Tay Beanie Pattern Launch to Coincide with The Scottish Yarn Festival, 7th June 2024

Hello! Are you ready to add a new masterpiece to your crochet collection? It's time to start getting excited because I'm releasing a brand new crochet pattern to coincide with The Scottish Yarn Festival next Saturday, 7th June!

The Tay Beanie has now been tested and tech edited! This stylish hat is the cousin of my original Perth Beanie and features a stunning textured detail which is sure to make heads turn! Rounds of Star Stitch are used to create this rich texture and I'll be creating a YouTube video to demonstate this cute stitch pattern. 

Crocheted with just 1 skein of the fabulous Clan DK wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival, the same yarn I chose for my Perth Beanie. The sample is in Sinclair, the perfect colour for autumn in Perthshire!

If you're at the festival, you'll be able to choose from the full range of colours available, including the brand new colour, Errol, launching on the day! If you can't make it in person, you can buy the yarn on The Scottish Yarn Festival's webiste. Two weeks ago I wrote a review of this wonderful yarn which you can read here on my blog.

Stay tuned for the official release next Saturday! The pattern, like it's Perth Beanie cousin, will be free on my blog with the option to upgrade to the paid version on my website or on Ravelry to give you access to more sizes and more video tutorials. I'll be sending an email to my subscribers on the day so if you'd like access to all the links and of course the special subscriber discount code, sign up to my mailing list here.

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

FREE UK shipping, this week only!

  

Hello! 

I have a treat for you today; you can enjoy FREE shipping to UK addresses on all my physical crochet products this week! That's right, no shipping costs on your favourite Marta Mitchell Design items, such as crochet kits, project bag bundles and ergonomic crochet hooks.

 

No code required (and you can still use your LAZYDAYS 10% discount, don't say I'm not good to you!). Visit my website to see the products available.

 

Hurry, this offer ends Sunday 23:59 BST.

 

Happy shopping!

 

Yarn Review: The Scottish Yarn Festival, Clan DK

Hello! I've been meaning to share my thoughts on the yarn I've been loving the most lately. It's Clan DK from The Scottish Yarn Festival and it's been getting a lot of use in my projects, so I thought it was time to give it a proper review.

I love discovering new yarns so when I first saw this wool at The Scottish Yarn Festival itself in Perth last September I was super impressed with how it squished ... and as for the colours, WOW!

This soft & woolly yarn comes from sheep grazing in Scotland, it's then milled in Yorkshire and is ready to be transformed into something wonderful by us crocheters and knitters! It's a blend of 80% Shetland and 20% Cheviot, it's DK weight (but comes in 4ply and now aran weight too!).

The visionary behind The Scottish Yarn Festival is Eva Christie and she has created an incredible new yarn, combining her passion and knowledge of Scottish wool to produce something truly special. The yarn is lovely and springy when you squish it in skein form which then translates well when it's crocheted up; it really keeps its stitch definition and shape.

As well as 3 undyed neutral colourways, there is a stunning range of 11 colours and Eva has blended some real beauties! They're all named after Scottish Clans (hence the name Clan). You may remember my Perth Beanie - for that I used the colourway Wallace, a dusky burgundy colour. I have a new design at the testing and tech editing stage using Sinclair, a burnt mustard sort of colour. These colours share a common earthy quality and would look fantastic together (indeed, I'm saving all my left-overs to combine in a future scrappy project!).

Image shows my Perth Beanie

However, it’s not just this yarn’s incredible softness and stunning colour palette that I love. Sustainability is equally important to me and knowing that this wool originates from sheep grazing freely in Scotland, and that processing takes place in Yorkshire, aligns perfectly with my values. Supporting local industries and minimising the environmental impact of production are crucial factors in my yarn choices. By choosing to endorse smaller, more independent yarn suppliers, such as The Scottish Yarn Festival, we not only bolster the local economy, we also help to minimise the environmental impact often associated with larger brands. By choosing to support brands committed to ethical and sustainable practices, we can collectively encourage a more responsible approach to textile production.

As I've mentioned, I've used this wool to design two hats but it would definitely crochet up well in a jumper or blanket, holding its structure well and providing much needed warmth! I'm also looking forward to getting my hands on some 4ply! There's a brand new colourway called Errol being released at The Scottish Yarn Festival on the 7th of September and it's a fabulous green colour, I can't wait to get my hands on it! There are bag/ yarn/ ticket bundles which allow entry to the festival, plus on the day you can collect one of their new tote bags and a skein of Errol, great idea!

Image shows my Tay Beanie

If you'd like to try out the Clan yarn for yourself (it truly is one of my favourites!), then you can find it on The Scottish Yarn Festival website, at one of their many stockists (including The Woolly Thistle for my american friends) or at the festival itself on the 7th September at Errol Showground, just outside Perth. At the time of writing the yarn is not listed on the website due to festival commitments, but if you email hello@thescottishyarnfestival Eva will be able to make arangements for you.

If you've used this yarn already, what did you make? Did you love it too? Leave me a comment to let me know!

Until next time, happy crocheting, 

Marta xx

PS. If you're interested in crocheting my Perth Beanie you can find the pattern free on this blog here!

 

Top 5 YouTube Channels for Crochet

Hello! I'm sharing 5 top YouTube podcast channels because in today’s technological age, this digital platform has become an invaluable resource for crocheters of all levels (in fact, I bet many of you even learnt via YouTube!). From new stitches to discovering inspiring projects, there's a vast wealth of knowledge and creative possibilities, all at your fingertips. However I believe that crochet podcasts have become more than just a source of inspiration; they foster a sense of community, connecting crocheters worldwide through shared passions, tips, and stories, creating lasting friendships along the way.

This post aims to shine the spotlight on five exceptional YouTube channels that deliver top-notch crochet podcasts, sharing reliable and engaging crochet content. These are the crocheters I turn to again and again when I'm looking for company whilst I stitch away myself and they give me so much inspiration, I love them and I hope you do too! Without further ado and in no particular order (I couldn't possibly choose a favourite!), here are some incredible crochet channels.

Catherine Crochets: Colourful Creations and Crochet Know-How: 

Catherine is a London based crocheter & designer who creates beautiful blankets, home décor items and accessories. She specialises in colourwork designs, and tapestry crochet in particular (she has many tutorials for this on her channel too). Catherine recently took up knitting, so there's a bit of that in the mix too to keep things interesting. I enjoy the quiet, gentle pace of her podcasts, I feel like I have a yarn loving friend chatting away beside me. You'll find Catherine on YouTube here.

Crochet Luna: From California with Love: 

Claudia is originally from El Salvador and is currently living in California. Her channel is mostly crochet with a little knitting too. She uses really beautiful yarns and is a big fan of my Fabulous Socks! pattern (her last few episodes have featured them which is always fun for me to see!). Claudia also has an Etsy shop where she sells projects bags, scissor fobs and the many pins and mugs she has designed. I love her down-to-earth advice, she always says "make what you love!", I'm sure you'll enjoy her channel too, find it here.

Sunbird Crochet: Colourful Crochet Magic from Germany: 

Claudia has become a really good friend of mine over the last few years, it feels as though there is no distance between us at all. She is a german crocheter with exceedingly good english, no subtitles required! One of the things she is best known for is taking colourwork knitting patterns and interpreting them in crochet form - they work out beautifully! Claudia is getting ready to celebrate 4 years on the channel, 4 years of sharing her fabulous finished garments - so many colourful yokes to behold! She shares a lot of yarn related purchases too which are always interesting to see. Be sure to check out Claudia's channel here, you won't be disappointed!

Cosy Cottage Crochet: A Mother's Yarny Journey: 

Hannah's podcast is all about crochet, a little bit of knitting and sewing, and generally living the yarniest life possible in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she lives! Her episodes are always a rollercosaster of a ride with her yarny adventures shared amidst the backdrop of her life a mum bringing up 2 very small children. Hannah creates in lots of different types of yarn which is fascinating to see and hear about. Sometimes she'll use exquisite hand-dyed wool with yak or cashmere and at the opposite end she'll happily use acrylic and shout about it's benefits, I love it! Watch Hannah's podcast here.

And finally, a shameless plug for my own podcast: 

I've been podcasting for nearly 3 years now and it makes me so happy to gather up all the things I'm working on to share with you! I try to make it feel as though I'm having a chat with each individual viewer, whether that's showing you my latest crochet hat WiP or demonstrating the stretch in a finished pair of socks, I like to think you're by my side. My channel is mostly made up of podcasts, I'm building a library of crochet stitch tutorials there too. Join me on my colourful adventures here!

These are just a few of my favourites, I'll share some more in a future post - there's a whole world of crochet wisdom and inspiration waiting for you on YouTube! I hope I've given you a starting point for discovering new techniques, projects, and a supportive community. Remember, everyone's crochet journey is unique;  ask yarny friends for recommendations, find channels YOU like, and most importantly, soak it all up!

 
So, go make your favouite drink, put on your headphones, and explore these amazing crochet podcasts. 
 
Which channel are you most excited to check out? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time, happy viewing and happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Show Notes: Podcast Episode 57: My Musings on the Stephen West #SSAL24

Podcast Episode 57: Show Notes:

Hello! I have a new short and sweet podcast episode uploaded to YouTube! Sorry if I talk a little too fast, I had been out for lunch with my mum, my youngest and my niece and had had a strong cup of coffee!

Color Popportunity Socks Review: My #SSAL2024 Experience:

I've finished knitting the Color Popportunity Socks by Stephen West, the #SSAL2024. I both loved and hated these socks at different stages of the journey! The leg was my favourite part, the texture is so unique. Find the pattern on Ravelry here. 

I bought my kit with yarn from Twisted Ambitions Yarn on the Stephen & Penelope website.

Colourful beginnings: The Printer Ink Scarf in Sealy MacWheely minis:

A newly started project in this episode is a Printer Ink Scarf which I’m working up in gorgeous minis from Sealy MacWheely! I could not think where Katie’s shop was situated as I was talking - it is in fact Kirkintilloch! Here’s the link to the online shop where you’ll find the details of the bricks & mortar shop too!

From Cone to Sweater: My Little Bousta Yoke Journey:

The knitted jumper I’m working on is the Little Bousta Yoke by Gudrun Johnston. I'm using Shetland jumper weight wool from various sources, some from old cones, some Jamieson's which I purchased in The Woolly Brew, Pittenweem. Find the pattern on Ravelry here.

Tay Beanie: Coming Soon!:

The new crocheted beanie which I've designed is currently with my tech editor and my team of lovely testers. I’ve called it the Tay Beanie, and it’s crocheted in The Scottish Yarn Festival's Clan DK in the colourway Sinclair. Find the yarn and all the info on the festival on September 7th on their website. Next week I'll be sharing a yarn review of the Clan DK so keep your eye out for that if you're interested in this yarn!

Finally:

If I've missed anything or you'd like more info, please do give me a shout! 

Until the next episode, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

PS. If you’d like to be kept up to date with the release of my next video, sign up to my newsletter to stay in the loop! There’s so much crochet goodness coming your way when you do!

Stitching Through Summer: A July Recap

 

Hello! It was both a busy and beautiful July! There was warm weather here on the east coast of Scotland at last and it was so good to spend time crocheting in my garden. I hope you've had a chance to soak up the sunshine too, wherever you are in the world. With summer in full swing, I've been keeping very active in my crochet business and I thought I'd share my July highlights with you.

Blog Post Highlight:
This month, the blog post which saw the most love was my "Ultimate Guide to Crocheting Socks". I pulled together all my knowledge and experience of crocheting socks into one juicy blog post and you guys loved it! It seems like many of you were eager to dip your toes into sock-making, and I’m so happy to be able to help you on your journey. Whether you’re a seasoned sock crocheter looking to improve your skills or a complete newbie, there’s a wee nugget of wisdom in there for everyone. Check it out here.

Social Media Spotlight:
I was surprised to find that the Instagram post with the most reach (views) was the image I shared of my yarn kit from Stephen & Penelope for the Westknits Surprise Sock Along! This is a month long, mystery sock knitting project with 1 clue being released each Tuesday (as I type it's Tuesday and I'll be straight off to look at clue 4 when I've finished this blog post!). I'm using yarn from Twisted Ambitions Yarn, based in the USA and I am in love with the vibrant colours. If you're not following my journey on Instagram, you can find me at @marta.mitchell.designs

My Bestselling Crochet Pattern:
Not surprisingly, with my own summer CAL running throughout this month, my most popular pattern was my Lazy Days Shortie Socks. I've created a lovely community for this CAL, we've been sharing photos and encouragement on Instagram and we've even had a couple of Zoom meet-ups! I'm hearing from those following the pattern that they're enjoying the simple stitches as a way to bring calm after stressful days at work or busy life circumstances, and I am so pleased to have been able to provide that release for them.
My discount code LAZYDAYSCAL is still running and it's not too late to come and join us! You can purchase the full kit on my website or the pattern on Ravelry. and the code LAZYDAYS gives you 10% off!
 
You Loved This Video:
It looks like you really enjoyed my latest podcast episode on YouTube, and I'm so glad! It's been a huge hit this month, perhaps because after my short break from podcasting I had more energy and felt more inspired about sharing my work! I showed off the yoke of a fairisle cardigan I'm knitting, my Parallel Lines Wrap (it was pattern release day!), my Battenberg Blanket, a new crocheted beanie I'm designing and a few other projects.If you haven't watched episode 56 yet (released last Friday), you can watch it via the embedded link below.

Crochet Shawl Pattern Release:
If you received last week's email, you'll know that I released my Parallel Lines Wrap (top photo), an Advent mini skeins crochet project. I'm really pleased with how this pattern worked out and I am particularly fond of all the photos. A HUGE thank you to everyone who took advantage of my exclusive early bird discount offer, I was absolutely AMAZED at your response to this pattern! Sorry to anyone who missed out (the code was only for the first 50 orders), consider subscribing to my mailing list to keep your eye out for future offers!

If you're currently crocheting up any of my patterns or have a finished Marta Mitchell Designs project, don't forget to share on social media. You can use the tag #martamitchelldesigns and tag me @marta.mitchell.designs to make sure I see it, I do LOVE to see your work!

Stay tuned for more crochet goodness in August! Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

A Shawl Pattern For Advent Mini Skeins!

Hello! Are you ready to dig into your yarn stash? Because I'm really pleased to announce the release of my brand new crochet pattern, the Parallel Lines Wrap! Yes, it has a name at last - chosen via an Instagram competition by husband and wife duo, Peter & Sue. I'm delighted with this name, it encompases both the shape and the repetitive nature of this mindful project.
 
This wrap pattern is perfect for anyone who has leftover mini skeins from an Advent calendar (or any random bits of yarn you've been saving for a special project). The easy-to-learn repeat makes it ideal for both confident beginners and experienced crocheters, and, thinking ahead here, it's the perfect way to unwind during the busy festive season (or indeed any time of year!).
 
Here are all the things you'll want to know about the pattern:

• Crochet pattern written in UK & US terms.

• Available on my website and on Ravelry.

• If you purchase from my website your download will include a link to add the pattern to your Ravelry library if you wish to do so.

• Yarn requirements: 24x 20g sock yarn mini skeins (4ply yarn, 425g per 100m, 75% superwash merino/ 25% nylon). 

• I chose minis from The Hobbit Advent calendar by Skein & The Stitch for my version and used approximately 14g of each colour.

• You'll need a 5mm crochet hook (much bigger than your usual hook for 4ply yarn!)

• The pattern is formed by a combination of V stitches and clusters.

• It has a 4 row mindful pattern repeat.

• Just like me, you'll love the surprise and delight of adding each new colour!

• 
  

Did I miss anything? Leave me your questions in the comments, I'm happy to help!
 
Early bird offer! I'm giving you 25% off my pattern this weekend only!! Use the code EARLYBIRD on both my website and Ravelry. 
 
Hurry, Parallel Lines Wrap pattern is only available at this discounted price until 11.59 BST, Sunday 29th July 2024. Don't let those leftover minis gather dust any longer – transform them into a stunning shawl you'll love! Head over to my website or Ravelry to snag your copy before this early bird offer flies away.

Any questions, please leave me a comment or send me an email crochet@martamitchelldesigns.com and I'll get back to you.

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx