Spring Shortie Socks for Pattern of the Month in April

Hello! I don't know about you, but I'm so happy we're finally into April! I'm on the east coast of Scotland and the weather has really warmed up, the clocks have changed to BST (signifiying lighter evenings) and it's my birthday month, yay!

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, I've chosen my Lazy Days Shortie Socks for my 10% off April promotion. Get ready to kick back and relax in style with these playful and practical socks. Designed for ultimate comfort, they're perfect for lounging around the house or adding a touch of whimsy to your everyday outfits. Say goodbye to cold toes and hello to happy feet!

These socks crochet up quickly with DK weight yarn and feature a classic heel turn, making them a satisfying project for intermediate crocheters.

Here’s what you’ll love about the Lazy Days Shortie Socks pattern:

Toe-up design with traditional heel flap & gusset: For a perfect fit and classic sock construction.

Easy-to-follow pattern: With detailed instructions and helpful video tutorials to guide you every step of the way.

Multiple sizes available: Adult Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, ensuring a perfect fit for everyone.

Crocheted with DK weight yarn: For those who read my last blog post and thought "Meh! 4ply yarn takes a-g-e-s to work up", you'll love this as a quick project!
Written in UK terminology.

Dual terms: Digital version written in both UK & US terminology. Printed version is in UK terms only.

NEW!:

There is now a printed version of the pattern available! It's folded A4 size and has been professionally printed on quality paper. UK delivery only for this item (sorry, international shipping is a pain at the moment). It will be posted in a sturdy envelope.

To crochet your own pair of shortie socks, you'll need:

• 100g skein of superwash DK (75% superwash merino/ 25% nylon, 225m/ 100g), I used yarn from The Wool Shed.

• 4.5mm crochet hook

• Needle for sewing in ends

• 3 (cute) stitch markers

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to add a touch of handmade warmth to your wardrobe! Your special 10% discount is only available for the month of April and is valid on digital copies and printed copies. Use the code APR24 on my website and on Ravelry.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

The Wonderful World of 4ply Yarn

Hello! In today's blog post I’d like to go deeper into the wonderful world of 4ply yarn. Often admired for its delicate and refined appearance, 4ply yarn possesses a hidden strength that many crocheters might overlook. It's this unique combination of elegance and resilience that makes it a favourite of mine for intricate projects.

The Magic of Multi-Stranded Construction

Have you ever wondered what the "ply" in 4ply actually means? It refers to the number of individual strands that are twisted together to create the yarn. Think of it like this: each strand is like a single thread, and on its own, it might be quite fragile. However, when you bring four of these strands together and twist them, something magical happens; they reinforce each other, creating a yarn that's surprisingly strong.

This multi-stranded construction is fundamental to 4ply's strength. The twisting action creates friction and cohesion between the strands, making the resulting yarn much more resistant to breaking. This means that despite its fine nature, 4ply yarn can withstand the rigours of crochet, allowing you to create intricate and long-lasting pieces.

Why Choose 4ply?

Delicate Detail: 4ply yarn is perfect for projects that require fine detail and intricate stitch work. Its thinness allows for beautiful drape and a lightweight finish, ideal for garments and accessories.
Stitch definition: The consistent twist of 4ply wool also contributes to good stitch definition, allowing intricate patterns to stand out clearly.  
Versatility: From delicate shawls and blankets to elegant sweaters and cosy socks, 4ply yarn can be used for a wide range of projects.
Strength and Durability: As I’ve mentioned, the multi-stranded construction ensures that your finished projects are not only beautiful but also strong and durable.
Wonderful Drape: Due to its lightness, 4ply garments and accessories have a wonderful drape, which makes them very comfortable to wear.

Time is ticking on my early bird offer!

Speaking of beautiful projects in 4ply yarn … I'm really pleased with the release of my latest cowl pattern! Many of you bought the pattern from my stall on Saturday and many more have purchased online, thank you - it's been one of the most successful launches I've ever done!

Designed with the elegance and strength of 4ply yarn in mind, this cowl is the perfect blend of delicate detail and robustness as an everyday item. I think it's a fantastic project for those looking to explore the versatility of 4ply yarn.

My cowl is designed to show off the beautiful drape and stitch definition that 4ply yarn provides. I used Clan 4ply from The Scottish Yarn Festival in the colours Bruce and Errol. Its interesting design will keep you engaged as you crochet and the finished piece will be a stunning addition to your wardrobe.

Ready to Experience the Beauty of 4ply?

Don't miss out on the opportunity to start your own stunning cowl! Click the link below to purchase my new pattern and to take advantage of my early bird offer of 20% off. Use the code RIVER on my website and in my Ravelry Store (offer ends 23:59 on Sunday 30th March, BST). I can't wait to see your beautiful creations - tag me! 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Crochet Cowl Pattern Out Now On Ravelry

Hello! A HUGE thank you to everyone who purchased my River Never Sleeps Cowl crochet pattern from my website or from my stall on Saturday at the Scottish Wool Producers' Showcase! If you haven't bought my pattern yet, I can let you know that it's now live on Ravelry as well as my website.

My River Never Sleeps cowl owes its name to a serendipitous discovery: a vintage fishing book by Roderick Haig-Brown. This book's captivating cover art by Stephen Russ fits so well alongside the crochet design, I simply had to poach the name!

Crocheted with a sumptuously soft Shetland/Cheviot blend from The Scottish Wool Festival, this möbius cowl, though complex in appearance, is created by straight forward rounds of crochet. Suitable for intermediate crocheters, the pattern includes both UK and US terminology and requires two contrasting skeins of Clan 4ply from The Scottish Wool Festival.

Thank you for your patience if you were holding out for the Ravelry version, I delayed this release because I wanted to keep things as simple as possible for leaving the house early on the day of the showcase.

The same early bird discount is valid on my website and on Ravelry: RIVER will give you 20% off, making the pattern just £4.40! Discount ends 23:59 on Sunday 30th March.

I'll be back on Friday with my regular blog post - until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

River Never Sleeps Cowl Crochet Pattern Release

Hello! A super quick blog post from me as I rush around getting ready for The Scottish Wool Producers' Showcase. I've a moment to let you know that my River Never Sleeps cowl crochet pattern is now live! If you missed yesterday's blog post with all the details go check that out here.

In a nutshell, my River Never Sleeps cowl offers a mesmerising, flowing möbius design, perfect for intermediate crocheters seeking to crochet up a unique and warm accessory.

I'll be at my stall at The Scottish Wool Producers' Showcase with paper copies of the pattern today - come say hello if you're there! I'll have my crochet loving friend Gwen with me on the stall to help answer any questions too.

Can't make it to Perth? The pdf of the pattern is now live on my website and you can take advantage of my early bird discount: 20% off with the code RIVER

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Crochet Cowl Pattern Release Day Tomorrow!

Hello! Tomorrow (Saturday 22nd March) is release day for my River Never Sleeps Cowl! This is a captivating möbius design that flows endlessly, just like a winding river.

The name of this pattern was inspired by a vintage fishing book called A River Never Sleeps by Roderick Haig-Brown. When I was crocheting up the cowl, I stumbled across a battered copy of this book with a beautiful cover illustrated by Stephen Russ and I felt that the perfect name had presented itself right at the moment of creation!

Crafted with the luxurious 4ply yarn in a Shetland/ Cheviot blend from The Scottish Wool Festival, this cowl promises unparalleled softness and comfort on chilly days. The intricate looking möbius construction is achieved by crocheting a long tube in the round and seamlessly joining it with a twist. 

This pattern is designed for intermediate crocheters and includes clear instructions in both UK and US terms. You'll need two distinct coloured skeins from The Scottish Wool Festival to bring this dynamic design to life.

Finished size, after blocking (but before sewing up): length 74cm; depth 20cm. Finished size, after sewing up: width 36cm: depth 20cm

To crochet this cowl, you will need:

• Main colour: 1x 100g skein of The Scottish Yarn Festival Clan 4ply (350m/ 100g, 80% Shetland/ 20% Cheviot), I used the colourway Bruce (blue). 

• Contrast colour: 1x 100g skein of The Scottish Yarn Festival Clan 4ply (350m/ 100g, 80% Shetland/ 20% Cheviot), I used the colourway Errol (green). 

• 4mm (G/6) crochet hook

• Large needle for sewing up

My new cowl pattern invites you to create a truly unique and mesmerising accessory, perfect for adding a touch of handcrafted warmth to any outfit. 
 
Tomorrow is the day of the Scottish Wool Producers' Showcase and that's the day I've chosen to release this cowl pattern, come see me at my stall to purchase a paper copy or check back here on my blog. If you don't want to miss the release, subscribe to my mailing list - loads of crochet goodness coming your way when you do, including my biggest early bird offer!

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

The Ultimate Crochet Sock Guide is here!

Learn to crochet socks with my latest PDF guide!

Hello! Are you ready to say goodbye to cold feet and hello to the comfort of handmade socks? I'm excited to share my brand new PDF guide, The Ultimate Crochet Sock Guide, designed to take you from beginner to confident sock crocheter!

As many of you will know, I'm a seasoned crochet sock designer, with 11 crochet sock patterns under my belt. I've poured my passion and expertise into this comprehensive guide. Inside, you'll discover:

• 6 Themed Tutorials: Master essential techniques with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
• BONUS Pattern: Fabulous Socks! Start crocheting right away with this delightful pattern (worth £5.50).
• And so much more! Including expert tips on measuring for the perfect fit, choosing the right yarn, construction techniques, understanding sock terminology, and navigating colour choices.

 

This guide is designed for flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace and refer back to it whenever you need a refresher. Plus, it will be a permanent addition to your crochet library!

Imagine:

• Creating perfectly fitting, beautiful socks for yourself and your loved ones.
• Mastering new crochet skills and expanding your repertoire.
• Enjoying the satisfaction of handmade comfort all year round.

 

Ready to leap into the world of crocheted socks? I'm giving you a special offer: when you purchase my Ultimate Crochet Sock Guide you can choose any sock pattern for FREE (worth £5.50) from my collection! To take advantage of this special offer; simply go to my website, add my sock guide plus your chosen sock pattern to your basket and use the code CROCHETSOCKS at the checkout. 

So, get your crochet sock journey off to a running start and experience the joy of handmade comfortable socks!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Solid colours, variegated yarn or self striping yarn for socks … help!

Hello! In today's blog post I'm going to help you navigate the exciting world of colour choices for crocheting socks. I’ll go through various sock yarn options, from simple solids to more interesting self-striping yarns and teach you how to manipulate colour to create stunning and unique sock designs. 

1. Solid Colours: A Timeless Classic

• Simplicity: Solid colours offer a clean look

• Versatility: Easy to match with any outfit.

• Highlighting Texture: Allows the stitch definition to shine.

My Lyre Socks and Synthesiser Socks (pictured above) will both work best in a solid colour. This is because they have a textured pattern and if you introduce a mix of colours to the sock the texture will be lost. Solid colours are also best for more open or lacy designs, such as my Off-the-Beat Socks.

2. Subtle Variations: Variegated Yarns

• Speckles: Adds visual appeal and personality. A little colour introduces a playful touch to socks!

• Motivation: It keeps things interesting as you crochet; it’s fun to watch the tiny splashes of colour become incorporated in your sock.

One thing I like about crocheting socks is that a 100g skein of indie dyed yarn will give you 1 pair of socks, they’re a brilliant way to try out differnt yarns. My Lazy Days Socks and Fiddle Socks were both designed specifically for variegated yarn.

Click here for your copy

3. Contrast Details: A Pop of Colour

• Add Interest: Introduce contrasting colours for the toes, heels, and cuffs.

• Customisation: Mix and match colours to create unique combinations.

If you want to input colour in a sock pattern one of the easiest ways to do so is to use contrasting colours for the different parts. Even if the pattern you’re following doesn’t specify the use of contrast colours, this is very simple to do and will really change the look of your sock. It’s a brilliant way to stash bust too!

4. Self-Striping Magic

• Effortless Colour Changes: Enjoy the magic of self-striping yarns without the hassle of constant colour changes and ends to weave.

• Endless Possibilities: Explore the vast array of colour combinations out there with self-striping sock yarns. If you’re not confident in choosing colours, this takes the guesswork away for you.

The first sock pattern I ever wrote was for self striping yarn; my Fabulous Socks! This pattern continues to be my best seller, I’m sure it’s down to the striking simplicity of the stripes.

5. Advanced Techniques: Colour Manipulation

• Colour Pooling: Explore the fascinating rabbit hole of colour pooling, where colours in a colour changing yarn line up to create unique patterns.

• Strategic Colour Placement: Carefully plan the placement of colours for intentional effect.  I sometimes start sock 1 from the inside of a self-striping ball and sock 2 from the outside of the ball, creating a pair of socks that are sisters, but not twins.

My Fabulous Socks! (pictured below) are an example of working from both ends of a ball of wool. If you look carefully at the socks you can see the colour order is flipped.

Conclusion

Choosing colours for crocheting socks is a journey of creativity and self-expression. The only way to find out which types of yarn you like is to start crocheting socks, experiment with different techniques, embrace unexpected results and don't forget to have fun in the process! 

Your next steps

If you found this post useful you'll be pleased to know that I'm working behind the scenes putting together the Ultimate Guide to Crocheting Socks PDF with everything you need to know plus all my top tips for success! Subscribe to my mailing list to be first to know of the release and receive my biggest discount code.

Also, if you're interested in trying out any of my sock patterns, they're available from my website and Ravelry, go take a look!

Until next time,

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx