hook and cwtch

Advent Day 4…. Will o the wisp

Advent Day 4! And it’s a good un!

Today, we come across the luring night time sprites of the enchanted forest known as Will o’ the wisps! The leading beings who encounter them to their fate, whatever that may be! Know in Latin as Ignis fatuus, translating to “foolish fire”.

This gorgeous colourway inspires by blue nighttime flames has a navy, black, and deep blue undertone with hints of teal, uv reactive pink, and deep purple.

The yarn creates a stunning section of the pattern when made up (swipe to the bottom to see the fabric!)

This is also a firm favourite and will be available in January for a preorder! I’m so happy that I will be able to recreate some of the colours as a collection – which will then be available at shows in the new year!

Scroll to see today’s yarn balled up and made into fabric 🤩

I have also shared on Instagram and Facebook the extras that accompany this section of the advent! Head over to check out some amazing collaborations with incredibly talented and creative women!

Todays yarn can be linked with a favourite Disney movie of mine – Brave. I love the Scottish tale that is a coming of age mother and daughter epic.

Until tomorrow,

xxx Jess

Advent Day 3…. Fae

Can we just take a minute to take in the inspiration image for this yarn! (Credit @disa_fairy)

OK… there we are, thank you… day 3 and the next woodland beings on our meet and greet are the Fae. Mysterious and magical beings with ports beyond our understanding. Ofter the most beautiful on the outside, but don’t be fooled as they can be deceitful. We all know we must never make a trade with them as they often don’t play by the same rules…

I am obsessed with this colourway!! I can tell you now that this one will be making a permanent feature in the h&c shop! And I will be taking pre orders for a number of the advent yarns in 100g skeins (dk and 4ply)!

This yarn has the pop of pink (uv reactive too) against the purples for the fae that fade into blues and jade green of the sky, with a pop of ivory and pale pink for the moon. Again, all I can say is I am obsessed.

I love seeing updates of people’s blankets and the excitement over the extras! I forgot to share an extra 1 on day 1, so I will be sharing extras 1 and 2 in a post tomorrow on day 4…

Scroll all the way down for the day 4 pattern spoiler and to see the yarn in the beautiful linen stitch!

So, “what tedious link can you make to a fantasy book today?” I hear you ask!

Well, we couldn’t get too far into this fantasy inspired world of yarn without mentioning the world of Maas! If anyone can write a fantasy book/series about fae that makes you want to cry, laugh, and squeal with joy, she can! Take your pick of her series. They are all fabulous! But of course, the big hitter is ACOTAR. A must read, or reread, or rereread.

Until tomorrow, fair folk of Phantasmaland!

xxx Jess

Advent Day 2…. Pixies

Day 2! If it’s anything like last year, I know it will just fly by! So let’s get into it…

The Pixies were waiting in the shadows for us until the unicorns left us alone! They crept out, at a snails pace, and welcomed us to their home.

The day 2 colourway pulls on the main colours of the inspiration image focusing on the contrast between their wings, skin and companion snails.

Absolutely stunning and rich tan oranges with soft coral and pink with the brightest flash of kingfisher blue and jade.

Now that you’ve all seen the pattern, have you decided to commit to the daily challenge or popped it on the betwixmas pile (like me!)?

Scroll all the way down for the day 2 spoiler of how the yarn balls and works up!

OK, so do you think I could tempt you with another book recommendation (although for many of you, it’ll be a firm favourite, I’m sure), I obviously can’t make it past day 2 this year without a Harry Potter mention!

In year two the trio have a hilarious encounter with pesky Pixies (and even though those are blue) I like to feel the pixies above have a little cheekiness to them like the ones in the book!

Again, this is another glorious and tedious link to a beautiful fantasy book series.

Until tomorrow and day 3!

xxx Jess

Advent Day 1…. Unicorn

Welcome to Phantasmaland where fantasy meets reality! If you have met me you may know that I love books (please refer to last years advent…) So when deciding on a theme for this year I decided to choose my favourite genre and deep dive a bit more into the wonders that you find in fantasy realms! This of course includes the mythical creatures and beings that you encounter, starting with day 1…

Today we have come across the most saught after mythical creatures… the Unicorn. A beast known for its pure white coat and silver blood. Often found amonst the edges of the Enchanted forest next to the flowing phantasmic brooks or streams.

Its day 1 guys!!!! *excited jumping*

The background of the inspiration images leands itself to a gorgeous pale rainbow with a beautiful contrasting ivory and subtle silver grey of the unicorn. A perfect start to a fantasy advent, of course it was going to contain a rainbow.

Of course today also sees the start of the #PhantasmaCAL where once again this year Claire from @Clairesmadeit has created a beautiful and mindful crochet pattern to go alongside the advent, which this year uses almost all of the advent!

Scroll to the end to get a glimpse of todays installment and to see what the yarn looks like when crocheted! (SPOILER)

Now I couldn’t have an advent inspired by fantasy without mentioning a book could I… now this book recommendation is a actually part of a series but the series is brilliant!! It follows a detective who uncovers the magical world that co-exisits in out modern day world. It is a who dun it mixed with all sorts of wonderful magical characters, with a tounge and cheek tone throughout.

So I have no issues recommending Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovich the 5th part of the Rivers of London series. The book makes you see unicorns in a whole new light…

Did I teniously link one of my all time favourite series to this yarn… yes, yes I did. I’m not even sorry.

Until tomorrow,

xxx Jess

Phantasm Yarn Advent 2024 – Not just your average fantasy

IT’S TOMORROW!!! I am can’t believe it’s Advent already, I am so excited to start sharing the yarn with you all!!!

I had the idea for this advent over a year ago and started planning the concept then, and I honestly can’t believe 12 months have passed, and it’s time to start sharing December with you all again.

Taking over my parents house with advents

This unique advent has been designed around a magical land with different realms. We will be visiting the land and meeting all sorts of mythical creatures along the way.

There are still a few left in the etsy shop if you’ve found us for the first time and want to join in!

So what is included?

So here is the deal: every day after 8 pm, I will be posting the inspiration on social media and a blog with the inspiration image and some behind the scenes information about the design.

The pattern will be emailed to you on the corresponding days that it is needed starting tomorrow (1st of December) with Day 1 at 10 am. Be warned it may include a spoiler of the yarn, so only look when you have opened the yarn and are ready to crochet!

One of the little helpers this year taking a break

As for the extras…. there are 8 delicious extras packages in the box for you all to enjoy. You can open them as and when you fancy, BUT, there is also a guide for opening them.

Extra 1 and 2 belong with day 1-6 and can be opened at any point with them, Extra 3 and 4 belong with day 7-12, Extra 5 and 6 belong with day 13-18 and Extra 7 and 8 belong to day 19-24. You could open both with the start of those days or in the middle. Ultimately, it’s your choice when you open them (and I know some of you have already opened them all!)

I will be sharing extras on social media on days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, and 21 with that daily update, so steer clear if you don’t want spoilers!

Use this on socials if you are joining the advent this year!

So there it is, all the information you need to get ready for tomorrow. I adore this advent, and I am thrilled to start it off tomorrow with you all!

Here we go again (again, again, again!)

Xxx Jess