Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Falling Leaves Scarf - Missteps = Modifications


One of the great things about blogging is that you get to share everything, including your mistakes.  While it's always a little disheartening to finish a project only to find that there are some things you need to fix, it helps to write it all down.  It's how we learn, is it not?

I was really excited about this scarf.  I loved the colors and the shape of the leaf I designed and I still love those things, but I need to make some corrections.  From a strictly visual perspective, I should have staggered the colors differently.  I also need to add length as the stripes have taken some of the stretchiness out of my scarf.  

I ended up, yesterday afternoon, on the floor of my studio with a notepad, my laptop and a few versions of the scarf in front of me.  I tend to write patterns on my computer these days, but whenever I get stuck, I always have to break out the pencil and paper and start writing and drawing.  I just cant process with a keyboard the way I can with a pencil.  It's must be a generational or visual learner thing, but I felt so much better after filling up a couple pages with notes. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Header, New Post


A few weeks ago I noticed that my header, the photo at the top of this blog, wasn't always loading.  Sometimes it was there, and sometimes it wasn't.  Today I decided it was time to stop procrastinating and do something about it.  At first I was planning to recreate what I had before and then I changed my mind.  I scrolled through my photos and found a skein of yarn I spun a couple years ago.  There it was, colorful and sparkling in the sun, a very happy looking skein of yarn.  After a little sizing and doctoring, I have my new header.  

In the meantime, I'm still working on my Free Falling Scarf pattern.  I keep coming up with more ideas.  I think when all is said and done, it will be a pattern that comes with 3 variations of a similar scarf design and 5 different motif options.  Here you can see that I am playing with leaves at the moment.  It will more like a pattern bundle, really.  I hope that people will enjoy the flexibility of being able to mix and match with motifs and colors that inspire them.  I'm excited because my favorite patterns tend to be the ones that offer versatility like this.  I hope I'll have it ready in a couple more weeks.  I have one more pattern I've promised to write before the holidays this year, so I need to stay focused.  Not my forte!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Free Falling Scarf Necklace ~ The Pattern is Coming!


It's August.  It's hot.  It's muggy.  It's also the time of year when I think about what I still want to accomplish.  On the top of my list is pattern writing.  I have a couple pieces that I have committed to making into patterns and I am happy to have started the process.

I am well on the way to completing my Free Falling Scarf Necklace.  I just finished this version in blues and greys yesterday afternoon.  Before publishing, I want to make up a couple more.  I want to have pictures with only five flowers rather than seven and I also want to design two more motifs to show how the scarf can be personalized to different styles and tastes.

For example, this Hyperbolic Mobius Motif will also be included on the pattern.  I thought an abstract, three-dimensional shape would be fun.  I haven't quite decided what the third motif will be.  Perhaps something tubular, or geometric.  I just want to show a few choices.  I think most crocheters have favorite leaves, flowers and other basic shapes.  I'm hoping they will enjoy embellishing this design.

This scarf reflects my new focus on lightweight accessories.  I love the idea of wearing fiber pieces like jewelry no matter what the season!