March 1, 2026
It’s been a busy start to the year here at Crochet Australia after our three week break. We were hit by many of the storms that went through the Sunshine
Coast between mid December and New Year. While no damage was done to our premises, there was much debri brought down throughout the garden which did require quite a clean up effort. And as you can see my clothes line also needed restringing!
And of course all that rain combined with the heatwaves we’ve been having, the garden has been growing super fast – I can almost see the grass growing behind me as we cut it.
On the store front there have also been lots of activity – the plans for the 2024 Crochet Tournament all had to be finalised, and 
planning for the 2024 Crochet Retreats stepped up a notch. The Crochet Tournament is now open for registration and yarns have been ordered to enable you to purchase your yarn packs. This years’ theme focuses on the home!
For those booked for the Hunter Valley Crochet Retreat, the kit selections were mailed out so that we can finalise all the yarn orders. There are just a few spots left, if you are thinking of attending.
Designs for the Sunshine Coast Crochet Retreat have been prepared and discussed so we can finalise the costings! I can tell you that this years’ theme is all about colour. While this retreat has sold out, you can put your name on the waiting list. We have had some people pull out due to other commitments, and some who were on the waiting list are now attending! So it pays to have your name there if you are interested.
Two new staff members joined the team here at Crochet Australia – Jordan and Taliah. Both of these ladies are new to crochet, but they are both fast learners, and really know there way around computers! They look forward to meeting you and helping you with your crochet journeys in 2024.
We are also finalising orders for new yarns – which should all arrive in time for your winter crochet and knit projects. I have enjoyed playing with them and I know you will too!
Our first class for 2024 kicked off this week, making this fabulous tassel tie vest. It’s not too late to start! Monday nights online or Tuesday and Wednesdays in store. I made one in the new Jody Long Flora cotton tweed—it’s so beautiful to work with and I can see me making more with this cotton.
We also have our first one-day workshop on Saturday 2nd March being run by the fabulous Emily Littlefair – Spaces are limited for this class, so get in quick.
Until next time
Lynda
It’s the start of a new year and time to plan your crochet journey for 2024. After all, if we don’t plan we can’t expect to achieve! Of course planning for the year requires to know what is going on, hence our theme is looking through the crystal ball to see what is trending for 2024.
First and foremost – crochet clothing and accessories are here to stay! This year however the focus is on oversized/baggy jumpers, cardigans and dresses, rather than the figure hugging/cropped articles we’ve seen in the past. Granny squares still feature highly as both the base of a design or to upcycle old fashions, as does texture.
Colourful creations – Colour is everywhere – from fashion, accessories, bags and homewhere. But it’s intricate colourwork – using the fair isle, tapestry and mosaic techniques in particular. There is also a real focus on personal expression and being unique. All supporting the all important creativity in us all.
Bows, bows, bows and more bows….embellishing clothes, bags, boots and hair.
Scrap crochet with bright colours – inspired by the ‘Barbie Movie’ – is also in vogue.
Totes were a big thing in the past, but 2024 is focusing on the smaller bags to carry just the essentials – phones, credit cards and keys – that stay close to the body. Cross over bags, bum bags and belt bags are what you’ll see – They also make great projects for on the go.
Amigurumi – animals everywhere. But the trend for 2024 is realistic, mythical or focusing on iconic figures. 
For many of these newer trends, patterns are currently only available online as downloadable pdfs – but we will be on the hunt for books as they become available. In the meantime we have featured what’s available in store to help you learn these techniques or can be adapted to help you be on trend.
Or attend classes/events to learn these techniques – at Crochet Australia we have monthly classes to help you learn new techniques, and special one-day workshops, crochet tournaments and crochet retreats.
And of course there are other larger scale events to explore – Craft Alive – find one near you, Craft & Quilt Fairs, Crochet Guild Australia conference for 2024 in Melbourne 27 – 29 June.
So what are your crochet goals for 2024?
Get out your diary now, crochet a cover for it in your favourite colours with this free pattern by Tara Renee Designs, and map out your year – events to attend, techniques to learn, new yarns to try – but most importantly – your ‘you’ time!
This cute little pattern book contains projects to make 5 different creatures including a unicorn, phoenix, narwhal, Llama and Okapi. The patterns are only charted and easy to understand and are aimed at the beginner skill level.
Thick or chunky yarn turns this creatures into equally huggable toys.
Thank you everyone for sending in pictures of what you have been making in the past quarter. We feature below some comments and masterpieces submitted by customers. Send us a photo of your masterpiece (by the submissions page, email or on our facebook page), telling us which book it came from and which yarn or thread you used, and be in the draw to win a $25 voucher in October 2023 (see conditions on our website). Please also add any tips you’ve picked up when making them. Congratulations to Karen O for winning this quarter’s voucher – submitting a photo of the mosaic cushion covers made with Catona cotton.— Karen made these as a gift for her sister—we spent a lot of time helping Karen pick the right colours!
.
Fair Isle Crochet Workshop
Crochet the Centre-to-Corner Way
Learn Bruges Lace
Beginner’s Guide to Crochet Cables
Learn to Crochet Linked Stitches
Beginner’s Guide to Thread Crochet
Tunisian Amigurumi
Geometrics a new way to Crochet
Keep Warm with Waffle Weave
The G0-To Book for Irish Crochet Motifs 
Scrap Afghans on the Double
Learn Waterfall Crochet
Learn Star Stitch Crochet
Freeform Crochet with Confidence
Beginner’s Guide to Tunisian Crochet
Fun Fashions contemporary Outfits to knit for 18′ Dolls
Bright & Cheery Knit Dishclothes
Blossom Cardigan
How to Knit Socks
Tea Cozies
Hardanger Gifts 11
Up And Tat ‘Em
Pom-Poms
Things That Go “Tat” in the Night
Little Bears to Knit & Crochet
A Collection of Characters
Celtic Tatting Knots & Patterns
Fantasia Books
Australiana Candlewicking
Bay of Shells Bag – pattern or kit
Small Beaded Bag – pattern or kit
Billy Bear Jacket – pattern or kit
Tatted Pineapple Doily – pattern or kit
Tatted Pineapple Doily – pattern or kit
Pot Plant Holder – pattern or kit
Shoulder Bag with Broomstick and Beads
Teefa the Turtle – pattern or kit
Jug Cover Kit
Unicorn – Pattern or Kit
Everyday Crochet Essentials Accessories Kit
Knitting Needles including:
Straight
Double Ended
Circular
4 ply Posie
8 ply Wren
10 ply Finch
Crochet Cypher
Yarn Bobbins
Stitch Holders
Tatting Needles
Threads including:
DMC Babylo
DMC Cebelia
Lizbeth
Maxi
Daphne
Cable Stitch Holder with Hand Tool
Tatting Shuttles including:
Aerlit
Dreamlit
Moonlit
Celtic
Tatsy
Fiddlesticks Acrylics:
Superb 4
Superb 8
Superb 88
Superb Tweed
Chart Keepers
Tunisian/Tricot Hooks including
Aluminium
Plastic
Flexible
Double Ended Crochet Hooks including
Aluminium
Plastic
Circular
Scheepjes Cottons and cotton blends
Catona
Organicon
Stone Washed
Whirl
Whirlette
Bamboo Soft
