Winter Crochet Patterns

Hello, I am keeping up the blogging habit - returning this week with a selection of my crochet patterns which are ideal for making for the winter months. I have highlighted a pair of socks, a beanie, a baby cardigan and an adult jumper and I like to think there is something in this selection that will appeal to everyone and that there is something here for all abilities too.

fabulous socks!

First up, my Fabulous Socks! pattern. This is the most successful pattern in my Ravelry Store , customers who have bought and followed the pattern agree that it is a lovely pattern to follow. Claudia made a pair and left the following review "I enjoyed the pattern and really like that the socks fit me really well as this is the first ever completed pair of socks I have crocheted". The pattern is written for intermediate level but it is a straightforward design, ideal for a first pair of socks. 100g of sock weight yarn is required to make a pair, I used Paintbox Yarns Socks which is available in lots of fun colourways!

isla cosy polo

I released my Isla Cosy Polo design in time for autumn last year because it is so snuggly and warm to wear in the winter months! It's a top down design using Cascade Yarns  220 Superwash Wave in "Unicorn" which works up in amazing bands of colour - it's a definite "one more round" project! The pattern is available in 4 adult sizes and guidance is given for making adjustments to suit different figure shapes.

fields of lavander cardigan

If you are looking for a quick make then baby clothes are a fantastic option - within a few hours you can have a teenie garment! My Fields of Lavander Cardigan design is available in 2 sizes, 3-6 months and 6-12 months. I chose King Cole Merino Blend DK because it's a superwash wool which does wash brilliantly and because it feels so snug and cosy - perfect for a little one!

Geometric Beanie

Last but by no means least, my Geometric Beanie is a lovely pattern for making in the winter months. It's an intermediate level pattern that uses front post and back post stitches to create the geometric design. 100g - 150g of aran weight yarn is required, depending on the sze you make. I used Artesano Aran, which is sadly discontinued but a similar weight yarn would substitute in very well - I would recommend Drops Nepal.

All these patterns are available from my Ravelry Store so if you feel like starting a new winter project why not go check them out? Don't for get to share you makes on social media, I would love to see how you get on!

Happy hooking,

Marta xx

Pattern Release; Fields of Lavender Cardigan

Hello! I am super excited to be ready to release my Fields of Lavender Cardigan crochet pattern today!! This pattern is possibly my favourite of all the patterns I have designed so far and I am really pleased to be able to share it with you at last!

cover photo for my Fields of Lavender Cardigan

The pattern includes two sizes; 3-6 months and 6-12 months, it is suitable for intermediate crocheters and it's written in UK terms throughout. The intricate lavender stalks may look like a complex design but I can assure you, they are not as tricky as they look to create!

I chose King Cole merino blend DK for this design for two reasons, firstly it's a superwash wool (a must for baby garments) and secondly because the finished cardigan will be really warm and snuggly for the little one. You will need 3x 50g balls for the smaller size and 4x 50g balls for the larger size.

cuff and waistband detail

The garment is constructed from the waist up, splitting into 3 sections at the armpit and then the sleeves are crocheted seperately before being sewn up and sewn into position.

the lavender stalks

The pattern is currently available as a pdf download from my Ravelry store and for the first week it will be on special offer for only £1.80. If you would like to purchase and download a copy you can find it here.

back of the cardigan

Look out for more pattern releases coming very soon - I have another winter project for you in the next week or so ...

Until then,

happy hooking,

Marta xx

In search of perfection ...

I am writing this blog post whilst taking a break from the 6th attempt at a crocheted cardigan pattern! Six times I have followed my own design, tweaking it slightly every time.

Take 1 (front)

Take 1 (back)

Take 1 was made in aran weight merino wool and I was so happy with how it had turned out especially the cable detail down the back ... but it was a little too bulky for a new baby ...

Take 2

This time I used DK thickness yarn and the result was so much better ... but the sleeves were too high up the body ...

Take 3

My next attempt was a teenie tiny version for my Sasha Doll. I had a tiny ball of 2ply alpaca wool and I decided to make a miniature version, just for fun!

Take 4 (photo credit: Niall Mitchell)

Back to King Cole merino blend DK, one of my favourite double knitting yarns, to have another go at sorting the position of the sleeves. In the above photo you can see how the pattern is worked from the neckline down. I conquered the sleeve issue and decided to try making it in the next size up (3 - 6 months) ...

Take 5 (back)

Take 5 (front)

The next size up worked out successfully. It took me a while to get into town and buy buttons for this one and the pink one but when I added the buttons I suddenly became aware that the front neckline was too high ...

Take 6

Take 6

I knew exactly how to sort the neck issue so began work on Take 6, using merino DK and going up a size again (6 - 12 months). My idea worked and I am now at the stage of sending this pattern off to be tested, hooray!! My perseverance with this one has been worthwhile, I have gained crochet knowledge and made a mini wardrobe of cardigans for my little niece, Agnes (she won't mind them being slightly wonky, will she?)

Yarn Review - King Cole merino blend DK

Today I thought I would continue with another yarn review - this time King Cole merino blend DK. These review posts are not sponsored by the wool companies, it's simply me, adding my thoughts and opinions on the yarns I like to use.

I have used King Cole merino blend DK for a wide variety of projects, from large blankets to teenie amigurumi to baby cardigans - it's a fantastic all purpose wool! Not all the yarn, but a significant amount of it, was King Cole merino blend DK in my Sophie's Universe Blanket (pictured below).

One of the reasons I love this wool is the amazing range of colours it is available in - there are 45 different colours ensuring there is a colour for everything and a colour for everyone! I enjoy making and designing amigurumi in bright colour combinations and I like choosing just one colour to make hats and baby cardigans. My most recent crochet project (and the prompt for this blog post) uses the gorgeous mustard colour!

King Cole merino blend DK is a superwash wool making it ideal for baby and toddler garments. It's nice and soft too which is lovely to work with and lovely to wear because it is not itchy. There are 104 metres in a 50g ball which works really well when pulled from the centre and worked from the inside out. King Cole merino blend DK is widely available online and in many local yarn shops. 

The friendly amigurumi monster called Malunna (pictured above) was designed and crocheted in King Cole merino blend DK. I love this colour combination - blues and oranges have always been a favourite of mine. If you are interested, the free pattern for this monster is available in my Ravelry store here. 

Have you used this wool before? What do you think of it? I am interested to know your opinions - please pop a comment below xx