As we're writing, the temperature here has dropped and we're expecting a cold snap shortly. This is welcome news for us crocheters, as damp and dreary weather is less conducive to wearing all our warming woolly layers – but proper wintery conditions mean we can pile on our favourites!
Editor Sarah is still to finish the stunning Anfa Wrap from issue 143 and now, like an excited child, she wants to get her hook into lots of the gorgeous, cosy projects in this month's issue. Lindsey Newns' fabulous Spot-on Slipper Socks are a must-make to cheer up February, while the talented Emma Leith has created Sarah's ultimate blanket, lots of tactile cables combined with a patchwork pattern and adorned with colourful tassels! And being lucky enough to live by the coast, she also adores Helda Panagary's beautiful Shell Foraging Shawl and will be making her own to wear for exactly that purpose!
The joy of crocheting at this time of year is that it tends to be when we can crochet for ourselves, when all the Christmas making is finished and we still have the longer evenings to hook chunky, soft and nurturing makes. This year more than ever, we suspect most of us will be finding comfort in our craft, not just from the softest yarns but from the repetitive hooking and the calm sense of achievement when we've created something truly beautiful, one tiny stitch at a time.