A 2023 review…

Hello and welcome to a look back through my crochet adventures of 2023. Despite the highs and lows of daily life, all things Coastal Crochet have continued to be a positive constant which I’m always grateful for!

And a big part of that is down to you – the kind, enthusiastic and lovely people who make my crochet designs, purchase any of my patterns, take part in my crochet-alongs, come to one of my workshops, follow along on social media and are just so encouraging to me and others!

So I must start with a HUGE thank you to YOU who are reading this for all your continued support throughout 2023… 🥰

So another year is coming to an end… I’m not sure how you’re all feeling about 2023 but for me it’s been a mixed year of highs and lows, as well as actually feeling like it’s gone by very quickly indeed. I can’t quite believe we’re now here and it’s New Years Eve!

The lows have included loosing my gorgeous crochet sidekick Salty to cancer back in March and my mum being unwell throughout December although thankfully she is now slowly on the road to recovery.

Salty was such a big part of my Coastal Crochet journey and we miss her everyday… 😢

As a family we’re not ready to get another dog yet… that’s a sad but sensible decision for us right now but we do so miss having our furry friend around. I will certainly be designing something as a tribute to Salty and her wonderful friendship in 2024 so do watch this space! ♥️

This photo was taken back in February, only a month before Salty passed away… she always knew how to strike a pose!

Now let’s have a look at my Coastal Crochet highlights of 2023 month by month:

JANUARY included working on my Rooms with a View Blanket for King Cole, opening the Waltham Abbey Wool Show and having a journal feature in Simply Crochet Magazine!

FEBRUARY included working on my piece for the Woolinale International Yarn Bombing Festival, doing a book review for fellow designer Chris Norrington, enjoying the beautiful winter sunsets and finally finishing my Rooms with a View Blanket although the crochet-along didn’t launch until later in the year!

MARCH was the month we lost our sweet little Salty but crochet continued to be a constant and despite our sadness we travelled to the Woolinale International Yarn Bombing Festival in Cologne, Germany. My Golden Moments Blanket for Simply Crochet Magazine was also launched…

APRIL included an invitation to the private viewing of a new art exhibition at the Liberation Art Gallery in Brighton, working on a new design for Little Box of Crochet and enjoying the springtime flowers in bloom along the cliffs…

MAY saw the launch of my Rooms with a View Blanket with King Cole (a design I was so very happy with and which I designed in two colour-ways) plus the launch of my Beach Bag design for Little Box of Crochet…

JUNE included working on a new coastal inspired design for Inside Crochet Magazine, finishing a Granny Square top and my daughter finishing her crocheted Harry Styles inspired cardigan!

JULY was very exciting for my crochet adventures as my family and I embarked on a cycle ride from our home to Paris and I left a yarn bomb trail along the route. We also visited family and friends in The Netherlands and I met fellow crochet designers Susy from Knot So Square and Iris from Een Mooi Gebaar. Plus there was the Carry on Crafting Festival

AUGUST was very exciting as my Sea Breeze Tee made the front cover slot of Inside Crochet Magazine… that was a little dream come true! I also crocheted some socks and took them to Spain for a photo opportunity!

SEPTEMBER was incredible with my visit to Northern Ireland and the Spinning Yarns Festival where I launched my Causeway Coast Blanket! We had a wonderful time and we took my blanket on tour (a journey I have yet to share here on my website)!

OCTOBER saw the launch of my Mushroom Walk Scarf crochet-along… and what a wonderful crochet-along it was with so many of you joining in! I also hosted a wonderful workshop at the Sarah Brangwyn Crochet Retreat

NOVEMBER included doing a talk at the West Sussex Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers in Worthing and also meeting up with fellow crochet designer Alice Tarry of The Burrow UK in London… it was a wonderful meet up and we’re excited about what 2024 might bring!

DECEMBER has been a difficult month with my mum being in hospital for most of it… thankfully she is making a recovery and should be home soon! I’ve spent many hours with crochet in hand whilst being beside my mum and although I can’t share photos because they are new designs for 2024, I can confirm that I’m very happy with a blanket that has been finished in December! I did manage to host some crochet workshops in December which I always love to do and I received my Golden Moments Blanket sample back from the team at Simply Crochet!

So there you go… a year filled with crochet adventures. Thank you for following along!

And yes, there will be more in 2024! There will be two new blanket designs being run as crochet-alongs. One launching around April time and the other in June. Plus there are workshops already scheduled including a new workshop at a fabulous yarn shop in Storrington West Sussex called The Sussex Yarn Collection

It would be lovely to see some of you there!

In the meantime I want to wish each and every one of you a healthy and crochet filled 2024!

Your support means so much to me and I appreciate you all! ♥️♥️♥️