February 2008

Saturday afternoon I had some time all to myself, with which I really didn't know what to do. I worked on some tech editing for as long as I could stand, but when my mind didn't feel as interested in it, I decided I had better move on to other things.

Because the tech editing was crochet, I was very inspired to do some crochet designing, so I pulled out some yarn and hooks and experimented with 3 or 4 ideas, none of which I really enjoyed. Then I remembered the Princess Wattle Stitch Raglan that I had designed and started in November. I opened up the notes I had jotted down for it, and the excel spreadsheet which I use to figure the math, and started to work on that again.

I had one sleeve crocheted up, but no other pieces and no pattern. So, in order to continue working on this, I really needed to come up with the pattern. Thankfully I had all the math for the sleeve figured in that Excel spreadsheet, and I was able to write the sleeve pattern without any trouble.

From there, the math for the back and front pieces was pretty simple. I've started knitting the back (after a few tries at getting the gauge perfect), and now I think it should be rolling right along. At least for a little while until something else jumps in my way.

So, at the moment, I'm working on P.G. and the Princess Crochet Raglan. One to satisfy my knitting desires, and one for my crochet desires. Hopefully one of these days I'll have 2 sweaters to show for it!

I've finally upgraded from my tiny, slow, 7 year old laptop to a desktop computer! Yay! James and I spent the whole day today rearranging our "computer room", and I must say that I'm really happy with the results. I set up a board where I can pin swatches and design ideas for my book, which I still do plan on writing, but a ton of other things landed in my lap, so it has been put on the back burner temporarily. I've started thinking about it more the last few days, and I've been more in "design mode" lately, so it may be picked up again sometime soon.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about my new work area, that I just had to share!

Have a beautiful day!

On my way home from work yesterday, I couldn't get my brain to turn off. I have a commute of about 45 minutes to an hour, and I generally use this time as a centering, meditative period. It's really the ONLY time during the day that I get all to myself, so I use it to do spiritual work on myself, basically. Anyway… my mind wanted to run through a list of knit/crochet designers who inspire me, and what it is about them that I find so inspiring. So, just for fun, since my mind did the work, I figured I'd share:

Robyn Chachula (Crochet by Faye): I don't know how she does it. She is constantly creating—putting out new designs, one right after the other, like a machine. The way I understand it, she has a day job... just like me, but somehow she finds the time to design, crochet and write a book. Robyn helps me realize that if I really put my heart into it, designs can just flow through me.

Kathy Zimmerman: She has fabulous organizational skills. As a tech editor for CEY, I've come upon her submissions patterns and sweaters many times over, and each time I'm astonished by the attention to detail that she puts into her work. Kathy has certainly inspired my organizational style.

Kim Werker: The editor of Interweave Crochet, and creator of the Crochet Me book and website. Her ambition and energy are really inspiring. I've met her a few times, and the surge of crochet energy that flows through me after being in her presence is fenominal. She has such passion and love for crochet and how she expresses it really inspires me to continue crocheting.

Ysolda Teague: She makes her living crafting. Need I say more? To not have a day job, and be able to stay home in a creative environment and DESIGN and create beautiful things from which people all over the world can enjoy must be a wonderful feeling. I really respect her ability to trust in the creative forces that flow through her enough to rely on them as a soul source of income. Beautiful. Inspiring.

So, I want to thank each of you for doing what you do, in the way you do it. It's inspiring.