Make a crafty start to 2021

For many crafters, lockdown created an opportunity to spend more time making, and for some people, it’s been a lifeline in the battle against anxiety. So, as we welcome a new year, we asked two of Inside Crochet’s designers to reflect on what they’ve learned.

“In the first lockdown I created a ‘V-Stitch’ Vintage Virus Blanket,” says Emma Varnam. “I shared the pattern on my blog and crocheted a row for every week of lockdown. I now have a beautiful and colourful blanket as a ‘yarn memory’ of this strange year.”

Emma also enjoyed sharing her skills with others, teaching some of her friends to crochet via Zoom during the second lockdown.

For Anna Nikipirowicz, lockdown was an anxious time, and she admits to being blindsided by the changes to all the plans she’d made. “I’m not one for making resolutions but more of a wish list of what I would like to achieve, places to visit and crafts to learn,” she says. “Well, one thing is for sure that no one expected 2020 to be what it was!

My wish list was thrown out of the door and I spent a few months just worrying.” Fortunately, crochet is back on Anna’s must-do list for 2021. “My crochet mojo is back in full force so I have big plans. I also have a new book in the making, which I’m extremely excited about.”

@emmavarnam

@annanikipirowicz