Socks, socks, socks, socks and socks!

Hello! I have so much sock news to share with you! First up, as you may have seen on social media, I have launched my Fiddle Sock pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts. I have been blown away by the amount of sales coming in for it, especially since it's January! It seems that you guys are really pleased that I've written a pattern for DK weight yarn because many of you find 4ply a little too fiddly to work with. Thank you very much if you have bought the pattern, I truly appreciate your support. If you're still thinking about, hurry - the 20% discount ends at midnight, Friday 21st January! Use the code FIDDLE to get 20% off the pattern on Ravelry. (As always, give me a shout if you can't access Ravelry).

Secondly, a reminder of my crochet sock workshop next month. Spaces are filling fast for this all day workshop at the Central Scotland School of Craft. By the end of the day the heel will be demystified and you will be confident about crocheting socks! All the information is in the link above, but feel free to ask me any questions.

My 3rd piece of sock news is about my Fabulous Socks! crochet pattern. This design is my most popular paid-for pattern and I thought it deserved some attention and some video tutorials, since most of my latest designs have them. I have significantly changed the look and layout of my patterns since designing these socks in 2018, and I've updated this pdf to bring it in line with the newer ones and put in a lot of hours creating videos for each stage. If you originally bought this pattern on Ravelry you should have had an email about the update. If you didn't or if you bought the pattern on LoveCrafts or via your local yarn shop - please get in touch and I'll send you the updated version.

I'm really chuffed with this new version and I hope you like it too! You can buy the updated pattern on Ravelry and LoveCrafts.

My next piece of sock news is that I'm currently knitting socks! I'm taking part in Christine Perry AKA Winwick Mum's Winter Haven KAL - a knit along which is all about making space and taking time out a habit, even if it's just for January. The idea is that you follow one of Christine's patterns - I'm keeping things super simple and going for a vanilla sock using the Basic Sock Pattern, which I've knitted up many times before. 

In case your wondering, although I do like to have a knitting project on the go, I only write crochet patterns - knitting is simply for the fun of it!

My final piece of sock news is something huge but also something I need to keep under wraps! I have had my 6th crochet sock pattern accepted by a magazine for publication! I am absolutely over the moon about this and I can't wait to share this design with you! For now, here is a sneak peek, that's all I can share - sorry for being a tease!

I hope you've found all my sock news interesting, but if socks aren't your thing, don't worry - I'll be back next week with more varied crochet news!

Marta xx

Have you booked your space on my crochet workshop yet?

Hello! It's less than a month until my crochet sock workshop at the Central Scotland School of Craft! Have you booked your space yet? 

In this workshop you will learn how to crochet a pair of socks using the toe-up construction method following my own Synthesizer Sock pattern. This design features the heel turn, heel flap and gusset technique and under my expert guidance you will crochet through each stage in turn, giving you the confidence to make more socks in the future!

The course takes place on Saturday the 12th February from 10am until 4pm at the CSSC in Dunblane. All tools and materials are included in the course cost. Tea and coffee are provided but participants should bring their own lunch. If you are travelling from further away, accomodation recommendations are on the CSSC website too.

I'm really looking forward to teaching this workshop and I'd love to see some of you there!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch,

Marta xx

Free Crochet Blanket Pattern!

Hello! I'm kicking off 2022 with the first of my free crochet blanket patterns for you! It is, of course, the long awaited release of my Scrappy Blanket II! I was making and designing this crocheted blanket through the second half of last year and because I knew it was going to be a free pattern, other paid for work kept taking priority. I was also crocheting it in 4ply yarn which was very slow going (yet relaxing and enjoyable).

If 4ply yarn isn't your thing, fear not! I have done the maths to enable you to create this blanket in 4ply, DK, aran and chunky! Not only that, I've also worked out the number of stitches & rows for 5 different sizes of blanket, from pram to single bed size (you can see why it's taken me a long time to produce this pattern!)

This is a BEGINNER level pattern, written in UK terms.

You will need …

• lots and lots and lots of scraps or odd balls of yarn in the same weight. I made mine in fingering (4ply weight).

• appropriate size hook for your yarn thickness (I used 4mm) 

• scissors

• tapestry needle for sewing in ends

Abbreviations (UK terms)

ch	chain
dc	double crochet
puff	formed of 3x (yo, pull through), ch1
tr	treble
tr2tog	trreble 2 stitches together
st(s)	stitch(es)
yo	yarn over

Tension - main pattern repeat per 10cm, in rows 

1. fingering/ 4ply and 4mm hook 23 dc stitches x 14 rows (3.5mm hook)

2. DK/ 8ply 21 dc stitches x 12 rows (5mm hook)

3. aran/ 10ply 16 dc stitches x 9 rows (6mm hook)

4. chunky/ 12ply  10 dc stitches x  6 rows (8mm hook)

Special stitches

Puff stitches are made as follows; yo, pull through a long loop (3 loop on hook), yo, pull through a long loop (5 loops on hook), yo, pull through a long loop (7 loops on hook), yo, pull through all the loops on the hook, complete the stitch with a ch1 = 1 puff made. There's a link below to a useful YouTube tutorial if you need it.

Notes … 

• I’ve designed this pattern in fingering (4ply weight) yarn but it could be made in whichever thickness you like. Simply add more chains for a thinner yarn and create less chains for a thicker yarn. See measurements table for variations.

• The pattern is easy to remember once you’ve crocheteded a few rows. On the puff stitch rows pay attention to where your first puff stitch falls, you’ll soon get into a rhythm.

• Ch1/ ch3 at the start of rows does not count as a stitch and is not included in the stitch count. 

• For your stitch counts, I suggest you use the measurements table, select your desired size and work out (17 x ▢)  + 1 and then work out (12 x ▢)  + 2 and write these figures down at the end of the rows.

• To achieve neat colour changes, start using the new colour on the last yarn over of the stitch.

• Weave in the ends on whichever side they fall, making your blanket reversible. I tried to keep my colour changes close to the puffs so that they could be well buried inside them.

• My top tip for crocheting huge numbers of chain stitches is to add a good few extras - these can always be undone later!

A special thank you to CJ, Tammy de Nobrigo, Hannah Wingfield, Michelle Willis & Jenny Winter for testing out this pattern for me - thanks ladies! xx

Measurements 

Click table to enlarge!

For guidance, my finished blanket was worked in 4ply yarn and measured 100 x 130cm (unblocked) and weighed around 700g. I started with ch235 and crocheted for 182 rows.

You could wing it and make chains until it looks the right width, turn and begin Row 1. If you have any redundant chains at the end of your first row, simply undo them.

Crochet Blanket Pattern 

Begin by looking at the measurements table and finding how many chains you need to make. If you are going for a different size the maths for this is ch(17 x ▢)  + 5 

Row 1 1tr in 4th ch from hook, (tr2tog in next 2ch) 3 times, [(1puff in next ch) 5 times, (tr2tog in next 2ch) 6 times, ch1] repeat from [ to ] until you have 7ch left, (tr2tog in next 2ch) 3 times, 1tr in last ch. Turn. (12x ▢ + 2sts)

Row 2 Ch1, work 1dc in each st & 1dc in each ch & 1dc into the top of each puff across. Turn. (17x ▢ + 1st)

Row 3 Ch3, 1tr in first dc, (tr2tog in next 2dc) 3 times, [(1puff in next dc) 5 times, (tr2tog in next 2dc) 6 times, ch1] repeat from [ to ] until you have 12dc left, (1puff in next dc) 5 times, (tr2tog in next 2ch) 3 times, 1tr in turning ch. Turn. (12x ▢ + 2sts)

At this point lay your work out flat and assess it for size. If necessary, go back and alter your chain number at the beginning by increasing or decreasing by a multiple of 17.

Row 4 onwards  Repeat Rows 2 to 3 until you have the desired length, ending with Row 3. See the measurements table above for the approximate number of rows.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Video Tutorials

I’ve made a few YouTube videos to help you succeed with this pattern because I really want everyone to feel confident about crocheting this blanket! My pattern should be clear to follow, but if you find yourself stuck the videos should help. If you are still stuck please reach out to me in the comments or via Instagram DMs - I’m more than happy to help!

Starting with a huge numer of chains https://youtu.be/BNvUeegDrfI

How to work the puff stitch  https://youtu.be/-ooO5MmU0YA

How to work the main pattern https://youtu.be/KNeKHtJXSAk

How to sew in those pesky ends!  https://youtu.be/gb9DK1CUZzE

Finishing off 

Weave in all your ends on whichever side they fall. Block your blanket to make the stitches pop!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! Please subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date,

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Take it further …

If you’ve followed any of my other patterns, you’ll know that I love to see you taking one of my designs and truly making it your own! A few ideas I have for taking this design further are ...

• use only 1 colour - there’s plenty of texture to keep this blanket interesting.

• add a border, with a shell edging.

• make your puffs with 4 yarn overs to make them pop even more!

• do a variation on the puff stitches - pineapple stitch perhaps?.

• use the pattern to make a scarf, chain 39 for your width.

What will you do differently with this pattern?

Whatever you do, I’m sure it will be awesome! 

Tag me on Instagram so I can see! @marta.mitchell.designs

This pattern is free and always will be! If you’d like to support my work and help me to produce

more free patterns you can Buy Me a Coffee

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

January sale on all my crochet patterns!

 

Happy New Year to you! My January sale has begun - throughout the month of January I'm offering you 3 for 2 on all my patterns!

This is the BIGGEST sale I have ever done and I'm looking forward to seeing you follow my designs - whether that's for the first time or whether you're a loyal fan! Below is a collage of some of my patterns, but there are 30 more patterns to choose from!

All you need to do to take advantage of this offer is go to my Ravelry store, add 3 patterns to your cart then use the code JANUARY at the checkout and the cheapest pattern will be yours for free!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. Don't forget that I'm here for you if you have any questions about my patterns - before purchasing and after - please ask! xx

December's pattern of the month

Hello! For December's pattern of the month I wanted to choose something cosy for the winter months ahead, and these mitts are certainly warm! I don't know about you but I find that my fingers are much warmer in mitts than in gloves. Apologies for not sharing this sooner, I realised today that it was still in 'Drafts', oops!

If you prefer the fingerless option that's worked into the pattern too - there's a point where I recommended that you stop.I know that when I'm walking the dog I prefer fingerless for picking up slobbery tennis balls, sandy bits & pieces I find on the beach (and poop!). Maybe I'll write a full glove pattern next year - would that be something you're interested in? Do let me know, I want to design things that you want to crochet! In the meantime, here are the details on these mitts ...

• Pretty shell stitches form the basis of this design; my second mitts pattern.
• They begin at the cuff, worked in rows, then work up to the fingertips in rounds.
• The pattern is available as a pdf download from Ravelry & LoveCrafts.
• Shaping is added to accommodate the thumb and create a beautiful fit.
• Four sizes are included with the pattern; toddler, child, adult M & adult L.
• There's plenty of scope for adjusting the fit of these mitts to suit the size you require. It will be easiest to select the circumference you need & then crochet more or less rounds to suit.
• 100g of sock yarn is sufficient to make even the largest size. I used standard sock yarn from Vicki Brown Designs in the colourway Teal. Vicki kindly provided yarn support for this design.
• It's an intermediate level pattern, written in both UK & US terms.
• There are charts & video tutorials included with the written pattern if you need them.
• This mitts design has been tech edited & tested, giving you peace of mind to enjoy crocheting.
• My patterns now all include a 'take it further' section with inspiration for you to add your own twist to my designs.

If there's anything I haven't covered here, please drop a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram and I'll happily answer any of your questions.

To take advantage of this month's offer, simply add the code DEC21 at the checkout on Ravelry for 20% off. The code is only valid against Mavis Mitts. Offer ends midnight (GMT) 31st December 2021 (the end of the year, eeek!) I've added the LoveCrafts link above too for anyone who can't access Ravelry. I can't create discount codes for LoveCrafts so please leave me a comment and I can arrange for you to receive the pattern at the discounted price via email & PayPal.

Until next time,

Marta xx

5 quick present ideas to crochet!

Hello! Is it just me that leaves it this late to start crocheting Christmas presents to give to family and friends? Ok, so I have made a few items throughout the year but the bulk of it will be done this month. Are you in the same boat?

I thought I'd theme this blog post around quick gifts to crochet - giving you some inspiration if you need it (or if you are super organised there might be something you can bookmark for next year!). All these patterns have been tried & tested by me. The opinions given and the photos are my own.

No. 1  Granny Square Zipper Pouch by Sewhappycreative. I made this earlier in the year and it was super quick & satisfying to crochet. The lining is optional, I decided to add it and I can say that the photo tuturial for doing so is excellent. This pouch would make an excellent pencil case for a child/ young person or a notions pouch for a crochet friend. You can find this pattern, alongside other granny square projects, on Etsy.

No. 2  Little Star Crochet Pattern by Judith Heller (Merino & Tomatoes). This cute pattern has been a life saver of a quick make for me! Once you've crocheted one, the pattern is easy to remember and they work up super fast! They can be gifted on their own to hang on the tree or strung together to make a garland. They would be cute added to a wrapped present as a decorative feature too! The pattern is easy to folllow, there's a chart too and it's free on Judith's blog.

No. 3  Slemish Thistle Scarf by Ruth Pedlow (Labours of Love Crochet). I absolutely love this scarf pattern! It's worked in 4ply yarn but with a much larger crochet hook than usual, meaning it works up faster. The instructions are clear to follow and there's a chart. The scarf is quite feminine and drapey - I think mums, sisters, teachers and helpful neighbours would all appreciate this being gifted to them. Once this scarf is blocked it looks even more stunning! You can find the pattern on LoveCrafts here.

No. 4  Saguaro by Emma Varnam. I crocheted this back in July for a school teacher friend of mine - it's the perfect addition to her classroom! The pattern is available in Emma's book, Crocheted Succulents. I have the book and I really need to make some more of the designs from it, the patterns are amazing! The Saguaro is a straight forward amigurumi style design made in 3 pieces with the option of crocheting soil too. It doesn't require much yarn and if you reuse a small pot or tin that you have laying around, an inexpensive present! You can find out how to get your hands on a copy of Emma's book on her website.

No. 5  Mavis Mitts - one of my own crochet patterns! These would make a lovely gift for someone close to you. The design is formed mostly of shells worked into the same space, making it a speedy crochet project - and if you're making them for a toddler - super speedy! Four sizes are available, going up to adult-large, with lots of customizable options. You can buy this pattern on LoveCrafts and Ravelry AND throughout the month of December you can get 20% off the usual price on Ravelry! Mavis Mitts are December's pattern of the month - I'll share more details on the pattern in next week's email - but if you can't wait till then, head to Ravelry and use the code DEC21. If you can't access Ravelry please let me know and I can't sort the discount out for you via email/ PayPal.

I hope you've found a pattern you like here - let me know what you think!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Printer Ink Scarf pattern release!

Hello! I've kept this scarf pattern under wraps for a while but now's the time to release it! Yay!

You may have spotted me wearing the scarf in the Mavis Mitts photos? Niall and I took the photos on the same location shoot and because the two went so well together I kept it on in the background.

The pattern is called Printer Ink Scarf, named after the set of 12 mini skeins which inspired the design called Printer Ink. I thought it described the colours so well that I also mimiced the printer bleed effect in the way I changed colours. Do you like the name?

• 

Here are all the details you'll want to know ...

• the design calls for a set of 12x 10g mini skeins. I used Printer Ink Shades from The Knitting Goddess but it would work well in scrap yarn or perhaps an Advent calendar mix if you have one of those?
• this yarn is fingering/ 4ply weight (480m/ 120g, 40% British Blue Faced Leicester/ 20% British Wensleydale/ 20% British Alpaca/ 20% nylon) 
• it's an intermediate level pattern, written in UK & US terms.
• when you reach the border the colours are worked until they run out, making the most of your pretty yarn.
• the finished scarf is 15cm x 200cm
• the pattern includes a few ideas for taking the design further by adding your own twist.
• 4mm hook required.
• there's a chart for the main scarf pattern.
• I'm here to help if you ever have any questions, no matter how big or small.
• you can buy the pattern on Ravelry here.
• you can buy the pattern on LoveCrafts here.
• you can buy the pattern on my website here.

Did I miss anything? You can leave me a comment if you need more info.

I'm offering a 24 hour early bird discount on this pattern! Use the code PRINT15 on Ravelry to receive 15% off the pattern from now until midnight on Wednesday 24th November (GMT). If you can't access Ravelry, please leave me a comment and I'll arrange your discount through email/ Paypal.

I hope you love this pattern as much as I do!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx