April News

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!