Craft Gossip

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Stitch along with Jane Austen

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austenI received a lovely note from Jennifer Forest, telling me a bit about her book, Jane Austen’s Sewing Box. Jennifer says,

A few years ago I was reading again Jane Austen’s novels when I noticed that her women were often sewing, netting, embroidering or knotting. Intrigued, I started reading earnestly to see what other crafts they were doing and started doing some historical research to uncover the Regency craft skills.  Out of that grew Jane Austen’s Sewing Box.

From my research into the craft worked by Jane Austen, her characters and her circle of friends and family, I have then put each of the 18 craft projects in the book in its historical and literary context. With a professional background in history, I used real Regency objects to inspire craft projects for the modern crafty person (for example I use modern materials and tools which are true to the period but can be easily purchased today).  My book does include a wide range of projects from sewing, needlework, knitting to netting, knotting and paper flowers. The book is available online from many stores and came out in the UK in July.

I have to get my hands on this book! It’s available from Amazon.com, as well as many other sources, I’m sure. If you have a copy, please post a comment and let us know which projects you tried. And thank you so much for the heads-up, Jennifer!

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Free Crochet Pattern – Entwined Scarf

I recently started working on the Entwined Cable Scarf and was excited to dive into its intricate design. The combination of cables creates a beautiful texture that I can’t wait to showcase. Unfortunately, I had to pause my progress due to an illness, which was really disappointing because I was looking forward to wrapping myself in this cozy scarf during the colder months.

What I love about this pattern is its versatility; it can easily elevate both casual and formal outfits. The yarn recommendations are solid, and I appreciate that the instructions are clear and easy to follow, even for someone like me who’s had to take breaks. I’m hoping to pick this up again soon, as I know it will be a rewarding project. If you’re looking for a scarf that’s not just warm but also stylish, this one is definitely worth considering. You can find the pattern here.