Simply Crochet 113

Join us on 15 August for Granny Square Day, when the crochet community come together to share their creativity and sense of fun. Whip up granny squares of your own and have a look through our 50 new motifs pattern book for inspiration. Post them on Instagram using the hashtag #grannysquareday2021 to make the biggest virtual blanket in the world! We’ve also got mouth-watering makes with our fun foodie home collection on page 14, a pretty summer dress on page 40 and stunning lavender fields blanket on page 78. Please share your makes on Instagram tagged #sctreblemaker, or on our Facebook group Simply Crochet SCtreblemakers, as we love to see them!…

JENNY KING Jenny describes her garments as designer knitwear made with a hook. Teaching other people is her favourite thing in the world. Take a look at her baby pinafore on page 45. SHARI WHITE Shari finds inspiration all around her, sometimes from the yarn itself. She sketches a design when it pops in her head and brings it to life with crochet. Find her shawl on page 73. MARIANNE RAWLINS Colourwork fan Marianne loves getting the graph paper out to create cute intarsia characters, from lobsters to sausage dogs. Check out her elephant cushion on page 76. EMMA FRIEDLANDER-COLLINS Crafty author and blogger Emma worked on our embellish project this issue and upcycled a jumper with the classic granny square on page 47, right on time for Granny Square Day! OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Natalie Beard, Jess Bennett, Gwen Buttke…

Rosina Plane of Rosina Crochets has been busy! Not only is her Magic Carpet Throw CAL running with Simply Crochet, but she has also launched Letitia’s Garden. This seven-part CAL, which also uses the mosaic technique, features flowers, trees, fountains and tile motifs, surrounded by a beautiful graphic border. It’s available in three colourways and four different sizes, from table runner to a blanket large enough for a double bed. The pattern is available from Rosina’s Ravelry store and get support through her YouTube channel videos and Facebook group. Grab the yarn kit from www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk…

Rico are showing their support for the environment with their new Essentials Organic Cotton Aran, made from 100% organic cotton. The environmentally friendly yarn is wonderful to work with and comes in a range of 20 vibrant, cheerful colours that are bound to bring a smile to your face, from classic to pastel shades. Rico’s Organic Cotton Aran is ideal for crocheting eco-friendly makes that work up to a soft, breathable fabric with a gorgeous drape. To inspire you Rico have created patterns for bags, homewares and even slippers. Why not choose it for your next project and care for the planet too? Visit www.rico-design.com to find your local Rico stockist.…

When most people think about climate change protests they think of marches or strikes. There is also a gentle way you can show your concern, using your craft skills. The Craftivist Collective is leading a new campaign in the run up to COP26, the UN climate conference for world leaders, hosted by the UK government in November in Glasgow. They are asking crafters to make and send a hopeful canary as an encouraging tool to their MPs, inspiring them to do more, and faster, to protect our home from global warming. Find Flo and Dot’s exclusive pattern on page 57 and more details at www.craftivist-collective.com…

My grandmother first taught me how to crochet when I was a child because I’ve always been crafty and creative. It wasn’t until two decades later though when my first niece was born and I made her a blanket that I was hooked on crochet again. Since then, I found more resources online to further my learning and I shared what I made on Instagram, and this meant my love for crochet blossomed into what it is today. Inspiration can spark at any time and anywhere as long as my eyes and mind are open to being inspired. I’ve been very much intrigued by home decor lately, like pillows and wall art. When I enjoy the little things such as different textures in materials, it can turn into an idea. Discovering…