The Tidal Fades Shawl Crochet Along, Week 1

*some of the links included in this post are affiliate links, which simply means, that at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission if you click through and purchase!

Welcome to the first ever Fiber & Fox Crochet Along. I am super excited to launch this crochet along for all of you, and I can’t wait to see the prettiness you work up over the next month! I was/am so thrilled to be working in collaboration with Jen from Laine and Lotus on this pattern release! Not only does she dye some of the most beautiful yarn out there, she just so happens to live locally to me, so double collab win!!

Last September I released the worsted weight version of my Tidal Fades Shawl after a vacation to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. As I sat in the passenger seat of the car with a pile of Malabrigo yarns purchased in Bar Harbor, watching the tides move in and out along the coastline of granite cliffs, the stunning landscape provided the inspiration for the design (the original worsted weight pattern has been revamped and tech edited, and is available in my Ravelry and Etsy shops).

Though that version is still one of my favorites, this year I wanted to re-invent the design in a hand-dyed, lighter weight yarn. The DK version has a completely different gauge and row counts, longer fade sections (cause they are the best part!), a different edging, and a beaded tassel tutorial. Over the next month I will be releasing “clues” for all these sections so we can all crochet a Tidal Fades along with each other! By the end of the month you will have the pattern in entirety!

However, if you’re not the patient type, you can find the complete, printable pattern right now in my Ravelry and Etsy shops. (If you’re purchasing, make sure you pay attention to which you’re buying! The DK version is these colors in the listing, the worsted version is blues)

Here’s how the #TIDALFADESCAL will work:

• Week One, Sept 6: this post will outline the entire #tidalfadescal as well as include all the information you will need to get started gathering your supplies and ordering yarn! Make sure you don’t miss the exclusive CAL coupon code (keep reading! It’s below!) from Laine and Lotus!!
• Week Two, Sept 13: While you wait for your yarns to arrive, pop back for an interview with the dyer, Jen!
• Week Three, Sept 20: How to begin your Tidal Fades Shawl, including gauge, the first two “tide” sections and the first “fade”
• Week Four, Sept 27: The remaining portions of the shawl, including the third “fade” and last “tide,” as well as the edging, tassels and final instructions!

While this series of posts will forever remain on the blog, and the pattern will always be available in my shops, if you’d like to participate with us in the CAL Sept 6th-Oct 4th, here’s what you need to know!

The #tidalfadescal will run Sept 6th-October 4th. All you need to do to participate is be working on the Tidal Fades Shawl, either from these posts or the paid pattern PDF, and use the hashtag #tidalfadescal and tag me- @fiber.and.fox– on instagram (don’t forget the “S” on fadeS! And keep in mind you have to have a public/not private account or I won’t actually see your tagged posts!). And I will also accept entries from the original worsted weight design, if you’d rather make that version! I will choose a winner at random from the hashtag to receive a hand-dyed, hand-sewn rope YARN BOWL from another incredible, local-to-me maker, Cole Mama Creations.

While you don’t have to use Laine and Lotus yarns, I do HIGHLY recommend you try ’em! Mine is made in the colorways Mint Julep, Birdhouse Dreams, and Autumnal Equinox, but any DK combo would be gorgeous! Jen has graciously offered us a coupon code ” TIDALFADESCAL” good for 10% off any DK weight yarns in her shop. There won’t be pre-assembled kits, to give you the freedom to pick and choose your own combos, but I’m sure she’d be happy to snap a photo for you if you are wondering how certain colors play together.

left: @carrieperlf, top: @laineandlotus, bottom left: @baahumble, bottom right: @mama0710

If you choose to use another dyer (like some of my testers above), that’s totally fine too! However, if you do choose to work with Jen’s yarns (and post a picture under #tidalfadescal with your yarn info!) that will get you a bonus entry toward winning the Cole Mama Creations yarn bowl! And whichever yarn you choose, the colors definitely don’t have to “fade” into each other- go with whatever combo makes your heart sing!

Materials needed for the Tidal Fades Shawl in DK:

• 3 skeins of Laine and Lotus DK (245yds/100grams each) or any DK weight yarns of your choosing (at least 245 yds each, ~ 735 yds total, tassels included)
• I-9/5.5mm crochet hook (if you haven’t tried Clover Amours, they are by far my faves!)
• yarn needle
• scissors
• measuring tape
• optional: blocking mat & pins, beads with large holes for adding to tassels

So get your yarny goodness ready and make sure to come back next Friday for part two!

If you just can’t wait until the 20th for pattern “clue” one, or if you perhaps already have all your yarn and supplies ready, you can get the complete pattern in a neat and printable version in my Ravelry or Etsy shop today! I’m so looking forward to seeing all your beautiful shawls! Drop me a comment and let me know if you’ll be joining in, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for all your photos soon! Happy fading, my friends!