wool – Pearson Handmade

Why I Keep Coming Back to Bobbles

One little stitch, so many ways to add texture.

The Humble Bobble

In my last post, I wrote about the joy of those smaller projects that take a little less time than the big blankets and winter throws. Lately, I’ve been thinking about some of my favourite crochet stitches, particularly the ones that add surface texture to my designs. One of the elements I find myself returning to again and again is the humble bobble.

There is something very satisfying about surface texture on a garment or a throw. I’ve watched visitors, including my grandchildren, take a throw off the arm of the sofa and drape it over their lap, and their hands automatically drift towards the textured areas. There is something about crochet that makes you want to touch it, and I think texture has a lot to do with that.

Of course, a “bobble” isn’t really one particular stitch. There are several different ways of creating that lovely raised texture, each with a slightly different character. Here are a few of my favourites.

Mock Bobbles

This is one of my favourites, although I only discovered it relatively recently.

Working with the wrong side of the work facing you, you make a short stitch – a UK double crochet or US single crochet – followed by a very long stitch, a UK double treble or US treble. Repeat that across the row.

The very long stitch folds over to the front of the work, creating a surprisingly effective little bobble.

I love this technique because it gives you texture without the bulk of some of the more traditional bobble stitches. It’s also wonderfully simple once you’ve got the hang of what is happening.

Clusters

Clusters produce a much rounder, more pronounced bobble, particularly when they are followed by a UK double crochet.

Clusters are worked with the wrong side of the work facing you, with several UK treble crochets worked into the same base stitch and then closed together. The following, shorter, double crochet pulls those longer stitches down, encouraging the bobble to pop through to the right side of the work.

The result is a lovely, rounded little mound of texture.

Popcorns

And then there is the popcorn – a prince amongst bobbles.

If you want your texture to make a statement, the popcorn is the one to choose. A group of UK treble crochets (US double crochet) is worked into the same base stitch. The final stitch is then joined back to the first, creating a much more substantial, prominent bobble on the right side of the work.

Popcorns have a definite presence. They aren’t shy little touches of texture; they want to be noticed!

From a Stitch to a Design

Sometimes a crochet design starts with a finished project in mind. I might know that I want to design a shawl, a blanket or a scarf, and then start thinking about shape, colour and stitch patterns.

But sometimes it starts much smaller.

It might be a stitch I want to play with, an interesting combination of textures, or simply a little swatch that makes me think, I like that.

From there, the questions begin. What happens if I repeat it? What if I change the spacing? Would it work as a border, a panel or an all-over texture? How would it behave in a different yarn?

And sometimes, somewhere along the way, that little piece of experimentation turns into a whole project.

Bobbles are particularly useful in this respect because there are so many ways to use them. They can be scattered across a plain background, arranged in stripes or geometric patterns, combined with other textured stitches, or used as a simple detail to lift an otherwise straightforward design.

I suspect that’s why I keep coming back to them.

If you’d like to see more of what I’m making, I share regular updates every Work in Progress Wednesday on Facebook and Instagram. There is always something on my hook, and quite often, it includes a bobble or two.

I’d love for you to join me there.

Until next time, happy crafting!

The Slow Satisfaction of Weaving

In my last post, I wrote about the search for the perfect project bag. Those of you who follow my work know that I’m a crochet designer who spins yarn and weaves. There is something about weaving that feels different from crochet. Perhaps it’s the preparation, perhaps it’s the rhythm of passing the shuttle back and forth, or perhaps it’s simply the fact that weaving demands my attention in a different way. Whatever the reason, I find it deeply satisfying.

Bead Weaving

I suppose my weaving journey started a long time ago. I have clear memories of making a bead loom from a cleaned burger-bun box, wrapping a fine warp around it and using it to weave seed beads together to make a band. An interesting exercise, a good way to use up lots of beads, but not something I ever chose to explore further.

Weaving Braids

When my children were small I belonged to an Embroidery Group who had booked Jacqui Carey to run a two-day kumihimo braiding workshop. She brought with her enough Marudais for us all to use one and I was hooked. I still have the wooden Kumihimo stool I bought back then, which I use to make braids to close my crocheted bags. The same Embroidery Group also invited Shirley Berlin to do a series of workshops, which I attended. She introduced us to the myriad ways of creating a braid: using stiff card with slots cut in the sides, using a Lucet, plying and twisting to name but three. I have so many samples from these workshops of techniques I still use today.

Weaving on an Inkle Loom

The Covid lockdown of 2020 became a turning point for my weaving. I had embarked on crocheting a Mochila bag, a very distinctive style of bag which requires a drawstring cord (hello kumihimo braid) and a wide woven shoulder strap. These straps can be plied by hand (apparently), or woven on an inkle loom. All well and good, but sourcing an inkle loom was difficult (and expensive). Not to be thwarted, I found a video on Youtube about how to construct such a loom. I also purchased a book that showed the dimensions that one should aim for. When I say ‘one’, I mean my husband. I showed him the video so he knew what he was aiming for and left him to it. He found enough timber in his shed for the project (old floorboards mostly), and a broom handle, and made me a fully functional inkle loom. It’s the only one I’ve ever used, as it does the job perfectly and I have used it to weave every strap for each of the Mochila bags that I’ve made.

Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom

An Inkle loom limits the width of the project you can weave, and so I decided to invest in a rigid heddle loom. This seemed to me to be the most straightforward of the various looms on offer, and I really wanted ‘simple’. I didn’t want to be wrangling multiple shafts, or giving over a huge amount of space to a floor loom. The rigid heddle loom can sit on the edge of a table, resting on your lap. I used mine this way for over a year before getting a floor stand which means I can work in any room, rather than just the kitchen.

Mostly I weave scarves and wraps (big scarves). I do have an idea about what I want to weave before I start, and will have chosen my yarns and colours carefully. Warping the loom takes a good hour or more, and I enjoy making decisions about the warp and colour changes as I go. The weft is where I really get to play. Mostly, I use my own handspun yarn for the weft. It has a lovely texture to it, and I enjoy the fact that I’m using it on a substantial project. Sometimes I will use a clasped-weft technique to put a wavy line up the centre of the scarf. Other times I might insert rows of intentional holes by using the Leno technique. I almost never weave to a pattern – I like to just weave, without worrying about maintaining a rigid pattern, while listening to an audio book. Currently I’m listening to ‘The Inheritance’ by Mark Dawson, an Atticus Priest mystery novel read by Simon Vance.

Perhaps that is what weaving gives me that crochet doesn’t. When I’m designing a crochet pattern, I’m constantly thinking about whether something will work, whether the instructions are clear and whether someone else will be able to reproduce it. When I’m weaving, I don’t have to do any of that. I can simply choose a yarn, throw the shuttle and see what happens.

If you’d like to see more of my weaving experiments, I share regular updates every Weaving Saturday on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love for you to join me there.

Until next time, happy crafting!

Sue

On a Search for the Perfect Project Bag

In my last post, I waxed poetic about fibres (I am aware that I am embracing my inner nerd on that subject). This time, I wanted to write about another subject close to my heart: the search for the perfect project bag.

Fair warning: the answer is not here. What I have realised, however, is that there is a perfect project bag/receptacle for each project, just not necessarily one bag to suit every project.

Crates

Let’s start with less of a ‘bag’ and more of a ‘receptacle’. I favour crates that measure around 12” by 9”, and are 6” deep. Mostly I buy plastic ones from Ikea, but I’ve picked up similar in B&Q and The Range. These are rigid, open ‘baskets’, that are easily moved from room to room, hold all the bits of yarn/notebooks/hooks/stitch markers/tape/scissors in one place and, when not in use, store easily in my works-in-progress cupboard. For a really big project (think large throws), I might upsize to one of the lidded crates that I inherited from my mum. She had a garage full of these, stacked up full of nothing very much. They each measure about 13” by 9.5” and are 8” deep. Not hugely bigger than my open crates, but enough to store the bigger project. I also have a range of felt crates, in various sizes. These I decorate with freeform crochet (well, why wouldn’t you).

Laundry baskets

Also more in the ‘receptacle’ line, I favour a nice basket. My mum had a vast collection of wicker baskets, which I don’t find comfortable to use as the wicker can snag on your work. I like a nice coiled rope basket (Ikea sell them). Many of the supermarket and homeware stores sell laundry baskets in cotton or linen, often with lids, which would work well too, especially for the bigger projects.

You could crochet your own, smaller basket. Chunky yarn and a smaller hook makes a very rigid basket for smaller projects. (Also made my hands ache, so I don’t make these very often).

Bags

The ‘go to’ item for any project. Who amongst us hasn’t used the nearest carrier bag in an emergency for stuffing all that we need to bring a project along with us on holiday. You have spent money on the pattern and fibre, you’ve invested time in the project – it deserves better protection than being stuffed in a crinkly plastic bag. I favour a large canvas bag with a drawstring top to keep my precious project clean on my travels. On a holiday recently, when my project outgrew the bag it had started off in, I purchased a very colourful, cheap, shopping bag because the colours made me smile.

You could, of course, crochet your own project bag. I made Toni Lipsey’s pattern for her Square One Project Bag from scrap yarns and use it for smaller projects when I’m travelling, or decorate a hessian bag with freeform crochet.

Lay Flat Bags

Who hasn’t drooled over the big name leather project bags – I know I have. However, I can’t justify spending £100 on a bag when I would rather spend the money on fibre. I did watch a video blog of someone comparing fake leather alternatives to these expensive bags, which set me off on my own research of ‘lay flat wash/cosmetic bags’. I settled on a quilted polyester travel bag from Amazon that cost me £14. I’m delighted with it – it opens out to lay flat which means I can see everything easily, and it zips up neatly into a compact shape that is easy to carry.

One of the advantages of having dedicated project storage is that you can put a project aside when it isn’t working for you, without losing the pattern, yarn, hooks and notes. Then, when you’re ready to revisit it, everything is still together. There isn’t a single “best” project bag —only the best one for the project you want to make. Perhaps that is why I’m having fun exploring the options.

If you’d like to see more of my ‘good ideas’, I share regular updates every Top Tip Monday on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love for you to join me there.

Until next time, happy crafting!

Sue

Why Fibre Matters More Than You Think

In my last post, I revisited my very first published Tunisian crochet pattern and started experimenting with a redesign. This week, I thought I’d step back and look at something that influences every project before the first stitch is even made: the yarn itself.

Two crocheters can follow exactly the same pattern and end up with finished pieces that feel completely different. The fibre you choose affects drape, warmth, stitch definition, durability and even how enjoyable the project is to make.

Cotton

A natural plant fibre, cotton is soft, absorbent and biodegradable. It resists pilling, but has a tendency to stretch when wet. Cotton has very little natural elasticity, so it doesn’t spring back in the same way as wool. One of my favourite cotton yarns is King Cole Cottonsoft DK, and I’ve used this quite a lot to make blankets and throws. It has a lovely weight, drapes well, and is very soft next to the skin. The only thing I’m always careful about is when I wash or block the design – after immersing in water, always lay the item out flat to dry. Some of my cotton blankets are large, and if I hung them out on a line to dry they would stretch horribly.

Wool

A natural fibre from sheep, wool is the traditional choice for knitting/crocheting. It is warm and durable, however it can be tricky to wash – who hasn’t shrunk a jumper by washing it too hot? Since I started spinning my own yarns, I have come to understand that ‘wool’ is a really broad term. It applies equally to a strong, rustic yarn spun from a Herdwick sheep to the fine, soft yarn spun from Merino. Personally, my own favourite to spin is Corriedale, usually in a blend with silk. One of my favourite commercial wool yarns is a Blue Faced Leicester from World of Wool in their Lowland range. I’ve just finished a shawl design using this yarn, which drapes beautifully. I’m thrilled to announce that the pattern will be in the World of Wool Yarn Advent Calendar 2026.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that is lightweight, soft and durable. It often comes in amazing colours and is usually less expensive than other fibres. The synthetic fibre is derived from petroleum. It is less ‘breathable’ than natural fibres, and is prone to pilling. I will use yarn with a little acrylic in it, because premium non-acrylic yarns are just too expensive to use exclusively. These days I very rarely buy 100% acrylic yarn. It has its place—particularly where affordability, easy care or allergies are important—but I find I much prefer working with natural fibres.

Bamboo

A sustainable fibre from the pulp of the bamboo plant, softer than cotton and hypoallergenic. Bamboo yarn has a glossy finish and this can make it feel quite slippery when working. It is also more expensive than traditional yarns, and finished items can shrink so this needs to be allowed for. I have only recently started working with bamboo. I like the finished feel of it (see my Strata Kimono), but it does take a little concentration to work with as the sharp point of the Tunisian crochet hook can split the yarn if you aren’t careful. That being said, the finished weight and drape are well worth a little extra effort.

Alpaca

Alpaca is a natural animal fibre that is softer than sheep’s wool and less prickly. It resists pilling and is hypoallergenic. Alpacas can be white, black or shades of brown, and these natural colours are lovely. The fleece can be spun into heavyweight or fine yarn. One of my absolute favourites, it has a wonderful softness and warmth without the weight, which makes it a joy to wear. Commercial yarns such as Drops offer a 4ply alpaca, or their aran yarn is an alpaca/wool mix. At Wonderwool Wales I found the lady who runs an alpaca farm and markets her alpaca yarn under Penrhallt Alpacas, and closer to home is Homefield Alpacas in Louth. Needless to say, I can’t walk past an alpaca seller without buying something.

There isn’t a single “best” fibre—only the best one for the project you want to make. The more you experiment, the more you’ll discover which yarns suit both your designs and the way you enjoy crafting.

If you’d like to see more of my fibre nerd showing, I share regular updates every Fibre Tuesday on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love for you to join me there and see what yarn I’ve been reading the labels of each week. I’ve also put up a (possibly) helpful free guide to a common range of fibres on my website. If today’s post has sparked your curiosity about wool and fibres, I’ve recently published a Substack article about learning to spin yarn and how it changed the way I think about fibre. You can read it here.

Until next time, happy crafting!

Sue

Cosy Crochet Projects for Chilly Evenings

Last week, I introduced you to my latest Tunisian crochet design, the Mistwood Hooded Scarf. This week, as the evenings draw in and the temperature drops, I wanted to share a few ideas for cosy crochet projects that are perfect for slow, comforting making on chilly nights.

For me, truly cosy projects begin with the yarn. Choosing fibres that feel warm, soft, and satisfying in the hands makes all the difference when you’re settling in for an evening of crochet.

One of my long-standing favourites is Drops Nepal, a wool and alpaca blend classed as an aran weight. It has a lovely warmth and weight, and because it’s aran, projects grow quickly – always a joy when the evenings feel short. I’ve recently designed a particularly cosy project using this yarn, which will appear in the next issue of Simply Crochet magazine, out on 23rd December.

I also regularly use King Cole Fashion Aran, which comes in a huge range of colours. With 30% wool, it’s a more affordable option, making larger projects such as blankets feel achievable without worrying too much about cost. More recently, I’ve discovered King Cole Merino Blend DK, a superwash 100% wool yarn that has worked up beautifully and feels wonderfully soft.

Of course, if you’re able to spin your own yarn, you can really lean into seasonal colours and textures. This very Christmassy Corriedale and sari silk blend from Adelaide Walker, called Medina, is a perfect example – full of depth, warmth, and character.

Once you’ve chosen your yarn, it’s time to find a project you’ll genuinely enjoy. A quick search on Ravelry using the yarn weight you have to hand will reveal plenty of hats, gloves, and scarves that work up quickly and make satisfying gifts. That said, I don’t think there’s much better than crocheting a blanket or throw at this time of year. The gentle weight of the fabric resting in your lap is incredibly comforting, and as the piece grows, you almost find yourself wrapped in its warmth.

Over the years, I’ve built up a small library of pattern books, and the ones I still return to most often include:

Crocheted Throws and Wraps by Melody Griffiths
The Art of Crochet Blankets by Rachele Carmona
Rainbow Crocheted Blankets by Amanda Perkins
Beautiful Blankets, Afghans and Throws by Leonie Morgan

If you’d like to try your hand at Tunisian crochet, Toni Lipsey’s The Tunisian Crochet Handbook is full of cosy, inspiring projects. One of my own bestselling patterns, the Winterborn Throw, is a Tunisian crochet design worked in Fashion Aran yarn and is ideal for slow winter evenings.

However you choose to spend your crafting time, I hope these ideas encourage you to embrace slower making, warmer fibres, and projects that bring a little extra comfort at this time of year.

Happy crafting until next time – which will be after the Christmas break, when I’ll be turning my focus to fibre.

Sue

New in the shop: introducing my Mistwood Hooded Scarf

Last week, I explored one of my favourite topics: colour — and how to spark your imagination when choosing palettes for your next project. This week, I’m excited to share something brand new: the journey behind my latest design, from that first tiny spark of inspiration right through to the finished piece.

The Mistwood Hooded Scarf began as a simple question I asked myself while playing with my handspun yarn: what if that cosy autumn wrap I’d just finished… had a hood? I’d been experimenting with Tunisian crochet stitches, enjoying the textures and the meditative rhythm, and the finished wrap had such lovely weight and drape that I couldn’t help imagining more.

But as these things often go, my first attempt taught me exactly what not to do! The original shawl was far too wide to fold into a hood — a quick try-on left me with fabric flopping in front of my eyes. Practical, it was not.

So I went back to the sketchbook and re-imagined the piece as a narrower scarf: still enveloping and warm, but proportioned perfectly for a folded hood. With that settled, I knew the next step was choosing the right yarn. I loved the feel of my handspun wrap, so I set out to find a worsted-weight yarn with a high wool content and good structure.

A browse through Wool Warehouse (dangerous, as always…) led me straight to Cascade 220. It ticked every box — and then came the matter of colour. I like to pretend I considered several options, but the moment I saw Lepidolite Heather, a soft purple with subtle depth, the decision was made. A quick bit of yarn maths told me I’d need four skeins. Maths isn’t my strongest skill, but happily, I was spot on.

The scarf itself worked up quickly. The hood folded neatly, just as I’d hoped. But it needed one final playful touch — something a bit whimsical. So I crocheted a set of curly “tails” to sit at the point of the hood. Completely unnecessary… and completely delightful. They made me smile, and I hope they’ll do the same for anyone who makes or wears this piece.

The pattern is now available in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry (hence this slightly late blog post!)..

Whatever colours or yarns you choose, I hope the Mistwood Hooded Scarf brings warmth, joy, and a little touch of magic to your making.

Happy crafting until next week, when I’ll be focusing on cosy crochet projects for chilly evenings.

Sue

Why I Spin My Own Yarn

Thank you to everyone who read my first blog post. I thought for my second post, I’d talk about why I spin my own yarn — one of the most rewarding (and sometimes challenging!) parts of my fibre journey.

Initially, I thought a little handspun yarn would add some interesting texture to my crochet and woven projects. So, for Christmas 2023, I asked for a drop spindle kit from Adelaide Walker — a simple spindle, a sheet of instructions, and three fibres to practise with.

I got the basics, but really struggled to make a yarn that was at all useable. I watched a lot of YouTube videos (JillianEve was particularly good), and found the book Yarn Spinning with a Modern Twist by Vanessa Kroening very helpful too. In the end, though, nothing beats a bit of individual tuition, so I spent a couple of hours with the very lovely Zoe at Old School Crafts in Minting.

Drop spindles are wonderfully portable — you can spin almost anywhere — and they range from cheap, homemade versions to beautifully crafted works of art. I have both. They seem to breed.

My drop spindles satisfied my need to make yarn for a while, and the material I produced added interesting texture to my woven projects. But I struggled to make enough to crochet with. So, in February 2025, I took the plunge and bought a used Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. Another sharp learning curve followed — more books, more YouTube videos — but persistence paid off. I can recommend Sasha Torres at Sheepspot for her tutorials and podcasts.

I now spin a little every day, and over time my yarn has improved enough to crochet with. I’ve even written a crochet pattern, the Pebble and Loop Scarf, specifically for my handspun! Like the drop spindles, my spinning wheels are multiplying — I recently added an Ashford Traveller 3 so I can take it to classes and work on improving my technique.

Plying is still a bit of a mystery to me, and definitely something I need to work on. But part of the joy of spinning is that there’s always more to learn. Do you spin your own yarn, or have you ever been tempted to try?

Thanks for reading to the end. Next week, I’ll be sharing how I design for my crochet and weaving projects. In the meantime, happy crafting!

Sue

A New Yarn Begins: Welcome to Pearson Handmade

A new yarn (and a new adventure!) begins as I share my journey with fibre, creativity, and a touch of chaos from my handmade studio.

Hi, I’m Sue — the creative hands behind Pearson Handmade — and welcome to my very first ‘proper’ blog post!
This is my foray into writing a regular weekly blog, so wish me luck. I thought I’d start by sharing a little about what I do, why I love it, and what you can expect in future posts.

My mum taught me to knit, crochet, and cross-stitch when I was a child. Later, when I studied design at college, I discovered that it was possible to work entirely from scratch without a pattern — and that nothing is ever really a mistake (it can always be cut up and reused somewhere else!). I also fell in love with beading, feltmaking, and braiding during that time.

Fast forward to 2020: during the lockdowns, I bought some beautiful yarn and an expensive crochet pattern that turned out to be frustratingly unclear. I ended up unpicking the whole thing, tossing the pattern, and thinking “I could write a better one.”
And that’s how my journey into designing began.

More recently, I’ve taken up spinning and weaving — because, frankly, yarn is my thing and I love having it in my hands. I’m also moving more toward natural fibres and a zero-waste approach, so expect more about that in future posts.

My earlier patterns (pre-2025) are still available on Ravelry and Lovecrafts, but since Brexit, all of my work — both patterns and handmade pieces — can be found exclusively in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll join me each week as I share more about my creative process, inspirations, and projects on the go.

Woolly Adventures, New Projects & Free Resources

It’s been a busy few months here at Pearson Handmade—so much making, travelling, and experimenting that September slipped away without a newsletter! The good news is that I have even more to share with you this month.

🌿 Natural Beauties: Woolly Finds in Scotland

In September, I was fortunate to spend some time in Oban, West Scotland, exploring the islands of the Inner Hebrides. My husband and I had a lovely day wandering around the tiny island of Lismore, where we discovered Sarah Campbell’s Mogwaii Design studio. Amongst the treasures there, I found hanks of Shetland wool from her own flock—irresistible! I brought some home and am currently weaving them into a scarf.

Speaking of Shetland wool, I also had three skeins from Lammermuir Wool in rich autumnal shades, bought earlier at the Wool Monty. They inspired my Tunisian Crochet Bracken Scarf. And from the same event, I picked up two skeins of Blue Faced Leicester wool from Dystopic Fibre in the shade Death by Honey—which became the spark for my advanced crochet design, the Fractured Bee Line Scarf.

🧵 Spinning Wheels Are Multiplying…

I first learned to spin with a drop spindle—a simple, affordable way to turn fibre into yarn. But soon, I wanted to produce more, so I hunted down a second-hand Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. After a little time (and a little cursing), I finally produced consistent yarn and was hooked.

Of course, the Traditional isn’t very portable, and I want to attend classes to improve. So, after much thought (and with my husband’s help assembling it), I invested in an Ashford Traveller 3 from Wingham Wools.

Now two wheels sit proudly in my living room, each with singles in progress. I feel very fortunate indeed—and now I just need to find those spinning classes.

✨ Weaving Away the Stash

For the past couple of years, my motto has been no yarn waste. I never throw yarn away—not even short ends. But what to do with those tricky leftover skeins and discontinued fancy yarns?

My answer: use them as weft on the loom. By grouping them into gentle gradients, I’ve been weaving scarves and shawls with no set rules or patterns—just the joy of combining colours and textures to see what emerges. It feels wonderfully freeing.

🎁 More Stash-Busting Ideas

Once the larger leftovers were woven, I was left with shorter yarn runs and loom waste. That’s when I discovered the joy of crocheted Mug Rugs/Coasters. Who knew small rectangles of dense stitches could be so satisfying?

Sometimes I add fringes, beads, or picots to the edges for extra charm. I’m currently writing up a pattern for these little beauties, which will be released later this month—just in time for Christmas gift-making.

🛠 Free Resources for Makers

Here’s a reminder of the free resources I’ve created to support your making:

Thank you for joining me on this month’s making journey. Whether you’re spinning, weaving, crocheting, or simply dreaming up your next project, I hope you’ve found a little inspiration here.

💬 I’d love to hear what you’re working on—share in the comments below or tag me on social media with your projects.

Happy crafting,
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