MAY NEWSLETTER

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

Every day this week, I’ve been so excited to log in to Ravelry and see what’s happening in our test groups. We have several patterns in testing at the moment, and it’s always such a joy to watch everyone’s projects come together. This week, testers are finishing their Luster Lace Wraps, and it’s been absolutely wonderful to see the transformation that blocking brings to a lace shawl. It’s simply magical.

Blocking, in a nutshell, is the final stage of a crochet or knitting project, where you immerse, spray, or steam the piece with water to allow the fibers to relax and settle into their final shape.

When you’re working with lace, where the design is created as much by the open spaces as by the stitches themselves, blocking becomes especially important. Strong blocking helps open the fabric so the stitch pattern and lace details become beautifully defined. After the piece is saturated, it’s stretched into place, pinned into shape, and allowed to dry completely.

I recently heard from a few testers that blocking is their favorite part of crocheting lace, and I have to agree. It’s a magical process that can turn a lackluster fabric into a lustrous one. To prove my point, here’s a photo of some swatches from my Luster Lace Wrap project.

Notice how the fabric on the right looks a bit crumpled, making it harder to see the lace sections clearly, while the blocked swatch on the left reveals much more definition and detail in the stitches. Isn’t the difference remarkable?

I hope you’ve enjoyed watching the design for this shawl come together over the last few months. I can’t wait for you to see the finished piece next week when the pattern is finally released!

Here are a few other things happening this month.

New Wildflower Pattern Coming Soon: Fireweed

The next pattern in my Wildflower series is on its way too. Get ready for Fireweed! Just like the Blanket Flower applique, you’ll be able to follow the pattern on my ad-free blog. A photo tutorial will walk you through some of the trickier steps, and a full step-by-step video tutorial will also be included.

ICYMI: To learn more about the design process behind this crochet flower, read this newsletter from a few weeks ago: Wildflower Update: Fireweed, From Sketch to Stitch

My Little Nest Blanket

Last month, I shared that I had started designing a new blanket pattern, and I’m happy to report that the My Little Nest Blanket is moving smoothly toward the finish line. This has been one of the most enjoyable blankets I’ve ever made. It’s remarkably simple, yet still engaging to crochet. As you work each row, you’ll move between soft, squishy puff stitches and smooth, flowing double crochet stitches in a rhythm that feels relaxing while still holding your interest.

Testing for this pattern will run from May 23 through June 13, but testers won’t be required to finish their projects within that timeframe. Choose from one of the 16 included sizes and crochet as little or as much as you like. I’ll be looking specifically for feedback on the pattern format. Then, after the design is released, I’ll leave the test group open so we can treat it like a crochet-along — encouraging one another toward the finish line.

If you’d like to join us, stop by the Ravelry group next Saturday (May 16) and look for the My Little Nest Blanket test group thread, or simply reply to this email. I’m happy to send you all the info and add you to the test team.

Coming Soon: May’s Special Features

• New Pattern Release: Luster Lace Wrap

• Tip of the Month: Choosing Yarn for Your Next Lace Shawl

• Free Wildflower Pattern and Tutorial: Fireweed Applique

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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