There seem to be (at least) 2 kinds of designers -- organic and planners. During Lily Chin's workshops at Chain Link 2011, she emphasized the benefits of planning before stitching, one being the loss of time due to stitching, stitching, stitching only to find out that all of that stitching was done in vain. During those workshops, I nodded my head in agreement because I am a planner, especially a visual planner. I make drawings, I make notes, I use software to plot out "things", and being a lover-of-all-things-math, I calculate until the cows come home.
Yesterday, I received a model back with notes about adjustments that need to be made. Of course, I am mortified that I have turned in a project that has to be "adjusted". That certainly goes against the advice that Margaret Hubert gave us on Professional Development Day-quality.
So, what happened. There are no excuses, but there are reasons--the children are home for the summer, my father-in-law was visiting and I was enjoying having time with him, I was getting ready for Chain Link . . .
But the main reason is that I didn't take time to review the design between proposal and stitching. I jumped in because I loved the colors that the editor picked, I loved the design and I couldn't wait to see it materialize.
Now what? I have spent the morning with my software working out the adjustments. The result will be a much better product, one I think the editor will be pleased with.
And Lily, I'm still nodding my head in agreement.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Chain Link 2011
The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) held its national conference (Chain Link) in Minneapolis MN last week. Each day was so awesome, it's hard to decide where to start . . .
Wednesday was Professional Development Day. The morning speakers were Ellen Gormley of Go Crochet!, Margaret Hubert, and Vickie Howell.
Ellen's speech was about the characteristics that make a project a showstopper or a project maker. A showstopper is a project that makes you go "WOW!" when you see it; it reaches from the pages of the book or magazine and grabs you. A project maker is one that people will make over and over; one that is their go-to project. It is the type of project that makes the crocheter feel successful.
I thought it was interesting that Ellen said that not all showstoppers are project makers. At first thought, all designers probably want that showstopper, that pattern that will possibly grace the cover. But, having a pattern that is a project maker is just as important. From the feedback I've received, my Adirondack Socks is just that kind of pattern. They are not complex, yet there are some stitches that make them interesting. They also look great in any type of varigated or self-striping yarn.
Margaret Hubert's speech was about what it takes to survive in the crochet publishing world. She certainly should know because she has been designing since 1975. Margaret gave us 7 things that were most important for survival. Many centered around quality: quality of ideas, quality of proposals and finished products, and quality of the written patterns. She also advised us to be flexible and pro-active, but the final piece of advice fits Margaret to a T -- be nice.
Vickie Howell was the last speaker of the morning and she wowed us all with her knowledge and tips for using social media. My head was swimming with all the ideas that she gave me! I must say that my roommate and awesome designer, April Garwood, taught me how to use Twitter before we left on Saturday night.
Tidbits: both April and Ellen have give-aways on their websites, so click on the links above and register to win.
More about the conference later . . . .
Wednesday was Professional Development Day. The morning speakers were Ellen Gormley of Go Crochet!, Margaret Hubert, and Vickie Howell.
Ellen's speech was about the characteristics that make a project a showstopper or a project maker. A showstopper is a project that makes you go "WOW!" when you see it; it reaches from the pages of the book or magazine and grabs you. A project maker is one that people will make over and over; one that is their go-to project. It is the type of project that makes the crocheter feel successful.
I thought it was interesting that Ellen said that not all showstoppers are project makers. At first thought, all designers probably want that showstopper, that pattern that will possibly grace the cover. But, having a pattern that is a project maker is just as important. From the feedback I've received, my Adirondack Socks is just that kind of pattern. They are not complex, yet there are some stitches that make them interesting. They also look great in any type of varigated or self-striping yarn.
Margaret Hubert's speech was about what it takes to survive in the crochet publishing world. She certainly should know because she has been designing since 1975. Margaret gave us 7 things that were most important for survival. Many centered around quality: quality of ideas, quality of proposals and finished products, and quality of the written patterns. She also advised us to be flexible and pro-active, but the final piece of advice fits Margaret to a T -- be nice.
Vickie Howell was the last speaker of the morning and she wowed us all with her knowledge and tips for using social media. My head was swimming with all the ideas that she gave me! I must say that my roommate and awesome designer, April Garwood, taught me how to use Twitter before we left on Saturday night.
Tidbits: both April and Ellen have give-aways on their websites, so click on the links above and register to win.
More about the conference later . . . .
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Friday Morning Knitting Club Finale
Today was the Finale ceremony for the FMKers. The whole class sat on the floor in a group. I called each FMKer up to the front and presented them with their bracelet, a project bag which included needles, pattern and yarn, and a certificate. In addition, there were 2 children that tried their hand at knitting, but decided it wasn't quite their "thing", and I gave each of them a bracelet as well.
As each child received their goodies, the whole class would applaud for that person. What a wonderful group of children this has been!
As each child received their goodies, the whole class would applaud for that person. What a wonderful group of children this has been!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Bringing a Design into Focus
If you ask 10 different designers how a design comes to life, you would probably get 10 different answers. Each designer may also have more than one answer for that question.
Recently, I was working on proposals and an image popped into my mind. I grabbed my sketchbook, but the design didn't translate well to a sketch; yet it remained firmly attached to my mind's eye.
Next, I reached for hook and yarns and rushed headlong into the swatch. I experimented with different methods, and swatch #3 finally yielded what I was looking for stitch-wise.
But something was wrong. It was more of a feeling. The swatch didn't quite match the image stuck in my head. I kept staring at it, but no enlightenment came, just that niggling feeling that something was "off".
I put it aside and worked on other projects. The design waited patiently, never leaving me.
Then one night as I lay down to sleep, I had it! I knew what was wrong! My mind started running through ideas for correcting that pesky problem. The next day, the swatching started all over. This time, I nailed the "look" on the 2nd swatch.
Sometimes, designs don't come to me in full focus, like this one did, and there is more reliance with being true to the "feeling" that the idea is giving off. Only as I work on swatches does it come into focus, gradually, like a picture being developed in a dark room.
No matter how it comes, the satisfaction I get from bringing something from nothing gives me a buzz and keeps me designing!
Recently, I was working on proposals and an image popped into my mind. I grabbed my sketchbook, but the design didn't translate well to a sketch; yet it remained firmly attached to my mind's eye.
Next, I reached for hook and yarns and rushed headlong into the swatch. I experimented with different methods, and swatch #3 finally yielded what I was looking for stitch-wise.
But something was wrong. It was more of a feeling. The swatch didn't quite match the image stuck in my head. I kept staring at it, but no enlightenment came, just that niggling feeling that something was "off".
I put it aside and worked on other projects. The design waited patiently, never leaving me.
Then one night as I lay down to sleep, I had it! I knew what was wrong! My mind started running through ideas for correcting that pesky problem. The next day, the swatching started all over. This time, I nailed the "look" on the 2nd swatch.
Sometimes, designs don't come to me in full focus, like this one did, and there is more reliance with being true to the "feeling" that the idea is giving off. Only as I work on swatches does it come into focus, gradually, like a picture being developed in a dark room.
No matter how it comes, the satisfaction I get from bringing something from nothing gives me a buzz and keeps me designing!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Friday Morning Knitting Club Update
The Friday Morning Knitting Club is going strong! The children (girls and boys) were learning well beyond my expections (remember, the children are 7 & 8 yrs old). The children were separated into 2 groups of 4 - 5 students each. As with any group, some had immediate success, some had very little success, and the majority were trucking along somewhere in between. The teacher (fabulous woman!) helped me to divide the groups so that the skill levels worked well within each group and that allowed me to help some while giving others more direct attention.
Both groups had started on a beginning project -- a beaded bracelet. I put together a project bag for each child that contained a ball of cotton yarn, a set of size 8 needles and a written pattern. I wrote the pattern in a standard pattern format, but with more detailed steps. I wanted them to learn more than just the knit stitch, but how to start a project, how to read a pattern, and how to finish a project.
I gave each child a packet and asked them to take out the contents. We started by reading the Materials (Things You Will Need) section, and I asked them to make sure they had all the items. I had the beads on paper plates (bowls would have worked well too) in the center of the table, so it gave the children the chance to note that an item was missing from the list.
They each picked out 7 beads. Then we turned to the Pattern Instructions (Things You Will Do) section and began by reading the first step. Everyone began to move at their own pace from here on out and I was able to float among them as needed. We kept the time for each group to about 20 to 25 minutes. Attention spans waned and wandered after that, and it allowed me to work with all of the students each week.
By the 3rd week, the children were comfortable with each other and looked forward to coming. Their skills were not progressing as much as their enthusiasm, but that wasn't important at that point. On that 3rd week, something unexpected and amazing happened. Each group morphed into a real knitting group! By that I mean that they did just exactly what all of us adults do when we sit down to knit or crochet with others--they began to talk about whatever was on their minds, to share ideas, family tidbits, and successes.
I was reminded of times when my own girls were toddlers and just getting their feet to take flight. They would take off running in one direction while looking in another, and run smack dab into a wall or doorway (it only took once for each child). The Friday Morning Knitters (FMK) were doing the same; their hands kept moving and they looked at each other when they talked--with about the same success. Stitches slipped off, or the yarn didn't get wrapped around the needle. But all that gave me great opportunities to teach them the correct way to do things, and gave me many chuckles.
Things were going quite well . . . until standardized testing interrupted! During the testing, no volunteers are allowed on campus, and we had to stop for several weeks. So today, my expectations were not very high; they are quite young, after all. But, again, I was surprised by these little people. Their muscles still remembered the basics, but most importantly to me, their enthusiasm had not flagged during the hiatus.
I don't hold any lofty thoughts of how they will go home and knit this summer, but I do hope that each one has had a positive experience with a craft. And that the next time a needle or hand-craft opportunity presents itself, they will take it with the same enthusiam and joy that they did this year.
Both groups had started on a beginning project -- a beaded bracelet. I put together a project bag for each child that contained a ball of cotton yarn, a set of size 8 needles and a written pattern. I wrote the pattern in a standard pattern format, but with more detailed steps. I wanted them to learn more than just the knit stitch, but how to start a project, how to read a pattern, and how to finish a project.
I gave each child a packet and asked them to take out the contents. We started by reading the Materials (Things You Will Need) section, and I asked them to make sure they had all the items. I had the beads on paper plates (bowls would have worked well too) in the center of the table, so it gave the children the chance to note that an item was missing from the list.
They each picked out 7 beads. Then we turned to the Pattern Instructions (Things You Will Do) section and began by reading the first step. Everyone began to move at their own pace from here on out and I was able to float among them as needed. We kept the time for each group to about 20 to 25 minutes. Attention spans waned and wandered after that, and it allowed me to work with all of the students each week.
By the 3rd week, the children were comfortable with each other and looked forward to coming. Their skills were not progressing as much as their enthusiasm, but that wasn't important at that point. On that 3rd week, something unexpected and amazing happened. Each group morphed into a real knitting group! By that I mean that they did just exactly what all of us adults do when we sit down to knit or crochet with others--they began to talk about whatever was on their minds, to share ideas, family tidbits, and successes.
I was reminded of times when my own girls were toddlers and just getting their feet to take flight. They would take off running in one direction while looking in another, and run smack dab into a wall or doorway (it only took once for each child). The Friday Morning Knitters (FMK) were doing the same; their hands kept moving and they looked at each other when they talked--with about the same success. Stitches slipped off, or the yarn didn't get wrapped around the needle. But all that gave me great opportunities to teach them the correct way to do things, and gave me many chuckles.
Things were going quite well . . . until standardized testing interrupted! During the testing, no volunteers are allowed on campus, and we had to stop for several weeks. So today, my expectations were not very high; they are quite young, after all. But, again, I was surprised by these little people. Their muscles still remembered the basics, but most importantly to me, their enthusiasm had not flagged during the hiatus.
I don't hold any lofty thoughts of how they will go home and knit this summer, but I do hope that each one has had a positive experience with a craft. And that the next time a needle or hand-craft opportunity presents itself, they will take it with the same enthusiam and joy that they did this year.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sand, Sea and Sky Table Runner
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday Morning Knitting Club
My girls are 10 and almost-8 and I've worked with them to learn both crochet and knitting for several years. Those experiences have taught me that there is a certain amount of hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity that is needed to crochet or knit. While both of my girls have learned, neither has chosen to work on a project for more than 15 minutes.
As I approached the lesson plan for the 2nd grade Friday Morning Knitting Club, I was prepared for the children's interest to wane after that first week. The teacher and I decided the club would meet as long as the children were interested, with no obligation for them to continue if a child chose to stop.
That first morning, I worked with 3 children for 20 minutes. I found the teaching experience to need quite a bit of hands on and individual attention for each child. I gave them my ground rules: 1) be patient with each other, and 2) be patient with yourself. They did a great job at both.
I must admit that I had doubts about them mastering the knit stitch that first week. At the end of the session, their enthusiasm still ran high, and they were quite proud of the row or 2 that they had knit.
And I went home, energized and filled with ideas to improve our next club meeting!
As I approached the lesson plan for the 2nd grade Friday Morning Knitting Club, I was prepared for the children's interest to wane after that first week. The teacher and I decided the club would meet as long as the children were interested, with no obligation for them to continue if a child chose to stop.
That first morning, I worked with 3 children for 20 minutes. I found the teaching experience to need quite a bit of hands on and individual attention for each child. I gave them my ground rules: 1) be patient with each other, and 2) be patient with yourself. They did a great job at both.
I must admit that I had doubts about them mastering the knit stitch that first week. At the end of the session, their enthusiasm still ran high, and they were quite proud of the row or 2 that they had knit.
And I went home, energized and filled with ideas to improve our next club meeting!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Knitting Fever
I was helping in my daughter's 2nd grade class one day and spied a book called Knitting Fever. The plot was that a sheep on a farm caught knitting fever and then taught all the other sheep on her farm and on a nearby farm to knit. The sheep worked furiously and ended up knitting all of their wool. This turn of events caused the farmers quite a bit of concern, as they had no wool to sell, and therefore no income.
The farmers and the sheep put their heads together and came up with a good solution: the sweaters that the sheep had knitted would be displayed and sold at the county fair. The farmers made enough money from the sweater sales to cover all of their expenses.
The story ended with the sheep making plans to knit "mittens and gloves next year".
I asked the teacher if I could bring in yarn, needles and a few items that I had made to show the children what the sheep were doing. She agreed, and I brought in a pair of socks, a blanket and a top. I had a pair of big needles and chunky yarn, and demonstrated the knit stitch, then let each child who wanted to make a few stitches.
I thought that would be all she wrote, but the children were so excited that the teacher asked me to create a knitting club.
And that is how the Friday Morning Knitting Club was born for 10 2nd graders!
The farmers and the sheep put their heads together and came up with a good solution: the sweaters that the sheep had knitted would be displayed and sold at the county fair. The farmers made enough money from the sweater sales to cover all of their expenses.
The story ended with the sheep making plans to knit "mittens and gloves next year".
I asked the teacher if I could bring in yarn, needles and a few items that I had made to show the children what the sheep were doing. She agreed, and I brought in a pair of socks, a blanket and a top. I had a pair of big needles and chunky yarn, and demonstrated the knit stitch, then let each child who wanted to make a few stitches.
I thought that would be all she wrote, but the children were so excited that the teacher asked me to create a knitting club.
And that is how the Friday Morning Knitting Club was born for 10 2nd graders!
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