Issue 117
It’s not often we get to meet our heroes in a truly inspirational place, so for this issue I was over the moon to spend the day with our awesome shoot team and none other than Jane Crowfoot. Her blanket and wrap designs are incredible works of art, so it seemed fitting that we invite Jane to create an exclusive new crochet-along for Inside Crochet for our artist’s issue, using beautiful Stylecraft yarns and inspired by William Morris. Morris is famous for his involvement in the Victorian Arts and Crafts movement, and this issue is prompted by great works of art, and photographed at William Morris’ former home, the Red House, in Bexleyheath. It was so wonderful to see the use of colour and pattern at the house and see the crochet projects so well suited to the environment.
Issue 116
The heat is very much on here in the Northern Hemisphere, and people are packing their cases and off exploring the wonders of the world while they bask in the warm summer sun. For many, hot weather is a time to put away the crochet hooks, but not for us! We’ve swapped winter wools for cool, crisp cottons and this sizzling summer issue celebrates lighter fibres in all their glory.
Issue 115
There’s something about warm summer evenings and the prospect of festival season that conjures up images of luxurious, bohemian clothing. You know the kind I mean – loose, draping garments, piled-on accessories and ’70s-inspired shades. Whether you’re channelling Stevie Nicks on stage (apparently she has a shawl vault to keep her collection in tip top moth-free condition!) or wafting coolly by a Grecian pool, we’ve got you covered in this beautiful issue. The theme is boho luxe, and what could be more luxurious than beads and fringing – an excess of decoration?
Issue 114
Because spring is, of course, the beginning of wedding season…(remember this is a northern hemisphere magazine). Find he Something Blue cardigan by Simone Francis to the tableware with Sue Rawlinson’s adorable jars of crocheted flowers, and even the guests’ accessories with a delicate lace clutch bag design. And of course, no handmade wedding would be complete without crocheted bunting! Notto forget the two very different takes on romantic garlands – Carmen Heffernan’s floral triangles, and Hayley Hall’s modern hexies.
However, if (like me) you’re not invited to a wedding this season, there are plenty more crocheted delights to get excited about. Cassie Ward’s Amore cardigan offers another contemporary classic with its filet design and hot coral colour, and the Lots of Love cushion is an easy colourwork project for those with a Tunisian hook. Of course, there are stashbusters too, and we love the array of pretty shawls in this issue, just perfect for putting to use our beautiful butterfly blocking pins.
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Issue 113
Candy colours are explored spectacularly in this sugary
sweet issue, from the old-fashioned violet and monochrome of Parma Violets and mint humbugs, to the retro faded colours in those puff y rainbow drops and a wrapped tube of fizzy Refreshers. The designers in this issue have gone to town with my candy theme, and the Love Hearts jar by Dawn Curran is a fabulous home addition, while Sarah-Jane Hicks’ swirly sweet bag and dolly mixture sewing kit are such fun, and Elisabeth Davis De Herraiz’s Candy Dreams stole makes a simple yet colourful trans-seasonal accessory.
If the candy wasn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s Frank&Olive’s super-cute donut brooches (perfect on a dungaree dress!) or Samanta Fornino’s life-like ice-cream garland to add sunny cheer to any room – and the perfect excuse to use your exclusive candy stitch markers!
Issue 112
This issue is filled with beautiful handmade items for babies – like Sue Rawlinson’s gorgeous camera toys, Dawn Curran’s amazing romper with its kitten colourwork pocket, and Claire Montgomerie’s bonnet and bloomer set – all kindly modelled by her beautiful daughter! The shoot day was of course so much fun and I loved styling up all the gorgeous makes in our JJ Location house, which even had its own baby resident – young Atticus!
For the more ‘grown-up’ grownups, we have some subtly playful garments, and Linda Skuja’s signature texture and eye for colour is given a fun slant with ’70s styling, while Cassie Ward’s loop stitch jacket gives us permission to play with stitch and fashion with its modern, cropped shape. So if you want some time to escape and experiment with stitch and colour, read on and enjoy this month’s makes!
Issue 111
It will take no time to hook up Emily Platt’s chunky cardigan – its subtle bobble pattern and soft alpaca is perfect for this in-between-seasons time of year, and to match I will be wearing Theodora Burrow’s gorgeous lacy beret hooked up in one of my favourite hand-dyed yarns, no doubt. For the braver crocheters, the beautiful Be Bold sweater is another favourite of mine, in sheer, soft mohair toughened up with chunky stripes. If you’re just getting started with textural stitches, we have a lovely project by Anique Von Kooij that can be used as a notions pouch or centre stage as a clutch bag, and a light and lacy cardigan crocheted in rustic Garthenor wool by Annelies Baes. Gosh, aren’t we spoilt this month (as per)?! I just want to make it all! So I won’t waste any more time – find your favourite project and get hooking today!
Issue 110
This issue celebrates colour in all its multi-hued glory, from neon pops to cut through the winter gloom to soft vintage shades to adorn the cosiest bed or armchair. A homage to the artist Josef Albers appears in the form of Helda Panagary’s beautiful blanket, and a gloriously ’70s nod to colour is offset by soft ecru in Fran Morgan’s stunning Canal Barge Jumper, while the warm shades of Jane Czaja’s Sunset Sampler Cushion conjure up images of warmer climes and sunny days. Or, if like me you love a classic granny square, then the Kaleidoscope cardigan by Cassie Ward is a fabulous stashbuster project framed by ever-chic black. This fabulous colour issue is also the last chance to catch up with our brilliant columnist Dedri Uys, whose explorations in colour and stitch have delighted us for two years. For her final column she reflects on the crochet skills she loves the best and tackles tapestry crochet with a beautifully bright project that’s ideal for colourwork newbies. Next month we welcome a brand new columnist in the shape of Matt Farci, aka A Boy & Bunting, and I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing Dedri all the best in her future creative endeavours! Now go forth and bust that stash – it’s time to celebrate COLOUR!
Issue 109
This issue is a balm for the soul in that same way – with gentle sensory stimulants, such as soft colours and even softer yarns, there’s much joy to be found in crochet and engaging our senses in mindfulness. With crochet, this can be the feel and smell of the yarn, or noticing the colours and sound of the fibres as a great way to focus your busy mind. Lynne Rowe’s feature on the power of mindful crochet introduces us to this idea on page 16, and her soft scarf project in the new West Yorkshire Spinners yarn, Re:Treat, really is a treat for the senses with its soothing repetition and squishiness. Wrap yourself in warmth and love with Eline Alcocer’s Mysigt (the Swedish version of Hygge) shawl – crocheted in luxurious yarns for an heirloom favourite, and Cassie Ward’s bobble cardigan with its extended stitches and satisfying texture is a wonderful way to use soft, plump yarn. There’s something incredibly luxurious about mohair and silk, and the haze of alpaca in a project, and Emily Platt’s soft and airy Balloon Sleeve Jumper and Helda Panagary’s Mya Shawl capture that perfectly. So, in the words of Dr Frasier Crane, “wishing you good mental health” (I recommend watching Frasier as you crochet!) and I hope you enjoy the beautiful projects in this issue.
Issue 108
With inspiration from the TV series Outlander, the colour palette in this issue is warm browns and heathery mauves, with wrapped layers, capes and ponchos to provide warmth by the hearth or on a wintery walk. I particularly love the tweedy Coppice mitts (perfect for gathering pinecones as mantel decorations), the Cairngorm dress (a wonderfully textured must-have make) and the Twin Peaks cushions by Sarah-Jane Hicks (to snuggle in with a cup of hot chocolate!). There are also some beautiful last-minute gifts such as the Leaping Waves cowl by Rosina Northcott, which is perfect for a special few skeins of rustic yarn.
Issue 107
In this issue, we delve into the yarn stash to create something luxurious – this might be something to wear during the party season, a precious gift to make and exchange, or simply allowing oneself the luxury of time to create something you really love. Helda Panagary’s Urban Landscape shawl embodies all three, as does Carmen Heffernan’s shimmering Topaz and Tourmaline wrap, but we also love how Cassie Ward’s metallic Midas shrug adds glamour, and how Sue Maton’s Moonstone top has a gentle sheen that suggests expense. Of course, one doesn’t have to use your most expensive ball of yarn – instead, allow yourself the luxury of a little time to sit back and indulge with your favourite crochet magazine for a touch of glamour.
Issue 106
In this issue, our designers have raided the archives for the wonderful shapes and stitches showcased by our “vintage” theme. Crochet lends itself beautifully to vintage designs, especially that heyday of crochet – the late 1960s and early 1970s! Claire Montgomerie’s hairpin top and Cassie Ward’s maxi waistcoat capture the era wonderfully, using modern yarns to bring the designs bang up-to-date.
Check out the Peggy Bolero in Tunisian crochet and the simple-yet-stunning Midnight With Mimosas top to really capture that 1950s glamour. Crochet is always an easy way to add a vintage vibe to your home as well as your wardrobe, and we love Esme Crick’s fabulous Cat’s Claw blanket for retro colour, and Zoe Curtis’s brilliantly nostalgic flying duck wall hanging.
Issue 106
However, crochet is also perfect for going that bit further back in time, and the Peggy Bolero in Tunisian crochet and the simple-yet-stunning Midnight With Mimosas top really capture that 1950s glamour. Crochet is always an easy way to add a vintage vibe to your home as well as your wardrobe, and we love Esme Crick’s fabulous Cat’s Claw blanket for retro colour, and Zoe Curtis’s brilliantly nostalgic flying duck wall hanging. We love to see your interpretations, so don’t forget to tag us in your makes on Instagram and show us your versions of vintage crochet.
Issue 105
This is also the perfect time of year to get organised, so Vicky Haynes’s modern desk set and Sarah-Jane Hicks’ stationery set are the ideal starting points – I’ve even designed a new glasses case so I don’t keep misplacing my specs! Of course, with the imminent arrival of autumn I’m also feeling wistful about the end of the summer – even after this scorching hot one! The bleached-out tones of Carmen Heff ernan’s Faded Beauty shawl evoke that wistful longing perfectly, and is so soft in Merino wool – a lovely choice for keeping off the evening chills. Many of the pieces designed for this issue are wonderfully transitional, and should we be lucky enough to see another Indian summer, we’ll have just the project for sunny days and cooler evenings.
The totally tropical theme of this issue has been so joyful to work on. A celebration of bright colours, kitsch motifs and warm sunshine, the projects just shout summertime. From our fruity stitch markers, which will add a splash of frivolity to your hooking, to the juicy colours of the Sunrise Shawl by Elisabeth Davis de Herraiz, we hope that you will agree that happiness just oozes from this issue. The fruity amigurumi dolls on page 62 are a personal favourite of mine. These adorable critters were designed by Jennifer Santos of Super Cute Design and like all of her work they make me smile! To balance out the citrusy colour palette, we have included a clutch of striking patterns inspired by tropical foliage, like the stunning Forest Shawl by Esme Crick, with its clever motif construction, cute bobble edge and elegant palette, and the bold Monstera Bag by Emma Friedlander-Collins with its modern graphic design. We think that the luminously bright shades work really well next to the deep leafy greens, so there is no excuse not to pile on the crochet this month!
Aside from the usual collection of gorgeous patterns, we also have a fabulous guide to blocking your crochet on page 34 to aid you in completing your projects with confidence. Have you ever struggled with how to handle your fabric after completing your projects – especially the lacy ones? A good steam can help your crochet fabric bloom with stunning results. Kath Webber guides you through all the best techniques, steers you away from the most common mistakes and runs through all the tools you will need to achieve a professional finish.
Happy crocheting!