Crochet Extra – February 2024

It’s been a busy start to the year here at Crochet Australia after our three week break.  We were hit by many of the storms that went through the Sunshine Coast between mid December and New Year.  While no damage was done to our premises, there was much debri brought down throughout the garden which did require quite a clean up effort.  And as you can see my clothes line also needed restringing!

And of course all that rain combined with the heatwaves we’ve been having, the garden has been growing super fast – I can almost see the grass growing behind me as we cut it.

On the store front there have also been lots of activity – the plans for the 2024 Crochet Tournament all had to be finalised, and planning for the 2024 Crochet Retreats stepped up a notch.   The Crochet Tournament is now open for registration and yarns have been ordered to enable you to purchase your yarn packs.  This years’ theme focuses on the home!

For those booked for the Hunter Valley Crochet Retreat, the kit selections were mailed out so that we can finalise all the yarn orders.  There are just a few spots left, if you are thinking of attending.

Designs for the Sunshine Coast Crochet Retreat have been prepared and discussed so we can finalise the costings!  I can tell you that this years’ theme is all about colour.  While this retreat has sold out, you can put your name on the waiting list.  We have had some people pull out due to other commitments, and some who were on the waiting list are now attending!  So it pays to have your name there if you are interested.

Two new staff members joined the team here at Crochet Australia – Jordan and Taliah.  Both of these ladies are new to crochet, but they are both fast learners, and really know there way around computers!  They look forward to meeting you and helping you with your crochet journeys in 2024.

We are also finalising orders for new yarns – which should all arrive in time for your winter crochet  and knit projects.  I have enjoyed playing with them and I know you will too!

Our first class for 2024 kicked off this week, making this fabulous tassel tie vest.  It’s not too late to start!  Monday nights online or Tuesday and Wednesdays in store.  I made one in the new Jody Long Flora cotton tweed—it’s so beautiful to work with and I can see me making more with this cotton.

We also have our first one-day workshop on Saturday 2nd March being run by the fabulous Emily Littlefair – Spaces are limited for this class, so get in quick.

Until next time

Lynda

Theme— The Crystal Ball for 2024?

It’s the start of a new year and time to plan your crochet journey for 2024.  After all, if we don’t plan we can’t expect to achieve!   Of course planning for the year requires to know what is going on, hence our theme is looking through the crystal ball to see what is trending for 2024.

First and foremost – crochet clothing and accessories are here to stay!  This year however the focus is on oversized/baggy jumpers, cardigans and dresses, rather than the figure hugging/cropped articles we’ve seen in the past.    Granny squares still feature highly as both the base of a design or to upcycle old fashions, as does texture.

Colourful creations – Colour is everywhere – from fashion, accessories, bags and homewhere.  But it’s intricate colourwork – using the fair isle, tapestry and mosaic techniques in particular.  There is also a real focus on personal expression and being unique.  All supporting the all important creativity in us all.

Bows, bows, bows and more bows….embellishing clothes, bags, boots and hair.

Scrap crochet with bright colours – inspired by the ‘Barbie Movie’ – is also in vogue.

Totes were a big thing in the past, but 2024 is focusing on the smaller bags to carry just the essentials – phones, credit cards and keys – that stay close to the body.  Cross over bags, bum bags and belt bags are what you’ll see – They also make great projects for on the go.

Amigurumi – animals everywhere.  But the trend for 2024 is realistic, mythical or focusing on iconic figures.

For many of these newer trends, patterns are currently only available online as downloadable pdfs – but we will be on the hunt for books as they become available.  In the meantime we have featured what’s available in store to help you learn these techniques or can be adapted to help you be on trend.

Or attend classes/events to learn these techniques – at Crochet Australia we have monthly classes to help you learn new techniques, and special one-day workshops, crochet tournaments and crochet retreats.

And of course there are other larger scale events to explore – Craft Alive – find one near you, Craft & Quilt Fairs, Crochet Guild Australia conference for 2024 in Melbourne 27 – 29 June.

So what are your crochet goals for 2024?

Get out your diary now, crochet a cover for it in your favourite colours with this free pattern by Tara Renee Designs, and map out your year – events to attend, techniques to learn, new yarns to try – but most importantly – your ‘you’ time!

Customer Corner

Thank you everyone for sending in pictures of what you have been making in the past quarter. We feature below some comments and masterpieces submitted by customers. Send us a photo of your masterpiece (by the submissions page, email or on our facebook page), telling us which book it came from and which yarn or thread you used, and be in the draw to win a $25 voucher in October 2023  (see conditions on our website). Please also add any tips you’ve picked up when making them.  Congratulations to Karen O for winning this quarter’s voucher – submitting a photo of the mosaic cushion covers made with Catona cotton.— Karen made these as a gift for her sister—we spent a lot of time helping Karen pick the right colours!

.

Look What We Found

Crochet Books

Knitting, Tatting and Other Books

Patterns and Kits

Yarns, Notions and Accessories