I'm launching this crochet blanket pattern as a CAL in the early summer!

Hello! This week I'm super busy working on my latest crochet blanket design but I wanted to pause and let you have a look at my progress!

These are the final photos I'll be sharing before the blanket pattern launches as a CAL (crochet a-long) in early summer! This will be my most ambitious CAL yet with clues being released on a weekly basis and I can't wait to let you know more about it.

The blanket is going to be available in several different sizes and it's a modular design, meaning you'll work on squares and panels before crocheting (or sewing) them together. There will be lots of options for you, not just the binding method.

So for now, enjoy these photos and start dreaming about what colours you'll use!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

The never-ending quest to learn new crochet skills!

Hello! A question I'm asked all the time is "how long did it take you to learn how to do that?". The person is looking at the skill involved in one of my pieces and they think they'll never be able to reach that level.

This often makes me realise just how far I've come on this crochet journey, with thoughts like "two years ago I certainly couldn't have done this" going through my head.

I'm here to tell you that anything is possible if you are 1) willing to learn and 2) put that learning into practice. 

This time last year I was learning how to do mosaic crochet, a completely new skill for me and I remember the charts looked scarily complex! However, I started on row 1 and followed the instructions to create a gorgeous blanket (pictured above) which I'm so proud of! 

Next on my list of things to learn is tapestry crochet! I know it's similar to mosaic crochet but that colour changes happen mid row, maybe even twice mid row (eeek!).

My To The Park Cardigan (released this week and pictured above) is an intermediate level crochet pattern but there are possibly new skills for you to try;

• A crocheted cable goes down the back and two cables go down either side of the front opening.

• The ties are crocheted I-cord.

• There are foundation crochet stitches used when splitting for the sleeves.

If these techniques are new to you, don't worry, the pattern has bonus video tutorials to keep you right! I'm also available for pattern support should you have any questions.

This pattern is available on my website and on Ravelry and there's currently a 10% off early bird offer! Use the code CARDILOVE at the checkout to receive your discount.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Crochet cardigan pattern release day!

Hello! It's another pattern release day! This time I'm shining the spotlight on my To The Park Cardigan (did you see the cute sneak peek photos I shared in last Friday's post?)

Why not WOW everyone at the baby shower by making the 6 month size of this gorgeous design? It will work up quickly and the cables will look absolutely stunning.

There are in fact 4 sizes to choose from; 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months - perfect if you have a little one in your life to crochet for!

I used King Cole merino blend DK because it's so soft against the skin and it washes really well (important for baby items!) 

What else would you like to know?

Well, it's an intermediate level design with lots of video tutorials to help guide you if you need them. Techniques used are front post stitches, foundation stitches and I-cord, so not one for a beginner but if you're looking to challenge yourself it's a good choice.

 

The constuction is top-down yoke with the sleeves crocheted in the round later. There are options for short sleeves or long sleeves.

 

If there's anything else you'd like to know, please leave me a comment and I'll answer your questions ASAP.

Did you know I'm available if you need me for pattern support throughout your cardigan journey from yarn choices to finishing touches? You can either email me or send me a DM on Instagram and I'll happily get back to you.

 

There's an early bird offer on this crochet pattern! 10% off for one week only with the code CARDILOVE - valid on my website and on Ravelry. 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. Don't forget to tag me on social media if you make one!

PPS. Fancy a 20% discount code for this and future patterns? Hop on my mailing list!

Sneak peek of my latest photo shoot pics!

Hello! Last week my lovely friend Dawn took lots of photos for me of her son Mata (gaelic for Matthew) wearing my To The Park Cardigan! He looks so cute in the cardi and I am over the moon with the results! 

If you've been following me for a while you'll know that this design has been a work in progress since 2017 when my niece Agnes was born! It's a design I've really wrestled with - in particular the shaping of the neckline was real pain point for me. In the process I've made at least a dozen versions of this cardigan!

 

Don't let my frustrations put you off this pattern! I've been through the process to bring you an easy to follow pattern which will look stunning! The pattern has been tech edited by Lorriane Catterall and I can reasure you that Lorraine has an amazing eye for detail. It was the first time I've used her as a tech editor and I was super impressed! 

 

I've had a wonderful team of testers behind the scenes too - Ruth, Amy, Manuella, Jackie, Clare, Debbie and Julie! Each of the sizes has now been tested in both UK and US terms.

 

What do I need to do next? Well, these beautiful photos need to be inserted into the pdfs. I also need to pop all the links in for the video tutorials, check they're functioning properly and set up discount codes (look out for yours!). Then there's the listing to do on my website, Ravelry and LoveCrafts. All these little things add up and do need to be done properly to avoid disappointments at your end.

 

All things going well, I hope to launch on Tuesday! Sign up to my mailing list to be first to know and receive my biggest discount code!! As a bonus I'm choosing 5 lucky subscribers to win a free copy of the pattern!!

Until launch day, happy crocheting!

Marta xx

This pattern started life whilst waiting in the queue at the supermarket!

Hello! It's pattern release day for my Fields of Wheat Beanie and I'm promoting it straight away to Pattern of the Month, giving you 10% off this crochet design throughout the month of March.

I love this crochet pattern, it's definitely one of my favourites! Did you know it began one day when I was waiting in the queue at the supermarket? The lady in front of me had a leather bag with strips of leather looped through each other in such a beautiful way I just had to recreate the effect in crochet! 

This design was first published in British Fibre Art Magazine, issue 23 and in November last year I included it in my Winter Coorie Collection, however this is the first time it has been released as a stand alone pattern.

The intricate wheat stalk motifs are more complex looking than you might think, they're definitely not as tricky to achieve as they appear to be! 

Juniper Moon Farm’s baby alpaca wool was chosen for this design because it’s so soft & delicate against the skin. I've tried working it up in wool from UK Alpaca and it makes a good substitute.

There are 6 size variations created with different hooks in conjunction with different numbers of repeats. It's an intermediate level pattern and it's written in UK terms. 

For 10% off this pattern use the code MAR23 on either my website or Ravelry.

Don't forget to tag me if you make one so I can share on social media and there's a £10 voucher too for every photo I share here in my newsletter!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you'd like to receive my blog posts straight to your inbox and find my biggest discount codes, hop on my mailing list here.

PRESS DEBUT - featured in Woman's Weekly!

Hello! This week I had an article all about me and my crochet design biz in Woman's Weekly! I'm featured alongside two other ladies who use wool in their businesses and the article highlights how passionate we all are about wool.

The interview was conducted via a video call back in January and it's good to now see how Michelle Rowley has put the article together, sharing the three quite different ways the three of us use wool.

There's a knitter of course, Jeanette Sloan, who's bold use of colour I love! There's a needle felter, Helen Winter, and we're actually online friends - we're in the same business coaching group run by Jenny Lane, so it's lovely to be featured on the same page.

Then there's my story which outlines the very brief way I came from learning crochet in 2009 to where I am today. It's 20 minutes of chatting condensed into a few short paragraphs! Of course I've shared my story on here very recently - if you missed it you can find it here on my blog.

The 7th March issue of Woman's Weekly is on sale now if you want to read the full article (there's a lovely knitted scarf pattern in it too).

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

 

Have I told you how much I love cake?

Hello! Have I told you how much I love cake? I mean, I'm pretty crazy about cake. Especially in a nice café. With freshly brewed coffee on the side.

Yesterday I was out for a cycle with my hubby and we stopped for a refuel in one of our favourite cafés (Sweet Pea Café in Broughty Ferry if you're local!). I ordered a piece of their Turkish delight slice and a hot chocoloate (made with coconut milk, vegan cream and marshmallows of course!).

I found myself looking at the pink rose petals on the cake, the dark chocolate topping, the pale pink of the creamy Turkish delight layer and the milky chocolate colour of my hot choc. Even the saucer and tea plate matched up! I might save this image for a future colour combo. It always surprises me that I find colour inspiration in the strangest of places!

In the bonus video which comes with my Colour Pop Bundle I let you in on a few of my colour choice secrets and share a few tips on how to choose colours.

The other contents of the bundle are the 5 crochet patterns pictured below, carefully chosen because of their burst of colour - I shared all the details in my blog post last Friday.

You'll find the Colour Pop Bundle on my website via the link below and as a subscriber you can save an additional £2.50 with the code SUPERSUBSCRIBER

A big thank you to everyone who has supported me already by purchasing my bundle. Don't forget to tag me on social media or email your photos so I can see!

Still thinking about it? Hurry, this bundle is only going to be available until the end of the day on Friday! 

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx