Name change! (formerly mrsdaftspaniel)

Hello! Hopping on here to let you know about my recent decision to change my username both here on the blog and on Instagram. It's something that I've been considering for a while now but I've been slightly aprehensive about doing it; 1) in case my following totally drops in the confusion and 2) mrsdaftspaniel is very much a part of me, I feel a sense of betrayal almost. Weird, it's only a name!

I joined Instagram back in 2012 when I got my first smart phone! I remember the excitement of downloading the app because I had been watching it vicariously over my hubby's shoulder (he's daftspaniel). When it came to choosing a username I just plumped for mrsdaftspaniel, not realising how involved I would become with the crafting community on Instagram and how much my account would grow.  The photo below is my very first Instagram post, I look so different!

When I set up my Ravelry store and later my Lovecrafts store I chose the slightly more professional name of Marta Mitchell Designs - more of a "does what it says on the tin" type name. It's clean, it includes my name, it doesn't have the word crochet in it because I may branch into knitting design, who knows?

My aim is that by streamlining my name across all platforms it should make it easier for all my lovely followers to find me and not be confused by two different names (perhaps you're even reading this and hadn't realised they were both created by the same person?). So, I tested the waters by changing it on Pinterest a few weeks ago and that went smoothly, phew! (Not following me on Pinterest? You can find me here).

I hope that explains it all. Writing it all out has certainly helped me, it does feel like the end of an era letting go of mrsdaftspaniel but I'm feeling confident that it's the right step forward - I have exciting plans for my business, more on this later ...

Marta xx

2 shawls to crochet for Sping!

Hello! Today I would like to highlight two of my shawl patterns which are perfect for Spring! The weather is starting to get warmer here in the northern hemisphere and it's time to think about replacing hats, gloves & thick scarves for something lighter.

First up is my Crocheted Alpaca Wrap - a warm yet light wrap which would look pretty worn over a blouse or dress. It's worked up in one of the neutral King Cole baby alpaca shades. 

The Crocheted Alpaca Wrap is available on LoveCrafts here on Ravelry here (please note Ravelry may cause issues for people with photosensitivity).

The Daffodil Shawl is gorgeously soft and drapes gracefully around your shoulders. It's crocheted in Koigu Mori (50% merino wool/ 50% mulberry silk) giving it such a delicate, light feeling. The filet crochet design creates staggered rows of daffodil motifs.

You can find the pattern on LoveCrafts here and on Ravelry here (please note Ravelry may cause issues for people with photosensitivity).

I hope you like these shawl patterns, as always, let me know if you follow one!

Marta xx

Inspiration for a Mother's Day card

Hello! It's Mother's Day here in the UK this Sunday and if you're still looking to make a card I have some crochet card inspiration for you here!

I was wondering what kind of card to make my own mum when I remembered a pattern I had written for a simple crocheted flower. I thought it might look quite cute stuck on a card and began playing around with different ideas, with and without the added pen lines.

When I looked up the pattern, written back in 2016, I found it looked totally alien to my current way of writing so I gave it a makeover! This design includes both UK & US terms, a chart AND a photo tutorial! It's rated beginner level and I'm confident that even if you're new to crochet you will manage to make a cute flower.

I used DMC Natura Just Cotton (310m/100g, 100% cotton) in Cerise, Giroflee and Passion for these cards. For the smaller pink (Cerise) flowers I used a 2.5mm hook and pulled the centres in really tightly. For the larger flowers I used a 3mm hook and left the centres open slightly. My plain white cards are square 12.5mmx12.5mm (I think I bought these in Hobbycraft but they're widely available or you could fold a sheet of card in half). I used PVA glue for sticking - a glue gun would work too, especially if you're in a real hurry!

The beauty of this pattern is that it will work with ANY yarn and the appropriate size hook. Of course, the finished flower can be used for all sorts of decorative purposes, it can be sewn on to items as well as glued.

You can find the FREE pdf download for the Simple Flower on Lovecrafts here and on Ravelry here (please note that the Ravelry website can cause issues for people with photosensitivity).

I hope this inspires you if you're making a last minute card - please tag me on Instagram if you make one, or leave a comment below, I'd love to know how you get on!