A pinch and a punch goes out to you as we welcome the first day of May! I can't quite believe that we are a third of the way through 2026 already, especially as I am only just getting used to writing the '26 when signing and dating things. It seems to me that time just goes faster and faster as I get older and it makes me panic a little that another year is flashing past in the blink of an eye. That said, I guess it is also a reflection of the fact that things are good here in Janie Crow land - when life is a bit rubbish it can drag by, so that has to be seen as a positive!
 
We have had a busy couple of weeks again, with another fabulous show at Wonderwool Wales under our belts and the release of the new blanket design, Sevilla, in the mix. As we head into the bank holiday weekend I have a few things to tell you about, so I hope you can spare a few minutes to catch up with our news…..

We had a fabulous time at Wonderwool Wales at the weekend and it was so nice to have a chat with all those of you who took the time to stop by the stand. I just love getting out in the wild and hearing the stories that surround your crochet projects and it is always fantastic to be in the woolly surroundings of a yarn show that demonstrates just how thriving and exciting our industry is.
 
This year we made the big decision to only take branded stock to the show and so we created a new layout to showcase our kits, patterns and Emma Ball accessories. It was a big step to lose the third party stock, such as needles and yarn, which we have always taken to shows to support our sales. Having a stand that was made up of solely Janie Crow branded items has been my dream, so I was incredibly proud of the way it was received. You can see a video that shows the stand before the show by following this link to our Instagram feed.

I feel incredibly lucky that the amazing Emma Ball continues to create collections of knit and crochet accessories for Janie Crow and it was fabulous to see her at the show at the weekend.
 
We got through so many tins, bags and stitch markers that we only had to pack one small box of items to bring home! The tape measures were a particularly big hit, with not a single one left on the stand by the time we packed up! We have some new items in the Emma Ball & Janie Crow range which haven't even made it onto the website yet, so as soon as we have managed to update our stock we will let you know.
 
You can find the full Janie Crow collection over on the Emma Ball website by following this link.

Last weekend saw the show debut for my new projects, the Majorelle pouch and cushion and the Sevilla blanket and it was great to see them so well received. We have kits in stock for Sevilla (shown above) and you can find them by following this link. Paper patterns can be found here and downloads can be purchased via our Etsy and Ravelry stores.
 
For those of you who might be struggling with the layout of the motifs for Sevilla when doing the making up, you can find a free downloadable document that shows how the motifs are placed, by following this link.
 
Patterns for the Majorelle pouch and cushion were so incredibly popular at the show that we sold out! We do have paper patterns in stock on the website though and you can find them here (we are aware that the images are currently not showing on this page and hope to sort it out very soon!) Download copies are available via Etsy and Ravelry. 
 
Kits for the project will be back in stock next week once we have had the chance to make some up. All the yarn and beads are here, so hopefully we can get going on making these over the next few days.

Over the last year or so, we have been slowly updating the website as it was getting a tad hard and clunky to navigate thanks to the large amount it now showcases. Gemma and Emma have been working really hard to make things more streamlined and easier to find, and they have added some new categories too, such as free patterns, resources and news. 
 
I am incredibly grateful for the support of my little team, who continually show me such fabulous dedication and strive to make the Janie Crow experience as nice as possible. If you haven't had a mooch around the website recently, why not take a look! It's not perfect just yet, but you might come across things you hadn't noticed before thanks to its new look and Emma and Gemma's expert attention.

It's funny how the Persian Tiles blanket pops up when you least expect it. Gemma was working on this newsletter when an image popped up on Facebook. The lovely ladies in the office at Community Learning Partnership in South Oxhey (the fabulous organisation that Gemma teaches crochet and knitting at) had just had a visit from Heather, who was so proud of her beautiful take on the blanket. She used a colour-changing yarn to cut down on the number of ends to sew in (we're all for that!). It has worked so well, together with the light background colour. We completely agree that Heather should be so proud, it's fantastic work. ​

This month Gemma explored the newly published ‘Crochet Fairy Tales: Cottage Stories’, the latest book by Kerry Lord, of Toft. It's a hard back book with beautiful photography throughout, retelling and creating in crochet six of the most well-known fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, among others. 

​If you are a lover of amigurumi you will enjoy this book immensely as the attention to detail in the patterns is impressive. The variety of design in the costumes of the characters is wide and other elements, such as Thumbelina's lily pad and Jack's beanstalk are also fantastic. If you'd like to find out more about the book head on over to the blog to read more of Gemma's thoughts on this feast for the eyes. 
 
If you are in the UK you can order this book (and any other full price book) from the Search Press website and get 20% off, together with free delivery, by using the code DD88 at checkout. 

The London Marathon, which took place just a couple of days ago, saw a couple of world records broken. The one you might have heard most about is the first completion time of under 2 hours (that's mad right? - 26.2 miles in under 2 hours), but the one that has warmed our hearts the most is that smashed by Simon Fannon aka the Veteran Knitter. 
 
You might remember Simon if you watched the Game of Wool on Channel 4 last year. Well, he decided to try to beat the previous record by knitting a scarf measuring more than 3.7m in length while running the marathon! He didn't only beat it, he well and truly smashed it, crossing the finish line with a scarf measuring 5.59m!

Another world record was broken on Sunday in London. This one wasn't a yarn related world record, but all of us here at Janie Crow love our food and tiramisu is a personal favourite of at least one of the team (mentioning no names Gemma!). 
 
At the Chelsea Town Hall a team of 100 Italian chefs worked relentlessly to create the world's longest tiramisu! The previous record was 273.5m and again the record wasn't just beaten, it was completely demolished, with the new record being set at 440.6m. To put it into context that's over four football pitches in length! Tickets to the event included a slice of the tiramisu to take home afterwards with proceeds going to charity. We'd love to know how it tasted, so if you attended the event do let us know! 

We know we've shared tiramisu recipes before, but in light of the above world record, we decided to share it again. You can never have too much tiramisu, right? It's also so easy to make, particularly if you make an eggless version, like this recipe from ‘Inside the Rustic Kitchen’. ​

We christened our new patio space by having a small pizza party in the garden a few weeks ago. We were really lucky with the weather and found that the new patio is in the perfect spot for some lovely sunshine. We have amazing weather here today, but sadly the forecast isn't so nice for the weekend, nevertheless I am hoping to have some time in the garden again to pop some new plants in the bed where we dug up some older shrubs and herbs to make way for the new patio.
 
I love this time of year in the garden when everything is bursting into life. My peonies are looking particularly promising again! The image above shows some that I picked last year - aren't they beautiful! 
 
After a busy couple of weeks I am really looking forward to some time at home. We are set to be relatively home based in May, so I am really excited about having some prolonged time here to potter around and get some new crochet designs under my belt. I hope that the month will treat you well and that those of you in the UK enjoy the forthcoming bank holiday weekend and that you get a chance to crochet too! 

As I've probably mentioned before I'm not a happy amigurumi crocheter - I would like to be but unfortunately it just doesn't agree with my hands. If amigurumi is your thing though, this book is a real treat. Six fairy tales are retold and recreated in crochet within its pages: ​ Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Thumbelina.

The book is divided into three sections. The Prologue contains all the yarn and equipment information together with a characterisation section which explains how all the different hairstyles are created, how to choose skin tones and hair colours, how to add facial features and how to stuff and sew up your pieces. 

The Stories section of the book is divided into chapters, one for each fairy tale, and within each chapter there is a retelling of the fairy tale followed by all the individual patterns for the characters in the story as well as the accessories. For example for the Jack & The Beanstalk story the patterns are Jack, the Beanstalk & Seedling, the Giant's Chicken, the Golden Harp & Golden Egg and the Axe & Rucksack. It's helpful to see that there are specific yarn requirements listed for each individual element of the story as well as the total needed to make all the pieces of the story.

In the third section of the book is all the technical information needed to crochet the pieces, from the very basics such as how to hold the hook, through to individual stitch diagrams, a table of abbreviations and a small guide to finishing techniques needed along with a handful of embroidery stitches used in the patterns. The patterns use UK terminology throughout. 

The book itself is a real keepsake item. It's hardback with foiled details on the cover and marbled papers inside the front and back covers. There's a ribbon page marker so you don't lose your place between crochet sessions. As well as plentiful full page colour photographs of the crocheted pieces there are also lovely line drawings decorating the text pages so there are always little details to notice throughout the book. 

Those dwarves look very purposeful don't they? I love that all their little boots are different, as are their hats and it's that attention to detail that makes this book so interesting. I'm not sure that my grumpy hands will let me crochet any of the characters but I'm definitely going to have a go at Grandma's Nightwear because there are a good few Barbie dolls knocking about my daughter's bedroom who might benefit! Look at those frilly sleeves and hem. 

Clearly a lot of the visual appeal of the characters and accessories comes from the staging of the photographs, with the miniature props of furniture and foliage as well as custom-made gingerbread houses, but a huge amount of time must have gone into making this book and even if I never crochet a single piece from it, I will still glean a lot of pleasure from reading the stories and admiring the pictures. 

If the book appeals to you it can be found on the Search Press website here and if you are in the UK you can get free delivery and 20% off the cover price by using the code DD88 at checkout. I'm very excited to see on the Search Press site that another book is due to be published later in the year with a further six fairy tales included in it. 

I hope you have a great month, with lots of time to craft, and will look forward to being back with another review towards the end of May. 

We arrived back home yesterday after a fabulous four day residential workshop in Cheshire, where participants worked on a Moroccan themed project I created using the Leaf Trellis motif from the Spirit of Flora Collection. It was really great to be in the company of a room full of enthusiastic knitters and crocheters for a few days. We are also really pleased to finally have all the parts in place to launch my new blanket design this week, so I am heading into the weekend feeling really uplifted. I hope that life is good with you as well, wherever you may be.
 
In addition to the information about the new blanket design, I have a few other things to tell you about this week, so I hope you can spare a few minutes to catch up with our news.

At the same time as designing and making the hexagonal motifs for the Majorelle pouch and cushion cover, which was the project for my workshop in Morocco last year, I also had a blanket version made by my lovely crocheter, Joanna, who used an alternative colour palette and yarn brand. The main part of the blanket was made way back in the autumn, but I deliberated on the border for so long that we are only just ready to proudly reveal the finished project to you.
 
The blanket is called Sevilla and it uses Stylecraft Life DK in seven shades of yarn, with a total of sixteen x 100g balls needed to make it. The project measures approximately 138cm wide by 148cm long and I chose the colour palette using our trip to Seville in Spain last summer as my inspiration. I love the fact that this project sits so well with my Persian Tiles original colour way, which celebrates its tenth birthday this year. In fact I have been referring to Sevilla as Persian Tiles's new baby sister, as I am so proud of this brand new addition to my crochet blanket family! 
 
You can find more information about the design, as well as kits and paper patterns, by following this link to the Janie Crow website. You can find download patterns in UK and US terms via Ravelry and Etsy. Kits and patterns are also available via other Stylecraft stockists, so if you have a local store please be sure to support them. You can find a list of stores by following this link.

There are now only three places remaining on the Knit For Peace retreat that I will be tutoring in Mysore, India next year. The break will run from 22nd January to 4th February at The Green Hotel (shown above), with comfortable accommodation on a full board basis. During the trip I will lead seven morning workshops, including both a crochet and a knitting project for those who wish to participate. Afternoons and weekends will be free to explore the city and surrounding countryside.
 
Knit for Peace retreats are both extremely friendly and very relaxed.  Join in as much or as little as you wish. Come on your own and make new friends or bring a non-crafting partner or friend to share with you. Everyone is welcome. The retreat could be an excellent first introduction to India, or a joyous return to a lovely city.
 
You can find more images taken on previous trips to Mysore with Knit For Peace on the Janie Crow Lifestyle instagram feed. If you would like to join me and other craft enthusiasts on this fabulous break, follow this link to Knit For Peace for more information and to book.

Within the latest issue of Inside Crochet Magazine you will find images of a new version of my Imogen blanket project, which was originally made using a Rowan yarn that is now discontinued. The new blanket, shown in the images above, uses Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK, which I think adds a really lovely vintage, heirloom look to the piece. The kits are currently sold out on Wool Warehouse, but you can go on the wish list to get one by following this link. You can find more information about the project on our website here, where you will also find the paper brochure pattern and links to downloads.
 
The new version of Imogen is made using DK weight yarns and you can find a free yarn substitution document (which needs to be used alongside the original pattern) by following this link.
 
Within the magazine you can also find another instalment of my monthly journal, which I really enjoy writing. This time I have talked about how satisfying (and bang on trend) it is to showcase your treasured items within your home - including your all important yarn stash! Our house is full of areas where I have curated my collections and you can find more images of my home, like the one below, and things that inspire me, over on my Janie Crow Lifestyle Instagram page here. 

My lovely friend and fellow designer, Debbie Abrahams, has launched a brand new hand knitting project called The Brilliant Bead Club, which she describes as a unique experience, that gives you the opportunity to knit up four sparkly home/fashion accessories (all designed by Debbie) with the option of Bronze, Silver or Gold memberships.
 
The club begins in May 2026, with patterns released every three months, so if you are interested in joining the beaded fun, do head over to Debbie's website here for more information.

I have been hearing lots of good things about chickpeas lately, which is fabulous as I particularly like them and will add them to most meals given half the chance! Apparently they improve insulin sensitivity and increase fullness, which in turn aids weight management and supports heart health - so a total win on all counts!
 
When considering making a recipe using ingredients like peas and beans it was the norm to think of savoury dishes such as hummus, a curry or a vegetable bake for example, but recently we have also started to use them in sweet recipes and so far they have all been surprisingly yummy.
 
A couple of weeks ago Andy made these chickpea truffles that were really good and we have also discovered a recipe to make chocolate cookies with red kidney beans, which is just delicious. I can't find the exact recipe we used, so there is one made with black beans that looks amazing here. 
 
I know it sounds oh so wrong, but trust me when I tell you that beans and peas in sweeter things (especially when used in conjunction with chocolate and peanut butter) are oh so good! 

It has been a bit of a crazy couple of weeks here, with a workshop taking up most of this week and Wonderwool Wales yarn show to prepare for next week, so we are really looking forward to a bit of downtime over the next few days. 
 
I have been back to the gym this morning after a week away, so I might well be aching my way through most of the weekend. I am now almost two years into my health and fitness journey and the gym visits are now too much of a habit for them to fall by the wayside, which is good! Most of the time I feel far more healthy and energised, despite the fact that at other times I get out of bed looking (and feeling) like Deadpool after a particularly gruesome fight scene! 
 
It seems my sourdough starter has been feeling a tad lacklustre on the energy levels due to a lack of attention too, so I have cleaned out its jar and given it a rye flour boost in preparation for bread making over the weekend. We have a homemade pizza date with the family planned for Sunday, so hopefully it will be strong enough to make some good pizza bases by then and the weather will stay dry too!
 
I hope that whatever you have planned, that you are heading into a nice weekend. I will be back in a couple of weeks with a Quick Catch Up email, so until then, I hope you get a chance to enjoy some lovely crochet! 

As today marks the beginning of a bank holiday weekend here in the UK and as chocolate has to be the main focus of everything over the course of the next few days, this is likely to be one of the quickest Quick Catch Up emails we have ever sent from Janie Crow.
 
I have just a couple of things I want to tell you about this week so I hope you can spare just a couple of minutes to catch up with our news….

The most recent publication of Inside Crochet Magazine was officially released yesterday and you can find another instalment of my monthly journal within its pages. I am really enjoying having a platform to write an in depth piece on a monthly basis and this time I have talked about how satisfying (and bang on trend) it is to showcase your treasured items within your home - including your all important yarn stash! If you don't already subscribe to the magazine, you can find more information here.
 
Magazine 188 has a whimsical theme and all the projects are based around pastel palettes, so I used this opportunity to revamp my Imogen blanket project, which was originally made using a Rowan yarn that is now discontinued. The new version, shown in the images above and below, uses Yarnsmiths Pebble Haze DK, which I think adds a really lovely vintage, heirloom look to the piece. You can find kits for the project via the Wool Warehouse website by following this link. You can find more information about the project on our website here, where you will also find the paper brochure pattern and links to downloads.
 
The new version of Imogen is made using DK weight yarns and you can find a free yarn substitution document (which needs to be used along side the original pattern) by following this link.

There are now just a handful of places left on our summer crochet event in June, so if you do fancy coming along, check out this link for more information and to book.
 
If you choose to join myself and members of the Janie Crow team for a fun afternoon of crochet in the surroundings of Old Fold Manor Golf Club, Barnet, Hertfordshire, we will welcome you with a lovely goody bag and a yarn kit to create a small, summer-themed project designed by me. You’ll have the opportunity to work on the project at your own pace with expert guidance on hand throughout the afternoon.
 
Light refreshments will be served and there will be an opportunity to browse our pop-up shop, where a 10% discount will be available on the day. We hope this will be a lovely chance to relax, chat, connect, and share ideas with fellow crocheters in a friendly, welcoming setting and we are really looking forward to it.

There are only a couple of places left on the Knit For Peace retreat that I will be tutoring in Mysore, India next year. The retreat will run from 22nd January to 4th February at The Green Hotel, with comfortable accommodation on a full board basis. 
 
During the trip I will lead seven morning workshops including both a crochet and a knitting project for those who wish to participate. Afternoons and weekends will be free to explore the city and surrounding countryside.
 
Knit for Peace retreats are both extremely friendly and very relaxed.  Join in as much or as little as you wish. Come on your own and make new friends or bring a non-crafting partner or friend to share with you. Everyone is welcome. The retreat could be an excellent first introduction to India, or a joyous return to a lovely city.
 
The weather in Mysore in January is usually beautiful and sunny. The town itself is interesting and still retains its old-world charm. There are many places of interest to visit including palaces, a world-famous market, temples and nearby bird sanctuaries and wildlife reserves.
 
You can find more information about the trip by following this link.

If you're looking for a new project, we generally have good level of kits in stock including the new Stylecraft Special DK version of the Climbing Rose Wrap. This yarn kit has been updated due to some of the yarns used in the original version being discontinued.
 
Andy has put kits for Sandalwood back in stock this week, so if you have been waiting for that to come back, take a look at this link for more details.
 
Over the last week Emma put a fabulous post about the Sunshine and Showers crochet along on our Instagram feed. This is a great project for this time of year as I designed it to start in spring, with each section of the twelve part design representing a month of the year. You can find more information about the project here.

We were away last weekend house and dog sitting for some friends who live on the south coast. Andy and I had a fabulous few days away walking on the beach, checking out the shops and mooching around with ice creams! It was really nice to have a dog joining us too and he was such a pleasure to look after that I have really missed him since we got home! Thankfully we are seeing our daughter Summer and her lovely pooch tomorrow, so there will be lots of puppy cuddles again.  
 
I haven't managed to come up with an idea for a recommended recipe this week, but as we had the most outrageously delicious snack in a pub in Brighton on Sunday, I thought I would share this idea with you - garlic and herb roast potatoes, with a gravy boat dip! Totally delicious, especially with a good shake of salt and a pint of lager! 

​We are looking forward to a little bit of time in the garden over the weekend - it is the Easter tradition for us to have a really good sort out over the bank holiday weekend (weather permitting) so I am really looking forward to that.
 
I have a workshop project to put the finishing touches to over the next few days, so I am also looking forward to a bit of time crocheting in the comfort of the sofa. I am working on a quilted sewing project that I picked up at the Stitch Festival a couple of weeks ago too, so lots to keep me occupied even if the weather is bad! 
 
 I will be back in a fortnight's time, hopefully with an update on the status of the new Sevilla Blanket which is waiting patiently in the wings. Until then I hope you will keep safe and happy…. 

There are 18 designs in the book, all with joyful and bright colour palettes, indeed Rachele describes the collection of designs as 'bright, bold and opulent' in her introduction. One thing the book isn't short of is photos, diagrams and layouts and so should suit those who like visual information as well as written instructions. Some of the motifs have charts but not all, so you would need to be relatively confident in your pattern reading, and the book uses US terms throughout. All the information is laid out spaciously and clearly on the pages, which always helps me when it comes to working through patterns. 

I have realised that I clearly have a 'thing' about triangles because the two blankets I am most drawn to in the book include one of Rachele's very characteristic design features where she 'cuts off' or 'cuts into' a section of a blanket with a large triangle. It has always been one of my favourite things about some of Rachele's earlier designs that appeared in the Scheepjes Bookazine publication series. The photo below is the Field of Blooms Blanket and the design underneath is the Sunlight Valley Blanket, which is such a fabulous size. 

If you like the look of this book you can find it on the Search Press website here and if you are in the UK enter the code DD88 at the checkout for a 20% discount and free delivery too. 

Next month I have a real treat in store for you, join me to feast your eyes on the incredible 'Crochet Fairy Tales: Cottage Stories' by Kerry Lord. It will definitely be one for all you amigurumi lovers out there. Until then, enjoy your crochet! 

The light around the house has started to change, with sunshine streaming in through the kitchen windows and shining a bright light on all the dust and cobwebs that we have been blissfully unaware of all winter. No wonder spring is traditionally the time for a good old clean up! 
 
We have had a busy month so far with lots going on, both personally and work wise, so I have quite a bit to tell you about this week, including news of our Summer Crochet Afternoon, tickets for which launch this afternoon. I am also providing you with a sneaky peek at the blanket version of my Majorelle design, which we have called Sevilla. The patterns and kits for this design should launch within the next month, so look out for more news on that soon!
 
I hope you have a few minutes to catch up with all things Janie Crow….

​We are excited to announce our Summer Crochet Event where you can join myself and members of the Janie Crow team for a fun afternoon in the surroundings of Old Fold Manor Golf Club, Barnet, Hertfordshire.
 
We’ll welcome you to the event with a lovely goody bag and your yarn kit to create a small, summer-themed project designed by me and you’ll have the opportunity to work on the project at your own pace with expert guidance on hand from myself and members of the team.  
 
Light refreshments will be served during the afternoon and there will be an opportunity to browse our pop-up shop, where a 10% discount will be available on the day.
 
This is a lovely chance to relax, chat, connect, and share ideas with fellow crocheters in a friendly, welcoming setting and we are so looking forward to it! You can find more information and book your place by following this link to the Janie Crow website. Please be sure to read all information before booking, including our cancellation policy.

Bookings for my knit and crochet retreat in Mysore, India are now open and eleven confirmed bookings have already been received, which means there are now just five places remaining.
 
The holiday will run from 22nd January through to February 4th/5th 2027. You can find more images taken on previous trips to Mysore with Knit For Peace on the Janie Crow Lifestyle instagram feed. If you would like to join me and other craft enthusiasts on this fabulous break, follow this link to Knit For Peace for more information and to book.

I am a real fan of Wes Anderson films, with The Grand Budapest Hotel ranking as one of my all time favourites, partly due to the fabulous purple and pink colour palettes in the film, the inclusion of quite a few nods to artist Gustav Klimt and the Succession Movement and the delicious looking patisseries from Mendl's. Oh, and the fabulous performances by Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes and the rest of the cast. 
 
The reason for me telling you this is because (in a long winded fashion) I want to recommend another Wes Anderson film, The Darjeeling Limited, which we watched on the recommendation of our son, Charlie, a few weeks ago. If you have ever been to India, love the idea of going, or especially if an Indian train journey appeals to you, then I really recommend this film. The colours alone will have you hooked! 

Due to a cancellation there are now two places on my workshop trip to Turkey with Stitchtopia this October. You can find more information by following this link, or by clicking on the image above.
 
Over the last couple of weeks I have been working on workshop projects for this year's workshop tours, as well as the design of my new CAL project which will launch later on this year.
 
I love working on smaller projects like bags and pouches, cushions and wraps and working on different projects at the same time is something I tend to do these days. It works well as I can chop and change between projects - when I get a bit fed up with one or can't work out my maths, I pick up another one for a bit while I think things through!
 
The patterns for many of my previous workshop projects have been released as paper and download versions and you can find many of them by following this link to accessories and this one to cushion covers.

I designed the Majorelle cushion and project pouch for last year's workshop trip to Morocco with Stitchtopia. The design was inspired by the giant cacti found in the exotic Jardins Majorelle, which once belonged to Yves Saint Laurent and are now an essential visit when in Marrakesh.
 
My project uses the fabulous little 25g balls of Rico Ricorumi 100% cotton yarn, which is just perfect for smaller projects. I have used ten shades of yarn and some fabulously colourful beads from the Debbie Abrahams range to add a decorative touch to the designs.
 
I have already seen quite a few versions of the project made by people using yarns from their stash and you can source the yarn and beads individually from other retailers as the kit is currently out of stock with us. You can find the patterns in UK and US terms as paper copies via our shop and as downloads via Etsy and Ravelry. 
 
With the help of one of my expert team of crocheters, Joanna Austin, we have now created a blanket version of the design using a slightly different palette. We have called this version Sevilla as it reminds me of the ceramic tiles and colours we saw everywhere on our trip to Seville and Granada last year. I am also referring to this blanket as the perfect sibling for Persian Tiles as I think the two would go brilliantly well together. As soon as we have more news on the pattern and yarn kits I will let you know, but for now I leave you with a teaser image to whet your appetite!

It is our son's birthday today, and it is his lovely girlfriend's birthday early next week, so we are planning a joint celebration on Sunday by heading out for a meal with Charlie and Ellie.
 
I will probably make my usual Victoria Sponge Cake for the birthdays, as it is such an easy one to make and has, thus far, never let me down! I use this recipe by Mary Berry - it's so easy as you put all the ingredients in a bowl at the same time and whisk them up. No creaming sugar and butter, and no carefully adding the flour - just whack it all in and whisk it together, being careful not to over mix. Its a no brainer!
 
My (not so) secret when making this cake is to take Mary's advice and make it with Stork Margarine and not butter and to add an extra egg. I have been known to add two more to get a much looser consistency and the cake still worked. You can thank me (and Mary Berry) later! 

I am beyond excited that the lovely Sarah Hazell and I will be heading to The Stitch Festival tomorrow. We are both really looking forward to being attendees at a show rather than vendors and catching up with a few friends along the way. I am hoping we will make it to Drew Kent's fashion show at 2pm, which is bound to be fabulous! 
 
I am also looking forward to plonking myself on the settee with a glass of wine and my crochet to have a good old catch up with Sarah as she is staying with us for the weekend and we don't get to spend much time together these days. I have lined up the perfect (workshop) project to accompany a movie or two.

Andy and I managed to sneak in a week away in Tenerife at the beginning of the month. We had a lovely time, despite chilly, wet weather and not the warmth and sunshine we were hoping for. It was particularly nice to see the island's spring flowers and eat lots of lovely food though. We visited a couple of botanical gardens while we were there and Andy drove up into the mountains, so I took loads of pictures for design inspiration. Of course, the cactuses were my favourites, but the hibiscus were giving it their best shot too! ​

This time last year I headed off to a secret location in Scotland to be a guest judge on The Game of Wool. Love it or hate it, there is no denying the good that the show has done for the yarn industry, with so many new crocheters and knitters taking up the hobbies, so I am really pleased that it will be returning later on this year. 
 
Channel 4 are seeking new participants for the new season, so if you think you have what it takes to be the next winner, why not do something daring and apply? You can find more info here.
 
So that is it from be for another couple of weeks. Gemma and I will be back in a fortnight with the next Quick Catch Up email. Until then I hope you remain safe and happy and that you get to settle down with your knitting or crochet for a little TLC at some point!

So here we are, finally at the end of February and very much looking forward to what March has in store, especially as, in theory anyway, that should be longer days and a little more sunshine. I have to admit that the last week or so, where we have been tantalised with some higher temperatures, has made me long for the spring even more than before.
 
It has been a busy couple of weeks here at Janie Crow as usual and I have been working on the new CAL design as well as getting projects ready for some of this year's workshops - something that always takes far longer than I expect it to! 
 
I hope you have a few spare minutes to catch up with our news…

We have a healthy stock of kits at the moment such as the King Cole version of my Climbing Rose Wrap project that uses some natural fibres instead of pure acrylic. You can see in the images above how closely I have managed to match the yarn shades and I love the little nepp in the light pink King Cole yarns and the haze around the green. It really gives the project a luxury feel.
 
When reworking the project using yarns from the King Cole range, we also made a version using Yarnsmiths from Wool Warehouse. You can find that kit, as well as other projects that we have made using their Superwash Wool DK, by following this link.

I designed the Majorelle cushion and project pouch for last year's workshop trip to Morocco with Stitchtopia. The design was inspired by the giant cacti found in the exotic Jardins Majorelle, which once belonged to Yves Saint Laurent and are now an essential visit when in Marrakesh.
 
My project uses the fabulous little 25g balls of Rico Ricorumi 100% cotton yarn, which is just perfect for smaller projects. I have used ten shades of yarn and some fabulously colourful beads from the Debbie Abrahams range to add a decorative touch to the designs.
 
Thankfully, after a short delay caused by a series of unfortunate events, we have now been able to dispatch all the kits that were pre-ordered when we released this design back in January. Those of you who have not received your kits yet should get notification of dispatch today as all pre-ordered kits have now left us - finally! 
 
We have put another order in for yarn for the kits with Rico, but still have an issue with the stock of one or two shades, so we have decided to hold off releasing the kits again until we are one hundred percent sure that the order will arrive with us intact! We are so sorry for the wait that some of you have had and wish we could have better news in regard to new kits, but there we go, in the whole scheme of things it's not the end of the world and we would rather be in control of the situation than have stock waiting around for just one shade again.
 
We have already seen quite a few versions of the project made by people using yarns from their stash (you can find some of these lower down this email) and you can source the yarn and beads individually from other retailers, so if you fancy having a go at making Majorelle you can find the patterns in UK and US terms as paper copies via our shop and as downloads via Etsy and Ravelry. 

I am really excited to have been invited back to The Green Hotel in Mysore, India to tutor my fifth residential workshop with Knit For Peace.
 
The holiday will run from 22nd January through to February 4th/5th 2027. More information about the trip will be available soon, but if you want to be among the first to register your interest in joining me, you can do so by contacting the charity via this link. 
 
You can find more images taken on previous trips to Mysore with Knit For Peace on the Janie Crow Lifestyle instagram feed. 

The Stitch Festival will take place at London's Business Design Centre in March. We have secured a discount code that will enable you to get £2 off the price of standard admission tickets on each day of the show except Saturday. The offer code is JANIECROW26 and it is valid until 8th March. We won't be exhibiting at the show this year, but Sarah and I are going to visit on Saturday 21st. If you want to find more information about the show click here. 
 
My amazing friend and fellow designer, Jeanette Sloan will be exhibiting at the show and we just can't wait to see all of her fabulous beaded knitted projects from her new book in the flesh. 
 
You can find the book, Beaded Colourwork, published by Laine and featuring the most beautiful model and glorious photography, available to purchase on Jeanette's website here. If you are planning to go to the Stitch Festival then you can order the book through Jeanette's website and pick it up at the show if you wish.

There are now only two spaces left on my Northern Lights Yarn Cruise in December 2027. I know it is an age away, but it is always good to have something in the diary to look forward to, so if you want to nab one of the last places, head over the Stitchtopia site here for more information. 
 
There are four holidays to choose from, each with a different tutor, including Lucy of Attic 24 and Aleks Byrd. If you want to come on the trip with me the departure date is 12th December 2027.

​In the next instalment of my seasonal journal, in the upcoming issue 187 of Inside Crochet magazine, I share tips on different ways of adding new yarn or changing colour as well as my thoughts on why ‘blanket stack’ images are so appealing. 
 
If you haven't had a look at the Inside Crochet website recently I recommend you do so as it has had a lovely revamp. As well as general information about the magazine and subscription options, there is also a great pattern search facility for each issue of the magazine so that you can see the designs that feature in each publication, whether it is a current one or a back copy.

We have been thrilled to see some of your Majorelle projects popping up over on Facebook. Here are some images that have been shared in the Janie Crow Crochet Help Group. Thank you, from top to bottom, to Di Hinton, Catherine Moores, Karen Langdon and Ellen Preston, for sharing their fabulous work. 

Andy came across a short on YouTube called ‘Crochet (The Musical)’ by Wilma Westernberg and it will strike a chord with anyone who, while minding their own business crocheting, has been asked ‘What are you knitting? ​

Wilma is a blogger and crochet designer from the Netherlands, who has been crocheting since 2014 (and hasn't put the hook down since apparently!) There are more fun songs on her YouTube channel, several of them crochet and craft related, so if you feel in need of some light entertainment do take a look! ​

Do you find that February is the month when you start to long for the brighter, warmer days of spring and struggle a little more with the cold? It's definitely a month for comfort food and we think a delicious veggie lasagne fits that bill perfectly! With a side salad or some lovely bright green veg it's a meal that always goes down well. 
 
Gemma says that she thinks Lasagna is a bit like a food stash-buster in that the selection of veg can be altered depending on what you have in your fridge and you can always bulk it out with lentils if vegetable stocks are running low! This recipe on the BBC Food website is a great starting point if you haven't made a vegetable lasagne before and Jane recommends this one from Cook if you fancy something a bit more fancy! You can always roast the vegetables in advance when you have something else in the oven to save time and money! 

I have to admit that I have found it hard to feel motivated the last couple of days, especially on the crochet front and have wasted quite a lot of time faffing around, which in turn has made me feel even more fed up! It's been a silly cycle of negativity that I am putting down to the need for a break and a little too much over thinking in relation to some of the things that have happened lately. It's natural that we all hit a bit of a bump from time to time and I am determined to get myself out of it by the time we head into the weekend, especially as Sunday will herald the start of another new month! 
 
We are looking forward to dinner with an old friend tonight and are heading into Covent Garden to eat at Sagar, one of our favourite places. If you're a fan of dosas and true Indian cuisine then I really recommend this chain of small restaurants. You can find them here.
 
We are hoping for a dry weekend as we want to get into the garden. Andy has already started a new building project in the shape of an extension to the patio by the summer house. The spot that gets the most sun in the summer time has been a large plant bed up until now, but we decided it would be a great place to sit in the evenings to catch the last rays, so it is getting a revamp this year. It has been incredibly muddy, but the uprights for the gazebo that will sit over the patio are in place, so there is now more digging to do to get the footings of the walls in. If I think of it I will post some images on the Janie Crow Lifestyle Instagram page.
 
I recently had a bit of a clear up on Instagram in the hope of seeing accounts that I really like rather than having endless rubbish coming up on my feed. Going through the accounts I follow and giving them a few new likes has already made it a nicer platform to look at and I have been less prone to doom scrolling - which has to be a good thing. 
 
I have resisted clicking through to adverts and sponsored posts, but I did see one that took me to a really cool designer who makes items out of old knitting needles. I particularly like the customisable cuffs and thought you might like this store too - so take a look here if you fancy the sound of it! 
 
I think that is it from us for now - we will be back with more news in a fortnight's time with the March Newsletter. As usual, big thanks to Gemma for compiling many of the features in the week's Quick Catch Up and to you for reading it to the end and signing up in the first place! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you have planned for the next few days, that you are doing ok! 

​I know that I often start my newsletters by talking about the weather, and that it is a true British trait to mention the forecast at every opportunity. This time is no exception as it has been so incredibly wet here that half our garden is underwater and the local birds think we are creating a new pond for their pleasure! Squelching up and down the garden on my frequent to and fros from the house to the my studio I am hopeful that some drier weather is not far away and that the optimistic crocuses, daffodils and tulips will not drown before they get a chance to show off their lovely flowers.
 
On the crochet front I have been busy woking on a new CAL design and am really enjoying playing about with shapes and patterns - I am trying to keep things relatively easy so that it will be a good project for beginners, but still rewarding for those of you who are crochet experts! It is nice to be back designing a large project and I am already excited about revealing it to you in the autumn - so long as all goes to plan!
 
So far February has been slow and steady, with no stand out moments really other than that Knit For Peace are now inviting enquiries about our planned workshop trip to India in 2027. You can find more information about this and all our other news in the email below. 

I find playing around with crochet motifs incredibly rewarding and it is just lovely when things work out pretty quickly, however it can be really frustrating when things don't come up quite how I had imagined they would. Sometimes it is the simplest of pieces that become the most challenging to design, but as I said already, I have been enjoying playing about with new block designs for my next CAL this week.
 
I am still putting the edging onto my blanket version of the Majorelle cushion cover design. I have to admit that I am struggling with the repetitive nature of the border and the constant stitch counting for the pattern writing, so it is a job I keep putting off! I am so close to finishing that I really must get on with it this weekend. 

With all this seemingly never ending dull and wet weather I have been dreaming of warmer days and brighter light, leading me to go back through images taken on trips to India in particular. I last went there in 2023 and the pull to go back is now getting quite strong, so I was really excited to be invited by Knit For Peace to tutor my fifth residential workshop at the Green Hotel in Mysore next year. 
 
More information about the trip will be available soon, but if you want to be among the first to register your interest in joining me, you can do so by contacting the charity via this link. The holiday will run from 22nd January through to February 4th/5th 2027. You can find more images taken on previous trips to Mysore with Knit For Peace on the Janie Crow Lifestyle instagram feed. 

Last weekend I spent a fabulous couple of days with a group of amazing women, surrounded by good food, wine and lots of yarn! We had the best time and it was such a pleasure to be part of this fabulous group of inspirational women. Whilst away it was particularly exciting to be gifted a copy of Jeanette Sloan's amazing new book Beaded Colourwork. It truly is the most beautiful book featuring lots of amazing projects that showcase just how fantastic and effective beads can be when added to knitting.
 
You can find the book, published by Laine and featuring the most beautiful model and glorious photography, available on a back order basis on Jeanette's website here. Don't be put off that the webpage says the book is out of stock, you can still order it and Jeanette will send it to you once she receives more stock soon.

I designed the Majorelle cushion and project pouch for last year's workshop trip to Morocco with Stitchtopia. The design was inspired by the giant cacti found in the exotic Jardins Majorelle, which once belonged to Yves Saint Laurent and are now an essential visit when in Marrakesh.
 
My project uses the fabulous little 25g balls of Rico Ricorumi 100% cotton yarn, which is just perfect for smaller projects. I have used ten shades of yarn and some fabulously colourful beads from the Debbie Abrahams range to add a decorative touch to the designs.
 
Unfortunately we have hit a series of delays with the delivery of yarn for the Majorelle kits that we have sold through on a pre order basis. Rico have promised us that it will arrive with us early next week, and we now have the beads in stock too, so we should be able to get pre-ordered kits out to you very soon. We are so sorry not to have got these posted sooner and not to have had more stock. Sadly it looks like it could be at least six weeks before we can put our next batch of kits up for sale. 
 
I have already seen quite a few versions of the project made by people using yarns from their stash and you can source the yarn and beads individually from other retailers, so if you fancy having a go at making Majorelle you can find the patterns in UK and US terms as paper copies via our shop and as downloads via Etsy and Ravelry. 

We currently only have a couple of kits that are out of stock and Andy tells me that most other kits have good stock levels. The Marrakesh version of Persian Tiles (shown above) is back in stock and we also have a good stock level of the original and light blue versions.
 
The ever popular Eastern Jewels colourway of Persian Tiles, created by Lucia Dunn, is currently out of stock, but if you like Lucia's eye for colour then you might want to consider the Fiori version of my Fields of Gold blanket, which is shown below. This is one of my favourites and I am really excited to be working with Lucia on a couple of new recolouring projects over the next few months.

My Frida's Flowers crochet along design is a decade old this spring. It is amazing how fast that time has gone, especially as I still think of it as a relatively new design! Working with Stylecraft means I can release free to download crochet along projects every few years and it is fabulous that they keep these patterns in place for the benefit of future crochet enthusiasts. You can find the free patterns for Frida's Flowers by following this link to the Stylecraft website and clicking on your chosen language. 
 
I remember quite vividly that we first showcased the CAL at the Unravel Festival in Farnham in 2016. We have loved exhibiting at the show in the past, and it is always fabulous to interact with lots of yarn lovers! Unravel is on this weekend if you fancy a visit. Tickets are sold out for today, but you can still get them for Saturday and Sunday - you can find more information by following this link.

The Stitch Festival will take place at London's Business Design Centre in March. We have secured a discount code that will enable you to get £2 off the price of standard admission tickets on each day of the show except Saturday. The offer code is JANIECROW26 and it is valid until 8th March. We won't be exhibiting at the show this year, but Sarah and I are going to visit on Saturday 21st. If you want to find more information about the show click here. 
 
We will be exhibiting at Wonderwool Wales at the end of April. We have been doing this show for many years now and love it! We are really looking forward to the event this year as the show is celebrating its twentieth birthday so it should be extra special.
 
Helen Ingram of Woolly Chic will be hosting her Summer Craft Party evening event at Hitchin Lavender in June. I have wanted to go to this for the last couple of years as it looks like such a fun event, so I am really excited that my lovely friend Juliet has secured a couple of tickets. If you want to go too, you can find more information here or on Helen's Instagram account here.

We are aware that today is Friday the 13th, but we don't believe in unlucky dates here at Janie Crow, and actually it is clearly very lucky for some as I have been told it is the cheapest and quietest day of the year to fly! We are also not big fans of the saints day that begins with the letter V that happens tomorrow and so, instead of celebrating that, Emma has decided that we should all embrace the concept of Galentines instead. If you haven't heard of this concept before, let Emma enlighten you: 
 
‘Glalentines was the construct of the brilliant Leslie Knope from the sitcom Parks and Recreation in 2010. Leslie (played by Amy Poehler) was a glorious character and her enthusiasm and tenacity was inspiring. She had great affection, and admiration, for the women in her life and so she celebrated them on the 13th of February with ’Galentines'….'
⁠
To celebrate our female friends and family, Emma is inviting you to tag them over on our Instagram feed and tell us why you love them! We will pick some winners at random and you and your named ‘Galentine’ will receive a PDF copy of both of the projects featured in the post – Sunshine & Showers and Indigo Dreams.
 
Emma has also started to write more posts on the Janie Crow blog. In the newest one she reflects on the month of January and all the positive things it brought to her. Yes, I know that the word January doesn't often go with the word positivity, but she has managed to find quite a few good things to mention, so do take a look! 

Over the last few months, especially over Christmas, Andy and I have both put on a few kilos, and so, as my jeans are feeling more than a little snug around the waistline and Andy says he is feeling a little wider around the middle too, we have embarked on a four week shred in an effort to shift those pounds before the spring. It is so easy to start eating a little more and moving less at this time of year when the lure of the settee with a glass of wine and a bowl of peanuts is hard to resist, so it is not surprising that many of us get a little heavier. 
 
Over the last couple of weeks we have been having lots of meals with extra vegetables and have been trying to find seasonal recipes that use native British grown veg rather than things that have been flown half way across the world. I am a big fan of green and leafy things like spinach and kale and there are so many recipes that feature cauliflower these days, that adding more of these vegetables to our meals hasn't felt like a hardship. We have a book by Riverford, that has some great winter vegetable recipes, so we have been using it a lot. You can find the book by following this link or by clicking on the image above.
 
Leeks are also really good at the moment. They go fabulously well with white beans, so you can make really yummy soup and casserole type meals with them. I recently made this creamy sausage, leek and bean stew by Sophie Ward and it was delicious.

After a really busy week, the prospect of a duvet day feels incredibly inviting. Instagram must have read my mind yesterday evening as this cute little video by India Rose Crawford popped into my feed. It is just so lovely and definitely made me hanker after a lazy day in bed!
 
It's set to get quite a bit colder here over the next few days with a snow and ice warning in the forecast, so it looks like it will be a weekend of hunkering down with my crochet and a few movies. I hope that whatever you get up to that you stay safe, well and warm….

​Every night, the last thing I do, rather than read my phone (although, full disclosure, I’m probably doing that right up to the point where I pick this book up) I read the fact for the day – aloud actually, to my partner.  It is lovely!  Do we get read to very much as adults?  I love being read to and mostly I indulge this with audio books.  Anyway, I digress: I learnt from this lovely book that in January 1880 Thomas Edison patented the lightbulb and we’ve never looked back have we really?  Whilst that is impressive, imagine if you will, a world without Colin Firth, dripping and furious (or brooding I suppose) after emerging from that lake.  Thankfully, this is not our reality because in January 1813 Pride and Prejudice was published and Jane Austen set in motion the wheels that would ultimately bear Colin Firth to us in his blouson shirts.   
 
January – thank you VERY much for that.

​On a personal note, I was not so rigid as to impose dry January on myself – goodness knows it’s a dreary enough month as it is – but I have tried to start gently introducing healthier habits for my body and mind.  Drinking less – a lot less really, how easy it was to fall into a glass of wine (or two) almost daily, walking more.  I also have now started to “go to work” with my friend. Working one day a week from her home while she too works from home.  I work from home and I do love it but working alongside someone has, bizarrely, made me more productive. I am also enjoying a lunch time walk and talk and sneaky coffee.  I think that’s so good for my mental health, it can be a little insular and easy to hibernate a little too much without the discipline of having to get up and OUT for work so this is a good compromise for me.

I, like many, had to adopt a strict “no unnecessary expdenditure” regime in January but, like many, wanted to start a new project.  In an attempt to scratch that itch, I rummaged through the many (so very many) places I have squished and squashed works in progress, and pulled out some of the very oldest ones I have!  There has been sufficient distance time-wise now for them to feel new and with absolutely zero outlay.
 
I’m working again on the lovely Primavera project which was a recolouring of Jane’s Frida’s Flowers by the brilliant Lucia Dunn of Lucia’s fig tree.  Sadly, this one isn’t around anymore due to lots of the yarn being discontinued BUT the patterns are still free to download, and I know so many of you are so brilliant at colour palettes that it might be something you could colour yourself. 

I have looked back through my social media and the last time I posted about this one was in June 2022.  I had, quite by accident, got matching nails!  What I’ve noticed this time is the distinct change in my tension.  I wonder why?  Could it be that I’m more relaxed these days?  I remember some pretty tricky times around the time I first started this project so it’s nice to be able to reclaim it during calmer, happier days.  I also wonder whether it has anything to do with the fact that I’ve now been working for Janie for a long time and have moved closer to her tension – this comes from checking patterns and what not.  I don’t know.  I’ve yet to decide whether to rework any of the blocks or just be, uhm, ‘rigorous’ with their blocking.  I’ll report back.

I think it’s fair to say that I’ve neglected my personal crochet (and knitting) for a while and it’s definitely a comfort to go back to.  January gave me that.  The need for something solid, dependable, soothing and FREE!  As I’ve been working the, I have planned what to do with it. I am going to gift it to my lovely neighbour.  I moved into my little home 2 years ago, by myself, after the end of a long marriage and it was scary.  I was -and am - incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by the best of people.  Neighbours who recognised hurt and, yes, a bit of loneliness, and who helped to gently move me on to a place where I feel welcome, happy and safe.   I think this is the right place for my blanket to go.

Most recently with Janie Crow we’ve seen the release of the glorious Majorelle which has also begun its long long journey to completion among the many works in progress here.  I have loved this project for a long time, having been fortunate to have seen it come to life – I do love working for Janie as I get to see what’s coming many months in advance, sometimes I get to make it in advance, sometimes not.   This one I am making 100% for me because I love it with all my heart!

​So, January you were endless, but you gifted some lovely things, and you played your part in reminding us to pause, breathe, think about things in a different way, maybe with more patience than some of us (ie. Me) generally employ and appreciate that the seasons will change, at the right pace, regardless of how much we wish the time away.

You can download the Frida's Flowers patterns HERE
You can find lots more free patterns HERE
You can find an excellent blog post ranking the various Mr Darcys HERE

Hurrah! We have very nearly made it through January and to celebrate here we are with a little bit of Janie Crow chat!
 
I have been feeling very motivated to crochet lately (which is a bit of a relief if I am honest) and have been dipping in and out of a few projects. With deadlines still a way off on a couple of projects I am finding that this is a nice time to be working a little ‘under the radar’. I like January for that reason - it always feels like most people are not quite on top of their game after the Christmas holidays and that big deadlines tend to be best left for February, or even March!  
 
Gemma has been busy collating some lovely images of Temperature Blankets, which you can find in today's email and she has also found a couple of other great things to mention, including crocheted oysters and a yummy recipe (don't get the two muddled up!), so I hope you can spare a few minutes to catch up with all things Janie Crow!

Thank you for the fabulous response to my new design Majorelle, which we launched last week. The kits sold out in a very short space of time, so we are hoping to sort some more very soon. Unfortunately we are currently unable to get enough beads as the Indigo shade is sold out, but as soon as they are back in stock with Debbie we will be sure to get kit building. For those of you who pre-paid for a kit, we are hoping to get these posted out mid February. ​

I love seeing alternative colour ways of my designs, so perhaps our lack of kit stock will mean that more of you are tempted to create your own versions of this design. You can find the paper patterns in UK and US terms here and download versions on Etsy and Ravelry.
 
I am currently working on a blanket version of this project using an alternative colour palette, so I am looking forward to being able to show you that soon! 

​This time of year is when many of us start to think about holidays. The thought or warmer weather and a bit of a break really kicks in by the end of January when it is so dull and dismal here in the UK. 
 
I am really looking forward to all the workshop trips I have in my diary for this year, but as they are all fully booked I have already started to discuss trips for 2027. It seems a bit crazy to be planning so far ahead, but with time flying by so incredibly fast, I am sure it will feel like the next year will pass as quickly as all the others! 
 
With lots of ideas for new designs and my wish to continue teaching a few residential workshops I am trying not to over think the speed at which time goes past, but it is always good to have things to look forward to in the future. I read a book once called ‘Live Life in Crescendo’ and it was all about how positive it is to always be making new plans, so here we go:
 
I will be returning to Mysore, India with Knit For Peace, this time next year (mid to late January 2027), to tutor a knit and crochet workshop based at the amazing Green Hotel. Dates and prices are not fixed yet and further information is not available, but if you have ever fancied a workshop trip to India and like the idea of supporting a great charity at the same time, then you might want to keep this in mind. I will give you more info as soon as I have it.

I will also be tutoring on a Northern Lights yarn cruise with Sitchtopia in December 2027. This trip is now live and ready to book on their website. You can find more information by following this link. 
 
There are quite a few dates to choose from on this trip, including a knit holiday with Aleks Byrd in 2027, which I am sure will be fabulous! There are also still spaces on the trips that go this year, one is tutored by Lucy of Attic 24 and another by Julie Dubreux. If you want to come on the crochet one with me, the departure date is December 12th 2027!

Over the last year, we have been working with the lovely team at Wool Warehouse to produce yarn kits using some of their fabulous Yarnsmiths yarn. Creating projects using their Superwash DK has been a joy for me as their colour palettes are so huge and I am able to perfectly match colours used in my original designs. 
 
The latest addition to the collaboration between us here at Janie Crow and Yarnsmiths is the original Persian Tile blanket in navy, orange and red. You can find the kits by clicking on the image above or here.

This month we are focusing on the Temperature Blanket project. It's very hard to believe that it was over a year ago that we embarked on something slightly new and unusual for Janie Crow. 
 
Twelve months later and we have been so happy to see some beautiful finished temperature blankets appearing on social media. Gemma is currently hiding as she hasn't got around to sewing her ends in yet and therefore hasn't started work on the border, despite finishing and joining all her squares. Gemma says she is hoping to turn her mind to it in February and promises to keep you posted!
 
In the photos below, from top to bottom you can see blankets made by:
Scarlett Reynolds
Fiona Dobson
Melinda Hall
Terri Hayes (Kansas, USA)
Ruth French (Scottish Highlands)
 
We know there are more out there, so thank you to everyone who has been sharing photos of their completed blankets. We will put together a blog post with more of your photos in the coming weeks. 

Have you ever considered adopting an oyster? No, us neither, but now that we have seen these crochet versions, produced to support the Wild Oysters Project, we think we need to have a couple!  
 
The North East & Cumbria branch of the UK charity, Groundwork, are asking people to adopt a crocheted oyster as a way of supporting the Wild Oysters Project, which is aiming to restore native oysters to the north-east England coastline. 
 
There has been a decline of more than 95% in native oyster numbers across the UK since the 1800s and it is important that we don't loose them completely as they are a valuable inhabitant of our coastlines. Oysters are natural water filters, and can clean up to 200 litres of water a day - that's equivalent to a bathtub full! An abundance of oysters will not only clean the water and prevent algal blooms, but their reefs also provide a home in which other marine life can thrive.

​You can join the waiting list to be in with a chance of having one of the four thousand oysters currently being crocheted by the nation's fabulous volunteers by following this link, where you will also find more information about the project.

​Since the start of the new year, Gemma has been making a concerted effort to add a bit more variety to her diet. She believes that it's very easy to get stuck in a rut of eating the same half-dozen favourite dishes time and again, and I agree, so for this month's recipe Gemma is recommending something she hasn't made before - Kimchi Bubble & Squeak Cakes, served with fried eggs. 
 
In case you don't know already, Kimchi is a Korean fermented vegetable dish, most commonly made with cabbage in the West. It does have quite a kick, as it is full of garlic and chilli, so it really livens up the bubble & squeak and, as it is also a fermented food, it is really good for your tummy! So it's a win win! You can find a recipe on the Olive website here. 

​We are heading to Hove to visit some friends today and I am really looking forward to seeing the sea, despite the weather forecast for endless rain! There is something about the pull of the ocean isn't there? I think we all feel it. Of course I am really looking forward to spending time with friends too, especially as we all go way back to our secondary school days, but they have mentioned the idea of having a dip in the sea while we are there - something I am definitely planning to avoid despite my love for it! 
 
As I said in my introduction, I have been doing a lot of crochet this week so I am going to give my hands a bit of a rest, so will resist the allure of my hook for a few days over the weekend. I find I can only crochet for a couple of hours a day otherwise my hands get incredibly sore and clunky. Thankfully there are always lots of other jobs to do besides crochet! 
 
As we take our first steps into February in a couple of days time, I hope this email has found you healthy, happy, safe and warm. 
 
Until next time….