Fast forward a few years and here we are with the updated pattern, which now also includes the instructions for a matching half motif. The colours for this project were inspired by the décor of Frida & Diego’s fabulous kitchen within their home in Mexico City ‘The Blue House’, which is now a museum. The kitchen surfaces feature bright yellow and blue ceramic tiles and the painted table and chairs that sit at the centre of the room have green and red hand painted details. The large terracotta bowls and cooking pots that are placed around the room are decorated with flashes of orange and pink - all colours that feature in the palette I have chosen for this project.

I adore the fun ‘fiesta’ feeling of this blanket and am really pleased with the outcome of it, but I also love seeing how motifs can be used to make alternative projects, so I asked ace crocheters Marina Kelly, Gemma Biggs and Sue Macdonald if they would like to come up with a couple of ideas for how to use the motifs in another project. Within this pattern we have included some images of the fabulous cushion project made by Marina and the vibrant handy bag project made by Gemma as well as the fun, stash busting mandala that Sue created. I love seeing my designs ‘out in the wild’ and I think the way Marina, Gemma and Sue have interpreted the pattern is fantastic. Hopefully you will be inspired too!
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I love seeing my designs made in alternative shades. The blanket versions shown above have been made by Lex Priestly (above top right) and Chris Bourne (above bottom right).
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You can find my Pinterest Board, which shows more images from Frida's house and some of Diego's amazing art work, which inspired the colours of The Blue House blanket by following this link or by clicking on the image above.
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​I found the images of the motif made in lots of lovely colour variations on Instagram - click on the images above to be taken to the feeds.
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I have been doing a lot of pattern checking and writing over the last month and not so much crochet. I have not had a chance to update my blog either, other than to write a post about copyright, which you can find by following this link.

A few weeks ago we had a bit of a run of copyright infringements and I had a lot of you contact me about things you had found online that appeared to be copies of my work. So many of you are amazing at calling out people who think it is ok to share work that doesn’t belong to them and I am so grateful that you are willing to fight my corner. We had a few of you asking for clarification on copyright so I put a short blog post together that I hope helps to explain why my patterns have copyright statements. 
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I am really looking forward to tutoring workshops again next year and have already popped quite a few dates in my diary for 2022. I will be heading off to a couple of exciting destinations and am particularly pleased to have the opportunity to return to teach in France. Places on my workshop in the Charente-Maritime region with 'Knitting Holidays in France' are now sold out, but you can find the details of other workshops and retreats on offer by following this link.

There are still a few spaces left on the weekend knit and yoga retreat I am tutoring for Stitchtopia in November. In the lead up to Christmas I am sure this trip will provide a great opportunity to slow down for a few days and award yourself a bit of TLC. I would love it if you are able to join me. Just to be clear, I am teaching the knitting, not the yoga!  
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The 'join as you go' method of putting crochet motifs together is easier than it looks and makes the finishing process of a big project far quicker than if you have to crochet pieces together once they are complete.

The 'join as you go' method is used in my Fields of Gold blanket design. You can find a downloadable document that explains how to work this great technique here. It also includes a link to a Youtube video by Bella Coco that shows how to work a flat braid join. 
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The hook wraps feature intricately hand stitched embroidery as well as some machine stitching and are fastened with a ribbon tie. The wraps will hold up to 15 hooks and we have also included some larger pockets for hooks with big handles or to hold some scissors or other accessories. The wraps come in a protective cotton bag within a sturdy cardboard box, so make the ideal gift for any serious crafter. Hook wraps are made from woven wool fabric and are lined with cotton fabric with a vibrant floral design. 
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So, as is the norm these days, we have a pretty standard weekend plan that will include some time in the garden and a spot of baking. 
 
Last summer Andy and I focussed our weekend efforts on sorting out the front garden so that we could use it as a driveway. For years we have left it as a rather neglected lawn so we decided to add a raised bed and dig up the grass to make room to park. We worked on the garden over the course of a few months and moved somewhere in the region of 14 tons of top soil and hardcore between us. It was hard work but it was a great way of keeping fit and we got to meet lots of our neighbours!
 
This year we have plans for the back garden. Andy has already built a retaining wall for one of the flower beds where the original wooden railway sleepers have rotted away. We have extended the bed to include a small vegetable patch too, which is exciting. We are also hoping to build a new shed that will link through from the summer house, along with a gazebo type structure so that there is a little bit of shelter if we want to sit outside over the summer. We are planning to do all the work ourselves again as we do not have the budget to pay anyone else to do it, but having this time to spend on the garden still feels like a real luxury, so I am really looking forward to it.

This week we had a day of remembrance in the UK to mark the first anniversary of lockdown. It was a chance to reflect on the past 12 months and to think about all those who have died or who have had their lives altered because of COVID. It does seem amazing to think that we went into this thinking it would be a short change to our everyday lives, but here we are a year on still dealing with the effects of the pandemic. 
 
‘It's hard when you miss people, but you know if you miss them, that means you were lucky. It means you had someone special in your life. Someone worth missing .’ Nikki Schiefelbein.
 
From Monday we are hopefully going to be able to meet up to 6 people (from 2 households) outside, so we are hoping for better weather next week. The forecast is looking really nice for the early part of the week here in North London, but a bit miserable by the time the Easter weekend comes around, which is kind of typical! The cafe's and restaurants on our local High Street are gearing up to open with tables and chairs out on the pavements. There was a hive of activity up there this morning when we did our grocery shop and it was really good to see things changing a little and businesses getting ready to open again.

So, as we head into the weekend, and hopefully into a slightly less restricted way of life next week, I hope you are all staying safe and well. My friend Teresa sent me this link to a video of Stephen West demonstrating the technique of Navajo plying. It is amazing! Take a look here - I promise it will make your Friday even better than it is already!

Sending yarn love....
 
Janie x

When I look back to last February I realise what a special time it was, especially as Sarah and I managed to squeeze in a trip to Edinburgh to see the May Morris exhibition at the Dovecot Studios.

We had a couple of days of frothy coffee, indulgent cakes, scrummy dinners, a few glasses of wine and, of course, the awesome exhibition of May Morris's extraordinary work. It really was the most amazing time, especially in light of all that has happened since. ​

If you like the look of the patchwork trend too then you might be interested in following the feed of Psychic Outlaw, which I came across on Instagram this morning. The feed features images of coats and jackets all made from old patchwork quilts - I love it! 
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We were looking forward to a bit of time in the garden this weekend as the weather forecast had us believe that we were set for some warmer and drier weather, however as the week has progressed the forecast has become a tad less positive, so we have our fingers firmly crossed that we won't get too wet!

Our weekend plans are almost always the same these days and, whilst I really miss going out and catching up with friends and family, I have grown to love our Saturday routine in particular. We spend a lot of time planning and making our evening meal, often trying recipes we have never made before and we also put 'proper' clothes on and make an effort to dress up as if we were heading out. Andy was given a cocktails book as a gift a few years ago, so he makes a different cocktail treat most weekends. Tomorrow we are set to try Negronis! 

February can be such a mixture of bright, sunny, spring like weather and the dismal days of late winter, but as I said in the introduction to this newsletter, it is so good to see the first signs of spring. Hopefully we will get out for a walk to check out the snowdrops and emerging bulbs in the woods at some point over the next few days.
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‘Love and Kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference’ - Helen James.
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I subscribe to the COOK email newsletters and this week they featured their list of 100 acts of Random Kindness. Many of the items on the list are no doubt things that we all do anyway, but seeing the list reminded me of the importance of thinking of others and being more aware of those around us, even if we can't see them right now. This time of year, when we are more likely to spend lots of time inside, can be very isolating even at the best of times.

If you are feeling a bit low and need a bit of a crochet pick me up then email me back with a quick message telling me which Janie Crow download pattern you would like to cheer you up. Sarah and I will pick 10 emails to reply to early next week and will attach a free download copy of the pattern you have chosen. The best way to be sure of getting our emails is to save the mail@janiecrow.co.uk email address to your contacts.
 
I hope that wherever you are and whatever your plans, you have a great weekend and that you keep safe. ​

​The snow here in North London has made me a little later than usual today but I am sending you a chilly wave from us here and Janie Crow and Just Knots and hoping that you are all keeping safe, well and warm!

It is hard to believe that 14 weeks have passed since we released the first part of the newer version of my Fruit Garden CAL and that those of you working through the design now only have the final part to complete in order to have your own blankets. How exciting!

The eighth yarn substitution document for the Love is Enough version of the Fruit Garden Crochet Along project is now live on the Stylecraft web site. 
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You can find a video to accompany the next stage of the Acanthus motif and the edging in the original colour ways here.
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​If you want to make a cushion to accompany your project you can find the patterns as a free download or as a paper pattern by following this link. 

Don't forget that you can find help and join in some crochet orientated chat via the Stylecraft Yarns CAL Facebook page here. 

​If you are looking for a new project then you might be interested to know that my Indian Roses blanket design has now been released as a stand alone pattern. You can find it by following this link or by clicking on the image above. You can also find 3 free yarn substitution documents for alternative colour ways of the design on my web site.

I look forward to seeing you back here in your inbox on Friday 19th February. Until then I hope you keep safe and well.

I am so pleased to let you know that we have published the pattern for my Indian Roses Blanket this week. The design was inspired by a vintage washstand that sits in the reception area of the Green Hotel in Mysore, India. The stand features porcelain tiles that have pink roses at the centre surrounded by teal and green surface detail.
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​Fruit Garden by @mybabyhandmade
Persian Tiles by @inadionisius

This time last year we were lucky enough to be in India where I was the tutor on a workshop trip with Knit For Peace at The Green Hotel. Over the last few weeks Andy and I have been reminiscing by looking back over the images we took on our trip and we know we were incredibly lucky to have been away this time last year, especially in light at what the last 10 months have had in store. Many charities have struggled to fundraise over the last year and money has been tight for many, but the team at Knit For Peace have soldiered on and have managed to send out sacks and sacks of knitted and crocheted items to destinations where they are needed. They are currently asking for blankets, hats, gloves and mittens to help people keep warm in the cold weather and you can find out what else they need, and perhaps sponsor a sack of items to help it reach it’s destination, by following this link. 
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We registered the Janie Crow company in 2011, the year I released my first crochet along project, so 2021 will be Janie Crow’s 10th Birthday. We have started to form some plans as to how we can celebrate our first decade and we hope that by the autumn we will be able to hold some workshops and gatherings and that we will be able to see some of you ‘in the flesh’ again. Over the last couple of months I have been working on a CAL blanket project that will be published in Inside Crochet magazine over the summer months and I am also planning to start work on the design for a new crochet along project that will be released towards the end of the year. I am not sure exactly what form this project will take yet, but I am currently planning to call it ‘Jubilee’ or ‘Decadence’ as a nod to our 10th Birthday. Look out for more information on the new projects and our celebratory plans soon.
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I can never have enough project bags and I am always on the look out for little pouches that suit my needs, so I was really excited when Heather Burgess of Rag Button Designs agreed to collaborate with me to make these lovely items. Heather sources beautiful quality Irish linen to make these gorgeous pouches, which she puts together by hand and then stitches into the fabric, adding buttons, beads, ribbons and some of my hand made crochet flowers to make each one uniquely beautiful.
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Our last batch of hook wraps and pouches sold out within 2 days of being put live on the web site so I am really pleased that Heather has been hard at work making some new items. We now have pouches and hook wraps back in stock.
 
The pouches come in a choice of fabric shades and Heather has introduced duck egg blue and salmon pink fabrics to the range this time. The small pouches feature crochet flowers (made by me) in a few shades. The large pouches feature the outline of the Janie Crow birds in machine stitching and hand stitched detail. These also have an additional inside pocket. Each pouch is lined, has a smooth zip closure and includes a metal ring on the outside seam.
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We have a Riverford vegetable delivery every couple of weeks and I love unpacking the fresh seasonal veg and working out what we are going to make with it. Last week Riverford sent a link to their YouTube Channel and specifically the video tutorial for making Carrot Flapjacks. I love carrots, oats and cheese so as these are pretty much the only ingredients I knew I was going to love these!

I made these scrummy flapjacks from the free recipe last weekend. They were so quick and easy to bake and would make the perfect alternative to savoury snacks or a slice of cake, although we did scoff the lot in the space of 24 hours so possibly not so healthy after all! 
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​‘Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants’ - American food writer Michael Pollen.
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​This week saw the release of the yarn substitution document for Part 7 of the 'Love is Enough' version of the Fruit Garden CAL. I cannot believe we are now just 2 weeks away from the end of the re-run of the project. I hope that those of you who have been working through the blanket design have enjoyed your crochet journeys and that you might find time over the weekend to catch up with your yarny projects. I am definitely hoping to find some time for a bit of hooky!
 
I hope that wherever you are and whatever your plans that you have a great weekend and that you keep safe.

Hello from Janie Crow and Just Knots, we are still here, doing our best to keep up with everything! It still isn't quite business as usual, but we feel like we are slowly catching up with some of the non-essential stuff and I am really looking forward to sending out the new look January Newsletter this coming Friday - a few weeks later than expected, but that seems to be the way it goes for pretty much everything at the moment! I will be releasing the pattern for my Indian Roses blanket this week so I hope you will join me in a couple of days and look out for my email for more information.

So, the reason for this email is that the seventh yarn substitution document for the Love is Enough version of the Fruit Garden Crochet Along project is now live on the Stylecraft web site. 
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​If you want to make a cushion to accompany your project you can find the patterns as a free download or as a paper pattern by following this link. 

Don't forget that you can find help and join in some crochet orientated chat via the Stylecraft Yarns CAL Facebook page here. Yarn substitution documents for the next (and final) part of the project will go live on the 9th February.

I look forward to seeing you back here in your inbox on Friday. Until then I hope you keep safe and well.
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Happy New Year to you all! I hope that wherever you are you are keeping safe and well.

Despite the new lockdown we are thankful to still be able to work here at Janie Crow and Just Knots, but it is not quite business as usual as we are having to work in a shift pattern that ensures we are not all working from the studio at the same time. Whilst this means that we are still able to process and dispatch web orders it also means that I have been unable to do some of the usual things like film videos and work on new designs. This is a little frustrating for all of us, but we know we are incredibly lucky to still be working and I trust you will understand why some things have had to take a back seat. Hopefully normal service will resume within the next couple of weeks as we get into the swing of working in a slightly different way to the norm.

Before I introduce you to Part 6 of the Fruit Garden CAL 'Love is Enough' project I want to let you know that I have been invited to be one of 6 designers taking part in Waltham Abbey Wool Show's virtual event this weekend. Along with Debbie Bliss, Jeanette Sloan, Jo Smith, Natalie Warner and Sylvia Watts-Cherry I will be taking part in the 'Meet the Designer Q&A' session which will take place at 1pm this coming Sunday afternoon. There are still some tickets for this event, which I am sure will be great fun, and you can find more information by following this link.

So, as I said already, the sixth yarn substitution document for the Love is Enough version of the Fruit Garden Crochet Along project is now live on the Stylecraft web site. 
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​To work through the Dianthus motif and another part of the Acanthus motif you will need to download the original pattern for Part 6 and use the yarn sub document alongside this as a guide for which yarn shades to use. If you are joining in the CAL and using one of the 2 original colourways or your own colour palette then you will not need the yarn sub document.
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I have not been able to record a short video to accompany the re-release of this set of patterns but I hope to film a catch up video for set 7 which will be available in a couple of weeks time. You can find a video to accompany the Dianthus and the next stage of the Acanthus motif in the original colour ways here.
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If you want to make a cushion to accompany your project you can find the patterns as a free download or as a paper pattern by following this link. 

Don't forget that you can find help and join in some crochet orientated chat via the Stylecraft Yarns CAL Facebook page here.

Yarn substitution documents for the next part of the project will go live on the 26th January.

I hope to be back in your in box on Friday 22nd January with news of a new(ish) pattern release and our new style newsletter, so until then keep safe....

​I think it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that at this time of year many of us find ourselves reflecting on the previous 12 months in order to calculate and consider all the things that we think we have achieved and the things we have learnt so that then, through this contemplation, we are able to decide what objectives we will take into the future. We reminisce about the good times we have had, look at our achievements and then make new plans based on these things, whilst also making a mental note to learn from, and not revisit, the bad times.
 
2020 has been a game changer. It has been about staying safe and looking out for others. It has been a chance to reset and reflect over the course of months rather than as a reaction to the New Year looming. This year, whilst it is inevitable that we all have different things planned for 2021, the overriding achievement has to be (that unlike the many of thousands of people who have lost their lives, or who have had their life drastically altered thanks to the pandemic), we are lucky enough to be in a position to reflect on 2020 in the first place!

For me the past year has been a chance to re-evaluate the things that we prioritise and really think about how we want our home and work life to look going forwards. Over the last few months we have been busy making some exciting plans for the new year that we hope will include projects and events that you would like to get involved in. 2021 will be Janie Crow's 10th Anniversary year so it is extra exciting for us!
 
Your support over the last year has been incredible and I am always blown away by your lovely emails and messages and your amazing response to my work. I wish you all good health and happiness for 2021. With love from my family to yours....
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I hope you are all having a nice festive holiday. I am here again to let you know that the fifth yarn substitution document for the Love is Enough version of the Fruit Garden Crochet Along project is now live on the Stylecraft web site. 
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​Have you made your list and checked it twice? Have you been naughty or nice? Whatever your answers to these 2 questions there is no escaping the fact that a week today will be Christmas Day! For most of us it is set to be unlike any Christmas Day we have ever seen before, but a fact is a fact - this time next week we will be donning our fancy frocks and silly paper hats, eating a little too much and maybe getting a tad tipsy, all in the most grown up, socially distanced and sensible way possible!
 
I must admit I am really looking forward to the festive break despite the fact that it will be quieter than usual and I have already stared to line up the projects I want to work on while we are at home - I have rummaged around at the back of the sofa and found a few WIPS that are not far off being finished, so it will be nice to settle down with these and have a few days of Christmas movies, jigsaws and mince pies!

We are planning to spend this weekend finishing off our festive preparations and getting ready for the not so big day! Over the course of 2020 we have tried to keep ourselves to ourselves as much as possible in order to keep our family safe and so from now through to Christmas we will be extra hermit like so that we can see some of our loved ones. We have really missed the usual run of parties and events that lead up to the festive period so Andy, Charlie and I have decided that we will have our own 'Christmas Do' at home on Saturday evening - not quite sure what that will entail just yet, but I am hoping for a few party dances and a game of guess the intro - one of my favourite games especially in regards to the 80s and 90s music rounds!

I would love to know what your plans are especially if you are lining up a new knit or crochet projects or if you have some ideas for fun things to do in small groups - it would be lovely to share some of these on social media...

I am really pleased to say that team Janie Crow managed to raise nearly £800 by completing the Big Walk for Shelter. Our total currently sits at £760 which really is amazing, but there is still time to donate if you want to. Thank you so much for all your amazing support!

This is my last newsletter for 2020 and I will be back mid January with the next one.
The studio opening times over the next few weeks will be as follows:

25th - 28th December: Closed.
29th, 30th & 31st December: Open 10am to 4pm. 
1st, 2nd, 3rd January: Closed

Please note that we will be unable to man the phone line during the festive period so please do not call. If you have a query about an order or want to contact us about anything else please us the following email address: info@janiecrow.co.uk

So that is pretty much it from me for 2020. It has been the strangest of years for obvious reasons. On a personal level there have been some major lows over the course of the last 9 months but there have also been some incredible high points and it has been amazing to have been part of your crafting journeys this year.

I hope that whatever your plans are that you have a good time despite the restrictions. We are sad not to be able to see some of our family but we know that the more we all behave and adhere to the rules the more we are protecting our loved ones and the quicker we will see a brighter future. I look forward to being back here with you in January when we will hopefully already be reaping the benefits of a better New Year.
 
With much love
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​I am here again to let you know that the fourth yarn substitution document for the Love is Enough version of the Fruit Garden Crochet Along project is now live on the Stylecraft web site and to let you know that Stylecraft are running some fabulous festive giveaways via their Facebook page and blog. The giveaway gives you a chance to win the yarn to complete one of the projects that have been featured on the Stylecraft Make Along Facebook Group over the course of this year, each one designed by a Blogstar. There are some great prizes to be won and if you visit the page on Thursday you can enter the prize draw to win the yarn to make the Melsetter Fruit Garden cushion cover. Click on the image below for more info.
   

​So, as I said already, today sees the release of the yarn substitution document to make the next part of the Fruit Garden CAL. To work through the Aster motif and the next part of the Acanthus motif you will need to download the original pattern for Part 4 and use the yarn sub document alongside this as a guide for which yarn shades to use. If you are joining in the CAL and using one of the 2 original colourways or your own colour palette then you will not need the yarn sub document. 
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​I have recorded a short video to accompany the re-release of the first set of patterns and you can find the video here. You can find a video to accompany the Purple Aster and the next few rounds of the Acanthus motifs here.

​If you want to make a cushion to accompany your project you can find the patterns as a free download or as a paper pattern by following this link. 

If you want to make a Fruit Garden blanket in the Naturals Bamboo + Cotton, Night & Dusk colour way (shown above) we now have kits in stock on Janie Crow and Just Knots. Don't forget that you can find help and join in some crochet orientated chat via the Stylecraft Yarns CAL Facebook page here.

Yarn substitution documents for the next part of the project will go live on the 29th December.

Sending big yarny hugs to you all and hoping that you are safe and well.