Wednesday, February 25, 2015

The Tall Muk Luk Pattern - It's Really Happening!

It's a sunny afternoon and I'm on my back porch (my happy place) working on the tall muk luk pattern.  It occurred to me that I should take a picture lest you think I've forgotten or that I'm flaking out.  Never!  In fact, in the past week, I've had two more people comment on older posts asking for this pattern.  The requests keep coming and frankly, they are keeping me motivated. 

I'd love to tell you I'm halfway there, but the truth is, I'm off to a slow start.  It has been several years since I've even made a muk luk so I can't help but play around a little and see if I want to change anything.  For instance, on the crochet along that I published back in 2010, I used a size K crochet hook.  That's a pretty big hook and so I've been experimenting with smaller ones.  Here I have a sole crocheted in a size I (gray) and in the original K (red).  I like the look of the gray sole.  The stitches are smaller and less airy which means warmer too.  On the other hand, the K hook makes up quicker and the soles will eventually be covered with suede or some sort of fabric and will thus be plenty warm.  I think what tilts the table in red's favor, or size K, is that the fabric has more stretch and will be more comfortable I think.  The stretch factor also helps when designing multiple sizes for all of those unique footsies out there.  

So this is me, checking in to let you know that I am following through on the long awaited tall muk luk pattern.  I'll keep you updated with my progress.  Hope your day is sunny too!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Oh Those Muk Luks!

Hi there and happy almost Valentine's Day.  I've been thinking about my muk luks today.  I began sharing muk luk stories the very first year of this blog.  That was 2008.  I actually blogged about them twice that year including an Ode To Muk Luks.  Then in 2010, I decided to share the shorter muk luk pattern in a photo tutorial crochet-along. A handful of people joined me and it was fun to make them in real time with others sharing their feedback and finished muk luks. I put more time into that tutorial than just about anything I've done here on the Wind Rose blog, and when it was done, I felt satisfied and moved on to others projects.  

Since that time, I have felt surprised and grateful to have more and more visitors come for the muk luk pattern.  It led to the making of several YouTube support videos for people who wanted even more of a visual aid.  In addition, I have had quite a few people ask for the tall muk luk pattern.  I have been hesitant and have said as much in comments.  It's not that I don't want to share the pattern, it's that I know how involved this pattern is and how much time it will take to create.  

I'm writing about these dear old muk luks again today, because when I put something in writing, I am sure to follow through.  I have decided to commit to writing the ultimate muk muk pattern.  I'm using the word ultimate because I plan to include both the pattern for the short and the tall muk luks.  In addition, I'll be writing the patterns in small, medium and large sizes and I'll do my best to address all of the questions I've received over the years.  When complete, this pattern will be available as an instant download pdf through my shop.  I will be sure to make announcements here when the time comes.  I will continue to offer the existing tutorial for free, but the complete pattern will be sold for a reasonable price.  I know, free is awesome, but this one is going to be a big project for me, so I hope you understand.  

So this is it!  This is my commitment to finally write the tall muk luk pattern and to revamp the short pattern.  I'm sorry it's taken me so long, but I hope it will be worth the wait!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Ducky Appliqué Crochet Pattern - It's New!

This is starting to look like the year of the appliqué.  First there was the Folk Art Heart and now there's a Ducky.  Have I gone mad?  Or worse, have I gone cutie patootie?

I guess there's nothing else to do but own it.  Yes, I designed this little yellow ducky.  I didn't actually wake up one morning with the burning desire to design a duck.  During a recent visit, my mom asked me if I could make one.  She was working on a baby blanket that called for a row of ducks.  The way in which the ducks were to be knitted into the fabric was difficult and so my mother decided to hire a duck woman.  That's me.

 I've never been one to reinvent the wheel, so the first thing I did was jump on Pinterest.  I figured that there were probably some crocheted duckies out there, and though there were, none were quite right.  I was going for more of that classic rubber ducky shape.  After a few false starts, I put down my crochet hook and picked up a pencil.  Once I had a drawing I liked, the rest came easily.  Basically, if I can draw it, I can crochet it.  I guess that's my process.


If you find yourself in need of a Ducky Appliqué pattern, I am adding this one to the mix.  The yellow ducky was made using some of my own handspun, hand dyed yarn.  Then I mused that a brushed mohair ducky would be fairly adorable.  See, I have gone cutie patootie!  I will call him Fluffy.