Introducing Rove Handmade

If you've visited here before, you might have noticed some changes.

Let me introduce you to Rove Handmade, a new brand that seeks to engage creativity with simple, minimalist crochet patterns designed in natural, sustainable fibres. You'll still find patterns and how-to's previously published under Maria Valles Handmade, now under a new name and a freshened-up online home.

Rove Handmade represents the next step for me in this handmade endeavor of mine, as I begin to think more carefully about designing, making, and sustainability. It is the culmination of several months of pondering, planning and hard work, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this next chapter leads.

In celebration, I am excited to share with you Rove Handmade Volume 1: Grannies, a collection of four easy crochet patterns for simple and stylish shrugs and cardigans. Inspired by crochet’s most famous motif, the granny square, these patterns also showcase beautiful Icelandic wool yarns in earthy undyed shades. The collection features two brand new patterns along with my best-selling Duo Two-Way Shrug and a new-and-improved pattern for my Granny Cocoon Shrug (previously published as free "recipe" here on the blog).

Each design employs inventive construction based on squares or hexagons, with no special shaping and minimal seaming, making these great projects for those crocheting their very first garment. Patterns include detailed instructions for five adult sizes, as well as schematics and notes on customizing your piece. You’ll also find tips on working with Icelandic wool and notes on yarn substitutions. 

Check out the ebook and individual patterns here!

Duo Two-Way Shrug

Last week I finally published my Duo Two-Way Shrug on Ravelry. This one was a long time and a few versions in the making, but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out and thrilled by the wonderful response it's been getting on both Instagram and Ravelry. Thank you to all who left kind words or have already purchased the pattern!

Built on the granny square, Duo uses basic stitches and construction to create an elegant, versatile piece that can be worn as a short-sleeved open cardigan or turned upside down and worn as a cropped, shawl-collared shrug. It has a slight cocoon shape at the back and is meant to be worn with a bit of positive ease.

I designed Duo for plötulopi, a light and airy single-ply unspun Icelandic wool yarn, but the pattern can be made a worsted weight yarn such as Léttlopi and notes are included for yarn substitutions. In Léttlopi, for example, the gauge is identical and the result is a little more "springy" though no less lovely - I've been wearing both versions and I'm honestly not sure which is my favourite (it's shown here in plötulopi) . Duo is available in five sizes.

Seascape Cowl for Holla Knits

Photo courtesy of Holla Knits

Photo courtesy of Holla Knits

Hello, it's been awhile! I've been somewhat under the radar the last few months to focus on some non-crochet-related priorities but am happy to be back. I wasn't completely AWOL though - I did manage to sneak in a tiny bit of designing and am super excited to announce the launch of a brand new pattern that I designed for the Holla Knits 2016 Accessories Collection!

The Seascape Cowl was inspired by Iceland's North Atlantic landscapes and is a modern twist on granny square chic. It's a great project for crocheters who enjoy the challenge of mixing techniques for interesting results. The pattern is available to buy over on the Holla Knits website, just in time for fall, and you can tag your projects on social media with #seascapecowl. 

To make this pattern, you'll need:

• 3 balls Ístex Léttlopi (50 g/100 m - 1.75 oz/109 yd) or similar worsted weight yarn, 1 each in three colours of your choice
• 5 mm (H-8) hook
• Stitch markers and yarn needle

City cowl

As I slowly work my way through the backlog, I'm pleased to introduce yet another cowl pattern, now available on Ravelry and Etsy. This one is called the City Cowl and is made with one ball of Álafoss Lopi and a big-ish 10 mm hook, and uses one of my favourite stitches, Griddle Stitch, to achieve a beautiful texture and drape. It's also simpler than it looks and is suitable for advanced beginners who want to venture a little beyond the basics.