OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Hello, my friends! It’s good to have you here. This past month I got to visit with family in Utah and introduce my parents to Pocatello. My dad helped me set up a betta fish tank with an old aquarium he had on hand. They drove all the way from Virginia to Idaho with it in the back of their car! I’m happy to announce that the betta, lovingly named Fishface, is doing well after the first week in his new home.

With the family visits, I haven’t had as much time as usual for crochet, but I did manage to complete my Botany Blanket. Right now, I’m finalizing the pattern to be sent to my talented tech editor tomorrow, and I hope to be able to get this pattern to you soon. Read on for a sneak peek!

New Pattern Coming Soon! Get Ready to Cozy Up This Fall with the Botany Blanket

Taking inspiration from botanical prints and paintings, Victorian textiles and wallpaper design, and the latest trends in cottage décor, my next crochet blanket is a celebration of the bold, floral stripe pattern.

Floral stripe patterns have been used in wallpaper and linens for centuries. The combination tends to add a romantic, poetic, cozy-cottage feel to a room.

In the Botany Blanket, these vintage floral stripes are made with hexagon, square, and triangle motifs.

Tonal yarn colors add depth to the flowers and leaves, which pop against a natural white background. Each motif is outlined in a corresponding color so that when the motifs are joined, the bold, floral stripes appear.

The unique layout of this blanket creates a large, scalloped edge on the short sides, perfect for draping over a bed.

As I mentioned, I’m just finishing up the pattern and stitch charts to send over to my tech editor tomorrow. Then I’ll need to edit the photo tutorial and videos for it. We’re heading toward the home stretch, and hopefully this pattern will be released in the coming month. Of course, you’ll be the first to know!

New Design in Progress: Heartful Hat

Several years ago, I made this hat (mostly) as an excuse to use a wonderfully giant pom-pom maker my friend had gifted me. I still love the humungous pom-pom, but I think what I really love most about this hat design is the columns of puff V-stitches that look like plump little hearts. Every time I wear it, I get compliments, and I’m reminded that I really need to write down the pattern! With winter right around the corner, now’s the time to make that happen.

A hat with these hearts would look lovely in red, and I think I found the perfect yarn. I’ll be using Malabrigo Rios in the colorway Cereza. This luxuriously deep cherry red will surely make those puff stitches pop. I can’t wait to dive in and make my new hat. Stay tuned to watch this design develop and to hear more about testing for this pattern in the new year.

RECENT DISCOVERIES

Crochet Chic in Cicely, Alaska: Northern Exposure

I just finished watching all six seasons of the popular ‘90s show Northern Exposure. It’s the story of a big city doctor who is forced to work in a remote town in Alaska where the eccentric locals introduce him to small town life.

One of those locals is Shelly Tambo, a Canadian beauty queen, who now works at the local bar. This fashion-conscious babe (as she would call herself) can wear just about anything, and it’s a lot of fun to watch her wardrobe evolve throughout the series. What’s most exciting, though, is to spot her wearing handmade pieces – particularly crochet.

The show itself is full of crochet. If you pay close attention, a crochet blanket is draped over a couch or bed in just about every character’s abode. These blankets seem to add to the cozy, comfortable feel of each home – certainly important for getting through those long Alaskan winters.

However, Shelly is the only character to wear crochet garments, which I think speaks to her innocence, good nature, and warm spirit. Of all of Shelly’s outfits, the crochet cardigan pictured above might be the most memorable. Made with brightly colored motifs and crochet-covered buttons, it stole the spotlight in the episode titled “The Big Feast” (Season 4, Episode 21).

It’s also sweet to see Shelly’s young daughter wearing a playful crochet beanie in an early episode of the final season.

Credit goes to the show’s costume designer, Katherine Bentley, for dressing Shelly in fabulous crochet fashion and to the set decorator, Gene Serdena, for filling all the corners with crochet delights. I applaud them both for their use of crochet to add an extra sprinkle of charm to this remote and rustic town.

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!

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Having you in my crochet circle means so much to me. I aim to publish 4-6 new patterns every year, along with video and photo tutorials. In addition to announcements, here I’ll share crochet tips and tricks, 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!