The Beach Walk Blanket 2024 is Published!

Hello crochet friends. I’m popping back on here between Newsletters because this news can’t wait until the end of the month for the February Update.

I mentioned in the last newsletter that I was working on a new version of the Beach Walk Blanket, and now it’s finished!

What an intense couple of weeks it has been. First I had to finish off the blanket, and then of course there was the pattern to write.

That task is done now -yay – and I’ve also put together all TEN video tutorials that go with the pattern. Nothing left to do now but hit that PUBLISH button (which of course, I’ve just done!)

Why write a new pattern for an old favourite?

I’ve been asked that a lot recently and there are a couple of very good reasons.

First, the Beach Walk is without doubt my most popular crochet pattern but it’s four years old. That’s not ancient I know, but in my personal crochet journey it’s prehistoric. I was only starting to go down the pattern writing route at that time, and learning as I went.

There have been a couple of quick updates of the Beach Walk since then, but nothing major. And I always felt that it truly deserved a total rewrite to bring it up to the standard of my most recent patterns. (I have learned a lot in four years, and very much still learning!)

Second, the videos. I now accompany my patterns with a set of video tutorials for each one. I know that some people are visual learners and prefer to see how something is done, rather than read instructions. This is true for beginners to crochet, and I love that I can say my designs are suitable for beginners. The videos sort of bring the pattern to life.

But the poor old Beach Walk didn’t have a full range of videos to accompany it, as I had written the pattern after I made the blanket. This time though, I’ve been making the new blanket right there with you, and filming the process!

And last but not least, the YARN. Over the years yarn colours have disappeared from sale when companies have discontinued them. It has been an ongoing struggle to keep refreshing the pattern with yarn substitutions every time that happens. So I’ve tried to future proof it this time. I’ve stuck to one brand only, the trusty Stylecraft Special DK, which I believe will be around for a long time.

The Yarn

Which brings me to the actual yarn colours I’ve used. There are 19 shades of Stylecraft Special in the blanket. Most colours require one ball but for a few there are two.

It has been my habit to put the Yarn List on here for you when I publish a pattern, and here it is.

The weights on the right are the exact amount of each colour I used, so if you have a stash of SSDK already you can check what you have first before buying more.

It’s pretty tight with a few of the colours, as you’ll see. For example, there was only 15g left out of my 100g ball of Cream. If you crochet with a loose tension you might need another ball, so do bear that in mind.

Yarn Packs

More and more I get asked if I do yarn packs, and I’m delighted to say that the yarn retailer I usually recommend – Wool Warehouse – is now doing Yarn Packs for me, starting with this pattern. They are the go-to website for my overseas followers as well as my homegrown ones, as they have an excellent worldwide shipping service. And they will also be selling the pattern.

You can find the Yarn Packs here: https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/wool-thread-paint-marion-mitchell-beach-walk-blanket-yarn-pack-stylecraft-special-dk.

You’ve already got the original Beach Walk version

What happens now, if anything?

‘Will I automatically get the new pattern?’

If you’ve purchased it on Ravelry, then yes you will. It is a perk of that site because it’s geared specifically for crochet and knitting patterns.

If you’ve purchased it on Etsy, then no. There are no automatic updates allowed on Etsy, something to do with the Data Protection Act and mass emails.

However, your old pattern will work with the new colours, PLUS I will happily send you the link to the video tutorials. To do that though, I need you to log in to your Etsy account and then message me from there, saying that you would like the video link. I will then reply with the link.

Colour Comparison between Old and New Versions

This chart gives the old colours on the left and the new on the right. Only some have been changed – the Batik and Colour Crafter ones. You can use this as an aid if you want to amend your older version of the pattern.

So where can you purchase the new version?

In my ETSY SHOP ( the pattern includes both UK and US versions).

In my RAVELRY STORE (the pattern includes both UK and US versions).

and also from Wool Warehouse (for the UK version) and Wool Warehouse (for the US version).

Finally….

What more can I say about it?

Well if you don’t already know, this pattern was inspired by my daily walks on our local Scottish beach. It’s a beautiful big beach, quiet and windswept, often overcast and grey, but hiding many flashes of colour amongst the rocks and pebbles – blue, ochre, orange, red, violet – the colours of the stones, shells and seaweed.

Nature’s own colour palette is quite simply unsurpassed.

I hope I’ve explained all about the new version of the Beach Walk blanket, and answered some of the questions you may have.

I’ll be back soon with my February Newsletter and news of my next pattern!

Bye for now,

Marion x