So on a personal level January is a busy month for me as I have my husband and my daughter’s birthday so there is usually a fair bit of eating out and cake to contend with – not so good when I’ve just started my annual January diet migration!  My gorgeous amazing daughter turned 3 this time and we had great fun making her birthday cake together with all the colours and toppings that she chose herself (I think it says something about me that I would have topped off the cake with pink candles!).

And in crochet world this month I finished up with a number of  projects, did a pattern test for another designer and released two new patterns into the world…

The first pattern I released was the Inca-Trail Men’s hat.  I was so pleased with how that hat turned out in the end; I actually like colour changing in crochet (it’s not everyone’s cup of tea I know ) but this hat just seemed to flow together.   I can’t remember how I decided I was going to make something like this but I know I was inspired by the textiles, colours and patterns of the Inca’s .  If you are looking for some inspiration just  Google Inca Patterns there’s tons of patterns there that will keep you going!

The next pattern I released was the ‘Midnight Eagle Owl’ Afghan square.  This year I have set my self several yarny-type resolutions and one of them was to design a new Afghan square each month.  I was pushing it a bit with a new square for January but I got there in the end.  And I was super excited that the square reached 29th on the ‘What’s Hot’ list on Ravelry (one day I will get to number 1 on that list!).

Also in January I finished off a customer order for a ribbon shawl which I really enjoyed making.  I’d never worked with ribbon yarn before but it’s really opened my eyes at how many different types and colours there are out there.  The customer choose Crystal Palace: Fall Herbs which is just stunningly shiny and gorgeous, the photo really doesn’t do the colours justice.  I can just picture the shawl teamed with a simple little black dress at a party can’t you!

Then I had a fun customer order for a couple of baby guinea pigs; I love these little guys!  The perfect pet and super cute – and quick to make.  You can get your free copy of the baby guinea pigs pattern at the following link: free pattern.

Finally I finished off this month with the hat test  for Inspired by Ainsley which has now been named the ‘Aspen’ hat which I posted about the other day.   It’s been a busy ole month…but I have got a lot of plans for February including a free pattern that’s close to my heart which I will post about soon so watch this space!