A month of making

New textures, colours, and creative calm

Pebble and Loop Scarf Pattern

I’m excited to share my latest crochet design: Pebble and Loop. This triangular scarf blends plump popcorn stitches with airy chain spaces to create a fabric that’s both light and sculptural. It grows gently along one edge, making it easy to adjust to your preferred size—from a snug cowl to a generous wrap.

This pattern is designed with versatility in mind. It works beautifully in any yarn weight and drapes elegantly when blocked. Whether you’re using handspun or a favourite commercial yarn, Pebble and Loop offers a rhythmic, mindful stitching experience—perfect for wrapping yourself (or someone you love) in warmth and texture.

The pattern is now available on Etsy.
(Written in English using UK crochet terms.)

🎨 Colour Play & Commissions

I’ve been working on commissions for a national crochet magazine this month. One design is finished, and I’m deep into the second. I love the chance to explore new yarns and colour combinations—especially when it pushes me beyond my usual palette.

One of my favourite resources for colour inspiration is Swatch This by Haruyoshi Nagumo. It’s packed with unexpected, effective combinations, and a great tool for rethinking how stash yarns can come together in fresh ways.

🧶 Spinning Joys

July has been all about spinning for me. I took part in Tour de Fleece hosted by Adelaide Walker, and enjoyed working through a gorgeous selection of fibres—from soft blues and greys to creams and browns. Some of that handspun has already become another Pebble and Loop scarf (I will put some images up on my social media next week). It’s such a satisfying way to pair slow spinning with mindful crochet.

🧵 Weaving as Rest

Life has been wonderfully full lately, but I’ve found calm at my rigid heddle loom. I keep things simple with plain weave and let the yarns do the work. Interesting textures and colours from my local yarn shop turn into meditative projects—no pressure, just the gentle rhythm of weaving.

🛠 Free Maker Resources

If you’re looking to support your craft with a few handy tools, I’ve created these free resources:

Project Tracker Sheet
Yarn Gift Tag
Yarn Colour Sample Card
Yarn Fibre Guide
They’re all designed to help you stay organised, inspired, and ready for your next creative project.

🧣 New Crochet Patterns

A few new designs joined the collection this past month:

The Tunisian Tiles Cushion Cover
A richly textured, geometric crochet design.

The Fieldsong Shawl
 A large beaded wrap full of movement and grace.

Thanks for reading and being part of this making journey. I hope you found a spark of inspiration here—whether you’re spinning, weaving, crocheting or simply dreaming up your next project.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you’re working on!Happy making,
Sue

Hot Yarn, Cool Projects: What’s New at Pearson HQ This Month

Summer might be heating up, but here at Pearson HQ, the creativity is keeping pace! From exciting magazine news to experiments with handspun yarn, plus a handy fibre guide and fresh patterns on the horizon, there’s plenty to catch up on this month.

A Busy Month at Pearson HQ

It’s been another month of crafting adventures here, and I can’t wait to share what’s been happening!

🌿 Crochet Magazines: Exciting News!

A little while back, I submitted some designs to a crochet magazine during their quarterly call-out. I’m absolutely thrilled to say my ideas were selected for their Autumn/Winter programme—and hopefully my work will be appearing in three consecutive issues!

The yarn for the first design has just arrived, and I’ve already made a start. The only challenge? Working with chunky wool during a summer heatwave. My solution so far: plenty of iced drinks and regular hand-cooling breaks!

🧶 Spinning & Handspun Projects

My spinning is getting more consistent (at last!), and I’ve been experimenting with some fibres I picked up at the Wool Monty. I’ve managed to create nearly 300g of worsted-weight 2-ply yarn in soft pinks, and I’m absolutely loving it.

I’m also working on a pattern using this yarn, and it’s coming together beautifully. The good news? I’ll be sharing this pattern with my email subscribers for free next month. It’s perfect for any DK, worsted, or even aran-weight yarn, so stay tuned!

🧵 Yarn Talk: Understanding Fibres

Ever feel overwhelmed by all the different yarn types out there? What’s acrylic actually made from? And what does “mercerised” really mean?

I’ve put together a quick guide to common fibre types to help demystify the jargon. You can check it out here.

🛍 Why I Love Local Yarn Shops

Like many of us, I often order from big online outlets such as Wool Warehouse or Black Sheep Wools—they’re great when I know exactly what I want. But nothing compares to visiting a yarn shop in person: reading labels, feeling the fibres, and discovering new ranges I might never have considered.

My local shop, Friary Stitch, introduced me to a gorgeous aran yarn from La Paz that’s become a firm favourite for weaving. And as a bonus, the staff there are always so lovely and helpful.

✨ Latest & Upcoming Patterns

Last month was a little quieter for pattern releases as I juggled new projects, but I did launch the Tracery Cowl, a sweet and simple design.

Looking ahead, next month is shaping up to be busy:

  • A Tunisian crochet cushion cover
  • A large summer crochet wrap
  • A beautifully pink woven shawl
  • And don’t forget the free handspun-friendly pattern for subscribers!

Thanks for following along on this month’s making journey—whether you’re spinning, stitching, or just planning your next project, I hope you find a little inspiration here. I’d love to hear what you’re working on, too—just hit reply and say hello!Happy crafting,
Sue

Hello from the Studio!

Hello from the Studio!

This newsletter is arriving a little later than planned—things have been a touch more chaotic than usual around here! But I hope it’s worth the wait and full of fibre-filled inspiration.

A Trip to the Wool Monty

Earlier this month, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Wool Monty Show at Magna, near Sheffield. It was my second visit, and once again, it didn’t disappoint. I loved reconnecting with familiar faces and discovering some fantastic new stallholders. The selection of yarn and fibre was dangerously tempting—I came home with fibres I’ve never spun before and some indie-dyed yarns in colours well outside my comfort zone.

If you’ve never been to a wool show, I highly recommend seeking one out. They’re abundant at this time of year, and each one is a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

Spinning, Weaving, and the Joy of Notebooks

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know I often have several projects on the go—spinning, weaving, crochet, blocking, finishing, steaming… my hands are rarely still! All this activity made me reflect on how I keep everything organized.

The answer? Notebooks. Lots of them.

I jot down every yarn, fibre, stitch, and swatch, because no matter how sure you are that you’ll remember, it’s surprisingly easy to forget. If this sounds familiar, I’ve created a free project tracker you might find helpful. 

Learning and Experimenting

My curiosity about yarn has only grown since I began spinning, and I’ve been learning so much. One of my favourite resources has been Sasha Torres at Sheepspot—her podcasts are packed with knowledge and have encouraged me to take better care of my tools (my old spinning wheel is now running like new after a well-earned spa day!).

I’ve also been experimenting with new techniques like short backward draft and spinning off the fold. These have helped me better understand the fibres I work with—and even discover new favourites. One standout is Cormo, a fine wool from sheep developed by crossing Corriedale rams with Merino ewes. I had no idea it existed before I started spinning, and now I’m hooked.

From Fibre to Fabric

Lately, I’ve been making a real effort to use my handspun fibres—no point in letting them gather dust! I crocheted a poncho using some of my finer samples and wove scarves from the more rustic yarns. It’s been incredibly satisfying to see the full journey from fibre to finished item.

New Patterns

May was a busy month for pattern releases! I launched a new handwoven cotton scarf and three new crochet patterns:

I also re-released my Tropicana Picnic Blanket, which was previously published in a magazine.

Coming up this month: another cozy cowl pattern and (fingers crossed) a few new woven scarves. Stay tuned!

Thoughts and Resources

Hello, lovely maker,

I hope this note finds you well—perhaps with a warm cup of tea in one hand and a ball of yarn in the other (or at least dreaming of it!).

This month, I wanted to share a few thoughts and resources to spark your creativity—whether you’re just picking up a hook for the first time, or already have a basket full of projects under your belt.

Do you make for yourself or for others?

When I create something for myself, I sometimes find that I’ve put so much time and care into it that I need to step away for a bit before I can truly appreciate using or wearing it. Does that happen to you too?

When making gifts for others—especially non-crafters—I often wonder if they realise just how much time and love has gone into the piece. But then I remind myself: I enjoyed making this for them, and that’s what really matters.

To help share a little of that creative process with gift recipients, I designed a small gift tag you can attach to your handmade items. I’ve started including the link at the end of all my new patterns, and if you’d like to use it too, you can find it here. I’d love to know what you think!

Behind the scenes: chaos in the craft room

My workroom? A bit of a creative storm lately.

Despite my best intentions to keep only a few works in progress, things tend to pile up—and then I don’t know where to start. When that happens, I take a deep breath, make a strong cup of coffee, and give myself just one hour to tidy and prioritise.

I’ve found that making a simple list helps me feel in control again. I keep only the current projects visible and store the rest in a cupboard—out of sight, out of mind (until later!). I even shared a peek at one of my big sorting sessions recently—a huge crate of samples that finally got the attention it deserved.

Choosing colours—do you panic too?

I get lots of questions about how I choose colour palettes. I recently shared some tips on social media, along with a favourite resource: Swatch This by Haruyoshi Nagumo. It’s a gem!

If you find yourself using the same yarn brand often, it’s really helpful to keep a small colour reference. I cut 6-inch strands of each colour and tie them to a piece of card, noting the reference numbers beside them. It’s a simple tool, but it saves so much time when planning.

I’ve put together a more polished template for you to make your own swatch card—grab it here.

Thanks for being here and for supporting handmade. Your creativity, your curiosity, and your love for the craft mean so much.

Until next time,
Sue

Boxy Scarf

Another pattern release as I work through the backlog created by the GPSR legislation. Wrap yourself in warmth and style with this Boxy Scarf crochet pattern! Designed to be cosy and generously sized, this scarf is perfect for chilly days when you want both comfort and a touch of elegance. Featuring a two-colour design and a simple, repeating stitch pattern, it’s a relaxing project that’s quick to learn and easy to work on—ideal for beginners or those seeking a meditative make.

I’ve used a recycled aran-weight yarn for this scarf, which not only helps the pattern grow quickly but also adds a lovely weight and drape to the finished piece. The textured design highlights the yarn’s character, making it a standout accessory for your winter wardrobe or a thoughtful handmade gift.This pattern is written in English using UK crochet terms, with clear instructions to guide you through every step. Whether you’re snuggling up at home or braving the cold outdoors, the Boxy Scarf will keep you warm in style!This one is only available in my Etsy shop.

Literary Scarf

My first pattern release in 2025: the Literary Scarf is a delicate, lacy crochet design.  The body of the scarf features a simple 4-row repeat, allowing the pattern to flow effortlessly like the rhythm of a well-loved story, incorporating trebles, picots, and clusters.  The border, worked in the round, adds a polished frame.

For this pattern, I’ve chosen two skeins of a hand-dyed 4ply/fingering weight yarn from Fruitful Fusion. The subtle colour variations in the yarn enhance the lacy design, making every stitch a work of art. Whether you prefer vibrant hues or soft, muted tones, this pattern will bring out the beauty of your yarn and highlight its uniqueness. Pattern is available now.

Some news and an update

Recently it seems that everything has been on hold while I try to understand how the new GPSR guidance applies to my small business. My understanding is that crochet patterns listed before 13th December 2024 are unaffected by the changes, and so my older patterns will remain listed across Ravelry, Lovecrafts and Etsy. This includes the patterns shown below: the Plumptious Cowl, the Celebration Scarf, the Falcate Shawl and the Willow Shawl. I have a backlog of new patterns to release, but have been waiting for more information. After giving the situation serious consideration, I have decided to release my new patterns and finished items only on my Etsy platform, which will exclude sales to the EU and Northern Ireland.

Trellis Shawl

Since visiting the Wool Monty Show earlier in the year, I’m really trying to work with UK indie yarn more in my projects. It’s possible to make some lovely bags and cowls with one skein of such yarn, but I bought quite a lot of two skeins of sock yarn at the show, and that has opened up a whole range of ideas. This is my latest design, the Trellis Shawl, using two skeins of sock yarn from Cuddlebums, based in Halifax. I’ve also worked the pattern up, successfully, in a left-over half a Scheepjes Whirl with matching Whirlette. I loved making it so much, I’m now weighing up my 4ply/fingering/sock yarn stash to see what else I can make it with! Pattern can be found on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveCrafts.

Busy busy

I’m not entirely sure where the summer is going, but I’m in the middle of the most productive spell I’ve had in a long time. So many pattern releases, magazine submissions, samples and sketches. I’m also experimenting with spinning and weaving, mainly to keep my hands busy with yarn in a different way to constantly crocheting. Anyway, the latest releases are below. The Adalynn Poncho is worked with 2 Scheepjes Whirls, the Striation Wrap with 2 skeins of an indie sock yarn – both ideal for the summer. With thoughts turning to autumn, I’ve also designed a Tunisian crochet scarf, worked on the bias. All patterns can be found on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my Etsy shop.

Heartwood Shawl

This is a generous, cosy shawl in an aran yarn that seemed to work up very quickly. I’ve done this one in Tunisian crochet, using my favourite Honeycomb and Arrowhead stitches. The shawl has a lovely drape, and is perfect for those cooler evenings when you just want some warmth and comfort. The yarn I chose is from King Cole, their Forest Aran, made from recycled materials. I’m trying to be more environmentally aware, aiming for zero waste and using natural or recycled yarn as much as possible. The yarn range is named after forests and wooded areas, so keeping to that theme I’ve called this one the Heartwood Shawl. Pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and in LoveCrafts.