Five years ago during the pandemic, there was a remarkable transformation happening while we were indoors doing PE with Joe. Nature was healing: grass verges bloomed with wildflowers, and water quality in rivers and lakes improved. But while nature was repairing itself, it proved to be a balm for our troubled minds too.
Crochet designer and nature writer Emma Mitchell has written about how the natural fractal patterns found in nature are wonderful natural medicine, and this issue celebrates these mesmerising shapes. We especially love the unfurling fronds of a fern, which are represented in three of our patterns: the Fern Bag by Jess Bennett, Unfurling Cushion by Catherine Venner and Frond Scarflette by Katherine Laight. Kath Webber has explored the silvery greeny-blues of succulents with her Sempervivum Top, and Sam Sabido has knocked it out the park again with her fabulous Feather Jacket – a beautiful boho addition to this issue in bold teal shades.
The fractal patterns of mathematics are explored here too – with the swirl motifs of Cassie Ward’s gorgeous Spiralis Tee and Jenny Street’s pretty Ammonite Shawl, named for Dorset’s famous palaeontologist, Mary Anning.
There’s so much inspiration to be found in nature!