Wordy Wednesday...

I must say I was excited to hear the publishers of Mollie Makes were bringing out a crochet magazine and eventually, due to the actions of a lovely soul, I have managed to get my hands on a copy... It arrived on Friday afternoon just as the snow was starting to fall and I sat by the fire and enjoyed  my copy of Simply Crochet. Here are my thoughts on issue one...

It must be difficult to produce a craft magazine aimed at all skill levels; a magazine has to be beginner friendly, but not too simplistic to turn away the more proficient crocheter. Issue one of Simply Crochet featured nine pages on how to get started with crochet and basic stitches. This may change with subsequent issues? Many of the projects were “easy makes” such as granny square cushions and bunting, but I think as time goes on this magazine will find its equilibrium and appeal to all skill sets. The styling in the magazine is very “Mollie Makes” and overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

One bugbear I have with all crochet magazines is their lack of photographic tutorials to go alongside the written patterns and this is where many crochet blogs have the edge. I realise space is an issue, but personally I would like to see less adverts and more photographic tutorials. I would have loved to see a photographic tutorial alongside the pattern for crochet edging on a pillowcase. There is one  pattern taken from a book for an amigurumi dragon that has a photographic tutorial.

As a blogger and avid reader of crafting blogs and sites such as Pinterest, Ravelry and Flickr, I feel I have seen most of the featured projects and ideas already, but as with Mollie Makes, this magazine has the potential to become a wonderful reference library which can be re-visited over the years when the need for inspiration strikes. I often dig out old issues of Mollie Makes to have a browse through.

The thing to remember with being part of blogland is that it is so easy to become accustomed to finding out about the latest patterns and products on a daily basis and a magazine can never match this. A magazines strength lies in the fact that you cannot beat sitting down with a favourite magazine and a cuppa for an hour of self-indulgence. There is something rather wonderful about seeing your favourite magazines stacked up on your bedside table.

When I get the time I would like to cover a coat hanger or two and try my hand at crochet edging some of my vintage pillowcases... I’ll need to buy some crochet cotton first. For those just starting out on their crochet journey, this magazine is an absolute gem.

Love love love the porch when the Spring flowers are blooming... and I also love this turquoise pot...

I’m looking forward to seeing how this magazine develops in the months to come and I feel it already outshines the established crochet magazines out there. Do check it out if you happen to be in the newsagents.... Issue two comes with a rather cool owl shaped hook gauge; I just hope my local WH Smiths gets its act together and starts stocking Simply Crochet!