The weeks before the Christmas holiday can be great fun, but it is also a time when there is much to do and things can get a little stressful. During this period I love settling down on the settee in the evening with a crochet project and soon find that the rhythmic action of making the stitches calms my mind and helps me feel more settled, even after the most fraught days. This project was originally designed for Jimmy Beans in the US and was released in December 2021. Now that the pattern has reverted to me, we have decided to relaunch it this year as our own Advent Crochet Along. We will be releasing a section of the pattern every day for 15 days, with the first pattern available on the 1st of December. If you decide to join you can expect to receive an email notification with a download link (via Ravelry) for each day's section of the pattern. At the end of the crochet along, we’ll send you the link for a complete pattern with all parts of the pattern combined into one document. You can find a free 'Getting Ready' download document, which includes more information on yarn, hooks and equipment, as well as a more in-depth explanation of how the CAL works and what you need to do to join in, by following this link. Emma recently posted a great reel on Instagram where I talk about there yarn requirements for this project, so if you fancy a bit of stash diving or are still a bit unsure of what yarn you need, do check out this video for more information. If you feel ready to sign up for the CAL you can follow this link to Ravelry where you can also find the 'Getting Ready' information as the first document within the download set. Signing up via Ravelry will give you access to all parts of the pattern from 1st to 15th December and the amalgamated final pattern once the CAL is over. If you don't want to work through this project as a CAL, but do fancy making this lovely shawl, we will be releasing the pattern as a paper brochure and as a download via Ravelry and Etsy. Please note that the full pattern might be available at a higher price. Patterns will be available in UK & US terms. I hope that you fancy joining in and that if you do, working through the Glad Tidings Wrap over the first couple of weeks of December will help create some calm in your life and that the result, which could make the perfect festive gift, will bring you much joy too. I had the most amazing day when Claire, Leanne and I did the shoot for my new crochet along project at Emery Walker's House in Hammersmith. It really was the most incredible location, crammed full of Arts and Crafts Movement furniture and textiles as well as the most beautiful original features. The new CAL is coming soon and I cannot wait to show you some of the reveal images on the 1st December when we and other Stylecraft stockists will also have starter packs available for the project. This CAL is a little different to my previous designs, with more of an emphasis on crocheters creating their own unique designs rather than following mine to the letter. I think it will be incredibly exciting, especially as I will also be encouraging you to stash dive and create alternative colour combinations. The CAL will be published in monthly pieces over the course of a whole year in Inside Crochet magazine starting in January, so do look out for subscription offers and more information very soon. Sarah and I had a fabulous day out last week visiting Leighton House in London's Holland Park. The building was the home to Victorian artist Lord Leighton and it includes the most amazing decor, including the stunning 'Arab Hall', which features incredible tile panels and beautiful mosaics. It has certainly been a month for seeing a wealth of surface design inspiration as Andy and I were also treated to a visit to the Cathedral in Bordeaux as we popped in on the last day of my recent workshop trip to France. The hand painted pillars and wall panels really were fabulous and I am sure the colours will be very influential on my future palette choices as they were just so stunning. I am writing this from Harrogate as Andy has a stand at The Knitting & Stitching Show. We are not here with our Janie Crow hats on, but rather to exhibit Andy's hooks, needles and accessory stock. We have had a really big sort out at our storage units and have also brought along lots of reduced yarn, so if you are attending the show and are looking to nab a few yarny bargains do come along and visit us on stand YV14. This week I have been working on the project for our very last workshop of the year, which will take place in Bournemouth next week. Once that project is complete I will start to sort out the project for my workshop in Mysore, India in January. There are still some places on this incredible trip and you can find more information lower down this email. We have had an amazing reaction to the patterns and kits for my Indigo and Crimson Dreams blanket, which originally featured as a crochet along project in Inside Crochet Magazine and I am so grateful to all of you who have shown so much positivity towards the design. We have added a couple of helpful videos that Emma has shot to help with a couple of the more tricky bits of the design. You can find these over on our YouTube channel. When I appeared on Yarn Lane TV a couple of weeks ago I demonstrated the heart motif and how to make the Half and Half Granny motif - something that we have not shown in our own videos. You can find the recording of the show by following this link. The demo comes about out an hour and 15 mins in. I was lucky enough to be on the show for 2 hours, so you will also find other demonstrations within the same video, including surface crochet and how I make crochet leaves. You can find kits for both colour ways, (Indigo and Crimson) by following this link and the 24 page paper pattern brochure by following this link. Download patterns are available via Etsy and Ravelry. You can find more information about this project and all links on the website page here. We have a few new projects for there Festive Season. My Twinkle Bunting pattern (shown below) was released during the first week of November and I have already reminded you about the Advent CAL, The Glad Tidings Wrap, which will take place over the first couple of weeks of December. We have seen a bit of a run of sales for Christmassy things. We have quite a choice now including the Festive Decorations, Beaded Decorations and Festive Mini Stockings - click on the images below for more information. All are great stash busters! Are you looking for something fun and a tad quirky for you and your family members to enjoy over the Christmas holidays? If you are a bit tired of the usual board games and party tricks, then how about taking a look at the Knit For Peace Party Kits. Knit For Peace say: 'It comes in a box, crammed with yarn, needles, hooks, haberdashery and notions. Curated by textile artist Eliza Kenan, no two kits are alike. The Party Kit is all that’s needed for a fun filled get together with friends and neighbours (enough to keep 12 people crafting at the party!) There are activities for a wide range of skill levels and it provides the perfect excuse for getting in touch with old friends – invite them to your craft party! The perfect gift for anyone who loves knitting and crafts.' Kits cost £125 and KFP will waiver the £10 postage fee for any Janie Crow customers. Only available in the UK. Click here for more information - all proceeds go to the charity. There are still places on my knitting and crochet workshop in Mysore, India in January with Knit For Peace. If you have been thinking about joining me, then I suggest you don't hesitate too much longer as booking will close very soon due to the length of time needed to apply for a visa. The trip is almost 2 weeks long and all meals, trips to the charity's projects and workshops are included in the cost of the trip. You can find more information by following this link. The video that accompanies Part Seven of my Sunshine and Showers blanket pattern is live on our Youtube channel here. The patterns for each part of the CAL, which are split into 12 pieces, are available for just 95p each with the 'Getting Ready' document available to download for free here. You can find more information about the project by following this link. Yarn packs for the project (which is shown above centre right) are available via the website here. We also have kits in stock for the Primavera version of my Frida's Flowers blanket which is shown alongside the original version to the left. We managed to secure another delivery of yarn to make kits for my Sandalwood version of Persian Tiles. The kits will be added to the website (as we build them) next week, from Wednesday onwards. Sarah has recommended this recipe for Banana Bread which she made in her slow cooker. She says it was really yummy! We will be at the show in Harrogate for the whole weekend, but I am hoping I might be able to squeeze in some time to take a wander around the town at some point. Harrogate is such a lovely place with some really impressive buildings and fab shops. It is especially lovely in the lead up to Christmas when everything is wonderfully festive! We have a couple of days at home next week and then we will be off to Bournemouth on Thursday for our final workshop of the year, so it is busy, busy, busy! I have to admit I am looking forward to a bit of a rest in December. I really enjoy these weeks in the lead up to Christmas and especially like catching up with friends and family over the festive period. I hope that whatever you have planned for the forthcoming days and weeks that you are able to enjoy a bit of down time too. We are so grateful to all those of you who follow our feed on Instagram. We have reached more than 80k followers this week, which is just incredible. I would like to thank Emma for all her help with Instagram and Gemma who does such a great job on the Janie Crow Facebook page - another of our social media platforms which is gaining followers all the time. I leave you with a link to watch the John Lewis Christmas Advert just in case you haven't managed to see it yet. I think its another cracker! Janie x
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