Being British it's only natural to go on about the weather! That's especially pertinent in winter, as northern hemisphere nights are long, and the days are short and often gloomy with rain or snow. It's comforting for us to have a colourful project we can take our time over ready to enjoy in spring, or a quick, chunky make that we can throw on for a snowy walk in winter.
This issue of Inside Crochet includes both those things – the soft comfort of a blanket in Zoe Curtis's modern and cool Bauhaus design, and the speed and boost of colour in Alessandra Poggiagliolmi's corner-to-corner cowl and mitts. We've also found inspiration in the unlikeliest of places the city in winter. As well as the twinkle of fairy lights and the bursts of bright fireworks, there's the neon signs of well-lit restaurants and the reflection of car headlights in puddles. We love how Padma Ramesh's Tunisian shawl captures the mellow colours of a winter twilight, and how Grace Kok's Neon Lights sweater uses pops of neon pink to lift the gloom away.
If your new year's resolution is to be more playful or use up your stash, we have plenty of projects here for toys and one-skein projects, as well as some sophisticated garments to refresh your wardrobe. Emily Platt's Urbanite cardigan is inspired by the Manhattan skyline and is sure to become an instant classic, and Cassie Ward's Townhouse Sweater with its brick-red yarn is light and warm perfect for darting in and out of buildings on a frosty morning. We hope you enjoy this modern winter issue as much as we do, and that you find inspiration in your surroundings, too whether its an urban landscape or a country vista.