A Shawl Pattern For Advent Mini Skeins!

Hello! Are you ready to dig into your yarn stash? Because I'm really pleased to announce the release of my brand new crochet pattern, the Parallel Lines Wrap! Yes, it has a name at last - chosen via an Instagram competition by husband and wife duo, Peter & Sue. I'm delighted with this name, it encompases both the shape and the repetitive nature of this mindful project.
 
This wrap pattern is perfect for anyone who has leftover mini skeins from an Advent calendar (or any random bits of yarn you've been saving for a special project). The easy-to-learn repeat makes it ideal for both confident beginners and experienced crocheters, and, thinking ahead here, it's the perfect way to unwind during the busy festive season (or indeed any time of year!).
 
Here are all the things you'll want to know about the pattern:

• Crochet pattern written in UK & US terms.

• Available on my website and on Ravelry.

• If you purchase from my website your download will include a link to add the pattern to your Ravelry library if you wish to do so.

• Yarn requirements: 24x 20g sock yarn mini skeins (4ply yarn, 425g per 100m, 75% superwash merino/ 25% nylon). 

• I chose minis from The Hobbit Advent calendar by Skein & The Stitch for my version and used approximately 14g of each colour.

• You'll need a 5mm crochet hook (much bigger than your usual hook for 4ply yarn!)

• The pattern is formed by a combination of V stitches and clusters.

• It has a 4 row mindful pattern repeat.

• Just like me, you'll love the surprise and delight of adding each new colour!

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Did I miss anything? Leave me your questions in the comments, I'm happy to help!
 
Early bird offer! I'm giving you 25% off my pattern this weekend only!! Use the code EARLYBIRD on both my website and Ravelry. 
 
Hurry, Parallel Lines Wrap pattern is only available at this discounted price until 11.59 BST, Sunday 29th July 2024. Don't let those leftover minis gather dust any longer – transform them into a stunning shawl you'll love! Head over to my website or Ravelry to snag your copy before this early bird offer flies away.

Any questions, please leave me a comment or send me an email crochet@martamitchelldesigns.com and I'll get back to you.

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

How To Weave In Ends On Granny Squares

Hello! Have you ever finished a beautiful granny square (or ten!), only to be faced with the dreaded task of weaving in all those ends? I can assure you, we've all been there! I'm here with advice to banish your end-weaving woes and turn you into a pro! After this blog post, you'll be able to conquer all those those pesky yarn tails, leaving your granny squares looking polished and ready to take on the world (or get made into a cosy blanket at last!).

What I do is take each end (one from the centre, one from the corner) and weave them towards each other, taking care to keep this hidden on the wrong side. I then tie them in a reef knot before weaving them in, first one way, then doubling back. I've been using this same method for about 10 years and I can report that it's a releable method for securing ends, none of my blankets have come apart.

 

The easiest way for me to explain the above method is video, so there's a YouTube tutorial which will walk you through my exact method for securing those pesky yarn tails on solid granny squares. The beauty of my technique is that it applies to multiple colour squares as well! The only difference is that with more colours, you'll have less distance to weave in your ends since the gap between ends will be shorter.

 

So, for a more visual demonstration, watch the YouTube video below where I'll walk you through the entire process step-by-step.  

Did you find these tips helpful for conquering those granny square ends? If you're eager to crochet smarter, not harder, consider joining my mailing list! You'll get exclusive access to tonnes of great content, plus a bonus PDF with 25 essential crocheting tips delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up today and unlock a world of crochet goodness!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Something Refreshingly Different: Cucumber & Mint Infused Water

  

Hello! Here is something refreshingly different from me this week: I'm sharing my recipe for a cool drink to have at your side as you crochet this summer! As I type this, it's a rainy Wednesday morning, but we have actually had a few warmer days lately here on the east coast of Scotland, let's hope there are more to come! Anyway, here's my simple recipe, I hope you like it!

Cucumber & Mint Infused Water:

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour + (the longer it chills, the stronger the flavour)

Servings: 4
 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cucumber

Small handful of mint leaves

1 liter of water

Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions:

Wash and thinly slice your cucumber. 

Wash and gently bash your mint leaves.

Pop the sliced cucumber and mint leaves in a jug.

Pour in about a litre of water and stir gently to combine.

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

To serve, fill a glass with the infused water and add ice cubes (if you like!).

This delightful drink is not only light and hydrating, but the subtle flavours of cucumber and mint add a touch of spa-like serenity to your crafting session. Plus, it's incredibly easy to make – perfect for whipping up a jug in the morning to have on hand for an afternoon of crochet in the garden. So, make up a jug, choose your latest crochet WiP (possibly the hardest part of this whole process!), and enjoy!

Until next week, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. I hope this has been a fun blog post for you! Please consider signing up to my mailing list, lots more good stuff coming your way and when you do, you'll automatically be sent my PDF with 25 top tips that every crocheter should know! 
 
 

Your Ultimate Guide To Crocheting Socks

Hello! Over the last few weeks, with my Lazy Days Shortie Sock CAL on the horizon, I've received quite a few questions from subscribers and followers about crocheting socks. So, with this in mind I've created a round up blog post: a resource you can use if you need any information about crocheting socks. It pulls all my years of knowledge & experience, all my techniques & skills together in one place for you. 

Sock it to Me: Measuring Feet for the Perfect Fit: Let's start at the beginning with how to properly measure feet for socks. I pulled my dad in to help with the video to accompany this blog post! This step is super important to get right if you want to create a sock that fits well and feels comfortable all day long. Read post here.

Demystifying Sock Crochet Terms: No More Head-Scratching!: You have your pattern, but help! What on earth do all these terms mean? Don't worry, this blog post demistifies them all for you, no more struggling to decipher abbreviations or confusing techniques. Read post here.

My Pro Crochet Sock Tips: Here's a blog post with my top 5 tips for crocheting socks, a good one to refer to for some sound advice. These tips will help you avoid common mistakes and make the sock crocheting process a smoother and more enjoyable one. Read post here.

Designing Crochet Socks that Fit: A Resource for Designers: If you are a crochet designer, or a budding crochet designer, I have a blog post dedicated to designing crochet socks that FIT. It has some useful pointers for crocheters too about achieving the fit you want. Read post here.

Choosing Colours and Yarn for Perfect Crochet Socks: My oldest crochet sock blog post is from a blog hop back in 2018 (yes, I've been blogging a LONG time!). The topic is choosing colours for socks and has lots of useful tips in it. Read post here.

5 Must-Try Crochet Sock Patterns: Looking for more crochet sock patterns to try? I have a round up blog post with 5 of the best, all tried and tested by me! My top 5 feature a variety of sock styles and difficulty levels, so there's something for everyone. Read post here.

I really hope this round up is useful for you! If you'd like to receive my weekly wisdom on all things crochet, consider subscribing to my mailing list here.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx