Quick Catch Up with Janie Crow

After a very busy few weeks with birthdays and family events I have finally managed to spend some time at my desk this week working on projects for my forthcoming workshop trips. I have selected my yarns for the trip to West Yorkshire in June and have pretty much decided on the design of the small project the participants will work on while we are away. For the Peru project I have selected my yarn palette and have decided on the design - just a little more sampling to go on both the projects before I can finalise them and get the patterns written. It has been really nice to spend some time knitting and crocheting this week.

The weather is still a bit unpredictable here in North London with some quite chilly days still on the cards. I am sat in a sweater and jeans whilst writing this, but had shorts and a T short on Wednesday! I got all my summer clothes out this week and washed them ready for sunshine, so I am really hoping it isn't far away, although the cooler weather does mean that my knitting and crochet projects are more likely to get done!

I have a few things to tell you about this week and hope you have time to catch up with all things Janie Crow.

There's not long to wait now until the release of the second set of Spirit of Flora patterns on June 19th. With the final set of four to be released on the 21st August. The pricing per set will be in line with the first release - £10.95 for four patterns or £3.95 each.

You can find an introductory video on our YouTube Channel where I show the groups of motifs and explain which parts of the design can be found for free on the website. You can find more information by following this link.

If you need a little guidance when working through the patterns, don't forget that there is a dedicated Facebook group, which you can find here and Emma has been incredibly busy making accompanying video support for YouTube, which you can find by following this link.

Thank you for all your incredible feedback on this project - your support means so much to us here at Janie Crow! ​

Over on Instagram we celebrated some of the incredibly talented crafters who bring Janie Crow designs to life by making them and sharing their photos and videos. Just look at this beautiful Fields of Gold Blanket by Sarah (@crochet_in_the_glen), photographed in such a stunning setting. ​

Below is Maria (@hooked_by_maria), a self-confessed crochet addict, modelling her version of the Climbing Rose Wrap, made in a lovely palette of purples and pinks. You look fabulous Maria! ​

These are just a couple of the amazing projects we featured so if you'd like to see the complete reel of images Emma put together you can find it over on Instagram here. 

Last month I set myself a very ambitious target of completing all four Gordon motifs and all four Harmony motifs, together with a second Bloomsbury strip and at least one Fitzroy motif. So, how do you think I did? I'm pleased to report that all of the above was achieved. We won't talk about how my poor hands are feeling after the marathon crochet sessions, together with some sample making for my teaching and some sweater knitting on the side too! ​

One of the features of Fitzroy that I like the most is the raised wavy line, created in a very simple way by working back post stitches around the previous row. It's such an effective way of adding texture without a complicated technique needed. Of course, there is another row of beaded crochet, this time beaded half-treble stitches (half double in US terms), which got me thoroughly confused to begin with because they are worked with right side facing unlike the beaded dc (sc US terms) which are worked with WS facing. Once I had read the instructions properly I got things back together and only had to undo two rows! Sometimes being an experienced crocheter works against you because you 'think' you know what you are doing, haha!  

I've never been fond of sewing ends in but I've had a bit of an enlightenment this month in that I've realised it can actually provide some recovery time for when hands are feeling a bit overworked. On that basis I've approached ends with far less grumbling and more enthusiasm, seeing it as just another part of the pattern in a way. ​

So, I've set next month's targets: I have the rest of the Fitzroy motifs to finish and I'd like to make at least one of the next pattern, which is the very pretty Legacy. This motif begins in the same way as the Harmony motif with a central flower, but in this motif it is surrounded by buds and leaves with beaded stems, all set within a lacy framework. I'm looking forward to working in the round again. ​

For those of you working on this project too, I  just want to remind you that there are some support videos over on the Janie Crow YouTube channel here. Click on Playlists and you'll find a set of videos for Bohemian Blooms. 

Have a lovely month and I'll see you in June's Quick Catch Up. Gemma x

Do you ever have one of those days when you open the fridge and can't for the life of you work out what you're going to cook for dinner? Gemma had one of those days recently and managed to find this Lentil Loaf recipe which was comprised of just a small handful of ingredients, all of which she happened to have in stock. Apparently it was well received! ​

We came across a very interesting source of information about fibres on the website of the University of the Arts London. Although other sections are not yet complete, the piece that focusses on natural fibres makes for an informative read. We'd recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning about what is involved in the production of fibres such as cotton, alpaca, silk or wool. You can find the page here or click on the image below:

It has been wonderful having the peonies suddenly burst into bloom over the last fortnight. Most of ours are planted in the front garden so we don't really see them from the house. I have been cutting them and arranging them in vases so we can have them inside - something I don't usually do, but with the threat of constant rain, cutting them means they don't get broken.

It was my birthday yesterday and I was lucky to receive some fabulous flowers including white peonies from the lovely Emma and coral from our gorgeous niece Abby and her partner Charlie - aren't they just the best! ​

We were really lucky with the weather a couple of weeks ago when we celebrated my Dad's 90th Birthday. We had a fabulous time, with a few surprises for Dad on the day and we all have some wonderful memories to cherish as a result. I love this pic of my Dad, Roy (right) and my fantastic father in law, Mick, warming themselves towards the end of the day with a glass of cognac under my blankets!  

It was my birthday yesterday so we are heading out to celebrate this evening with a meal in town. I have wanted to go to an Ottolenghi restaurant for a long time so, as a very special treat, we have booked a table at ROVI, which has loads of veggie options on the menu. 

We have a weekend at home ahead, with Andy heading off on a charity walk for our local hospice on Sunday so we have hoping it stays dry. I hope that whatever you have planned that you have a great couple of days.