This Saturday I was relaxing with my family on our land in New Hampshire, and I decided to work on Kevin's hat while I was up there. I brought the VP also, but I was afraid that it might be to "outdoorsy" up there to work on that project. Since Kevin's an out-doorsy type, I figured it would be more appropriate if I worked on a hat for him. I love making hats. They work up so quickly. I'm almost to the point where I can start decreasing for the crown. I'm planning on staying in the lattice cable pattern while I do so.

Here is a detailed shot of the cable. It's a fun one. I slip 2 knit stitches and 2 purl stitches to the cable needle, and hold them either in the front or the back depending on which cable row I'm on. Then I knit 2 knit sts and slip the 2 purl stitches back to the working needle, purl those 2 stitches, then knit the last 2 stitches from the cable needle.

I hope it fits him. Otherwise I'd have to make another, larger, one.

And just because I love him, here is an updated photo of our little Mozy. He's getting bigger. I guess that's what happens with young things: they grow.

Back to the book!

October 29th, 2007

Phew!
I finished the VP just in time! Last night I did the finishing touches and wove in the ends. Then, even though I knit the small, I had to try it on. I'm working on getting myself able to fit into a small, so I wasn't concerned about stretching it out too much. I think I need to knit another one of these for myself. The small used just over 5 hanks of Premiere, and I just happen to have some white premiere in my stash... Now if only I had more time. Oh well. The pattern will always be there if the time finds me. I still need to finish up the pattern for the other sizes. For this size I had to chart out most of it before writing it down. I'm working on figuring out the other sizes sans chart, so it's a bit more tricky, but I'm sure it can be done.

Now that I have no more knitting deadlines looming over my head I can spend some more time working on that book proposal. I still only have 3 swatches completed. I ripped out the one that was partially finished because it needs tweaking. I also just received 3 more designs from Interweave Crochet that need tech editing. I have until the beginning of December, but I'd love to start working on them a little each day so I'm not rushed as the deadline approaches. What I love about tech editing is that it's thought related. Where as designing and swatching (to me) are more physical and creative. So I can do both of these at the same time without feeling like I'm draining one of my energy sources… if that makes any sense.

Doh! I just remembered that I still need to finish two (quick knitting) birthday presents. I guess that comes first, then book swatches. At least 1 of these b-day knits is book worthy, so that could be design #4… just needs a swatch.

Proposal Designs 1–3

October 22nd, 2007

I often wonder why I keep adding more onto my list of things-to-do... willingly. Like the book. As busy as I am right now, I'm deciding to go full force into coming up with a book proposal, but I'm enjoying it! Over the weekend, I drew and swatched three pattern designs for the proposal. I have a few more drawings, but I've yet to find the perfect yarn and color to swatch with yet. One more swatch is in the works... but only three are completed.

3 down, 18 to go.

Another Free Pattern available!

October 16th, 2007

Hi all, here's another free pattern, made especially for the CEY Web-Letter. This one was actually designed by my sister, Kerri, but I wrote the pattern, so I figured she wouldn't mind the pattern being available here. You can read more about the design here.

Oh, and don't miss the nifty little stripe tutorial that I came up with.

Project Updates

October 12th, 2007

Sorry for the lack of photos lately. I've been mainly working on the Vogue project (VP), and I can't show you that... so, here's a pretty photo of the "happy corner" in my office with Mr. Planty taking center stage.

I actually have quite a few projects going at the moment. I've completely set aside the market bag and Forbidden Cardigan, for some other rainy days when I have nothing to do. The Master Knitting program has also been set aside (yet again) due to the VP. I have the striped hat almost finished. I'm up to the point where I can start decreasing for the crown, but I had to set it aside to work on other more time crunchy projects... which are: the VP, which I'm about half finished with. Yay; and the Rasta hat, which is on hold until the VP is done. I'm hoping to get REALLY far on it this weekend, but I always keep in mind that expectations aren't always met. That way I don't get disapointed when I don't meet them.

Sorry for the rambeling.
Enjoy Mr. Planty.

Some more useful publisher links

October 11th, 2007

• Lark Books

• Martingale & Company

• Running Press

• Sterling

Now they're saved in a safe place, for me and you.
Here's another link.

We're rolling!

October 11th, 2007

I figured out what aspect of knitting I would like to focus on for my book. I'm keeping it hush hush for the time being... at least until I get the proposal all worked up. Last night I pulled out some paper and started working on a sort of outline. I estimated approximately how many projects I want in the book, how many spring and how many fall garments, what skill levels I want to include, and how many of each. I'm having quite a bit of fun with this. I even have a few rough schematic sketches for different sorts of constructions I'd like to incorporate into the designs. While I understand that this may all change, I feel like I'm making a little progress toward… somewhere… It's just a nice feeling to feel the ball rolling, as slow as it might be.

Here's another inspiring story about the process of writing a book. These things keep popping up into my hands… almost like I'm supposed to be finding them. I'm not looking, I swear.

One thing I'm slightly concerned about is my relationship with Classic Elite, and how that might effect the book writing process. I am still trapped inside a 40 hour work week, so the idea of writing up a book in my "spare" (HA) time is a little overwhelming, but I made it through college on little sleep, and that took 4 years. I'm sure writing a book won't be THAT difficult. I have confidence. Another concern is that, while, I haven't signed any sort of contract saying I need to use their yarns for all that I do, etc… I almost feel obligated. So, I'll have to look into that; talk to some people, etc… I have heard that publishers are hesitant about publishing books that use yarn from only one yarn company, but I'm not super sure how reliable that source was. I don't know how I want to do that yet. Off for more pondering…

A shorter post (this time, about a book)!

October 9th, 2007

So, this morning I typed up the majority of a really long post ranting and raving about something or other… When I was almost finished I realized that what I was rambeling about was absolutely absurd. So I deleted it before exposing my insanity to you all.

Now, to start again.

I've been reading Crochet by Faye's crochet blog a lot lately. I swear, I must have read back about a year learning about her process in writing her book. It has really inspired me to work towards coming up with a book proposal. Right now I'm working on a few things… the first is researching publishers. Here's what I learned today:

Potter Craft is a division of Random House, and according to this page, they don't accept unsolicited manuscript submissions. They need to come through an agent. I'm not super sure how I feel about an agent just yet. This will be my first book, and I have no clue what I'm doing (yet). I'm also hesitant about working with Potter Craft. They're big, which can be helpful when promoting a book. But it also scares me. I also have personal experience with the creation of one of their books, and from that experience, I'm not so sure they would be the best choice for me… but I had to look.

Next on the list…

Interweave Press and Sixth and Spring: Neither of whom have helpful information on their website, so I may need to break my phone phobia and call them… but first I want to solidify the idea for my book. Which leads me to the second thing I'm working on. I need to figure out exactly what I plan on putting in the book. So, I almost feel like I should come up with the proposal before contacting publishers. So, I've printed out a bunch of my little paper doll drawings, and I drew up about 5 sweater designs last night. The tough thing about drawing before swatching, is figuring out exactly what stitch to do when it comes to swatching time. I generally only persue about 1 of every 4 to 5 drawings that I do. I should probably also pick either knitting or crochet. Since I have more experience writing knitting patterns, I think this may be a knitting book. Maybe I'll ponder about what my favorite part of knitting is, and/or what exactly I want to learn more about, and work from there… off to ponder.

Snapshot of what's to come!

October 4th, 2007

Diligently I've been plugging along with design related things. I really want (I'd love to say need) a new computer, and I love having that as motivation to design more. One pattern for a Spring/Summer '08 magazine was recently shipped off to a knitter. I would much rather have my designs knit by someone else for a few reasons. The first is so I may have more knitting/crocheting time to work on designing swatches etc... the second is so the pattern can be double checked by someone other than me before I send it off to the magazine.

In some situations, however, I feel more comfortable knitting the piece myself; like this other Spring/Summer '08 magazine design (to the right). The structure is a little more complicated than what I usually write patterns for, and the lace pattern needs to line up in certain places. I'm rather enjoying myself. I haven't really knit much lately, as I've been on more of a crochet kick. So, knitting this is rather pleasant. I will however need to really double check the pattern after knitting, to make sure nothing was overlooked.

I regret that I can't show you any more. Keep your eyes peeled in the spring to find out what this thing is!

Crochet Rasta Hat Update

October 1st, 2007

Me wearing the partially finished Rasta Hat

I worked quite a bit on the Rasta Hat this weekend. I'm working in the stitch pattern until it measures 8" then decreasing in to the tippity top of the hat. Then I'm planning on working the brim and band along the bottom edge.

This is my second try at the hat. I miss calculated the gauge the first time, and over estimated the size of Jim's head, so it came out way too big. I had only worked through 1 ball of yarn, so with the second ball, I just started a new hat and worked for approximately the same length that I had on the first hat. Then I stuck them both on Jim's head, on at a time to see which one worked better. The smaller one was so much better. So, I ripped out the first hat and the yarn has now been re-applied to this hat. Ball 2 is almost finished. I think this might end up taking about 4 balls... so I'm going to have to go find another one in this same dye lot, as I only set asside 3. Maybe I'll luck out. hehe.

Sorry about the spur of the moment photography.

A trip to Spark Craft

October 1st, 2007

Yesterday, a few friends and I found our way into Cambridge to see Kim Werker. She spoke about a few of the designs in her new book, and we got to experience them first hand and get all touchy-feely with some of them. She also brought the Babette blanket by Kathy Merrick with her. The photos in the magazines just don't do this blanket justice. It's absolutely fabulous! Can you believe this is the first time I've touched Koigu?

One of the designs in Kim's book—the Icelandic Turtleneck by Chloe Nightingale—is a yoke worked in all double crochet stitches from a stretchy yarn—Rowan 4-ply Soft. The simplicity and elegance of this design is fenominal. And... while I generally do not make things from patterns, I have been incredibly inspired by this design. Crochet... yoke... stretchy yarn... oh the possibilities!

When Kim was finished speaking about her book, she wandered over to chat. She told me how much she and Amy O'Neill Houck love my crochet motif cardigan! It's so inspiring and motivating to hear things like that, you can't even believe! Eventually one of the Spark Crafters reminded Kim to sign books, so I opened up a book and handed it to her. She seemed to get all giddy inside, and told me that this is the first book that she's signing. I felt so honored.

Despite my friends not being SUPER interested in yarn related things, they still really enjoyed themselves. Emma found a pair of knee high stockings and a woven-looking scarf in the book that she wants to try to make. I told her I'll help her out with understanding the pattern if she wants. Moth really enjoyed hearing about where the book came from. As a writer, she found Kim pretty interesting.

My Raw journey

Patterns for Sale

Tweed Beret

Violet, the Slouchy Head Friend

Lush Woven Scarf

Petal Socks

River of Life Socks

Crochet Motif Cardigan

Beatrice Ribbed Tie Coat