Tag Archives: crochet

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