How To Crochet The Alpine Stitch

  

Hello! Firstly, a quick update on where I'm at with my Perth Beanie crochet pattern (pictured above). Testing is almost finished and that has been a really enlightening process for me. My testers picked up on a few things that I would never even have thought about. One testers was confused with the term "counts as a stitch" vs "does not count as a stitch" - not an issue with the pattern exactly, but something which I understand yet forget that not everyone understands the difference between these two terms. This is something I will address in a future email/ blog post.

Something which is possibly new to you is one of the stitches in my design - the Alpine Stitch - have you tried it before? I love it for its dense & squishy texture! There's a new video tutorial from me up now on YouTube demonstrating this wonderful stitch - if it's a stitch you're not familiar with, please do check it out! 

I'll be back in touch soon with details of the pattern release, until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you can't wait and are itching to start a new project, please have a look on my website or on Ravelry and see if there's something there that takes your fancy!

9 Top Tips For Attending A Yarn Festival

Hello! There are lots of yarn festivals going on at the moment (anyone off to Yarndale this weekend?) and I thought I'd take the opportunity to share my top tips for making the most of your experience.

1.  Plan ahead. Take a look at the list of vendors in advance and if there are any you're especially interested in check out their website or social media platforms to find out what they're currently up to. Similarly, if any new vendors jump out at you, go and follow them online, find out more about what they do. Some vendors have special offers, exclusives or advance orders that you can pay for in advance then pick up at the show - again, worth checking out!

 

2.  Set yourself a budget. Attending a yarn show can be a bit like going into the world's biggest sweet shop, so it's a good idea to be realistic before you go about how much you will spend. You can always support small businesses you admire but don't buy from by taking photos at their stalls and sharing them on social media or adding them to your list for the future.

 

3.  Go with projects in mind. It's a good idea to look at the patterns in your Ravelry library, other downloads or books and plan which yarns you need to buy. If you go armed with "I need 6 skeins of BFL fingering weight for this jumper" it gives you focus and helps prevent you from coming home with a skein of this and a skein of that. 

 

4.  On the day have your ticket handy on your phone or printed out. This saves you from faffing around looking for it when you're at the front of the queue (and gets you in faster!)

 

5.  Stay hydrated. Take plenty water with you, these events can get very hot & sticky with all the people in one building!

 

6.  Don't be shy! Talk to vendors, ask questions, show them things you've made from their yarn or patterns. Also if you recognise anyone else on the day from the yarny community don't be afraid to introduce yourself - build connections, you never know where they'll lead!

 

7.  Have a fairly swift look around first before commiting to any purchases (unless there's something exclusive you know there are only limitted numbers of). Go round and simply soak everything in - perhaps even go outside for some fresh air before heading back in for a closer inspection.

 

8.  Bring a notepad & pen! There will be items you want to take note of, email addresses and websites to swap ... all sorts of things! This one comes from experience - I didn't take either and really needed them!

 

9.  Take lots of photos! There's so much inspiration at a yarn festival, so snap away so you remeber it later. Ask people if they're happy for a selfie with you or ask someone to take your photo. Share online too to help the event and whoever/ whatever is in your photo to gain recognition.

 

What about you? Have you got any tips you'd like to add? Leave me a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

I'll be back next week with more tips and crochet news - if you'd like to receive these posts straight to your inbox, consider subscribing to my mailing list.

Until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

How To Choose A Colour Palette For Crocheting

Hello! In this blog post I'm going to give tips for choosing a colour palette for crocheting, because I don't know about you, but I am LOVING all the colour combos appearing on social media and in my inbox from indie dyers for the upcoming MKAL from Stephen West! There are so many gorgeous combinations out there for a gradient with 4 skeins of yarn - it's such an inspiration. Whether you're a crocheter and a knitter or you just stick to crochet, these combos are everywhere at the moment, you can't miss them!

But, what if you want to join the MKAL (or follow a pattern using 4 skeins of yarn) and you'd like to put your own combination together? Perhaps you have stashed yarn you'd like to use or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to some new yarn and create your own unique combo?

I'm going to share a technique from my Colour & Crochet Course which will help you choose your next colour palette. It begins with creating a mood board, so go grab a pile of magazines or newspapers, some paint cards or fabric samples, scraps of wool, small items from a nature walk - whatever else you have to hand - and get creative! If you don't feel like getting hands on, you can use Pinterest, or it's new sister app Shuffles, for this exercise - you can search for millions of different images and if you don't want to share your board with the rest of the world you can set it to "secret". I’ve also recently used Canva to create some collages - search in their Elements, select “photo” - there are hundreds to choose from!

For your colour theme, you might like to choose autumn, or sea scapes or perhaps a festival vibe! Don't think too hard about the bits & pieces you're adding, just go for it and see what becomes of the process. Once you have your mood board, you should be able to pick out recurring colours and put them together. Look for two colours you like and pair them together, then make a trio, then add a fourth ... before you know it, you'll have your 4 colours.

Fancy giving it a go? If you do, please share on social media and TAG ME, I'd really love to see!

Want to dive deeper? This is just one of the exercises in my Colour & Crochet Course, there are lots more to help you gain confidence in choosing colours. The course also includes 5 of my crochet patterns which use more than one colour so you can put your new found knowledge to immediate use! 

Here's a testimonial from one of my happy customers:

"Marta's color course is very enjoyable as well as helpful. I'm so glad I purchased it as I feel more confident about choosing my color pairings."

Holly-Marie

 

 

I'll be back soon, until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. To receive these blog posts straight to your inbox, please consider subscribing to my mailing list. There's a free pdf waiting for you when you do: 25 Top Crochet Tips Every Crocheter Should Know!

 

Pattern of the Month for September, plus discount code!

Hello! I promised you I'd chat more about September's pattern of the month, and as it's one of my favourite designs I'm happy to do just that! Did you know, I wrote the pattern during the first lockdown in 2020, originally for Crate Crochet subscription box in Australia?

The photo shoot above was a lot of fun - me, 2 of my boys, a crazy dog, a vintage map and an old, leather camera bag. We got some funny looks, but didn't care! 

One of the things people tell me they love about my Elsie Beanie is the option within the pattern for 4ply/ fingering weight and 8ply/ DK weight - the choice is yours! The linked half treble stitches lend themselves so well to the slouchiness of the hat, it doesn't matter which you choose, it's going to look great!

Here's the lowdown on the pattern:

• A simple 4 row repeat which will soon become very rhythmic and mindful.

• It’s an INTERMEDIATE level pattern, written in UK terms.

• There are 4 sizes available - child, teen, adult-M, adult-L and it’s a very adaptable hat pattern, super easy to create the exact fit you'd like!

• The pattern is worked flat, sideways and later crocheted into a tube before being gathered at the crown.

• This design has been tested and tech edited, giving you the reassurance to go ahead and crochet a beautiful hat.

Podcast Special: The Scottish Yarn Festival, 2023

Hello! I'm slowly coming down from a cloud after The excitement of the Scottish Yarn Festival! I had such a brilliant day filled with happy memories that will remain with me for a long time!

A huge thank you to everyone who came to see me at the Sealy MacWheely Designer Explorium (and to Katie and Eva for their hard work organising the showcase). It was super lovely to meet fellow crocheters and to chat crochet! I know many of you are reading this now after signing up on the day, thank you!

I also had quite a few messages from people after the event saying that they'd seen me but were too shy to introduce themselves. Please don't be shy next time. Let me tell you, I was way out of my comfort zone on the day (and probably just as shy as you), but I knew how important connections within the community are, so I faced my fears and did it in anyway!

I'm glad I did because I spoke to a yarn dyer and we've agreed on a collaboration! Whoop! You just never know where a conversation will take you, do you? 

My friend Gwen took this
photo of my designer lanyard!

If you'd like to find out more about my festival experience, do check out my podcast special on YouTube where I talk about it in more depth and share my purchases.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

I've had an exciting yarn delivery!

Hello! One thing which has given me a real boost last week was a yarn delivery (who doesn't love those, right?). I've been stalking Pamela at Otter and Pappoose yarns for quite some time and when she posted yet another of her gorgeous yarn photos, I caved and placed an order!

When I opened my package the colours were just what I hoped for! You can see everything in the photo above. I plan to use the 100g orange skein (colourway Dragonfly, 75% SWM/ 25% nylon, 425m per 100g) for knitting a pair of Woodland Trail Socks by Dana Rae Makes. It's going to be the perfect colour to knit with this autumn, I can't wait to finish knitting my current pair to cast on!

All the mini skeins will be crocheted into solid granny squares for my Battenberg Blanket. I don't think you can tell from the photo, but the skein on the left has sparkle through it which I love! It's called Dorothy Sparkle and it's 75% SWM/ 20% nylon/ 5% silver stellina sparkle, 42m per 10g. I've already crocheted through most of it and I can confirm it's lovely to work with. ISo far I've also crocheted up the green mini skein (my Battenberg doesn't have much green in it so far) and the pinky, purple. The mini skeins are also 4ply and the same yarn composition as the orange one. 

Pamela popped in a little dino stitch marker which is super cute - I'll be using him for my socks for sure! All in all, I thoroughly recommend this indie dyer; fantastic customer service, quick dispatch, beautiful yarn! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pamela has very kindly given me a special discount code for you, click the link below to her Etsy shop and treat yourself to 10% off with the code PAPPOOSEBLOG10

Until next time, happy crocheting!

PS. If you'd like to receive these emails straight to your inbox, please subscribe to my mailing list. There's a free pdf with 25 Top Tips Every Crocheter Should Know waiting for you when you do! Sign me up!

Beginning To End

Hooray! My Lazy Days crochet along starts today! Have you got your yarn and hook at the ready?

If you've been following my journey over the last few months you'll know I've been working towards the start of this crochet a-long (CAL) since way back in March. It all began with a swatch which quickly grew into a wrap with the design all mapped out for others to follow.

I'm here in this post to remind that you that you can ask me any questions from the beginning to the end of this CAL. You can do so via email, or on Instagram you can drop me a DM or join the private chat group I've created there. This group is a great place to ask questions because the chances are if you're wondering about something, someone else is too!

I opened the chat group last Friday to allow everyone time to settle in and introduce themselves. Many of us shared our current WiPs and spoke about hurrying to finish things ready to start the CAL, hooray!

There's still time for you to buy a kit, especially as they seem to be arriving on doorsteps the day after posting which is amazing! One kit even made it to Northern Ireland the next day, impressive! If you order by 12pm, I will post out the same day.

Don't dilly dally too long though, I'm down to the last 16 kits! Order yours here.

There's also the option to buy the pattern and use your own yarn. I recommend anything in a solid, semi solid or lightly speckled colourway and you'll need approximately 170g of fingering weight/ 4ply yarn.

You can buy the pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

Like I say, should you have any questions about the pattern or the kit, please ask, I'm happy to help!

Marta xx

Some Of My Followers Love This, Do You?

Hello! A few years ago I began adding a 'Take it Further' section at the end of my patterns, in which I invite you to take my design and add your own twist. I bullet point 4 or 5 ideas to get your creative ideas flowing and then encourage you to go ahead and crochet something a little bit different.

Whilst some of these ideas could be as simple as using more colours or adding a pompom, others will require a little more skill and involve changing the stitch count or using the stitch pattern to create something else entirely. If this is the case I do guide you by letting you know how many multiples are in the stitch count.

The first pattern I added this inspiration section to was my Sunshine & Showers Aplliqué pattern and I launched a competition to see who could come up with the best variation. The collage above shows some of the amazing results from customers who entered - I was VERY impressed! The winner was Jane (@created_uniquely on Instagram) who created the coin purse (pictured bottom left).

I know many of you LOVE this extra section, in fact Holly-Marie shared a photo this week of her In The Groove Cushion Cover, showing how she had done a completely different stitch on the back and created an envelope opening too. You can see her reel on Instagram here. 

Crochet patterns are really easy to adapt and make your own, whether that's intentionally (in similar ways to Holly-Marie) or whether that's because you make a 'mistake' and decide to run with it! So go ahead, have a look at my 'Take it Further' sections and let your creativity flow!

Don't forget to tag me when you do because I'd love to see!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you'd like to receive these posts staright to your inbox, sign up to my mailing list - you'll be first to hear all my crochet news and get the biggest discounts! 

Crochet Pattern of the Month for June!

Hello! This time last year I was hard at work putting the finishing touches on my first crochet kit, fun times! That kit featured a crocheted sock pattern, my Lazy Days Socks, and it's this pattern I've chosen for pattern of the month for June.

To rewind a little further I'd better explain how the Lazy Days theme began with an illustration I commissioned from Katie Gammie. I'd been an admirer of Katie's work for a while and I loved how her drawing evoked a sense of laid back summer days, just the vibe I was looking for.

From there I sent the finished drawing to Liv Spencer at The Wool Shed who hand dyed sock yarn for me inspired by its colours. I then designed a pair of crocheted socks taking inspiration from both the illustration and the yarn. 

The socks are a cuff-down design which I had a lot of fun designing. The cuffs have a very unusual look to them - I was recreating the foxglove spikes in wool form! The heel has a flap and gusset to allow for plenty of room around the instep and the soles have extended double crochet stitches for a smooth feel underfoot.

If you haven't crocheted socks before, here are a few of my top tips:

• Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. This will really help you to keep track of your work.

• Try on your socks on as you go, making sure that they're the right size and adjusting as necessary.

• Weave in any ends as you go. This will help to prevent them from coming undone especially during multiple try ons.

• Be patient and have fun! Crocheting socks is such a rewarding project that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels.

• Don't forget that you can reach out to me with questions at any time!

My Lazy Days Socks crochet pattern is available on my website and on Ravelry and you can have 10% off the pattern with the code JUN23 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Come and Make Friends With my Lazy Days CAL

One of the things I really love about crochet is the way it brings like minded people together. In my last few emails I've been telling you all about my Lazy Days Kits, but here in this email I'd like to explain more about the Lazy Days CAL and how it will operate.

If you haven't come across the term before, a CAL is a Crochet A-Long where a group of crocheters get together and work on the same (or similar) project at the same time. This usually takes place in the virtual world, although there can sometimes be opportunities to meet with others locally too.

Over the years I've made so many good friends through CALs. Most of them I've never met in real life but some I have and some I plan to meet in the future. It's a reminder to me that there are good people out there and they fill my life with happiness (you know who you are if you're reading this).

I'm going to kick off my Lazy Days CAL on June 23rd 2023 which gives you plenty of time to stash dive or buy yarn if you're not going to be using my kit.

The pattern is now up on Ravelry and on my website, so you can see the details there and I've set up a special discount code for you JUN23 will give you 10% off the pattern!

The recommended yarn for this project is 75% superwash merino/ 25% nylon in 4ply/ sock weight/ fingering weight. To bring out the best of this design I suggest that you go for something that's all one colour, or something tonal or something with light speckling or mottling. Any yarn with high contasts or bold colour changes will make the finished wrap look too busy. You will need approximately 170g of yarn.
 
The main place I'm going to hold the CAL is in a chat group on Instagram. You can send me a message on Instagram once you've bought the pattern and would like to be added to the group (find my Insta icon link at the very foot of this email). This will be a friendly space where we can share photos, ask questions and generally cheer each other on.
 
I've done this in the past for other pattern releases and it's a great way to work on a longer term project like this and to make new friends in the process. So, don't be shy, come and say hello! 
 
Did I mention that there will be PRIZES? There will be multiple categories and prizes which I'll announce nearer the time!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Pre-orders Now Open for my Lazy Days Kits

Hello! Looking for a relaxing way to spend your free time this summer? Pre-orders are now open for my most relaxing crochet kit ever! 

This kit includes everything you need to enjoy crocheting a beautiful wrap, including:

• 2 full skeins of high-quality yarn from The Wool Shed

• An ergonomic crochet hook

• Detailed, printed instructions for crocheting your wrap

• 4 little extras, including stitch markers from Labours of Love Crochet and a vinyl sticker from Qwerty Cat Shop!

• Plus an organic cotton drawstring bag to keep it all together with the illustration from Katie Birdie on it.

This wrap begins in the centre, one half is crocheted and then the foundation row is worked into for the second half, which is a repeat of the first half. The pattern repeat is super easy to remember which makes it an excellent choice for those lazy summer days.

I'm running this as a CAL (Crochet A-Long) and you have the option of buying the kit or buying the pattern and using your own yarn. The CAL launches on the 23rd of June and I'll give you more info on the yarn requirements in a future blog post.

Whether you're a confident beginner or a seasoned crocheter, the Lazy Days Kit is perfect for you with its easy-to-follow instructions and carefully curated contents. You can be sitting back and creating a gorgeous wrap this summer. You can have 10% off the pre-order price with the code LAZYDAYS10

So, what are you waiting for? Pre-order your Lazy Days Kit today!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

Yarn Substitutes for my Gorse Cowl Pattern

Hello! Thank you so much for the positive response to my latest crochet pattern release - Gorse Cowl! Everything from your likes and comments on social media throught to the pattern sales really do boost my small business and encourage me to keep doing what I'm doing, THANK YOU!

Also, I had a flurry of replies to my last post from folks in New Zealand telling me about how gorse is a real pest in that country. Sorry, I had no idea! 

In this email I'd like to chat about the yarn I chose for this cowl and some possible substitutes for you if you want to use something different.

I bought the yarn for the project one snowy April day in Edinburgh. I'd gone through to Edinburgh for the day with my youngest son and I had my first pay packet from a new job so we visited Jenner's Department Store. There was a good selection of Di Gilpin Lalland in the store - it was the first time I'd come across it and I instantly fell in love with its lambswool softness!

I appreciate that you might not be able to get your hands on the Di Gilpin Lalland or it may simply be out of your budget, so here are a few ideas I have for substituting the yarn because it isn't listed on yarnsub.com.

Biches & Bȗches - Le Lambswool (100% wool). It's slightly thinner than the Lalland at 170m/ 50g but the feel of the yarn is similar.

Simply Shetland Lambswool & Cashmere (88% Shetland Wool/ 12% Cashmere). This yarn has a similar twist to the Lalland and is almost spot on for meterage.

West Yorkshire Spinners Pure DK (100% wool). Lovely and soft with a beautiful twist. Slightly thicker than the Lalland (112m/50g)

King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool). An excellent budget yarn which I've used many times in my designs. It is a bit thicker at 104m/ 50g.

Stashbust! This project could be crocheted in most DK weight yarns. You could pull together a collection of differnt coloured yarns with the same yarn base or you could even make a completely scrappy version - remember all your ends will be hidden inside!

 

I hope this has given you some yarn inspiration, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Crochet Pattern Release: Gorse Cowl

Hello! Last week I went out one beautiful afternoon with my eldest and their fancy camera and we shot some brilliant photos! The focus was a pattern called Gorse Cowl which I always wanted it to be photographed in front of gorse bushes in their prime and every year I seemed to miss the moment - until now!!

I wish you could've been with us that day in the sunshine, surrounded by the heady aroma of gorse - it was truly wonderful. The dog came with us, so did my youngest and my eldest's fiance and we all tried to describe what the smell was like - coconut and freshly baked cake we decided. However, my eldest is one of those people who can't smell gorse. Apparently it's a thing, some people simply can not smell it. Such a shame, they're really missing out. Can you smell it?

So, it's a bit of an out of the blue announcement for you this week; I've released the Gorse Cowl pattern which I wrote, had tech edited and tested back in 2019 but didn't ever get the photos taken to launch it! Crazy, huh?

 

It's a möbius cowl with a unique crocheted-in-the-round design hiding all your pesky ends, so you can express yourself with yarn without the hassle of sewing in all of those ends. 

 

I designed it in Di Gilpin Lalland, which is DK weight 100% scottish lambswool. It's a gorgeous yarn to work with and comes in so many rich, earthy tones including the yellow I chose. It made me think of the gorse bushes I see flowering so abundantly at this time of year, and so the cowl got its name!

 

The pattern is rated as intermediate and is written in UK terms. There's a video tutorial showing you how to work the main pattern, which is a straightforward, mindful pattern once you get going.

 

To crochet a Gorse Cowl, you'll need: 

 

Di Gilpin Lalland, 50g balls (100% scottish lambswool, an 8ply/DK weight yarn, 175m/50g)  

• 1x Beechnut - Colour A
• 1x Ruby Red - Colour B
• 1x Coille - Colour C
• 1x Furze - Colour D

5.5mm crochet hook

Plus a large needle for sewing in your 2 final ends, stitch marker keep track of rounds and scissors.

You can find the pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

I'll have more information about the yarn and possible substitutes in my next blog post. If you have any questions in the meantime, please ask! 

The Mindfulness Of Crochet

Over the last few weeks I've been busier than usual and I've found that my crochet projects have really helped me to unwind, gather my thoughts and escape.

I think you'll agree with me that crochet is a brilliant way to relax and de-stress. The repetitiveness can be so calming, and it can help to focus our minds and clear our thoughts.

Today I'd like to concentrate on the mindfulness of crochet and, if you're not already tuning in to this aspect of the craft, ways you can get the most out of it. 

Did you know that mindful crochet:

• Reduces stress and anxiety. The repetitive motion of crocheting calms us down and can help to reduce our stress and anxiety.
• Improves focus and concentration. Crocheting requires focus, which can help to improve these skills.
• Increases creativity and self-expression. Crocheting is a creative outlet that can help us to thrive and express ourselves.
• Provides a sense of accomplishment. Finishing a crochet project can provide a strong sense of accomplishment.

If you're looking for ways to add a little more mindfulness to your life, crochet, and similar crafts like knitting, sewing etc, are fantastic options.

Here are a few of my tips for practicing mindful crochet:

1. Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.
2. Sit in a comfortable position with good posture.
3. Choose a project that you enjoy and that's not too challenging.
4. Take your time and focus on each stitch.
5. Remember to breathe! Deeply and slowly.
6. Let go of any thoughts or worries that come into your mind.
7. It can help to choose soothing colours such as purples, blues and greens to bring an extra level of calmness.
8. Just enjoy the moment and the process of creating something beautiful.

Whilst all crochet projects can be mindful, some are even more mindful that others due to their simplicity, their repititiveness or their use of mood lifting colours. Things with 2 row repeats which you don't need to look at a pattern for after a few rows are one of my favourites. 

 

Emma Leith, author of Mindful Crochet puts it like this:

 

 "Crochet is a mindful activity that can help you to relax, focus, and be present in the moment. The repetitive motion of crocheting can be very calming, and it can help to clear your mind of worries and stress."

 

I have Emma's Mindful Crochet book and the projects in at are fab! I've made a few of the flowers and the bunting you see in my craft room is made following Emma's Boho Bunting pattern.

 

Just this week on social media, Tom Daley and LoveCrafts partnered to present the word makefulness which they've defined as:

 

"A blissfully happy state achieved by focussing one's awareness on making, used as a therapeutic technique to lift the mood of the maker and those around them."

 

I don't know about you, but I LOVE this word and it's definition! So, next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, pick up your hook and start crocheting! Let me know your thoughts on this issue, I'd love to know if you agree with me! 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you like my posts and wish to receive them straight to your inbox, you can sign up here and receive 20% off your first order from my website at the same time!

Get Creative With Your Wardrobe This May!

Hello! Are you joining in with Me Made May this year? I'll admit, we're over a week into the month and I'm only just starting to think about - which means you can join in from now too!

If you haven't come across it before, Me Made May is an annual challenge that encourages participants to wear their handmade clothing and accessories throughout the month of May. The challenge was created by Zoe Edwards, a sewing blogger and pattern designer, in 2010.

To take part all you have to do is commit to wearing at least one handmade item every day for the month of May! These can be crocheted, knitted or sewn and you can post your outfits on social media using the hashtag #MeMadeMay

Anyone can join in, there are no fixed rules or requirements - you can participate in whatever way works best for you. If you're a beginner crocheter, you can start by wearing simple pieces like shawls and hats. As you become more confident, you can try making more challenging garments like jumpers and cardigans

Here are some tips for participating in Me Made May:

• Start by setting realistic goals for yourself. If you're a beginner crocheter and don't have a big wardrobe of handmade items yet, just post one or two a week. Next year you'll have loads more, I'm sure!
• Mix and match your handmade pieces. You can create a variety of different outfits - for example, you could wear a crocheted shawl with a sewn dress.
• Don't be afraid to get creative. If you're stuck for ideas, try searching for inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram. You can also find inspiration in magazines or fashion blogs.
• Have fun! Me Made May is a challenge, but it's also a lot of fun. So relax and have fun putting your outfits together!

It's a fun way to connect with other crocheters, knitters and sewists and make new friends - I encourage you to join in the fun this May!

If you're looking to crochet up something for Me Made May, I'd recommend my Printer Ink Scarf. It's crocheted in 4ply yarn and it's very light and airy for wearing at this time of year. You can find the pattern on my website and on Ravelry.

 

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

My 6 Top Tips For Better Swatches

Hello! If you're new to crochet and not sure what swatching is, it's the process of crocheting a small sample to test your gauge. It's a valuable step at the start of any crochet project, but it's extremely important for projects that require a specific fit, such as garments.

So, what is gauge?

Gauge, also known as tension, is the number of stitches and rows (usually per 10cm) in any piece of crochet. The gauge for each project is determined by the designer and should be found near the top of the pattern instructions.

Why is swatching so important?

I know, I know! It's a step we often want to skip, but there are several reasons why swatching is important.

• To ensure that your finished piece of crochet will be similar to the designer's finished piece. If it's a jumper for example, this is important - even a small difference in tension can make a BIG difference in the size of your finished project.

• To make sure that your crochet work will look the way you want it to. Different hook sizes can produce different textures and drapes. The process of swatching allows you to experiment with different hook sizes to find the hook and yarn that produces the results you want.

• To help stop you running out of yarn. When you swatch and your tension matches up with the designer's tension you can be confident that your yarn use will be more or less the same.

Ok, I'm listening, how do I swatch?

To make a swatch; crochet a square using the yarn, hook size and stitch pattern that you plan to use for your project.

Most patterns will specify the size of swatch that is required and the stitch pattern you should use for them. I recommend making your swatch at least 12cm x 12cm so that you are well clear of the edges when you take your reading.

Once you have crocheted your swatch, measure the number of stitches and rows per 10cm. If your gauge does not match the gauge specified in the pattern, you can adjust your tension or change the hook size until you get the desired gauge. If you have less stitches/ rows per 10cm you need to move down to a smaller hook. If you have more stitches/ rows per 10cm you need to move up to a bigger hook.

Mindful Crochet - Get the In The Groove Pattern

Hello! It's a new month and that means a new pattern of the month offer! For May, I've chosen my In The Groove Cushion Cover because it's such a good option if you're looking for a mindful crochet project.

It's a beginner level pattern, worked in a mix of double crochet & spike stitches for their extra padding & squishiness!

6x 100g balls of worsted weight yarn (10ply) are needed - or you could stash bust with lots of leftovers to make a super colourful scrappy design!

The crochet pattern is available on my website and on Ravelry. If you purchase via my website and have a Ravelry account you will have the option to add the pattern to your Ravelry library for free.

Use the code GROOVE for 10% off the pattern!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. Any questions about the pattern, please ask, I'm here to help!

PPS. For 20% off this pattern and all future pattern of the month offers, sign up to my mailing list here.

Ugh, Why Did I Do That?

Hello! I did something really silly recently. Do you know those times when you just wish you could go back in time and not do the stupid thing? That.

So, I'd just finished soaking my finished Lazy Days Wrap and instead of squeezing the excess water out in a large towel like I usually do, I decided to chuck it in the washing machine on a 'gentle' spin cycle. 

Well ... it came out the machine in a twisted, stretched-out-of-all-proportion, snake like state! Eeeeek!

I went ahead and blocked it anyway, trying to pull it width wise to take the length out. That didn't work. Once off the blocking mats it was 270cm long and when I put it round my shoulders it almost came to my feet! 

To try and fix this, I soaked it over night to relax the fibres and reblocked it the next day. This made an ever so slight difference, but it was still crazy long!!

The moral of the story? When it comes to handling precious wool creations, don't try and skip steps, take your time and let the pieces shine!

I'll be back next week and I should have a second finished wrap to share with you. One that's properly blocked!

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Unlock Your Creativity: Design Your Own Crochet Ideas

 Photo credit: © The Crochet Project

 *** this post contains affiliate links ***

Hello! A quick post today to let you know about The Crochet Project's latest course which has just launched all about making your crochet ideas come to life.

The course teaches design basics, taking an idea from inspiration to finished garment or accessory. If you're looking to dip your toes into the design water, this is the course for you. Joanne has 12 years of designer experience behind her and knows her stuff!

The cost is £50 with the option to pay in 3 installments of £17 per month. You will have lifelong access to the course so you can take it at your own pace.

If you're already a Hub member you'll get 25% discount on the course! Whoop!

If you're not in the Hub, you may wish to sign up to the Hub first because the course will then only cost £37.50! Use the code HUBINTRO for £3 off your first 3 months membership (cancel anytime).

I am a BIG fan of The Crochet Project! I'm a Hub member, I've crocheted more of their patterns than I can count off the top of my head and I have worked through many of their courses - they're fantastic! 

Interested in finding out more? Click the link here.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

So much crochet to share with you!

 I'VE SO MUCH CROCHET TO SHARE WITH YOU!

Over the last two weeks I've been focusing on the crochet side of my business rather than the admin/ content side of my business. This has freed up so much time and as a result I have A LOT of crochet to share with you!

I chose to slow down, get off the hamster wheel, spend time with family & friends and with my crochet and I feel much better for it. Today is Tuesday as I'm write this and it's my first day back at it. I feel fresh and ready to return. 

So, what have I been crocheting? Here goes, in no particular order ...

I have finished my Lazy Days Wrap! It needs blocking but the crocheting part is done! I did also get the pattern written up, tech edited and sent to testers! Whoop!

This wrap is going to be released as a CAL (crochet a-long) some time towards the end of May. Sign up to my mailing list for more details coming soon!

My Battenberg Blanket has received a lot of attention! I had a really lovely day out with my mum to Stonehaven (further up the east coast from me, we went by tain which gave us wonderful sea views).   Anyway, whilst there we spent a good while in Baa!, the local wool shop! Amongst other purchases, I came a way with 2 balls of Crazy Zauberball by Schoppel. The colour changing quality of these balls enables me to crochet multiple different coloured squares for my blanket from the one ball of wool.   I started the Alchemilla Shawl by Kat Goldin. This is being run as a CAL by The Crochet Project to mark their 10th anniversary!    The recommended yarn was out of my budget, instead I purchased some yarn from a friend on Instagram who was having a destash. It's True 4ply Botany from Rowan which is now discontinued but a really lovely wool nevertheless.    It's not too late to join this CAL (it only started last Friday) and I have an affiliate link to the Hub - The Crochet Project's membership site which I thoroughly recommend you join. Take a look here and you can recieve £3 off the first 3 months membership with the code HUBINTRO.   I've been working on my crochet blanket design. The blanket is now all in one piece and the ends are all sewn in! The pattern has been written up to this point as well and all there is to do now is the border.   This blanket (which doesn't have a name yet, I'll announce a naming competition soon!) is also going to be a CAL and I'm keeping the final section a secret, so you'll have to make do with a folded photo for now.   I have added a few rows to my Not So Granny Wrap. This is another pattern from The Crochet Project (I really do LOVE their patterns!)   It's a pattern which requires lace weight yarn which I have hardly ever worked with but I'm finding it easy going actually. I'm using yarn which was passed on to me by a friend and I thought I'd never use it so in turn passed it on to my mum. I went looking through her stash when I was looking for yarn for this project and pinched it back (cheeky, I know!)   There's even been time for a spot of knitting! I cast on the Portmoak Moss Beanie Hat by Louise Mossam a few days ago and I'm really enjoying it.   This pattern is available in issue 2 of The Journal of Scottish Yarns which is out now (I have a pattern in there too!). It's a fairisle design and I'm finding the written pattern and charts easy to follow. Until next time, happy crocheting, Marta xx PS. If you enjoyed reading about my current WiPs, tune in to my latest podcast episode where you'll find me showing them off and talking about them in more detail.