FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Hello and welcome to February!

Sorry for my absence last week; there wasn’t a mailing. Like many of us, I found the recent news and events weighing heavily on me. When so much feels uncertain or overwhelming, I sometimes catch myself wondering where my work fits into it all. Does designing crochet patterns really matter when so many people are struggling and our world feels so strained?

After sitting with those thoughts for a while, I came to a different conclusion. When the world feels its heaviest, that’s often when our craft matters most. Crochet can be a source of calm, focus, and comfort—a small but meaningful way to create space for ourselves and for one another. I hope my patterns offer a bit of that: a pause, a steady rhythm, a moment of solace. And seeing the red hat projects shared throughout Ravelry has been a quiet reminder that knitting and crochet have long been tools of connection, solidarity, and care. Small efforts may feel insignificant on their own, but they add up, just like drops of water becoming an ocean.

With that in mind, I did manage to rally and get some work done last week, and I’m excited to share some new patterns and projects with you today. I hope this newsletter brings a little brightness to your day and a reminder that creating, especially together, still matters. And on that note, here’s a little of what I’ve been working on lately…

Introducing the Jennifer Olivarez Pattern Shop

In addition to Etsy and Ravelry, you can now purchase my crochet patterns directly from me. My new shop is hosted by Fourthwall, which is a popular platform that allows individuals (catering mostly to content creators, as well as authors, musicians, and artists) to sell physical and digital products on their own.

There’s no need to sign up or join anything. It runs just like any other online shopping experience. You can browse my collection in the shop, add patterns to your cart, and download purchased patterns right away on the site or through an email that will be sent to you after purchase.

To celebrate, I’ve introduced an Everyday Pattern Discount. Get 15% off your entire order when you spend $15 or more in my shop.

Fresh Off My Hook: Hand in Hand Blanket

I just finished the most gorgeous and luxurious blanket I’ve ever made! Now all I need to do is block it and drape it over my favorite chair in the living room, and I’ll be all set for whatever the rest of winter has in store.

The stitch pattern I used in the Hand in Hand Blanket is called the Forked Cluster stitch. And let me tell you, it creates one soft and cuddly blanket, that also happens to be quite stunning. It’s an easy stitch pattern with a gentle rhythm that’s perfect for mindful, meditative stitching. I’m planning to grade this pattern for several sizes so that you’ll be able to make it to whatever measurements best suit your needs.

Stay tuned for more about this lovely blanket. The pattern is scheduled to be released in April.

Getting the Details Right: A New Linen Wrap Takes Shape

The folks at Lofty Fibers approached me at the end of last year to ask if I would like to design a shawl using their Euroflax sport-weight linen yarn. They must have known how much I love working with linen! I’ve been eyeing Euroflax for years now, and I’m overjoyed by the opportunity to design a shawl specifically for this gorgeous yarn.

I’ll be using a combination of lace designs for this shawl, and I’m really excited with how these patterns play off of one another to create a light wrap with a lot of visual appeal.

If all goes well, this pattern will be released in May. In the meantime, you may enjoy learning how linen yarn is made in this article from Spin Off Magazine.

Coming Soon: Choose Your Yarn Adventure Neckwarmer

Thanks to my clever tester, Heather, the Any Yarn Neckwarmer Trio got a new name! I’m excited to say that the newly rebranded “Choose Your Yarn Adventure Neckwarmer” will be released next Friday. I can’t wait for you to see all the testers’ scarves and shawls. There are so many knockouts, I don’t think I could choose a favorite if I tried.

This project is all about flexibility and making the most of the yarn you already have. Instead of rigid stitch counts, you’ll use charts as guideposts—choosing your yarn, dialing in a fabric you love, and making small adjustments as you go.

The pattern includes three sizes (mini scarf, scarf, and shawl) and is worked from one point to the other, increasing to the center and then decreasing for a beautifully balanced finish. If you enjoy stash-friendly projects and like having a little creative control along the way, this one might be right up your alley. More details coming soon!

Call for Testers: Blanket Flower Applique and Motif

The call for testers for my Blanket Flower Applique and Motif is now open! This is the first flower in my Crochet Wildflower series (learn more about this project here). If you’d like to be part of shaping this pattern, visit my Ravelry group to learn more and to sign up.

• Signups close: February 13

• Chosen testers will be notified: February 14

• Deadline for completing projects: March 7

• Pattern release: March 13

Coming Soon: February’s Special Features

• New Pattern: Choose Your Yarn Adventure Neckwarmer

• New Stitch: Want Perfect Drape? Try the Wide Half Double Crochet Stitch

• Wildflower Project Update: Choosing a Layout, Flowers, and Yarn Colors

Saw This and Thought of You

Tired of doom scrolling? Just want to spend less time on your phone?
Create an Analog Bag with Suzan Colón. I almost always have a crochet project with me whenever I go out, especially to appointments where I expect to spend some time in the waiting room. But Suzan’s articles on this topic have inspired me to add a few more items to my bag so I never run out of things to do (and to keep me from reaching for my phone). What would you put in your Analog Bag?

If you need something to smile about today, watch this short, cheerful video of a Crocheted Playground by artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam.

Maker Spotlight

Tiffany Windows Light Scarves by Heather Clark
This month’s Maker Spotlight celebrates two stunning Tiffany Windows Light scarves by my friend and tester, Heather Clark.

Heather used Malabrigo Sock for both projects. The scarf pictured above was worked in the colorway #850 Archangel, while the scarf below features #866 Arco Iris. I love the effect these yarns create with this pattern—it truly does evoke the look of stained glass, which was the original inspiration for the design. These scarves are a wonderful reminder that the pattern shines whether it’s worked in a solid, tonal, or multicolored yarn.

Wanting to make her scarves as long as possible, Heather added extra pattern repeats and worked at a slightly tighter tension than the gauge listed in the pattern. This approach allowed her to make excellent use of the yarn she had on hand while creating longer, beautifully draped scarves.

About the design, Heather writes, “I really enjoyed this pattern, it’s unusual in its construction, and as with Jennifer’s other patterns, it is elegant and refined, and clearly charted as well as having written instructions.”

Thank you so much, Heather, for the kind words and for allowing me to share your work with the community. Your scarves are absolutely gorgeous.

Want to make a Tiffany Windows Light scarf of your own? You can find all the details here.

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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