There’s this weird stretch of the year where you’re not quite done with winter but spring is starting to nudge its way in. Your heavy wool sweater feels like too much, but a t-shirt? Not yet. That in-between space is exactly where this issue lives.

When I started pulling Frost or Flourish together, I kept coming back to one idea: versatility. Not in a boring, practical way, but in the way that lets you decide what something becomes depending on the day, the weather, or your mood.

That’s what drew me to both designs in this issue. Cristina’s Fundido wrap can be worn about six different ways thanks to a clever button and buttonhole setup. Give it a try! You won’t be able to stop yourself from finding new ways to fasten it.

It’s one piece that shapeshifts with you. And if the mosaic colorwork looks intimidating, don’t let it fool you. Most rows use just one color at a time, and the stripes do the heavy lifting.

Linette’s Wind Won’t Howl cowl is the same kind of quiet versatility. Pull it up high around your neck when you’re wearing a jacket and just need that one cold spot covered. Pull it down like a poncho when you want full insulation. Take it off entirely when you’re done pretending it’s still winter.

And you also choose your front: a long V or a straighter edge that’s a little more relaxed. Same pattern, totally different wear. One cowl, six moods.

Since we’re deep into Year of Color right now, I wanted this issue to lean into color more than usual. The three Stitchopedias all explore using color in interesting ways, which felt like a natural companion to what we’re doing with YOC.

The Art of Hygge Stitching is here for the days when you’re not in transition mode at all. You just want a fireplace, hot cocoa, and something easy on the needles. No ambition, no deadlines, just stitching. We could all use more of that.

From Frost to First Blooms rounds things out with a look at transitional crafting: how to make things that actually work for this in-between period instead of sitting in a drawer until next November.

And of course, the Crafty Horoscope is back. They’re all different, they’re all ridiculous, and I’ve read Taurus’s lucky find about six times now: ‘It was a forgotten skein in exactly the colorway you needed…behind the spare pillows. Of course it was.’

Happy reading, happy making.

Jody