inside crochet 32 ::

On Friday the new issue of inside crochet hit the shelves.  I was so excited about this issue for lots of different reasons.
:: Firstly, I have 2 patterns in this issue, I've never had 2 patterns in one issue of anything before, so that was pretty cool.
:: Secondly, one of the garments is adorned with some of my handmade buttons and as a result I was asked if I could send over some photos of my buttons for them to be included elsewhere in the magazine.
:: Thirdly, I had a sneak peek of some of the photographs and knew they would be gorgeous.
:: Fourthly, the lovely Claire Montgomerie has returned to her post of editor after a maternity break and has given the magazine a grand new look. After all the drama surrounding the magazine under it's previous ownership (I won't go into all the details here, but I'm sure if you google All Craft Media administration you'll get an idea) I was really pleased to see the magazine continuing under much improved leadership.

What I wasn't expecting, when I popped in to Smiths to see if I could spy it on the shelves, was to see my creation gracing the cover.  I squealed with excitement! I was on my own with the toddler and so very nearly grabbed the nearest grown up to show them my achievement, I managed to hold off, but did very loudly show said toddler (who was more interested in the cbeebies magazines, which are inconveniently located right next to the craft magazines).

This issue is really great and everything I hoped a UK crochet magazine could and would be.  When I heard of ACM's administration, what I was most upset about, even more than the money I was owed and would most likely never see, was the loss of our only UK crochet magazine. The shelves are awash with knitting magazines and some really fantastic one's at that, I believe there is room for a crochet magazine and that it could do fantastically well.  The US has 4 that I can think of off the top of my head and some really great quality one's at that, but I feel, with the new look and great new team at the helm, inside crochet is going to be fantastic.

I haven't had a chance to read it cover to cover yet, but some of the highlights for me so far are a really interesting article on the '(short) history of crochet' by Zoe Clements (the new editor of inside crochet's sister, knitting magazine, yarnwise), a fantastic stripy sweater pattern by Emma Varnam and the exceptional photography by Britt Spring.

Claire was the first editor to commission any of my patterns, a mere 12 months ago, which gave me the confidence to carry on when I'd already received a fair few rejections and now just a year later I have deadlines looming every week and more work than I could have dreamed of, for inside crochet, 2 US crochet magazines and a few knitting magazines! So I'm very grateful to her and the rest of her team and proud to be a part of this new vision of her magazine.

crochet jar cover ::

A couple of weeks ago I had my first attempt at making marmalade, for a first attempt it came out pretty well, but I made a huge quantity and well as my mr hates the stuff, and try as we might it seemed unlikely that Milo and I would manage the whole 7 jars we have, I figured most of them would become gifts. Of course in order for this to happen those assorted, recycled, jars would need a little bit of prettifying.

I considered making some hapa-zome tops for them like I made for my jam last summer, or maybe embroidering some covers for them. But then I remembered all the lovely orange milk cotton I had stashed away and decided crochet jar covers was the only way to go.

These are also a great idea because the crochet circles can become coasters of washcloths once the marmalade is in use.

If you fancy having a go at making some little hats for you own marmalade/jam jars then you are in luck because I have written out my pattern for you here!

I also made up one up in browns for a jar of chocolates I made for my Mum's birthday.

heart granny square ::

 With valentines on my mind the last few weeks, I have been working on lots of hearts.  After searching about a bit, I couldn't see any granny squares which incorporated a heart that I liked.  After a few failed attempts and a bit of patience, I came up with my own.



I have been working lots of these lovey squares in order to make a cushion, which I hope to share with you soon, but whilst I continue to work away on that, I thought I would share with you the pattern for the granny square alone.



This is only the second pattern/tutorial for crochet (the other being my granny bunting) that I have ever shared, so if you do have a go at making some for yourself, I would love to hear any feedback you may have.



The pattern in all it's glory is here, have fun! xx