MARCH NEWSLETTER

Hello, my friends! I’m so glad you’re here.

March always feels like a turning point: longer days, fresh ideas, and projects in every stage of progress. This month, I’m getting ready to release my very first wildflower pattern, working on a linen lace wrap for spring, and (believe it or not) already deep into Christmas designs for a special event in July. I’ve also been rethinking my blocking setup and discovered something unexpected along the way.

Here’s what’s new.

New Free Wildflower Pattern — Coming Next Week!

My very first wildflower crochet pattern is almost here!

The Blanket Flower Applique is a quick, engaging project that lets you play with:

• Puff stitches

• Post stitches

• Spike stitches

• Picots

• Standing stitches (for joining new yarn)

• Working into non-standard stitch locations

It’s a fun way to stretch your skills without committing to a large project.

🌼 Free on the blog

🌼 Step-by-step photos

🌼 Full video tutorial

Watch for the release email next Friday!

On My Hook: Shimmer and Bloom Lace Wrap

Right now, I’m working on a rectangular wrap made with lightweight linen yarn, and I can’t help but admire how it captures the spirit of the season. It’s wonderfully light, airy, and blooming with lace flowers.

This design combines a few of my favorite lace stitches, and it’s been a joy to see them come to life with a beautiful linen yarn. In fact, I’ve learned a few new things about working with linen along the way.

Quick tip:

If you’re working from a hank of linen, wind it into a ball.

Don’t make a center-pull cake — it will collapse and turn into a tangled mess.

🧶 Tester call coming at the end of the month

🧶 Yarn discount available for testers

A big thank you to LoftyFiber, makers of Euroflax linen yarns, for generously offering a discount on Euroflax 14/4 (Sport Weight) for testers.

More details soon!

Behind the Scenes: For Designers, Christmas Never Really Ends

While most people pack away the ornaments in January… designers are just getting started.

I’m currently designing and editing a series of Christmas gift and décor patterns that will release in July.

First up: an heirloom-style Christmas stocking

• Features the ever-popular trinity stitch

• Creates some of the most beautiful texture I’ve worked with

• Comes with a bonus pattern for a mini stocking gift card holder

Want to be among the first to try it?

🧶 Tester call opens March 14

🧶 Visit my Ravelry group to learn more about my testing process

If Christmas in July sounds fun, mark your calendar!

Wet Blocking with a Cardboard Sewing Board? Really?

My old foam blocking mats have officially reached retirement age.

So I went looking for something better: flat, easy to store, and actually accurate for measuring.

I was a little surprised to find that not much has changed recently in the blocking world.

But then I stumbled across a 2013 post from Patrick Madde of Superba Knitting… and it completely changed how I think about blocking boards.

His solution: a cardboard sewing board (the kind used for cutting fabric pattern pieces).

Here’s why it caught my attention:

• Generous size — up to 40" x 72" (101.5 x 183 cm)

• Printed measurement grid (inches + centimeters)

• Water resistant, colorfast surface

• Handles spray blocking, steam, or full wet blocking

• Works with T-pins

• Can even be stood up while blocking to get it out of the way

Simple. Inexpensive. Practical.

Have you ever tried one for blocking knit or crochet projects? Would you?

If you’re curious, you can read Patrick’s original post on the Superba Knitting website.

Coming Soon: March’s Special Features

• Free Wildflower Pattern and Tutorial: Blanket Flower Applique

• Spring Crochet Reset: 5 Small Things That Make a Big Difference

• Behind the Scenes: Shimmer and Bloom Lace Wrap

Maker Spotlight

Your Yarn, Your Way Neckwarmer by Sarah
This month we’re celebrating a beautiful Your Yarn, Your Way Neckwarmer made by Sarah.

Sarah was a tester for this pattern (released last month), and her version immediately caught my eye.

She chose a handspun yarn, and the wide half double crochet stitch pattern shows off those subtle color transitions beautifully. It’s expertly stitched and perfectly paired with her winter outfit.

Beautiful work, Sarah!

Curious to see more? Visit her project page on Ravelry.

Ready to start a Your Yarn, Your Way Neckwarmer of your own?

You’ll find all the details on my website.

If you’d like to be featured in a future newsletter, email your project photos to crochet@JenniferOlivarez.com — or create a project page on Ravelry to share your yarn choices, notes, and photos!

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter!

Having you in my crochet circle means so much to me. This newsletter is sent on the first Friday of the month. Additional special mailings are sent each Friday after that, featuring new patterns, new stitch tutorials, tips and tricks, hot topics in the yarn industry, book and yarn reviews, and a peek into my design process. 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!

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