March 1, 2026
October has been a month of challenges! I knew implementing a new website would not be easy, however there have been more challenges with it than anticipated. And no matter how much planning and testing you do, it is not until
it goes live that you know you’ve got everything. But it was made more difficult with internet outages during the month, our lovely dog Roxi tearing the ligament in her front leg and needing to be operated on, and continued delays with suppliers – in particular DMC products.
But I do see the overall benefits of our website will outweigh these issues – both for you and us.
We’ve put together a small video to show you some of these new features and how they work.
And don’t forget – everyone who places an order via our website up to November 14th will go into the draw for a spot at our December workshop including the kit!
Christmas is fast approaching and we have included our period of closure in our events calendar. Our last day of trading will be Wednesday 23rd December, although our last day for shipping orders will be Tuesday 22nd December. We will reopen again on Monday 4th January 2021. As usual, orders may still be placed via our website and these will all be filled in the week of 4 January 2021.
This month is our Crochet Retreat. I’m looking forward to it given many of the other events that were cancelled during the year. We have 32 people attending the retreat in Marcoola – a few last minute additions. Follow our facebook and instagram pages where will we share some of the fun we will be having.
Join us at our crochet workshops for November and learn three different 
techniques for crocheting with beads – treat yourself or get a head start on gifts for Christmas. See our events calendar for full details of both the online and instore sessions.
Until next time
Lynda
With the summer holidays approaching and many across the country still at home, it’s a great time to get kids into craft activities. Crocheting and knitting in particular are great for kids as it helps to hone their motor skills, let’s them explore the creative side of their brains, and raises their self esteem. Not to mention, it’s an activity that allows you to bond with them quietly, and enables development of their maths and reading skills without them knowing it. All-in-all, the perfect alternative to the digital world we’ve all been turning to.
If you take your time, you can pass your crochet and knitting skills down to a child of almost any age. Kids are less self-critical than adults, which is great! Stay enthusiastic and praise them on what they achieve, not how well they execute it. Take frequent breaks and explore other ways of using yarn, such as making pom poms, friendship bracelets, macrame, finger knitting, braiding or weaving.
Simple projects to start with are bracelets, headbands and phone holders. Use 
the kumihimu disc, lucit loom or knitting mill to create braided cords to attach to knitted and crocheted pieces. Or make small decorative items such as flowers and pom poms that can adorn their favourite clothes, bags, etc.
Crocheted garments are definitely back on trend, so encourage the girls by showing them some of the fashionable clothing and help them learn the stitches – they’ll be the most fashionably dressed girls around, hopefully have saved money, will appreciate the effort that goes into making items and be proud of what they achieve.
For the boys, it is a little harder but decorative items such as mandalas or practical items such as golf covers, or phone holders when they are playing sport, or belts and straps can help keep them stay focused and on trend.
We feature below books, patterns and resources that can really get the kids 
hooked on yarn crafts. Or try this free pattern for any child to crochet a knotted headband by Julie Measures
Learn to Crochet for Kids
By Rita Weiss and Jean Leinhauser
If you’ve been looking for a fun way to teach your kids to crochet, this is the book for you. ﾠﾠIt includes actual-size pictures of the stitches and techniques making it easy to look and compare.ﾠ Just put your work beside the picture and see how you are doing.ﾠ It then includes 5 beginner projects ; a headband, sacks for a phone and tablet, a rollup holder for hooks or pencils and a scarf. While it is designed for kids, anyone learning to crochet can benefit.
American terminology 32 pages
French Knitter Bead Jewellery Maker
Easy Crocheted Accessories
Modern Friendship Bracelets 20 to Make
