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
Pearson Handmade 