Friday 26 January 2024

Be First To See The Progress On My Two Current Projects


Be First To See The Progress On My Two Current Projects

Hello! Since picking up Lachlann (our spaniel puppy) 2 weeks ago, my crochet and knitting time are at an all time low! If you've ever brought up a puppy, you'll know just how time consuming they are! Days are spent playing, feeding, letting him out in the back garden, visiting family & friends (or having them visit us), picking up tiny pieces of chewed up cardboard & paper and then trying to get stuff done in the pockets of time when he sleeps!

But, I am finding some time for yarn! The shawl I'm designing with the advent minis from Skein & The Stitch is coming along beautifully. I'm only 5 minis away from completing it which is exciting. It's a parallelogram shaped shawl with the stripes running along the bias.

If you're new to following me, the theme for the advent calendar was The Hobbit, which was an excellent theme with accompanying read-along! The colours each day were a representation of whatever was happening in that stage of the book. There was even a Discord channel to go along with it, adding to the sense of community which Jess, at Skein & The Stitch has created.

I don't currently have the brain power to write up the pattern (did I mention that my alarm goes off at 2 am for a quick trip outside with Lachlann in either sub zero temperatures/ howling gails or pelting rain?), but when I do it won't take me too long and I'll have it out to testers very quickly.

Sign up to my mailing list to be first to know of the advent shawl release (and receive my biggest discount code). 


I'm restricting myself to 2 WiPs (less chance of wool left dangling around within puppy reach!) and the other WiP is knitting. I'm working on the Mary Rebecca cardigan by Ellen Mason Design and it has just the right level of interest for me right now. The yarn is a vibrant magenta colour which is helping to lift my spirits too. It's a bottom-up design and I've almost reached the split for the sleeves, so progress is happening!

I'll be back next week with more crochet content, until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Monday 22 January 2024

The Puppy Is Here!

 


Hello! The puppy is here! Yippee, we're over the moon - it's been too long in this house without a dog!

As you can imagine, life is a little chaotic right now, so I haven't had time to write my regular blog post, but I did manage to record a podcast episode, WITH THE PUPPY!

So, to catch up on my latest WiPs and see all the puppy cuteness, you can view the episode now here.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Friday 19 January 2024

Ready To Write Up Your First Crochet Pattern?


Ready To Write Up Your First Crochet Pattern?

Hello! Have you set yourself any goals for this year? I have a few crochet business related goals which I'll let you know more about as the year unfolds but my main question for you today is "are you ready to write up your first crochet pattern"?

The major goal in my life for 2024 is to declutter my house and create a calm, clean & tidy environment to live and work in. For some, this would be an easy-peasy goal but I'm a naturally messy, chaotic person so for me this is BIG. And I'm working on it. Earlier in the week I had to enlist the help of my dad to take a car full of stuff to the charity shop and the clothes recycling bin. After he left, I felt so much lighter, like I could breathe properly again - such an amazing feeling! 

I'm not stopping here, this was simply the initial push in the right direction. As I'm preparing for the puppy arriving on Friday (today for you!) I'm having a really thorough clean and tidy, moving anything I don't want chewed well out of reach. My YARN! Gosh, I'm going to have to be super careful about where I leave that lying around. For now the sofa will be fine, but it won't be long before he can scale that! Any advice on crocheting with a puppy in the mix gladly received!

Going back to crochet goals, maybe this is the year that you've decided you'll finally write up your first crochet pattern? Have you got some scribbled notes on the back of an envelope that you've been telling yourself you'll write up "one day"? Let me tell you, there's never been a better time to start publishing crochet patterns!

I know what you're thinking - "but Marta, there are already so many patterns out there, surely there's no space for me?". Not true. More people are crocheting now than ever and new platforms for selling patterns are popping up, new crochet magazines are appearing, new classes are starting all over the place. Now is the time to pull up your big girl pants and begin your pattern writing journey.


Text: How to write up a crochet pattern course. Image: granny squares, yarn and hooks

I have some GOOD NEWS, my How To Write Up A Crochet Pattern Course has all the info you need to take your scribbles of a pattern to the level where you're ready to publish. I've been where you are now, so I've learnt the hard way what to do/ what not to do and in my course I take you through it all, step-by-step, making it as EASY as possible for you.

Do you want more good news? This course is included in my January offer, so there's currently 15% off the usual price. This is the first time I've discounted it since its launch in 2022 and it will be the last time you see it at this price for a long time.

If it's something you're dreaming of doing in 2024, go ahead and check it out TODAY!

Your special discount code is JAN24 to save 15% on my website and on Ravelry!

Would you like more good news? My email subscribers have been given a 25% discount code - you can have this code too when you subscribe to my mailing list!  

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Wednesday 10 January 2024

Happy New Year!


  

Hello and a Happy New Year to you! Did you have a good Christmas and New Year? I hope so! We had a really enjoyable few days around Christmas time and then we were hit with Covid for the 3rd time! New year plans went out the window, but other than a few family events, it was crochet & knit as usual for me! I'm never one for staying up to hear the bells, give me sleep anytime! Ha!

This enforced time to slow down has given me lots of time to sit and reflect on the year gone by and the year ahead. I have so many plans I'm bursting to tell you about for 2024, but they're going to have to wait for future emails. For now, I'm still rcovering (for those of you who've experienced Covid, the tiredness & brain fog can be a struggle for a while) and letting the ideas formulate.



Cosy up with my fantastic pattern offer! This January, snuggle under a blanket of savings with 15% off all my crochet patterns AND courses! Dive into a new project or discover new techniques – with this stitch-tastic discount, happy hooking!


Your special discount code is JAN24 to save 15% on my website and on Ravelry! Don't forget to tag me when you start your project so I can see! 

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

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