Today is my personal New Year, my birthday. It always feels like a time to reflect and dream.

This year I felt more loneliness than ever before, and these thoughts also touched my work. I often thought if what I do is truly needed.

So every time I receive a purchase notification, I still say “thank you” out loud. Because it is not only a sale, but also a small sign that my ideas were appreciated by someone, and are finding their place in the world.

Thank you so much!

Today, May 26, almost all my patterns on Etsy, Ravelry, and my website are 40% off (no code needed). The discount lasts 24 hours (or until you see it), and I hope you find something inspiring among my patterns.

Past Year in Review

It’s already been a year since I relocated to Italy.

I still have a bunch of tasks left in Montenegro, but the most important part, my cats, are already here with me.

It was not easy to bring them. There was human blood at the airport, and two sweet kitties turning into wild lions… but in the end, they made it safely, and now they bring me joy every single day!

And plants! I am turning my balcony into a tiny green jungle for summer. I know I won’t be able to resist keeping you updated on this, as I already have grape vines and cucumbers along with flowers. :D

I haven’t felt successful in my work, and I struggled a lot with consistency. I kept jumping from one idea to another and could barely finish anything. Instagram was painful for me every time I realized that my posts were not even reaching the people who followed my work…

But then a new day comes, and you get up and continue doing the things you are truly passionate about. ◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍

My personal discoveries were:

• that two triangular shawls joined together can form an amazing trapezoid wrap!
• a truly practical way of wearing cowls: for warmth, volume, stitch showcase, or all at once.
• keeping your project neatly folded during the whole pre-blocking process (soaking, squeezing out water, wrapping in a towel, etc.)

All the links lead to Instagram videos.

The most special design moments for me were having my own Malabrigo colorway, Sobre La Luna and releasing my stitch pattern book New Ways with Crochet.

I would love to pick my favorite design of the year, but honestly, I love them all equally during the process.

Even the simplest cowl has so much to offer and it is always exciting to see how many directions one idea can grow into.

It makes me very happy when you treat my patterns as a source of inspiration, and on my side I always try (sometimes quite literally at the edge of my possibilities) to fill them with as many options and thoughtful details as I can.

Based on the likes on Ravelry, the favorite design by you was Marmelada shawl!

Thank you for being here. Let the new year begin!

~ Lena