Ooh, my beauties... 2020 has tested me so far! But I am determined to focus on the joy, and you know what? It has made everything else so much easier.
Before I share the crochet news, I want to touch (very briefly-ish) on my idea to celebrate 12 moments of conscious joy this year.
In my last newsletter, I told you about the end of 2019 being a bit hard for me to handle, and I suggested some random ways in which you could focus on THE JOY!
The long and the short of it is that I will be doing something on the 20th of each month (202020) that actively brings me joy, and I am encouraging you to do the same! This does not mean that you will only have 12 joyful moments. It DOES mean that, no matter how rubbish you think your year has been when you look back on it, you will be able to identify 12 moments in which you actively did something that brought you joy.
I am also commissioning #202020 images for each month because I want to celebrate the artists I admire, and I want to introduce them to you.
Before I share the new patterns, I want to show you this gorgeous collection of Ammonite Wrist Warmers. They were made by a lady called Su, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the Black Sheep Wools Meet and Greet the weekend before last. Aren't they just gorgeous? I listened in delight as she showed me the yarn for these and explained at great length how she wanted to make the Ammonites with natural colours so that they would reflect her love of all things fossily. It made me so happy to see just how well her vision played out!
These wrist warmers are the siblings of the Ammonite Crochet Hook Roll I designed a wee while ago.
While I am on the subject of Black Sheep Wools, I also had the great fortune of meeting Peter and his lovely wife Sue, both of whom crochet and knit. They are absolutely delightful, and you can follow their creative exploits HERE on Instagram.
One last thought from that weekend. I always feel very blessed when I get to spend time with Tatsiana from LillaBjorn. I think it is safe to say that we have grown pretty close over the last three years. Here is a photo of us in all our shy glory. She was wearing her new Furry Cloud Cowl (free knitting pattern) and I was wearing my Hide and Seek in the Hydrangeas Shawl (pattern not available on my blog yet). She should count herself lucky that I didn't steal her cowl from around her neck and leg it down the road! Man, I wish you could feel the inside lining!!! Come to think of it, I wish I was 'that kind of knitter'!
Ok. Let's talk patterns.
I have released two new patterns. The first one is a pretty little set of baskets I designed for Inside Crochet ages ago. They are quite handy! The little one, I have discovered, makes the perfect sleeve for a small potted plant. You can find the pattern HERE. I would like to thank Inside Crochet and Kirsten Mavric for letting me use this lovely photo.
The second pattern was also designed for Inside Crochet (and is finally available on my website). It is a Cosy Flower Rug made with multiple strands of yarn. The pattern is easy to customise size-wise, and instructions are provided if you would like to do that. I also urge you to use colours that make your heart sing! My choice reflects dusk in the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo), South Africa. Please notice the Ostrich feather duster just visible in the corner. This photo was taken in the 'Braai Kamer' (barbeque room) in our friends' house. Can you get more South African than that??
Before I go, I have two more things to share, but they are not pattern-related, so you will be forgiven if you choose to jump ship now to settle down and crochet a bit before bedtime.
Firstly, I would like to thank each and every one of you who donated so generously to my recover-from-the-hacker fund. I was blown away by your generosity and by the beautiful messages that accompanied some of the donations. I was not able to respond to everyone individually (although I really wish I could have done so), but I want you to know that I read each and every message and appreciate each and every donation. You have no idea how valued (and validated, if I am completely honest) you have made me feel.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
The second thing is pure indulgence, leading on from #202020. It is a highlight of some of my other joyful January moments.
I went to Poor Boys in Kingston with a friend of mine (you might remember the restaurant from my very rambling, deliciously-fun-to-write newsletter). The walk along the Themes from Surbiton to Kingston is full of colourful sights, and the food at Poor Boys is always delicious. Unfortunately, 'my' dilapidated barge is no longer there. I think someone else has stolen my idea of turning it into a crochet tea house...
Mr. LAWIM and I went to see Madonna (!!!!) at the Palladium (!!!!!!!) Whaaaat??? We weren't allowed to use our phones inside, otherwise I would have spam-shared photos. Actually, that was quite fortunate, because we were able to immerse ourselves in the show completely, with no distractions or temptations to exit the moment. You've got to love a man who will blue-steel on public transport (for your delight) without blinking an eye :)
And...
- The boys (my heart) growing up fast
- All the many books to read!
- Working on Charlotte (heart eye emoji)
- Receiving surprise flowers from a friend just because! It is worth noting that this is the second time I have received surprise flowers that I have had to 'arrange' myself. Both times, the gift combined with the mindfulness of flower arranging had the power to change my mood and alter the course of my whole day! (Not to pimp anything and no affiliate link, but Bloom and Wild rocks if you are in the UK and want to send flowers to someone!)
Although January served sadness in scoops, it was also very good to me. I hope it showed you some kindness too.
Ok, now it's actually bedtime for me. Maybe I can just crochet a few more rows...
Have a fantastic week, full of unexpected kindnesses!
All my love!
Dedri
Other Recent Patterns
Oldies but Goodies
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