Embracing Creativity: Becoming a Chosen Member of the Scheepjes Designer Collective

Being selected as a member of the Scheepjes Designer Collective(SDC) is the ultimate dream for many yarn enthusiasts and creative minds and I can’t believe it’s happening to me! (Insert sobbing Kelly Clarkson.) 

What is the Scheepjes Designer Collective?

This exclusive group of talented individuals is handpicked to represent Scheepjes, a brand synonymous with quality, innovation, inclusivity, and a passion for all things yarn.

One of the most rewarding aspects of becoming a member of the SDC is the freedom to explore and express my creativity without constraints. This trust in my creative mind is not only validating, but it also shows dedication to each of our unique artistic visions! I feel like that really demonstrates a deep understanding of Scheepjes’ values and ethos.

Being chosen as a member of the Scheepjes Designer Collective is not just an accolade; it’s a privilege to uphold the values of creativity, excellence, and community that Scheepjes embodies. This is going to be a journey filled with excitement, challenges, and endless possibilities for artistic expression.

Below, I will delve into the experience of being chosen as a member of this esteemed collective and the creative opportunities it brings.

So, to all of you talented crafters out there, may your yarn be soft, your stitches be neat, and your creativity knows no bounds while we go through this new adventure with Scheepjes! 

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First, I think it is very important to highlight my experiences with Scheepjes yarn over the years. So call me Maria, because we are starting at the very beginning. 

A Happy Little Tree. You know when you see something and you say to yourself “YEP” and before you know it, you are making the most beautiful blanket ever? Yeah that was me when I saw the Scheepjes Stonewashed/Riverwashed colorpack back in 2018. I had been following Rachele from CypressTextiles for quite a while before she published her Happy Little Tree design. I had made some of her VVCAL2018 squares (that are shamefully still half joined, waiting for me to finish them, 6 years later) and was a big fan of her work. So when I started making the Happy Little Tree blanket, I fell in love with her designs and Scheepjes yarn even more! 

My Instagram account was blowing up because of my progress with this blanket and I would like to say “the rest is history” but there is a little more to it that I would like to share. 

Side note – that blanket now lives with its forever human in New Zealand. It was purchased by a lovely follower for her grand baby the minute it was finished. GUSSHH. 🥰

After using the Stonewashed/Riverwashed pack, I ordered some (okay we all know it was way too many) full skeins and began integrating it into my true love… designing amigurumi.

My first Scheepjes designs

In 2019 I made Emmet the Fox, Hans the Elephant, and Quin the Bear lovies. These designs are named after my three boys, and surprisingly each of these animals fits their own personalities even all these years later.

I have since created MANY more lovies and full amigurumi patterns using Stonewashed and it morphed into becoming my “signature yarn”. In a world filled with fleeting trends and fast-paced fashions, Stonewashed continues to stand the test of time through all of those changes, showcasing how timeless and classic it really is. I love that we have the ability to elevate our projects to the next level of craftsmanship just by using this beautiful yarn! 

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Below are just a handful of my designs using Scheepjes yarn. I think it is important to look back at your journey to see how far you have come with your craft. I look forward to reading this post years from now and reminiscing on all of these moments.

The softy yarn that is attached to the Baby Alien and Rusty the Lion Lovey is another favorite of mine. Sweetheart Soft is perfect for adding a plush touch to your projects. When I released the Baby Alien Lovey in the beginning of 2022, the traffic it brought broke my website for about 2 hours. 😅 He is still my most popular free pattern. 🥰

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My first design that got a lot of buzz around the amigurumi world was Walter T. Rex. Middle name, Tyrone. 💪 He went especially viral when I made him a little taco for an AmiguruMay challenge. 🌮 I mean…c’mon. Look at that guy. 🤩🦖

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Some time later, during the pandemic, I fell in love with micro crochet and began using Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush to create the tiniest of amigurumis. (I say sometime later because what even was time during the pan-demi-lavato? #timewarp) I can’t tell you how many times I stabbed myself with that tiny crochet hook while getting used to my own tension with such thin yarn. So actual blood, sweat, and tears went into learning THAT craft. 😅 Here are just a few tiny projects I made a long the way. There are many more on my Instagram!

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Scheepjes has since launched a new line called Candy Floss and when they sent me a couple of color packs a few weeks ago, I made this sweet little Saffron the Bee that is still waiting to be put together. With all the excitement of this announcement, poor micro Saffron was pushed aside for now. As you see, I take full advantage of my tools which have upgraded to a proper lit magnifying glass. No shame in my magnifying game. 👵🏼

I can’t wait to finish this little guy. He is at the top of my mile long list! I love seeing the difference in size of a project. Look how small the Candy Floss version of Saffron is, next to the Stone washed version! We can change the entirety of our project just by using thread and a tiny hook. 🥰

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My most popular pattern this year

That would definitely be Pebbles the Turtle Lovey, which has an entire Crochet Along on my YouTube channel. I know he wasn’t published this year, but you all still love that sweet turtle!! I don’t blame you. 🐢

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2023/2024 Fan favs!

Honey the Lovey and Rattle, and Saffron the Bee are definitely on the list for fan favorites! These designs bring me so much joy, and your love for them makes my heart so incredibly happy!

That brings us to today, where moving forward I will be a part of the Scheepjes team. SQUEEEE!!!

I look forward to experiencing more of Scheepjes yarns and sharing those moments with you, my friend!

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If you are new here, please drop over to my Instagram! That is where I am most active. I love to over share about my life, recipes I love, books that I am reading, and of course make new friends! Don’t be shy, leave a comment below saying hello and let me know where you are from, and how you found me!

Check out Scheepjes yarn on their website, and follow them on Instagram to see the amazing gallery of projects from talented artists all over the world.

You can find all of the patterns above, and many more spread across my website, Etsy, Ravelry, and Amigurumi.com stores. You can also send me an email! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

Together, let’s celebrate the joy of creativity, the beauty of handmade crafts, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Thank you once again for being a part of my little corner of the internet. Your support means the world to me. If you made it this far, you are the real M.V.P.

To Scheepjes… Thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity to contribute to your brand and vision. I am excited to collaborate, learn, and grow alongside such a talented and passionate group of individuals.

Happy crafting my friend.

xx
Sarah