New crochet website

Hello! This week I was so pleased to be able to send my first ever website live! It had been a goal of mine for quite a while but with my tech challenged brain it's something I kept putting off doing!  I did need my hubby's help to set up a domain name for me - he's a software developer so this kind of thing was a breeze for him. However, after this I did everything myself. I wanted the website to be my own creation, something I had built and I also wanted the ability to make changes whenever I wanted to, not just at the weekends when my husband was free.

My website is still very much a work in progress (there are a few images missing for example), but I could spend forever tweaking it here and there getting it absolutely perfect and being scared to make it public. I made the decision to send it out there and work on it as and when I can. You'll see that all my most recent patterns are up there and that there is a "coming soon" for my Pattern Plus collection. I plan to work on that next week with a view to publishing my first pattern bundle by the end of the week - look out for my next blog post!

Until then, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Teenie, Tiny Bunting crochet pattern release!

 

Hello! I have a lovely crochet pattern for you to work up and add to your Spring decorations! If you've been following me for a while, you may remember my Teenie, Tiny Bunting from this time last year when it was my free pattern - maybe you got it as a 'thank you' for being on my mailing list? Anyway, since then it's been sitting in my "no longer published" folder until I dug it out the other day, gave it a bit of a dust down, added a sprinkling of Spring freshness and it's now been uploaded to LoveCrafts and Ravelry! So if you missed it last year, here's your chance to get your hands on the pattern. 

My Teenie, Tiny Bunting is perfect for hanging on an Easter tree, across a vase of flowers or draped over a photo frame to add a pop of colour to your home! This is a super simple crochet design that’s also quick to make up, crocheted using embroidery thread and a 2.5mm hook. It's a beginner level pattern, written in both UK & US terms with charts and a video tutorial demonstrating the invisible join.

I love that It's a great way to use up scraps of embroidery thread you may have, you know how much I love to stash bust! 

Sign up to my mailing list to be forst to know of all my releases and to receive the biggest discounts here.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Pattern of the month for March - Printer Ink Scarf

 

Hello! A new month has begun! It feels so good to be into March, the start of warmer weather and longer days here in Scotland. I've been regaining my strength after having Covid and have managed some longer walks in the countryside with Jazz this week which has been absolutely wonderful.

This month I have a light-weight crochet scarf pattern for you as my pattern of the month. If you've been following me for a while you'll recognise it as my Printer Ink Scarf which I released last October. I love the way this scarf crocheted up - the colours worked out just as I hoped they would and the open stitch combination makes the scarf light and airy.

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 and 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.

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

You can receive 15% off my Printer Ink Scarf throughout the month of March with the code MAR22.
This code is only valid on Ravelry so please let me know if you can't access this site but would like to take advantage of this offer, I can make other arrangements.

If you sign up to my mailing list you'll receive bigger monthly discounts, free patterns plus all my crochet tips & advice straight to your inbox. You can sign up here

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Crochet tip for you!

 

Hello! I'm back this week to share my latest YouTube video with you. Have you ever crocheted a huge number of chains, turned to work into them, reached the last chain only to discover you are 3 chains short? It tends to happen with projects such as blankets or shawls. Well, I have the solution to this and I've shared it on my YouTube channel.

I hope you find this tip useful - please let me know if you do! I'd appreciate your likes, comments and subscribes on YouTube too, they'll help me to grow and gain visibility on the platform.

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Pattern of the month - Bandwagon Mitts

Hello! I relaise I've let you know about my pattern of the month, but haven't told you much about the pattern. I'm here in this post to set that straight and give you all the information you need ...

• The pattern begins with a stretchy rib worked as a long strip, next it's joined to make a round and then crocheted up to the fingertips in a continous spiral. A gap is made for the thumb and the thumb is crocheted in at the end.
• It's rated intermediate level.
• You can find my Bandagon Mitts pattern on both Ravelry & LoveCrafts
• The pattern is available in 6 sizes ranging from child to adult XL.
• Yarn requirements range between 50g of DK weight yarn for the smallest size up to 150g of DK weight yarn for the largest.
• It's written in UK and US terms.
• I used West Yorkshire Spinners Aire DK which sadly seems to be discontinued in solid colours but is still available in variegated colourways.
• On Ravelry one of the download options is for a full photo tutorial accompanying the pattern, (ideal if you are fairly new to crochet).
• I held off releasing this pattern for a few weeks because I really wanted a snowy photo shoot! Last February we had the best snowfall we've had in years! Photo credit goes to Niall Mitchell.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm happy to answer any queries you may have about yarn choice and suitability for example.

A big thank you to everyone who has dived in already and bought the pattern. I truly appreciate you supporting my small business.

The discount code is FEB22 for 15% off the pattern on Ravelry. If you can't access Ravelry, have a look at the pattern on LoveCrafts and send me a message because I can arrange your discount through email & PayPal.

Offer ends 23:59 on 28th February GMT.

I'll be back soon with more crochet news. Until then happy crocheting,

Marta xx

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