Welcome back to my monthly book review blog. Last month I promised you something special and I'm here today to show you the beautiful 'Crochet Fairy Tales: Cottage Stories' by Kerry Lord (ISBN-13: 9781446316009 David & Charles Ltd. 2026). I was lucky enough to visit the Stitch Festival at the Business Design Centre in London's Islington last month and the Toft stand was an absolute beauty, decorated with all the characters and scenery from this enchanting book.

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….