Happy New Year… my year in crochet!

Happy New Year! As we leave 2020, a year like no other, and enter 2021 with some apprehension but also hope, I’m writing this blog post to look back at my crochet in 2020 and also to what projects there are to look forward to in 2021!

When I look back at 2020, there has certainly been a lot of crochet for me and like many people, I found that it provided me with not only a focus and distraction, but the soothing stitches and keeping my hands busy has been a real comfort. I’ve been very grateful for my crochet in 2020!

And being able to share that on social media and connect with fellow crochet lovers all over the world has been truly wonderful!

Yesterday on Instagram I shared my ‘Top 9’ Instagram posts from 2020…

I’m really happy that Salty with my stack of blankets was the favourite photo of the year – that’s one of my favourite photos too!

A few of the photos are from previous years but I’ve shared them again at some point during 2020 and it looks like they’re still popular. But there are many projects that didn’t make my ‘Top 9’ and it’s been really lovely to look back at my 2020 year in crochet… here goes! 🙂

January

I released the free pattern for my ‘Beach Walks’ hat, exactly one year ago today!

February

My Salty Schnauzer Tunisian crochet cushion design was published in issue 94 of Simply Crochet magazine. It is of course a very special design indeed!

I was also very fortunate to visit the Simply Crochet team in Bristol and spend the day with the editor Sara Huntington. This was for Salty to model for the magazine! It was a matter of weeks before the first Covid lockdown and I’m so grateful that we were still able to enjoy this wonderful day…

March

I was crocheting hearts for the ‘International Yarn Bombing Festival’ due to be held in Italy in August which sadly got cancelled.

I also took part in a virtual book tour for fellow crochet designer Cassie Ward and I crocheted this top from her new book…

April

April saw the launch of my ‘Beachcombing Blanket’ crochet along. A design I’m really proud of and the timing of the crochet along during the first lockdown made it extra special with people connecting all over the world. It really was a special community project and I enjoyed filming weekly videos to accompany the crochet along!

And the result of Salty’s modelling adventure was published in issue 96 of Simply Crochet magazine with my dog bandana design!

I crocheted rainbows for my NHS colleagues who had been redeployed during the first wave of Coronavirus… they really are a beautiful symbol of hope! 🥰🌈

May

My Daisy bouquet was published in issue 97 of Simply Crochet magazine…

June

I designed the wonderful ‘Marilla the Mermaid’ for Little Box of Crochet. I adore her and she’s definitely one of my favourite crochet designs!

June also saw my 12 week Beachcombing Blanket crochet along come to an end…

July

I took part in the Hobbycraft Granny Square month and designed this ammonite square…

And I created some free form crochet inspired by my coastal discoveries…

July also saw the arrival of my great nephew Harrison! And I designed an octopus baby comforter…

Many of my crochet workshops and travels were cancelled throughout 2020 which has been a real shame and I’ve missed meeting so many of you face to face. But I did manage just a handful of workshops at the fabulous Made and Making. It’s a large, spacious and airy workshop location and one was back in July…

August

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while will know we usually enjoy travels in our campervan and I have shared many of those adventures and the crochet I see along the way here on my blog. But alas, 2020 saw many travel plans cancelled. We did however manage one trip to beautiful Cornwall where I was able to model my new dress design ‘Coastal Dreams’!

And I crocheted a new version of my ‘Late Summer Sunsets’ blanket in all new colours for The Knitting Network.

My Coastal Granny Square was featured in issue 100 of Simply Crochet magazine…

September

My ‘Pebbles’ cushion design was published in issue 101 of Simply Crochet magazine…

And I published a new shawl design called Autumn Horizon’s… totally inspired by beautiful hand dyed yarn which was sent to me!

October

In October I hosted a mini ‘Coastal Crochet Coasters’ crochet along…

November

And in November I designed a new simple beanie using Tunisian crochet…

December

My fringed scarf design was published in issue 105 of Simply Crochet magazine.

I hosted one more workshop at Made and Making…

And designed a simple ‘Festive Light’ decoration…

Wow!! 🙂 So there’s my 2020 year in crochet… looking back for this blog post has made me realise just how much I have achieved! Why don’t you look back at all the things you’ve crocheted or made in 2020 and like me, you’ll probably see that you’ve achieved more than you realise! 🙂

Amongst the craziness of 2020 there have certainly been many silver linings and golden moments too… 🙂❤️

On a personal note, my 18 year old son was due to take a gap year and volunteer overseas in 2020 but this was inevitably cancelled. It meant he had to suddenly change his plans and he has gone back to college for one more year to do a songwriting course (he loves music). He’s really enjoying it and we often reflect that if it wasn’t for Covid he would never be doing this course… so there’s a silver lining! Life’s journey can certainly be unexpected…

So what will 2021 bring?!

Well at the moment, behind the scenes, my hooks have never been busier!

My next crochet along has been designed and I’m just waiting for yarn packs to come into stock at the Knitting Network before I can release all the information. I’m hoping for a start date of 26th February but will let you know more as soon as I can…

It’s going to be called ‘Picnic on the Beach’ and I’m hoping it will be a crochet along in which we share more than just the blanket but favourite picnic foods and picnic locations too!

There will be two colour ways…

A ‘Summer Picnic’…

…and an ‘Autumn Picnic’!

I can’t wait to show you more! 🙂

I currently have a new design for Simply Crochet magazine on my hooks. As you can see in 2020, I really love designing for this wonderful magazine. Magazines like this really do so much for bringing modern crochet designs to more people!

I’ve also been working on some other exciting commissions… yes there will be more blankets in 2021 and I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to!

I wish you all a creative and healthy 2021 with plenty of golden moments…

Happy Crocheting Everyone… 🙂❤️