Hey There Sailor by Cassie Ward — A Pattern Spotlight (and a Confession)

Hey There Sailor by Cassie Ward — A Pattern Spotlight (and a Confession)

Right. Let's talk about Hey There Sailor.

If you've been following the weekly diary, you'll know that this pattern came into my life after a somewhat dramatic falling out with a Gansey. The Gansey was crochet. The Gansey was perfectly lovely. The Gansey and I were simply not meant to be — and in a moment of pure express yourself energy, I went looking for something that felt more like me. I found Hey There Sailor, and honestly? I haven't looked back.

Designed by the brilliant Cassie Ward — who, if you didn't know, is also our guest designer at the Over The Hook Yarn Retreat this October — Hey There Sailor is a crochet jumper with the most gorgeous nautical feel. Clean lines, a relaxed fit, and just enough texture to keep things interesting without making you want to throw it across the room at 11pm. We've all been there.

The Pattern

I'll be honest: I was a little nervous picking this up. Crochet garments can be intimidating — there's always that moment where you wonder if it's going to look like a sack or an actual wearable item of clothing. Hey There Sailor is neither of those things. It's properly well-constructed, with clear instructions and a logical structure that makes the whole thing feel very achievable. Cassie has a real gift for writing patterns that feel approachable without dumbing anything down, and it shows.

The construction is straightforward enough that you can pick it up and put it down without losing your place — which, if you run a yarn shop and have approximately forty-seven things happening at once, is not a small thing. I'm looking at you, Saturday afternoons.

The Yarn — Stylecraft Life DK in Teal and Fern

For my version I've chosen two colours from the Stylecraft Life DK range: Teal and Fern. And I am completely in love with this combination — even if I'm also slightly terrified by it.

Here's the thing: it's vibrant. This is not a quiet, understated colour pairing. This is a combination that has opinions. And I'll be completely honest with you — I'm a little nervous. What if it's too much? What if I get to the end and it's just… a lot? These are the thoughts that visit me at 11pm with a hook in my hand.

The colours were a joint decision, I should say. David helped me pick them, which means if it all goes wrong I have someone to blame. (I'm joking. Mostly.) Teal was non-negotiable from the start — I am, and have always been, a teal person. It's my colour. It speaks to my soul. Teal Stylecraft Life DK is rich, deep, and genuinely beautiful, and it was always going to be in this jumper one way or another. Fern was David's inspired suggestion — that softer, earthy green that stops the whole thing from being overwhelming and grounds it into something that might actually be wearable in public.

Together they feel coastal and fresh and a little bit like standing on a harbour wall in a good coat. Which is, frankly, the energy I'm going for. I just have to trust the process. And David's taste in colours.

Stylecraft Life DK is one of those yarns that just works for garments. It's got a lovely drape, it's soft against the skin, and the stitch definition is excellent — which matters when you're working a pattern with texture and structure. It also washes brilliantly, which for a jumper you're actually going to wear is rather important.

Where I'm Up To

I'm in the early stages — but already completely hooked (sorry, not sorry). The rhythm of the pattern is satisfying in that deeply pleasing way where you find yourself doing just one more row at 10pm when you absolutely should be doing something else. Madonna on in the background. Hook in hand. This is the life.

I'll be sharing progress updates in the weekly diary — Confessions of a Yarn Shop Owner — so keep an eye out.

Make It With Me 🧶

Feeling inspired? Come and make Hey There Sailor alongside me! Here's everything you need to get started:

Get the Pattern

Hey There Sailor by Cassie Ward is available from:

  • Inside Crochet magazine, Issue 162 — worth picking up for the other gorgeous patterns too
  • Ravelry — find the pattern listing and add it to your queue (you know you want to)
  • The Missing Yarn on Etsy — buy the pattern as a digital download
  • LoveCrafts — also available from The Missing Yarn's shop there

Get the Yarn

For the yarn, you know where to come. 😊 I'm making mine in Stylecraft Life DK and I cannot recommend it highly enough for this project. Browse the full colour range and find your perfect combination — whether you want to copy my Teal and Fern pairing or go off on your own adventure entirely.

Pop into the shop if you'd like help choosing colours — we love a good yarn pairing conversation. And if you do make Hey There Sailor, please share your photos with us! Tag us on Instagram or bring it along to Knit and Natter. I want to see every single version. 💙

Adie, Over The Hook

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