JUNE NEWSLETTER

Hello, my friends! It’s good to have you here. In this newsletter, I’ll share details on a new pattern coming this week – another produce bag design to liven up your trips to the store! With the growing popularity of reusable bags, I thought I’d also share some tips for how to care for your bags so that they last. Then, I’ve got some final thoughts on my mesh cardigan – it’s done and it’s looking fabulous! Finally, I have some new crochet discoveries that I think you’ll enjoy.

Happy Father’s Day

Coming Soon: Fresh Mesh Produce Bag Pattern

A new produce bag pattern is on the way! Watch your inbox next Thursday for news of the Fresh Mesh Produce Bag release. Made with no. 3 crochet thread, these bags are stitched flat, in one piece from the bottom up, then folded lengthwise and seamed on the bottom and side. The filet designs are worked so that once the bag is folded, they will appear on both the front and back. The pattern will come with charts for six unique filet designs, including a mushroom, flower, teacup, hearts, cherries, and a geometric design.

In addition to the single pattern with 6 filet designs, I’ll also be releasing this pattern in a bundle with the Nice Bag (aka Cherries Market Bag) filet crochet pattern. When you purchase the bundle, you’ll get a total of 11 filet designs!

How to Care for Your Crochet Mesh Produce Bags

Their reusability and eco-friendly properties make crochet produce bags a popular choice for many shoppers. To maximize their lifespan and ensure that you’ll be able to reuse them again and again, follow these care and maintenance tips.

W A S H I N G

From onions and apples, to mussels and nuts, mesh produce bags are great for storing and carrying a variety of items. But depending on what you place in the bag, sometimes the mesh collects stains, sticky residue, odors, and dirt. Bags left in damp conditions or carrying spoiled ingredients might also pick up mold. Most often, a simple wash is all that’s needed. Here are some laundry methods you might try to keep your produce bags looking and smelling fresh:

Pre-Treating. Pre-treat visible stains or stubborn residues by wetting the stained fabric and hitting the stain with a squirt of lemon juice. Then let the bag sit in the sun for a few hours before washing it. Lemon juice and sunlight can be an effective natural stain remover because lemon juice's citric acid reacts with sunlight to bleach stains.

Soaking. A thorough soak is often all that is needed to break down residues and remove odors. Try soaking your bag in plain hot water. If that isn’t strong enough, try a mix of hot water and dish soap. If you have trouble removing stains from white produce bags, try soaking them in a bleach and water solution (consult the bleach label for recommended dilution). Whatever soaking solution you choose, soak them for an hour or more to ensure that the residues have time to break down. After the soak, make sure to give your bag a thorough rinse, especially if you use a mix other than plain water. Then lay the bag flat on a towel or hang it to dry.

Hand Washing. Hand washing is the safest and most effective cleaning method. It gives you more control over the washing process, minimizing the risk of damage and missed spots. This is the method I tend to use when I just need to give the bags a regular wash (every 2-3 weeks). I fill the sink with warm water and dish soap or a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Then I add the bags and let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Finally, I give them a good scrub while in the water. Rinse them well, then lay flat on a towel or hang them to dry.

Rinsing in the Dishwasher. Using the top rack of your dishwasher to wash and rinse your mesh produce bags is another great option. Unlike washing machines, dishwashers operate on a gentler cycle and won’t toss the bags around. This method is as gentle as hand washing but with less effort from you!

Machine Washing. For a more thorough clean, machine wash your produce bags on a gentle cycle with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free detergent. Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can leave residue on the bags and affect their breathability. To prevent tangling or potential damage to the bags, wash them with similar items, such as towels or other delicate fabrics. While it’s okay to wash the wooden bead used to hold the drawstring closed, removing it for machine washing will ensure that it doesn’t get damaged or tangled in your bag’s mesh.

Spot Cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth between washes. To remove any dirt or debris left behind from produce (such as onion skins and loose leaves), run a wet cloth or sponge over the mesh. Be sure to wipe away any sticky spots as well to refresh your bags and get them ready for your next trip to the market.

D R Y I N G

Once you’ve washed your reusable produce bags, be sure to dry them thoroughly to ensure they remain clean, odor-free, and in good condition. Air drying is the best method. Simply lay them flat on a towel on the counter or hang them on a clothesline or drying rack. Do not tumble dry. Make sure the bags are completely dry before storing them to prevent mold and mildew.

P R E C A U T I O N S

• Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the bag before applying it to the entire surface.

• Use a gentle touch when scrubbing or treating stains to avoid damaging the fabric.

• Rinse the bags thoroughly after using any cleaning solution to ensure that no residue remains.

P R E V E N T A T I V E C A R E

• Avoid carrying and storing spiky, rough-textured produce.

• Avoid overloading the bags with heavy produce.

• Wash or refresh the bag regularly (every 2-3 weeks) using mild, fragrance-free soaps/detergents.

• Remove stains immediately to avoid long-term discoloration.

• Avoid exposure to high heat or humidity.

What Crochet Video Tutorials Are You Most Interested In?

Last fall, I decided to try my hand at making crochet video tutorials to accompany some of my patterns. I had a fun time creating the first three, but then life got super busy and I didn’t have the time to put any more together. It surprised me just how much time can go into making a video. In addition to filming, there’s planning the shoot, writing a script, taking step-out photos, recording voice-overs, and then editing and producing the video – not to mention, uploading the video to YouTube and making sure it looks good on multiple devices and meets accessibility standards.

My life has evened out a bit (knock on wood) and I’d like to get back into making videos. There are so many things I’d love to show you.

That’s where I need your help! I have so many ideas, and I can’t decide which videos to make first. Which topics are you most interesting in learning about? Are you interested in learning to finish and assemble your crochet pieces in a professional way? Or would you like to see how special stitches and complicated stitch patterns are worked? Or are you more interested in learning new techniques, tips, and tricks? Let me know your thoughts in this short survey.

WIP Update: Making a Spring Cardi with Amano Sami

As I mentioned before, this cardigan is worked from the bottom up. First, you crochet the band of ribbing; then you turn the band to work into the ends of rows to start the body. Continuing up from the body, you work the shaping for the right front V-neck and armhole. Next, you work the back, with a bit of shaping at the back of the neck. Then you work the left front V-neck and armholes.

I love that this pattern has set-in sleeves, which I prefer because of the structure it provides and the more tailored look. The sleeves begin with a ribbed cuff, and you work into the ends of the cuff rows to begin the body of the sleeve. Like some have mentioned on Ravelry and in the reviews of this pattern on the Yarnspirations website, I suspect there is an error in the number of repeats needed for the sleeves. Twelve rows of shaping is just too much. It would have been difficult to sew all that extra fabric into the armhole and get it to lay flat. I reworked the pattern so that I only did 8 rows of shaping but ended up with the same stitch count as the pattern. It all worked out great after that!

Once you have the sleeves sewn in, all you have left to do is work a long, ribbed button band and sew it to the left front, neckline, and right front. I finished off my cardigan with some brown and gold buttons I found at Joann’s and called it done!

I really love how this cardigan turned out and I can’t wait to wear it this fall. It’s soft and light, and very comfortable. I could see wearing this cardi with a dress or a pair of wide-legged linen pants. It will be fun to dive into my closet and see what I come up with.

I’m tempted to start a summer top next, but I’m also a little afraid that with my track record, I might not finish it until summer is over! Are you working on any fun summer projects right now? Or have you already started on additions to your fall wardrobe? Whatever you’re working on, I hope you take some time to enjoy the process. Get out your yarn and hook, grab a fresh, cool beverage, and relax in the shade. Enjoy the summer days and get in some happy stitching!

Did you enjoy this feature? Would you like to see more yarn and pattern reviews? I only want to send you info you’ll enjoy, so whether you enjoyed the piece or it’s not your cup of tea, I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can reply to this email or write to crochet@jenniverolivarez.com.

Recent Discoveries

F I B E R L U X E
stitch markers

I love stitch markers. Whenever I need a gift for a fiber-enthusiast friend (or a treat for myself), I head to Etsy and search for handmade stitch markers. There are so many great shops out there selling some of the most unique knit and crochet tools.

Recently I discovered a shop that I just have to share with you! I purchased these fuzzy ball stitch markers as a gift for a friend and colleague. Aren’t they amazing? The shop is Fiber Luxe Co. based in New Jersey. They offer a wide variety of stitch markers and progress keepers made with beads, stones, or charms — it’s hard to choose! Plus each set you purchase comes with a handy carrying case.

T H E C O N N E R S
season 4, episode 20

I’ve been catching up on some television lately (as far as pop culture goes, I’m about a decade behind at this point!) by crocheting to The Conners, which was recently added to Netflix.

Whenever I see crochet on the screen, my heart goes all aflutter. (Does that happen to you too?) I was so excited to see that the iconic Granny Square Afghan still had pride of place on the back of the Conner family sofa. But even more exciting was hearing Dan’s story about the blanket’s origin in Season 4, Episode 20. I couldn’t find a clip, so here’s the dialogue:

Mark: (while folding the iconic Conner granny square afghan) Man, this has been here forever, right? Where did it come from?

Dan: Well it’s an interesting story... Around the turn of the last century, our family lived in a small town in Ireland... They were very poor, so my great-grandfather decided to take a boat to America to seek his fortune. The family was worried that the baby (my grandfather) would die from the cold... They crocheted that to keep the baby warm. That afghan represents the hopes and dreams of our family coming to America.

Mark: I guess all the hopes and dreams fell through the holes.

If you’d like to make your own Roseanne/Conners Granny Square Afghan, Vicki Howell has a pattern for you!

How to Share Your Projects

I always enjoy seeing what you make with my patterns and I love showing off your work! If you would like for your work to be featured in a future newsletter, email your project photos to Jennifer at crochet@JenniferOlivarez.com.

Or create a project on Ravelry: Share your project photos, yarn used, details, and more!

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter!

Having you in my crochet circle means so much to me. I aim to publish a new pattern every quarter and a new tutorial every month, but I’ll only send you crochet content that I think you will enjoy. In the meantime, you can contact me by replying to this email or crochet@JenniferOlivarez.com. I would love to hear from you!