndale for the first time, and was very excited to see everyone and everything…
And then I noticed another lady in the crowd wearing Lilla Bjorn sweater and Peacock Tail bag. Yay!! We met with Tamara (@craftyescapism) later at the Scheepjes stand and had a lovely chat about crochet… And then Jenny Yu Chen (@yumushroom) came in (please, forgive me as I forgot to ask your real name!) to show me her stunning Winter Light Poncho! You know? Online people became real! And we all were talking, and talking, and talking…
 |
| We, lovely people we met and famous Yarndale bunting! |
Bloggers and Scheepjes
Last weekend was not only about Yarndale, but also about Scheepjes Bloggers Days which happen once a year, and when I can see my lovely dearest beautiful blogger friends again (LOVE you girls and boys!).
 | |
| Pic. 1 - Carmen of New Leaf Designs, Christina of A Spoonful of Yarn, Dedri of Look At What I Made, Rachele of Cypress Textiles, Kirsten of Haak Maar Raak, and me; Pic. 2 - Me, Susan of Felted Button and Esther of It's All In A Nutshell drooling over new Rachele's book; Pic.3 - A birth of a new shawl design... |
 |
| A hotel "Old Swan" and we - crocheting and "socializing" :) |
There is something special in our relationship which cannot be described or put into words. Something that makes all of us feel like friends, regardless the status. I mean… You can meet an owner of Scheepjes at Yarndale, he will sell you a few balls of yarn, offer you a Dutch stroofwaffle, give you bloggers’ postcards and you will never even recognize he is the “big boss” behind the company. And at the same time art director will chat with you about crochet and you’ll not know she is actually the one who put all Scheepjes magazines together and helped to develop innovative yarns. Like everyone feels equal. If you understand what I mean.
 |
| Job - a "big boss" of Scheepjes wearing a faaaamous Read Between the Lines Shawl by Tammy of Canadutch. Photo Credit: Dedri Uys |
And this feeling of belonging to something huge, creative and… equal… makes my heart extremely happy. I don’t think I realize myself how much I grew up in designing over past 3 years being a part of Scheepjes Bloggers team.
*****************************************************
I came home in the middle of the night. My sleepy dog was greeting me. After almost 13 hours drive with a plane and several trains I could hardly believe Yarndale happened for real. Next morning my husband was drinking coffee in the kitchen. Silently. I supposed my yarn bills finally came through and he was in a kind of financial coma… But well, you know, it was Yarndale! And it happens once a year. Or once in someone’s life.
 | |
| Skies of Yorkshire |
The end :)
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Freeform crochet is something I have been observing for a very long time. If you open the web you will see enormous number of shawls, bags, cardigans, hats… anything! Made in freeform crochet. It is a truly unique way to express yourself, as no pattern is needed. And you just follow the sound of your soul. Though there are no strict rules, I have noticed that some shapes and stitches are repeated often, and I have always wanted to try them out. And the concept of freeform crochet in general.
Do you dream of something? Then there is a chance your dreams will come true one day. And that happened to me. At the moment I am sitting at the Copenhagen airport, after an impressively creative weekend spent with my blogger friends at Scheepjes HQ in the Netherlands. Yes, that was another Bloggers Days time full of fantastic yarns, lots of crochet, learning and… laugh. I am in love with these ladies! They all are true inspiration!
I could go for a walk down in Copenhagen center or could take an immediate train to Malmö. But instead I decided to sit down for a few hours, and to write this blog post. To share my feelings and impressions about the people I met, and new things I’ve learnt.
The agenda of Bloggers Days was known in advance and I was very looking forward to both workshops: a chart making by Kirsten of Haak Maar Raak. And freeform crochet by José Dammers. You may know Kirsten’s work already, she creates very stylish designs full of color and geometry. And she is also the designer behind latest Scheepjes CAL – Hygge.
And José Dammers was a new name to me, I have not seen her work before. And when I saw it – I could not really believe she started to crochet just 2 years ago. And from the very beginning she looked into freeform crochet. I had a chance to see her stunning shawls and bags for real. And also her recent art objects – crochet portraits of David Bowie and Frida Kahlo. Don’t they look amazing? You should check out José's Instagram page HERE for more beautiful projects.
Guess who is behind the crochet face in the picture below. A small hint – she is a veeeeeeery known blogger. And a fantastic crochet designer. And you know her for sure!
(Ok! It’s Dedri Uys)
After an introduction we were invited to try freeform crochet ourselves. To make a test sample (which can absolutely grow into a finished crochet project in the end) you need five different yarns in several shades. In close or contrast shades – it doesn’t matter, but the key idea is to use yarns in different weights and with different texture: thick, fluffy, lace. Anything!
You also need a special kind of a crochet hook to complete bullion stitches. Because I only had a hand luggage I didn’t dare to bring one on the airplane, as it reminded me of a surgery instrument. And I was afraid I would not be allowed to bring it onboard. Want to know how much time it took me to master bullion stitch? I am not sure myself, but it felt like forever! Other ladies were very excited too. And we didn't really pay much attention to anything around us... Just look at the table after an hour of "practice"...
What else do you need for a freeform crochet? Nothing! No pattern, no rules, no right and no wrong. Just the mood. Which you should follow with your hands. For my highly organized nature it was not easy at all to switch off and not to think about stitch count or gauge. The only important thing is that your motifs should stay flat. In my opinion freeform crochet artists have achieved a certain level of freedom of mind. And I am making tiny step towards it.
And here is lucky Carmen together with José.
Anyway. I have finished my first freeform motif! A good start I think. And now I am dreaming about making a shawl in this technique. And as I know already, if you are dreaming your dreams come true at some point. Time for a cup of coffee. Next week is all mine. It’s time for me and for the sea. I might be not in touch for a while. But promise to come back sooooon.
Subscribe to a newsletter not to miss a single post. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Do you dream of something? Then there is a chance your dreams will come true one day. And that happened to me. At the moment I am sitting at the Copenhagen airport, after an impressively creative weekend spent with my blogger friends at Scheepjes HQ in the Netherlands. Yes, that was another Bloggers Days time full of fantastic yarns, lots of crochet, learning and… laugh. I am in love with these ladies! They all are true inspiration!
 |
| From left to right: Maria, Jellina, Carmen, Esther, Tammy, Esther, Susan, Dedri, Christa, Nerissa, me (wearing Kirsten's Stormy Day shawl), Kirsten. Photo credit: Scheepjes |
I could go for a walk down in Copenhagen center or could take an immediate train to Malmö. But instead I decided to sit down for a few hours, and to write this blog post. To share my feelings and impressions about the people I met, and new things I’ve learnt.
 |
| Maria, Tammy and Carmen are discussing spinning |
The agenda of Bloggers Days was known in advance and I was very looking forward to both workshops: a chart making by Kirsten of Haak Maar Raak. And freeform crochet by José Dammers. You may know Kirsten’s work already, she creates very stylish designs full of color and geometry. And she is also the designer behind latest Scheepjes CAL – Hygge.
 |
| José Dammers, Christa, Susan and Dedri |
And José Dammers was a new name to me, I have not seen her work before. And when I saw it – I could not really believe she started to crochet just 2 years ago. And from the very beginning she looked into freeform crochet. I had a chance to see her stunning shawls and bags for real. And also her recent art objects – crochet portraits of David Bowie and Frida Kahlo. Don’t they look amazing? You should check out José's Instagram page HERE for more beautiful projects.
 |
| Frida Kahlo's portrais by José Dammers |
Guess who is behind the crochet face in the picture below. A small hint – she is a veeeeeeery known blogger. And a fantastic crochet designer. And you know her for sure!
 |
| Photo credit: Tammy of Canadutch |
(Ok! It’s Dedri Uys)
After an introduction we were invited to try freeform crochet ourselves. To make a test sample (which can absolutely grow into a finished crochet project in the end) you need five different yarns in several shades. In close or contrast shades – it doesn’t matter, but the key idea is to use yarns in different weights and with different texture: thick, fluffy, lace. Anything!
 |
| Scheepjes Bloggers practicing at freeform crochet :) |
You also need a special kind of a crochet hook to complete bullion stitches. Because I only had a hand luggage I didn’t dare to bring one on the airplane, as it reminded me of a surgery instrument. And I was afraid I would not be allowed to bring it onboard. Want to know how much time it took me to master bullion stitch? I am not sure myself, but it felt like forever! Other ladies were very excited too. And we didn't really pay much attention to anything around us... Just look at the table after an hour of "practice"...
What else do you need for a freeform crochet? Nothing! No pattern, no rules, no right and no wrong. Just the mood. Which you should follow with your hands. For my highly organized nature it was not easy at all to switch off and not to think about stitch count or gauge. The only important thing is that your motifs should stay flat. In my opinion freeform crochet artists have achieved a certain level of freedom of mind. And I am making tiny step towards it.
And here is lucky Carmen together with José.
 |
| Photo credit: Scheepjes |
Anyway. I have finished my first freeform motif! A good start I think. And now I am dreaming about making a shawl in this technique. And as I know already, if you are dreaming your dreams come true at some point. Time for a cup of coffee. Next week is all mine. It’s time for me and for the sea. I might be not in touch for a while. But promise to come back sooooon.
Subscribe to a newsletter not to miss a single post. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
I missed autumn this year. My favourite season. And I can’t believe it… Every autumn we used to walk with my dog through the woods, smelling wet air and looking at the colorful happiness around. And this year everything was too fast. I was too busy with designing and preparations for a move to a new apartment. And when I could finally breathe again – autumn was gone… But I got a lucky chance to see its last traces in Holland where I met with my blogger friends – a creative team collaborating with Scheepjes company.
Last weekend felt like a fairy tale. Holland is getting prepared for Christmas and looks festive with all cute and stylish decorations and evening lights everywhere. We were driving in the dark from Almere to up North together with Nerissa, Dedri and Sarah. We were looking at cute small houses in the suburbs of Groningen. And the scenery was filled up with magic.
And next morning I saw my autumn. With small drops of water on grass quivering in the morning sun, with brown and wet leaves covered by fog, with fresh and moist air I missed so much. I was home…
What are Scheepjes Bloggers Days about? They are all about yarn and crochet. I usually spend all my days at home. I don’t go to public places very often as I am pretty happy with my small crochet world. I don’t normally crochet in public. And I was amazed to see the reaction of people when I started to crochet at Schiphol airport (where I had 3 hours to wait for Sarah’s and Dedri’s flight). People looked very interested. Some of them commented: “oh, that’s pretty” or “oh, you are so fast”. But many of them were smiling. Just looking and smiling! And I felt like crochet makes people happy. And maybe a world stuffed with technologies and mobile phones, and internet – a little bit better.
And I thought – we, crafters, should bring our crafts to public more often. And I am not talking about craft fairs or yarn shows… Maybe we should even think or a world’s flash mob - just pick exact time and go crochet to streets, cafes, everywhere. It would be nice to see people smiling. Let’s the whole world stop for 15 minutes, step away from internet, and just smile. We crocheted a lot during Scheepjes Bloggers days, or we were talking about crochet and yarns. And it felt very natural and comfortable.
Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about meeting friends, hugs and laughter; they are about learning, sharing creativity, inspiration, experience, ideas. This time Scheepjes invited Kate from A Playful Day to give a photography workshop. I am trying to grow my photography skills but very often it feels like my pictures are not telling the story themselves. It was so nice to meet Kate and hear lots of useful advice. And I have finally found a common language with my phone. I could even make a few shots with it. What do you think? :) (Many thanks to Dedri from Look At What I Made for capturing my creative process and struggles!)
Here are my Celtic Mandala chair pads...
…And detail of my Autumn Winds Cowl.
Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about playing with colors...
...and birth of new projects.
For me personally Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about dreams coming true. I have met Susan from Felted Button for real! Three years ago when I was not even thinking about designing, I found her Etsy shop and was staring for hours at colors and textures. I wished I could be able to come up with something like this myself one day… And after three years I meet her, and talk to her!
Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about finding way back to yourself. After several months of instant stress and fear not to be in time, I have finally breathed out. Two days of “my own autumn” in Holland helped me to discover peace and creativity again… I’ve got LOTS of ideas! And I feel strong again to bring them to life…
Subscribe to a newsletter not to miss a single post. You can also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Last weekend felt like a fairy tale. Holland is getting prepared for Christmas and looks festive with all cute and stylish decorations and evening lights everywhere. We were driving in the dark from Almere to up North together with Nerissa, Dedri and Sarah. We were looking at cute small houses in the suburbs of Groningen. And the scenery was filled up with magic.
And next morning I saw my autumn. With small drops of water on grass quivering in the morning sun, with brown and wet leaves covered by fog, with fresh and moist air I missed so much. I was home…
What are Scheepjes Bloggers Days about? They are all about yarn and crochet. I usually spend all my days at home. I don’t go to public places very often as I am pretty happy with my small crochet world. I don’t normally crochet in public. And I was amazed to see the reaction of people when I started to crochet at Schiphol airport (where I had 3 hours to wait for Sarah’s and Dedri’s flight). People looked very interested. Some of them commented: “oh, that’s pretty” or “oh, you are so fast”. But many of them were smiling. Just looking and smiling! And I felt like crochet makes people happy. And maybe a world stuffed with technologies and mobile phones, and internet – a little bit better.
And I thought – we, crafters, should bring our crafts to public more often. And I am not talking about craft fairs or yarn shows… Maybe we should even think or a world’s flash mob - just pick exact time and go crochet to streets, cafes, everywhere. It would be nice to see people smiling. Let’s the whole world stop for 15 minutes, step away from internet, and just smile. We crocheted a lot during Scheepjes Bloggers days, or we were talking about crochet and yarns. And it felt very natural and comfortable.
 |
| credit: Simy Somer |
 |
| credit: Look At What I Made |
Here are my Celtic Mandala chair pads...
…And detail of my Autumn Winds Cowl.
Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about playing with colors...
 |
| Jellina and Atty |
...and birth of new projects.
 |
| Sarah and Nerissa |
For me personally Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about dreams coming true. I have met Susan from Felted Button for real! Three years ago when I was not even thinking about designing, I found her Etsy shop and was staring for hours at colors and textures. I wished I could be able to come up with something like this myself one day… And after three years I meet her, and talk to her!
 |
| Susan |
Scheepjes Bloggers Days are about finding way back to yourself. After several months of instant stress and fear not to be in time, I have finally breathed out. Two days of “my own autumn” in Holland helped me to discover peace and creativity again… I’ve got LOTS of ideas! And I feel strong again to bring them to life…
 |
| On the way back to Almere |
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