Happy Friday and happy Weekend, Lovelies, how are you all? 

All very well in your patch of Crochetland I hope, in spite of January feeling as if it's six months long? Hopefully, it's not been a Januworry for you? 

One of my 2023 resolutions was that I'd blog on a regular basis...but LIFE keeps coming at me! Ok, it's actually DOGS and CATS coming at me (coff, coff). Our little foster senior, Miss Betty, passed over the rainbow bridge just before Christmas. Poor little thing was on her last leggies when she came to us and even though she'd forgotten by then how to 'go toilet' outside, we didn't mind the mess and made her last days as loving and comfortable as possible. Caring for a senior anything (inanimate or living) takes hours out of a day. Of course, we had to fill the gap left by Miss Betty, so we sprang Madame Carla-Walla-Bing-Bong from the SPCA  just before Christmas. She's nine ( so sixty-three in human years ) quite deaf, half-blind, possibly has a hare-lip, and is missing most of her teeth but she has a massive personality to compensate for her, erm, shortcomings (she's even tinier than George Tweeny)...in a nutshell... ADOooRABLE! As always, there is a period of adjustment...and that too, takes hours out of a day, right? Four active Dogs and two fussy Cats are the equivalents of six three-year-old humans...except they never grow up (the fur babies that is). My hands are full (of dog hair and such).

However, in between the business of being a Dog and Cat Mom, I've been keeping a little secret under my belly (nooo, I'm NOT pregnant, sheesh! lol!) but it is a baby of sorts. Tadaaaaa, it's a brand new throw pattern! I've called this 'baby' The Marigold Desert Throw. And much like falling pregnant when you least expect it, the inspiration literally flashed into my brain completely by surprise and unannounced. Inadvertently, the throw inspiration had something to do with my DNA profile, which is ...that I share 0.75% of it with the Khoisan. Anyway, one thing led to another; googled Khoisan ( read more about the first humans, the Khoisan HERE and HERE  ) which led me to Namibia and Botswana, both countries that are largely made up of the Kalahari Desert. Have you ever seen images of this vast space? It is an otherworldly beauty. Within these coppery desert sands, I saw (with my mind's eye, of course) a multitude of Marigolds in all their goldy, sunny, brassy, honey, lemony hues. With this vision of sorts, floated images in my head of succulents and other greeny things that survive in this arid terrain. Thus, with all of this rich imagery swirling about in my brain, it was no effort to pick the colourway and immediately put hook to yarn. I would love to visit the Kalahari Desert, but for three minor inconveniences; it's hot as Hell up there; I live faaar away on a tiny south-western peninsula that looks like a willy dangling over the Atlantic ocean; my furry tribe will insist on coming along. Which sounds exhausting. I'll stay home and crochet instead. Which in itself is an adventurous journey, right?

The Prelude, released today on Ravelry (HERE) includes some useful information to help get you started. You'll have three weeks to decide on your own colourway (or you can follow mine) and gather, or order your yarn. The Marigold Desert Throw is not Hook or Yarn specific. You can make it bigger or smaller by changing your hook size and yarn weight. Pictured is the Marigold Desert Block. As this is an informal MAL (Meander-Along) as before, with some of my Throws, the Extension will follow later. Take note that the Prelude is on a 50% less special at the moment. This once-off purchase of the Prelude INCLUDES the entire upcoming pattern for the Throw. As always, we'll be hosting this MAL at our wonderful, friendly, fun, and helpful Pattern Workshop Group on FB

                                                           (image credit: Thomas Noitz)

If you're wondering what that strange nesty thingy is to the left, it's a Socialable Weaver's Nest. These tough little birds build a community nest for optimal survival in a harsh landscape. You can read more about these clever cuties HERE

                                                                (image credit: Wikipedia)

Rifling about in Marigold Land I discovered that, yes indeed...there is an African Marigold (find out how to grow this beauty HERE). Suffice it to say I've always loved these firey-coloured little flowers (aka Calendula) and have a great appreciation for their usefulness in ancient traditions, gardening culture, and for their medicinal value (HERE is a handy list of the many ways Marigolds are beneficial in healing, and in the kitchen). And did you know (I didn't) that the name Marigold is derived from Mary's Gold, an association with the Virgin Mary? I'm not religious, at all, but I am somewhat of a Magpie when it comes to collecting religious imagery. Specifically, Mary, whose image I always find comforting in a motherly sort of way. These beautifully rendered 'Mary's Gold' cards do make my heart beat a little faster. Pinterest, oh lawdy, the Marigold embroidery! Don't even get me started.

                                              (image credit: ALYSAgraphique on Etsy )

                                                          (image credit: Tina Horn/Pinterest)

To THANK YOU for popping by, I'm giving away copies of the new design to 10 random Lovelies from the comments section. Don't forget to add your Ravelry name!

                                                    (African Marigold - tagetes erecta)

Take care, lovely Yarnarinas. It's crazy out there these days, oh my goodness.

See you soon on another Floral Hook adventure!

Hugs and much love as always,

Jen

PS: click HERE for a free Marigold embroidery pattern.

Tadaaa...I'm back, Lovelies! Happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023 to you!

 Last year, is so...last year, right? It whizzed by incredibly quickly. Even two young friends who live on our road remarked, "bro, what's with this year just flying by, like, yoh!". We must have all, in unison, laced up our running shoes at the beginning of 2022, on our marks, ready to GO as soon as that clock struck 12. Were we trying to catch up, or maybe forget what we'd collectively experienced by cramming as much 'living life' into each day after so many dreary, scary and confusing lockdowns? Not to mention recuperating from the bug? In 2022 many have shared stories of a grueling year. "Emotionally, mentally, physically and financially exhausting" is what I have heard over and over. It's no surprise considering what the planets were/are doing. Those/these darn Retrogrades! We've also sadly waved goodbye to some stellar human beings, some personal connections, and many others in the wider world: The Queen (the one and only), Angela Lansbury, Dame Vivienne Westwood, and Jean-Luc Godard. And Julie Powell, who inspired an entire generation to blog about absolutely anything in the hopes their story would become a famous movie, was sadly among many other notables to reluctantly wiggle free from their mortal baggage. I've watched Julie-Julia so many times the CD disk eventually gave up the ghost. Furiously frustrating though, those creating havoc, misery, and suffering and who continue to fuel hatred, division, and chaos ...are still with us. Ce la vie.

 Anywhooo, the reason I have turned to blogging again is that I seem to have dropped a very useful and mentally healthy habit, which was journaling (the pen-to-paper kind). Not because I didn't have anything to write about but because my journals turned into scrapbooks (bits of bark, pressed flowers, fabric scraps, paint colour swatches, you name it!). Not intentionally, mind you. You'll know if you're already a scrapbook journalist exactly what I mean. It pulls you in, it's incredibly time-consuming and it's tres addictive!  The crochet life took a sulky second place. I had to cold turkey or else start a scrapbook journaling channel on Youtube, change my name and emigrate to Iceland...or something. Which felt like an awful lot of work and upheaval. 

 I'm a 'lists' person, I mean literally genetically (I cannot BUT make lists) not only shopping lists (those too) but rather thinky thought lists about colours, seasons, fabrics, design, kitchenalia, birds, flowers, crochet, fashion trends, interesting people, quotes, poems, books, buildings, cultures, travel, homes, paint, upcycle or repurpose ideas...ideas, ideas, ideas...and ideas (and sometimes OPINIONS) about those ideas. Well, in short, I'm gonna dump them ALL here, 'kay? I thought it would be fun (probably only to me) to do this 'dump' on a monthly basis (possibly with some bits between one month and the next). This gives you an entire month to avoid this blog and read someone else's less lengthy and more flashy posts. OR...you'd have an entire month to wade through my lists and perhaps pick up a useful takeaway? Heads up... in an article recently, I read about how people very seldom read text these days. Especially on social media. Commonly, we lazily consume bite-sized information through short Instagram or TikTok reels, memes, and quote posters. This is messing with our ability to concentrate for longer periods or absorb or even know ALL the information presented in these 'flash cards'. The Age of Misinformation is here...hopefully it won't be a long stay! Right, now on to my random list for January. In a nutshell. This post won't contain distracting images (to make a point...lol), however, I have added lots of links if you'd like to explore further.

JANUARY 

1. The January Birthstone is a Garnet. I've been following a lovely and very interesting account on Instagram which delves into gems. It's absolutely fascinating. The January Flower is the Carnation. If you'd like to know how, where, and when to grow gorgeous, fragrant Carnations, find out more HERE.

2. This January, use your Microwave. I recently bought a Microwave after giving mine up to a neighbour many years ago believing it was basically the spawn of something nasty or the other. However, Jamie Oliver (bless that wonderful man's good, generous, creative, and kind heart) recently made an ENTIRE Butternut and Chickpea Curry, from start to finish...in the microwave! Now I'm sold. Also, use frozen veg from a reputable company (maybe your organic shop?). Good quality frozen veggies are every bit as fresh as, well fresh...and also a lot more economical. Times are tough, people. Veggie snobs, look away. 

3. A gorgeous, uplifting selection of essential oils for January: Rosemary, Peppermint, Orange, and Lemon. Add a few drops to your diffuser, to your bath water, or to your air purifier. Use a small glass spray bottle, add 50ml of vodka then add a few drops of each essential oil, and top up with 50ml of water. Shake well before use, then store in a cool dark place. Bliss. HERE are another 20 recipes for essential oil blends.

4. Pantones Colour for 2023 is...Viva Magenta. Vogue did a whole article about Magentaverse HERE. It, the colour, reminds me of school uniforms. Should WE pick a January colour? Let me know your preference in the comments. Unless Magenta is your thing.

5. My book(s) recommendation for January is: The Story of Art without Men by Katy Hessel. Also, if you don't already have this gem on your bookshelf (or nightstand), Devotions by Mary Oliver. 

6. It's the Chinese Year of the Rabbit! What's in store for us? To be honest, I'm just happy to be here and I couldn't be bothered with worry or expectations for 2023. I hope you didn't make any New Year's Resolutions? It's more than enough that you are HERE, getting by each day, doing your thing. I'm proud of you. Keep doing what makes you feel good about yourself, inside and out.

7. Your Inner Artist Dates for January: Have you taken yourself on a weekend away? Do it! When last did you visit some FREE (or cheap) local treasures? For example, your local public Library, the nearest theatre or cinema, a botanical garden, a natural history museum, or a night-time market? Visit your local vintage or animal rescue thrift shops and antique shops. What about some simple daytime window shopping, or enjoying a packed lunch at a park? Sit on the grass. Discover, or rediscover your urban or suburban green spaces and use them. Your local council will spend more money on spaces they see people use frequently. Plant nurseries are lovely spaces too. You don't have to buy anything. Just look, and learn. When last, if ever, did you leave your phone in your bag and write a few pages in your journal at a fab coffee shop, or sip in peace and people gaze? I love stationery shops and always leave with a little bag of soul delights...small post-it pad shaped like a daisy, a pen that writes in gold, a bee eraser, and a pocket-sized watercolour visual diary. The idea is to find simple, inexpensive, enjoyable outings, items, or activities aimed at pleasing yourself. Make 2023 the year you finally decide to put yourself center and front in your life. You can't water anything from an empty watering can, right?

8. This January, get your personal spending and finances in order. It's important. Check on your Subscriptions and cancel those that are infrequently used. Just because you might sign-in is not a good enough reason to keep a sub. Toss it. The same goes for any clothes you absolutely don't adore, and those you haven't worn in months. Toss them too (animal charity shops will love your donations) While you're clearing out you may as well expand this action to your kitchen cupboards and the 'fridge. Now that you're well on the way to feeling lighter inside, wash those windows and curtains. You can do this, honey!

9. Dial down the news, quit doomscrolling. If you insist on making New Years' Resolutions let this be the first on your list. More than 90% of events (aka clickbait) you read, see or hear which make the news, are specifically there to target distracted mindsets and generate capital for the media outlets. If it's hateful, derogatory, misogynistic, insulting, degrading, demeaning, sexist, ageist, exclusionary, elitist, classist...or any of the other foul 'ists'...steer well away. Keep your mind free of these dirge pitfalls. Staring into the darkness will give you nightmares (at the very least). The world, our world, is filled with incredible beauty and many good and kind people. Look up. Look to those who inspire, strengthen and support our best selves. Look to The Helpers. They need us. Find your Muse. Aspire to be the best version of who you want to be. Nothing is written in stone. Reinvent yourself as and when necessary. Don't accept survival mode. Thrive!

10. This year, if you haven't done it yet, adopt an animal in need. Even if it's a Budgie. There is a very special, largely unexplored area of what we know as The Human Experience, which is the magical bond with other nations, other kingdoms...specifically The Animal Kingdom. Make the effort to truly connect with your animal companion... as equals, not owners, masters, or mistresses. I see my relationship with Nisha, Augusta, Lally, Roxy, Tweeny, and Carla as 'a Mother-and- her- children' but my aim is to develop our relationship to one of deeper mutual understanding, and to see them as individuals with personal agency. Wish me luck (they still widdle in the house! I won't name names) 

11. This is specifically for those of you who moan about all the tail ends on some of my patterns. You may not believe me but they're there for your own good. Hand sewing, the literal action itself not the end result as such, has been shown to be every bit as beneficial to your mental and physical health as meditation. There are many articles online to back me up. HERE is one for starters.

12. Lastly, don't forget that NO is a complete sentence. Stick to your healthy boundaries. It will get easier to enforce them. If you dissolved boundaries last year because you were moving too fast ( literally and figuratively ), became distracted, overworked, scattered, and frantic with trying to get your or your Fams life back on track to pre-covid times, don't stress. Make that Artists Date with yourself, take a deep breath when you are in a calm space, and very gently whisper back your boundaries. If you must, write them down. Do this mindfully. Remember, words are powerful, and you'll be casting your own personal protection spells. 

 And because this is a Crochet Blog (kinda) I'm back to gifting one lovely free crochet pattern from a talented designer, so don't forget to leave your Ravelry name with your comment.

May 2023 be all you hope for it to be.

Take excellent care of your dear selves. 

Chat soon!

Love,

Jen xx