Have you picked up the latest issue of Crochet Now magazine? The new colourful issue hit the shelves on 12 April and I’ve got a brand new pattern featured inside. See that cute little toucan on the front cover, well that’s my Tulio.

Nature is a constant source of inspiration for my designs and, although I’ve been designing for awhile now, a toucan was on my (long) list of creatures I wanted to try and crochet. 

Birds are such a wonderful subjects to recreate in yarn as they often have such wonderful colouring. They also lend themselves so well to a bit of creative licence; I love rainbows too so the combination of the rainbow beak makes me feel very happy.

Now you may notice, if you have the magazine, that there is a picture reference to the right side and wrong side of crochet, unfortunately there was a ‘layout error’ and the images were swapped, picture 1 is the wrong side and picture 2 is the right side and it should have been the right way around.

I know a couple of people contacted me asking about it and, don’t worry you haven’t been crocheting wrong, it was just a little mix up and the magazine has passed on their apologies for any confusion. 

I really enjoyed leafing through my copy of Issue 27 as it’s is such a lovely bright edition! Along with Tulio the Toucan there’s tons of fabulous patterns, inspiration, offers, giveaways and interesting articles to read – and this issue also comes with a super fun fun addition to your crochet kit;  a sparkly unicorn hook gauge.

Anyone else just longing for Spring? It’s been so cold here recently that it’s been distinctly unpleasant to even go outside! Now it’s March I’m beginning to feel that we are heading out of winter and onto warmer days filled with Spring lambs, chicks, Easter eggs and bunnies! So I was super exited to see the lovely and bright new LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine (on sale now) with my sweet and stripy Isabella Bunny as the cover star! 

The fun amigurumi pattern will help you to create a wonderful crochet bunny with interesting striped details.  She has a removable fluffy dress and of course is wearing underwear to preserve some of her modesty! And you can use the length of free pink ribbon tied around her ear to finish off the project,

As well as Isabella Bunny I worked on the most fun pattern imaginable! Who in their lifetime gets to say that they’ve designed a bow tie for a rabbit! Well I can now claim that moniker and I couldn’t be more pleased! I adore how Reeces the rabbit looks in his smart formal wear – all dressed up ready for Spring. Of course humans could wear the bow tie too but you’ve got to admit it looks awesome on the bunny!

The free yarn kit with issue 99 includes six lovely bright colours: