Crochet pattern release - Air Balloon Beanie

Hello! Popping up with an extra blog post this week with news of my Air Balloon Beanie pattern release! This is my 8th crocheted hat design and I am super pleased with the way it turned out!

Let's dive in with all the details ...

• It's an intermediate level hat pattern designed to be crocheted in 2 colours.
• 4 sizes are available; child, teen, adult M, adult L.
• The pattern is very easy to adapt to suit any size of head.
• It's written in UK and US terms.
• The pattern gives instructions for 2 colours but you could be as creative as you like with the number of colours!
• I used Rico Essentials Merino DK for this design. 2 balls are enough for each size.
• It's available on both Ravelry and LoveCrafts.
• There are charts and video tutorials to guide you.
• This project has that "one more row" quality I know so many of you love!

I'm offering an early bird discount on this pattern for the next 48 hours only - an amazing 30% off! Simply add the code AIRBB at the checkout on Ravelry and your discount will be applied. As always, please get in touch if you can't access Ravelry and we can make other arrangements.

Hurry, offer ends 8am, Saturday 19th February GMT.

As you can probably tell by the pictures, the day of the photo shoot was absolutely freezing! I had to keep putting my hood up to block the strong gusts of wind. My eldest son, Niall, took the model shoot photos and I'm really chuffed with the way he has captured my design.

I'll be back tomorrow with more information on my pattern of the month, until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

February's crochet pattern of the month

 

Hello! Sorry if you missed my weekly blog post last week, I had Covid so I was taking it easy. Hubby had it too, despite us both being fully vaccinated. At the moment only our youngest is home and he seems to have escaped the virus, phew! I had a bit of a cough & sore throat, violent sneezes that pulled stomach muscles and generally just felt tired & achy. I tell you, I'm glad I had been vaccinated, it could have been a lot worse!

Anyway, the silver lining was the extra hours for crochet and knitting! It's times like these that I'm so grateful to have such creative and relaxing hobbies - I don't know what I'd do without them! The main project I've been working on is Dutch Houses Throw (below), a mosaic crochet pattern by Esme Crick. I'm using Scachenayr Merino Extrafine 120 and I love how this pattern is working up! 

Like I said, the over riding symptom I had with Covid was tiredness. I really had no energy for over a week, which I'm sure any of you who have had the virus can relate to. So, as well as lots of crochet time I have had time to think about my business and the direction I want it to grow in. I recently had a 1:1 business strategy session with Jenny from Female Entrepeneur School which was amazing! Jenny tells it as it is and praised me for what I was doing well, pointed out a few areas that need improving (and how to take action to sort them) and gave me some inspiration to take away and think about for the future. 

2022 is going to be a big growth year for my crochet business so stick around for what's coming next!

I shared the sock tip at the top of the page on Instagram this week and I thought you might find it useful too. I almost always make socks for big feet (size UK9 - 14 in this household!) so I find this tip really helpful, especially on a toe up sock - I can stop the leg when the yarn seems to be running out. Try it and let
me know how you get on!

February's crochet pattern of the month is my Bandwagon Mitts! The good news is that I've given the pattern a once over to bring it up to date and in line with my more recent patterns AND added US terms! Use the code FEB22 for 15% off the pattern on Ravelry! If you can't access Ravelry, have a look at the pattern on LoveCrafts and drop me a comment or a DM over on Instagram and I'll arrange the discount via email and PayPal.

Sign up to my mailing list to keep up to date with all my news, receive free patterns and for the biggest discounts! https://mailchi.mp/920715760d7a/striation

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Square Stitch crochet tutorial

 

Hello, this week I have a crochet stitch tutorial for you - it's for the square stitch! To give you some background, throughout January I'm taking part in the Fun a Day project by crocheting a swatch each day to explore new textures. At the end of the month I'm going to join the squares into a 6 x 5 blanket.

If you haven't heard of Fun a Day it's an initiative that started in Philadelphia where participants work on a small creative project every day in January. My nearest city, Dundee, has a thriving Fun a Day community and I've been taking part with them for a few years now. In the spring there is an exhibition where everyone who has taken part can showcase their projects. The last 2 years this has been online, but perhaps it will be a real, actual exhibition this year ... we'll see! You can find out more about Fun a Day Dundee here.

Anyway, one of the swathches I've crocheted had a fantastic look and texture to it and I thought it was worth sharing with you. I made a pink version - the photo at the top of the page - for the tutorial.

Abbreviations (UK terms)
ch - chain
chsp - chain space
dc - double crochet
tr - treble

Begin: ch multiple of 2.

Row 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, (ch1, miss 1dc, 1dc in next ch) across, turn.

Row 2: ch1, 1dc in first dc, (1tr in chsp, 1dc in next dc) across, turn.

Row 3: ch1, 1dc in first dc (ch1, miss next tr, 1dc in next dc) across, turn.

Row 4 onwards: repeat row 2 to 3.

If you prefer visual instructions, you can watch my video tutorial on YouTube here.

Let me know if you use this stitch, I'd love to see what you make!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

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