Arete crochet pattern - digital or hard copy

Arete is a colour-work cowl, crocheted in the round and then steeked (cut up the steek stitches). It can either be worn as a flat cowl with a twist, covering your shoulders and neck, doubled over on the inside to create a chunky neck cowl.

Arete uses Harvest Hues by John Arbon Textiles, a 4 ply (fingering weight) yarn, which is perfect for colourwork and works well for steeking.

This is a great make if you are ready to tackle a larger tapestry crochet project that is easy to memorise but has is still challenging. There is very little reference to steeking crocheted work - lots of references to using crochet to reinforce knitting with slip stitches, but next to nothing on steeking crochet. This pattern has photo tutorials and a video tutorial to take you through it.

Terminology: As with all of my crochet patterns you can choose UK or US terminology (electronic only - print is in UK terminology).

Pattern Tutorial: To accompany this pattern I have created a video tutorial. This is available through a private YouTube link that can only be accessed by people that have bought the pattern for Arete (crocheted).

The tutorial takes you through the materials needed, shawl construction, key techniques used in the pattern, blocking hints and getting in touch.

Hooks: 3mm (D/3) for tapestry crochet and 2.5mm (C/2) for ribbing and button bands.

Gauge/tension: unblocked 21 sts and 23 rnds over 10cm/4”. Blocked 19 sts and 21.5 rows over 10cm/4”.

Hours: approx 41 hours to make.

Meterage: 1224m/1337yds (approx 684m/747yds Yarn A (Woad), 324m/354yds Yarn B (Pomegranate), 216m/236yds Yarn C (Russet)).

Blocked dimensions: 116cm/45.75” wide, 47cm/18.5” deep.

Yarn: The yarn used within the pattern is John Arbon Textiles Harvest Hues 4ply/fingering weight (65% Organic Falklands Merino, 35% Zwartbles) in shades Woad (A), Pomegranate (B) and Russet (C). This is beautiful wool (non-Superwash) is spun in Devon, England. It comes in at 400m/437yds per 100g and is perfect for colour-work, tapestry crochet and steeking.

Yarn substitutes: Something with the same or very similar meterage.  It can be a different blend or something like a 100% Shetland wool.  What you need is something that is fibrous and toothy so that the colourwork sticks together and you can create a secure steek.

Pattern Pricing

I now operate a ‘pay what you can’ scale for my electronic/downloadable single patterns.  I usually charge £5 for these patterns and to encourage access for all crafters, these are now available on a scale of £3 - £7 and you chose what you can afford within that scale. 

Please note that this doesn’t apply to my hard copy patterns, which remain priced at £5 and come with an automatic digital download.

If you buy this pattern, you may also be interested in:

Metal Crochet hooks, wooden crochet hooks, blocking mats, blocking pins, wool wash, other crochet patterns or knitting patterns.

Pattern format

Arete (crocheted) is an eight-page document.  If you are purchasing a printed copy, it is A4 sized with large, clear text.

Weights given are approximated to provide the best estimate for postage and packaging costs only.

Product materials, sourcing and PoM Rating

This product was originated by me at Fay Dashper-Hughes Designs.  I work with a local printer and they help me to source recycled paper for my patterns.  This pattern is printed on paper that is manufactured using wind power,100% recycled post-consumer fibre and carbon neutral.

Postage and Packaging

You can read all about P&P here.

The P&P costs applied are very transparent.  No additional costs are added on, you simply pay for the cost of packaging and the cost of postage.  I don't offer free P&P because what that usually means is that the cost of P&P has been added to the cost of goods.  I think it is better to assume that my customers aren't daft and would rather have transparent P&P costs than the pretence of 'Free P&P' with inflated prices on the items that they are buying.