Join Me For Vlogmas - New Video Every Day!

Hello! This year, for the first time ever, I'm joining in with vlogmas!! It's an idea that my dear friend Claudia casually dropped when she said "are you doing vlogmas?" in our recent Instagram live. I replied, "er ...? I haven't thought about it", but the idea was planted and a few days later I was recording my first episode!

For those of you who don't know, vlogmas is a series of (usually daily) video vlogs in the run up to Christmas. Some even continue to the end of December, since it's my first year I think I'll stop at the 24th, but I may combine a few days and upload one more between Christmas and New Year, we'll see. It's always good to have a nosey at how other people celebrate Christmas, right?

So far, my episodes seem to have gone down well. Looking at my YouTube anaylitics the view duration is good and I'm gaining far more subscribers than usual. I can also see that I have a high percentage of returning viewers on these episodes, so I'm really happy about that. I'm a realitively young channel and this past year I feel that I'm beginning to find my voice and I can see an improvement in my videos. I have plans for next year, but I'll keep them up my sleeve for now!

If you haven't been watching, click the link to view here. Episodes are around 10 to 15 minutes long, nice little bite size videos for you to dip into!

If you've been with me since the start of the year, you may rememeber that I started saving up £2 coins to buy a yarn Advent calendar. This was a brilliant idea, I counted up the other day and I have £158 in my little felted pouch! Obviously, the claendar had to be paid back in April, but it just goes to show that these coins soon add up and they're not missed from your wallet. I'm going to keep doing it in future because I LOVE my yarn Advent calendar so far!
 
I chose The Hobbit themed calendar from Skein And The Stitch and so far the colourways have been stunning! Each day follows the story of Bilbo's adventure through the book and the colourway corresponds to what he gets up to. We started with fresh greens of the Shire and today's was a very dark grey to symbolise the goblin cave he's currently stuck in.
 
So, the format of my vlogmas is to film a short clip first thing in the morning with me opening the advent calendar, film a few snippets of my day, then film a concluding bit at the end of the day - usually showing off the shawl I'm crocheting (above) with the latest colourway worked in. 
 
If this sounds like your kind of thing, please check it out here, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

New Pattern Published In The Journal Of Scottish Yarns!

Hello! I'm really pleased to be able to share one of the secret projects I was working on in June this year - I have a new pattern published in The Journal Of Scottish Yarns!

It's called the Sunset Song Top and it's a vest style sweater which can either be worn alone or used as a layering piece. I took my inspiration from the many beautiful sunsets I watch from my window as I crochet and from the novel Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

I'm especially happy with the styling on this one and the way the garment suits both men & women and both young & old; it's very adapdable depending on the look you're going for!

I chose a lightweight yarn from J. C. Rennie, their Supersoft 4ply which is 100% wool, in 3 colours to create the look. The garment is crocheted from the bottom up in 2 pieces which are worked flat and then seamed together using mattress stitch. Instructions have been carefully graded for 9 sizes - a big thank you to the tech editor Samira Hill for her help with this.

In the photo above you can see the beginnings of my design journey. When I started the ribbing worked out exactly as planned and then I swatched to see if the stitch idea I had would work well in the J. C. Rennie yarn - looking particularly at the drape and stretch. I was pleased with this so went ahead with stitch and row calculations for the body of the top.

 
All in all, I'm chuffed with how this design worked out. There's opportunity to go as wild as you like with the colours or to go super simple and crochet it all in one colour! Like I said last week - the choice is yours! 
 
You can buy The Journal of Scottish Yarns, issue 4 on their website and in many local yarn shops in Scotland and beyond.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. Be sure to tag me on social media if you make a Sunset Song Top!

How To Add Your Personality To Your Crochet Projects

Hello! As a crochet designer, I love nothing more than to see others following my patterns and creating something from them with a touch of their own personality. We're all unique and the choices we make will lead to us creating something different from everyone else, even if we follow the same pattern. 

Yarn choice is an obvious example. There are all sorts of reasons for not choosing the same yarn the designer did (eg. stash busting/ budget/ availability) and this is probably one of the biggest ways to crochet your project differently.

Then there are decisions such as sleeve length on a jumper, number of rounds on a hat or how big to make a blanket. There are even more subtle options if we start to think about the number of stripes or how many repeats we do.

I haven't even started on colour choices yet - that throws things wide open! 

Can you see how one pattern can be crocheted up in millions of different ways? 

If you're looking for guidance to adding your own personality  I actually list 4 or 5 options at the end of my designs with ideas for getting you started. As an example, here are the ideas to personalise your Perth Beanie (a free pattern here on my blog):

• Use 4ply yarn and add more increases to create a finer version of the hat.
• Use a second colour for the brim.
• Can you design something else entirely using the Alpine Stitch pattern? (I’ve given you the instructions for working in rows in the Tension section too).
• Gillian, one of my testers, suggested making the brim section extra long and then wearing it doubled over.
• Simply add a pompom!

If personalising in this way is something you're keen to start doing, check out my crochet patterns today and take the first step towards being more creative!

Don't want to miss my posts? Subscribe to my mailing list today and have them delivered staright to your inbox. 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Mother-daughter Getaway In Amsterdam!

Hello! I'd like to share a little about my recent trip to Amsterdam with my mum - what an amazing trip that was! We sailed on the overnight ferry from North Shields just outside Newcastle to IJmuiden just outside Amsterdam. It rained non-stop on our first day which spoiled things a little but we still found our way (after many wrong turns!) to Stephen & Penelope - the yarn shop which inspired the whole trip!

The shop was absolutely everything we'd hoped it would be. The yarn was all set out beautifully: there were samples hanging everywhere for you to see; the staff were super friendly, knowledgeable & helpful; they had all sorts of notions and books; AND it was dry inside - a welcome haven from the rain!

I bought 2 skeins of yarn and a few souvenir bits and pieces - I was very restrained, but I've never been one for keeping an extensive stash! Before I went, I knew I wanted a skein of Tandem from West Yarns, but when I got there the colour range was so vast I almost couldn't choose! With help from my mum I chose a colour I wouldn't normally go for - Dijon - a mustard/ olive colour which is very autumn! With this DK merino skein I plan to design a crocheted hat. I'm beginning to see the pattern forming in my head, will give it time to develop before I begin. 

The other skein was from a German dyer called Punk Rock Unicorn whom I had heard of via Claudia (Sunbird Crochet) and others. Her yarns did not disappoint either - the colours were stunning! I was looking for some colour changing yarn to knit socks and I chose something bright and colourful - can't wait to see how it knits up! 

My other purchases were a wooden needle gauge and a trio of notions nests. Two very practical items to keep as souvenirs and remind me of my trip to Amsterdam with my mum.

After our Stephen & Penelope visit we grabbed some very sweet and indulgent waffles smothered in Nutella and broken Oreo pieces - YUMMY! We continued exploring until it began to get dark and we found a cosy Italian restaurant for dinner. Everyone we came across in Amsterdam was so friendly and helpful, it's such a lovely city to be in. 

Back at our hotel we took our knitting and crochet to the bar area in the hotel and unwound over some wine, chatting all about our day and planning the next day.

The following day (also our last day, it was a whirlwind trip!) the rain had stopped and it was so good to see everything properly! We headed to the Rijksmuseum via the Metro - what an amazing museum! I think you could spend a week inside there and still not see everything! I really enjoyed the paintings by Rembrandt and the more modern exhibits, including a dress by Yves Saint Lauren.

There was time to squeeze in some more coffee & cake and a little more wandering (gazing at canals never became dull!) before it was time to meet up with our bus for the drive back to the ferry. If you ever have the opportunity, I'd definitely recommend a trip to Amsterdam! Stephen & Penelope yarn shop is delightful and the rest of the city is too!

If you'd like to receive my blog posts staright to your inbox, please subscribe to my mailing list. You'll be sent my free pdf 25 Top Tips Every Crocheter Needs To Know when you do! 

Until next time, 

Marta xx

 

Wise Words From My Nana

Hello! When I was a girl I would spend a week every summer holidays staying with my Nana who lived 2 and a bit hours away by car, down in in the Scottish Borders. For me this was a magical time because it was just the two of us and my Nana really encouraged me to be creative.

One of my favourite things to do was to spend the whole week making teenie tiny things for my dolls and doll houses. Everything was thrifted! I reused the tiny Kellog's cereal boxes to make wardrobes. I glued together bits of tinfoil from sweetie wrappers to make ornaments. I used scraps of material from my Nana's stash to sew clothing and bedding - sewing on her vintage, hand-turned Singer sewing machine of course!

These were such happy days. My Nana was always so full of encouragement and kept coming up with creative ways to reuse things which would otherwise be thrown away. She had a cupboard called her Glory Hole which she used to store all these treasures, because she said "you never knew when this might come in useful".

Today, I definitely have my Nana's wise words in my head when I snip off ends of yarn and store them up for stuffing or when I stash away little oddments of wool for making a scrappy blanket. It's all just too good to throw away!

Crocheting and knitting scrappy blankets has become something I LOVE to do and I'm sure my Nana had a big influence on this way of working. I've even written 3 patterns for crocheted scrappy blankets and all 3 are available on this blog, for FREE!

In this blog post I'm going to highlight my Scrappy Blanket II, but if you pop "scrappy blanket" into the search bar above you'll find all 3 free patterns.

I crocheted my sample in 4ply/ sock weight yarn but if 4ply yarn isn't your thing, fear not! I've done the maths to enable you to create this blanket in 4ply, DK, aran and chunky! Not only that, I also took the time to calculate the number of stitches & rows for 5 different sizes of blanket, from pram to single bed size!

 

Take a look at this stunning blanket via the link below, start saving up your scraps if you haven't already, and get crocheting!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

Help Me Choose My Next Design!

Hello! That's right, I need your help to decide which way forward I should go with this design! On day one I started crocheting and it was going to be a new sock design - I was super pleased with the way the stitches looked in this yarn. All was well and going to plan!

Then on day 2, I was on a live Instagram chat with Claudia (@sunbirdcrochet across social media) and when I went to share my progress with Claudia I popped the sock on my hand to show it off better. Suddenly I thought "oh, this could be a mitt design!"

So, you see my dilema? I'm not going to produce both designs, for me it's a one or the other situation - but which one? I put a poll on my Instagram stories asking my followers there to decide and the result was a 50/50 split, aaarrgghhhh! I'm hoping you can give me a clearer answer because right now my head is a muddle and I can't choose!

If you're wondering, I'm using one of Zauberball Crazy colourways from Schoppel (no. 1153 to be specific!). It's 75% virgin wool, 25% nylon 420m/ 100g ball.

Click this link to my super quick Google form and cast YOUR vote. Thank you in advance for your help!

Marta xx

6 Tips For Better Crochet Photography

Hello! I'm here today to share my 6 top tips for better crochet photography because in the last week or so I've put in more of an effort to take better photos and it's paid off because I've seen an increase in reach and engagement on social media, yay!

As you know, crochet is such a beautiful craft, and it's only natural that we should want to share our finished projects with the world! But taking good crochet photos can be troublesome, especially if you're new to it.

Here are my 6 tips to help you take better crochet photos:

1.  Use natural light. Natural light is ALWAYS the best light for photography, so try to take your photos outdoors or as near as you can to a window (if that means rearranging the furniture, do it!). However, avoid using direct sunlight, as this can create harsh shadows. Instead, opt for soft, indirect light. I have thin blinds in my photo spot which I can pull down to diffuse the light. A piece of muslin taped to the window would work well!

2.  Choose your background wisely. The background of your photo is just as important as the crochet project itself. Choose a background that is neutral and uncluttered, so that your crochet project stands out. Try using a plain white or light-coloured wall, or a piece of fabric. If you're outside, brickwork, folliage, on the beach, large doorways are all good options.

3.  Stage your photo carefully. Once you have chosen your background, take some time to stage your photo,  arranging your crochet project in a way that is visually appealing. You may want to use props to help showcase your project, such as a basket of yarn, crochet hook, cup of coffee, seasonal objects that resonate with your viewers.

4.  Use the right camera settings.  If you're using an up-to-date smartphone camera, you can adjust the exposure and brightness settings (Google or YouTube are your your friends here if you need to learn). If you're using a DSLR camera, take some time to learn about the different manual settings. You'll need to adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in order to get the best possible photo (again, you know where to go for help!)

5.  Take multiple photos. Don't be afraid to take multiple photos - this will give you more to choose from when you're editing your photos. Try different angles - you may be surprised at how different angles can change the look of your photo.

6.  Edit your photos. Once you've taken your photos, it's always worth editing them to make them look their absolute best. There are many different photo editing programs available, both free and paid. You can use these programs to adjust the brightness, contrast, and colours of your photos. You can also use them to crop and straighten your photos, and to remove any unwanted objects. My favourite editing app is called Snapseed - it's FREE!

Here are a few bonus tips to keep in mind:

• Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. This is especially important if you're using a DSLR camera or if you're shooting in low light.

• Be sure to focus on your crochet project, not your props. Make sure that your project is in sharp focus, the star of the show, and that the background is slightly blurred.

• Have fun! Taking crochet photos should be enjoyable. And never be afraid to experiment and try new things.

With a little patience & practice, you'll be taking beautiful crochet photos in no time! Of course, if you're taking a photo of a crochet project made following one of my patterns, don't forget to tag me when you share it so I can see! 

 

Until next time, happy crocheting and happy snapping!

Marta xx

PS. Are you subscribed to my mailing list? My emails are packed with info and a few free patterns too! You can sign up here.

PPS. I have another blog post all about flatlay photography - if you'd like to dive deeper into that, click here.

 

Cosy Socktober: Super Snug Crochet Socks!

Hello! We're well into October and for many crocheters and knitters this means SOCKTOBER - the month we get creative making super snug socks and sharing pretty photos of our socks on social media! Apologies, I thought I had published this post, turns out it was sitting in drafts! Doh!

To celebrate this special month I'm offering you 10% off my Fiddle Socks crochet pattern (pictured above). If you've been put off the idea of crocheting socks because most patterns use 4ply/ fingering weight yarn, this is the pattern for you because it calls for 8ply/ DK weight yarn! It also means they work up QUICKLY so you're more likely to get them finished in a month!

This design packs a traditionally shaped heel with a flap, turn & gusset to make sure they FIT and STRETCH perfectly over your instep. The half treble V-stitch (UK terms) gives a super snug and comfy texture on the leg and upper foot.

Not crocheted socks before? No problem, this pattern comes with SEVEN (yes, seven!) video tutorials to guide you through the process. So, if you're looking for a crochet sock pattern to take part in Socktober, this is the one for you!

Use the code SOCKS at the checkout on my website or on Ravelry to claim your 10% discount!

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

How To Handwash Woollen Items

Hello! Last Friday I shared a tip with my newsletter subsribers about how to handwash woollen items to ensure they last for many, many years to come. I had a few replies to my email asking for more info about exactly how I wash mine, so I thought I would expand on my quick tip further and write it up as a blog post.

Wool is a natural fibre which can react badly when handled wrongly, and we want to avoid using harsh detergents or high heat when washing it. Here are more thorough instructions on hand washing because it's the gentlest way to wash handmade woollen clothing.

To hand wash your woollen items, follow these steps:

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water (approximately 30°C, not much hotter!)
2. Add a small amount of no-rinse wool detergent.
3. Stir the water to mix the detergent through. 
4. Turn your woollen items inside out if you can.
5. Place your items in the basin.
6. Soak them for 10-15 minutes.
7. Gently squeeze the items to remove excess water. Do not wring!
8. Use a large towel and wrap your items in it, squeezing out even more liquid.

If you're wondering which no-rinse wool detergent I use, it's Soak and my favourite scent is Celebration.

Drying your woollen items

It's best not to machine dry woollen clothing. To dry your woollen items, lay them flat on a dry towel or drying rack in a warm (but not hot!), well-ventilated area. If you have blockers, go ahead and use them. You can dry outside but avoid placing your items in direct sunlight because this can cause unexpected colour changes.

By following my tips, you can help to keep your handmade woollen clothing looking and feeling its best for many years to come.

I hope this post was useful for you. If you liked it, please subscribe to my mailing list to receive posts like these straight to your inbox.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Free Crochet Beanie Pattern!

Free Crochet Beanie Pattern!

Hello! I'm super excited to announce the release of my new free crochet beanie pattern, the Perth Beanie! I designed this crocheted beanie with a few things in mind: Firstly, I wanted to create a hat which was both stylish and functional - I love the way it fits snugly around the head and ears, keeping you cosy on even the coldest days. Secondly, I wanted to create a beanie which showed off the gorgeous Scottish provenance wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival at its best - I think I pulled this one off, I'm so happy with the texture I created!

You'll find the the medium size FREE crochet beanie pattern below, or you can upgrade via my website or Ravelry to all 4 sizes PLUS a 10 minute bonus video guiding you through the textured section. 

The four sizes available with the full pattern are Child, Teen, Medium (adult) and Large (adult), with plenty of scope within the ranges to get the fit you really want. As with all my more recent patterns there's a section at the end with suggestions for how you can take my design and add your own twist to really personalise it and create something special (paid-for version only). Check out this blog post of mine for loads more inspiration on personalisation.

Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or you're much newer to the craft, I'm confident that you'll love crocheting the Perth Beanie. It's a fun and rewarding project which will produce a stylish, practical beanie that you'll cherish for years to come.

How To Cheat At Swatching!

Hello! This is one of the best crochet hacks I've ever shared on Instagram, it received a tonne of engagement - How To Cheat At Swatching - and I thought I'd share it with you here in case you missed it (you know how fickle the algorithm can be!).

The hack is simply to crochet an L shape instead of a square, which cuts down on about 30% of the crochet time!

To do this; start as usual & crochet 3 to 5 rows, then start the next row but turn after about 5 stitches, leaving the remaining stitches unworked, crochet into these 5 stitches only until your height is about the same as your width.

A few things to note! 

• You will need to work less rows for thicker yarn/ more for thinner yarn before beginning the leg of the L.

• Again, thicker yarn may only need 4 stitches and thinner yarn more like 7 - use your judgment here.

• This hack is not suitable if you need to get a good idea of drape, simply because there's less fabric to play with.

To watch my reel on Instagram, click here.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the topic of gauge swatches you can read my popular post; 6 Top tips For Better Swatches here.

Learn the rules then break them like a pro! 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you'd like even more crochet hacks from me, sign up to my mailing list and I'll send you a pdf with 25 Top Tips Every Crocheter Needs To Know

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 9 top tips for attending a yarn festival, helping you to make 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!

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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

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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