tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3346601873756654332024-03-18T15:21:43.953-07:00Wind Rose Fiber StudioJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.comBlogger1096125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-55741664161458801212024-03-12T19:36:00.000-07:002024-03-12T19:48:13.840-07:00Megan's Headband The Video!<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1baryfn0gyKJYIl3zNmy8yap5lT8HSYpJxqBy6cEh1OYpJTFGor9Gc6YL6r-cu1TiF860ShJkR5za9hCF61P05yML-UVL8HlUQGu_dTl0nqr_r9EYo7UWvh-RgoBMLnmVrluqqS3zpKPcOvhxVG9N0bvKq1DEymsta5XOuMObhrudf-D584HVWwZBd0sq/s4032/headband%201.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1baryfn0gyKJYIl3zNmy8yap5lT8HSYpJxqBy6cEh1OYpJTFGor9Gc6YL6r-cu1TiF860ShJkR5za9hCF61P05yML-UVL8HlUQGu_dTl0nqr_r9EYo7UWvh-RgoBMLnmVrluqqS3zpKPcOvhxVG9N0bvKq1DEymsta5XOuMObhrudf-D584HVWwZBd0sq/s320/headband%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan's Headband<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">I'm happy to share that the pattern for Megan's Headband is now a YouTube tutorial. It's official, I've been making crochet projects for so long that I can get nostalgic for my own work. I wrote an in-depth <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/megans-headband-free-crochet-pattern.html" target="_blank">tutorial for Megan's Headband</a> here on the blog in 2011. I went back to visit this post before making the video and I must admit that I was sort of amazed by the time I put into this post. There are so many pictures! I'm sure I wanted to do it justice and make a post that everyone could follow. After all, this is a pattern near and dear to my heart. It's not just about the headband for me, it's about the little girl and her wonderful family that inspired this sweet design. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNPi6-Z5IU5t28X6Ot2q5iFSUTQ2ImJDOw4LduUKLEE7xx-21802X-GhQbNB0_gkTITbqzXHqGTuFOKqabSbB3A2BpwDRbWFjvBXqKgsyR66z4EWK1eVv1hXK_9cqhqk3sou1srEw95VGZ-vR4_nNXGRQU9d7IDdj8MrSHGb86SZgjMUGwLeee3tjSbt4/s4032/headband%205.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNPi6-Z5IU5t28X6Ot2q5iFSUTQ2ImJDOw4LduUKLEE7xx-21802X-GhQbNB0_gkTITbqzXHqGTuFOKqabSbB3A2BpwDRbWFjvBXqKgsyR66z4EWK1eVv1hXK_9cqhqk3sou1srEw95VGZ-vR4_nNXGRQU9d7IDdj8MrSHGb86SZgjMUGwLeee3tjSbt4/s320/headband%205.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I am very new to making long format videos and I must admit I was really in my head over this one. I struggled with the best way to film the part that is critical to the gauge. I ended up sharing the same diagram I used here on the blog and then talking over it for way too long. I can hear all of the YouTube pros telling me what a misstep this is and how there is no way anyone is going to listen to such a long explanation. I don't know. In the end, my internal teacher won out and I really wanted to explain how to calculate the number of stitches now matter what kind of yarn or headband people may choose. I feel like I can be pretty nerdy in my approach to crochet and design. The question is, will anyone listen to a 3 minute explanation to a diagram??? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, sharing this is still making me want to make a second version that is a little less in depth. Clearly I need feedback, lol. I guess I'll see if the video finds any fans before I go too crazy. Anyway, <a href="https://youtu.be/KhA9klFcc1s?si=AqMSm39Mu6lhAo1H" target="_blank">here's the video for you</a>. I hope you enjoy!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KhA9klFcc1s" width="446" youtube-src-id="KhA9klFcc1s"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-49542858948652028932024-02-22T14:53:00.000-08:002024-02-25T15:13:54.054-08:00The Teddy Bear Crossbody Bag - Brand New Pattern!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1669265240/teddy-bear-crossbody-bag-pdf-crochet?click_key=b4fe6312453ae87af8756cc02450dabb2d6a763b%3A1669265240&click_sum=95bfb839&ref=shop_home_feat_1&sts=1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Teddy Bear Crossbody Bag" border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="2532" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCuz6kSfU-VvRgmAxsEUPL3Ui5XJ0xuslkTNRhKmCHDICO2dwfCZ3zauJEp-V-CB-OpCKtKwnw9L9dxbWi8sNmhk23DM7XDfLAmVgrdwUSecCZENuyrU0zw4nFfmhYNCx8ETjZREkyUwUOen-yJnPBADkneyJc2PFkr0YAryO48XHvA2YOTeSMSYzJGu1/w306-h420/Teddy%20Bear%20Bag%20cover%20photo.heic" width="306" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's finally here! The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1669265240/teddy-bear-crossbody-bag-pdf-crochet?click_key=b4fe6312453ae87af8756cc02450dabb2d6a763b%3A1669265240&click_sum=95bfb839&ref=shop_home_feat_1&sts=1">Teddy Bear Crossbody Bag pattern</a> is launched! Launched is a dramatic word, but this bag felt like quite the undertaking. It marks the beginning of my new goal of not only selling patterns, but producing videos. I have been hard at work, filming and editing what I hope will be the first of many tutorials. Yes, you'll be able to make this cozy sling from start to finish by following along with the video. </span><p><span style="font-size: large;">I feel like I'm getting a little ahead of myself. The pattern is available now in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/windrosefiberstudio/?etsrc=sdt">Etsy shop</a>. The complete video tutorial will be coming out on March 5th <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-5wKObt4gP8-jcjUfrWC6w">on my YouTube Channel.</a> I've had so many requests for videos over the years, and I just didn't have the time to invest until now. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm very excited to be able to offer my designs in two formats. As a crocheter, I love an instant download that I can reference anytime from anywhere. I must confess that I have an old school affection for printing out a physical pattern and carrying it around with me. At the same time, I am just as likely to hop on YouTube to learn a thing. I love having choices and I hope you will too!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1669265240/teddy-bear-crossbody-bag-pdf-crochet?click_key=b4fe6312453ae87af8756cc02450dabb2d6a763b%3A1669265240&click_sum=95bfb839&ref=shop_home_feat_1&sts=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1103" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh6gc-JqrktoACCLDvldDS2e1RcDGMofl-fBdmKSRKmWxRzexb5uDmzhrrD-Loqt0ccsJB0bz2Q0w8B4irDyUwg63as7vduXRh_S3Ufjmd1wjW8rTg0EJvw3heVRLni3e2AbtxURgJX_wGY79xz8AxJDjJVKppQCH5v0jv0hNniQCC1_mHXbOdpVaaLVW/w314-h364/Teddy%201.jpeg" width="314" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">This brown version is the one I filmed myself crocheting for the video. I have to keep it real and tell you that I've been putting in long hours and ending each day with my brain feeling pretty fried. While I've done a few little projects in the past, mostly using my phone or iMovie, I decided it was time to tackle Final Cut Pro. I am thankful for all the ways it reminded me of iMovie, but there was a lot to learn!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, the list of things I've been learning lately is long. I made a short animation in Procreate. I've had to educate myself about sizing and formats. I made a special thumbnail because that's a thing now. Just when I thought I was out of the woods, I discovered that iPhones are now producing High Efficiency Image Files instead of jpegs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Everyday I have stumbled onto more questions to research. I am very grateful that the answers are never too hard to find, but it has absolutely slowed me down.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1669265240/teddy-bear-crossbody-bag-pdf-crochet?click_key=b4fe6312453ae87af8756cc02450dabb2d6a763b%3A1669265240&click_sum=95bfb839&ref=shop_home_feat_1&sts=1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1669265240/teddy-bear-crossbody-bag-pdf-crochet?click_key=b4fe6312453ae87af8756cc02450dabb2d6a763b%3A1669265240&click_sum=95bfb839&ref=shop_home_feat_1&sts=1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1125" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3403G1U9WPSJHnpMgOuDhCxa4KtQctgWLwz0oRi5sbwQ_vjsEYVP0JrbWNVzJV8ENfwG5W9fnbzs6lD0RY6jw_nPaUerQSDRUoaImD3_1Dz5j7xe-DeMHiIdP7_adSAKEBEgwFBi1tAxHEMmLxyaou8EfEGL8t2a0W5GhNkxaYNT6KG-QhxosZ5X4AMst/w360-h252/Teddy%205.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> So I have been feeling like a beginner these days. From time to time, I get frustrated with just my own lack of knowledge around these new tools, but I am trying to be patient with myself as I learn. It feels amazing to have my first project complete and ready to share. The first one has to be the hardest, right?<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-82236393038445243652023-12-07T10:18:00.000-08:002024-02-25T15:08:42.892-08:00Hello Old Blog <p> <span style="font-size: large;">I'm doing it. I am diving back into a blogging practice. For the past few years I have been much more of a consumer than a producer of social media content. I am going to resist the urge to reflect on the past and just focus on the present. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV8MNaNCMEL6T2Ef6NjeTy37DeMdKssnwNPX_FNtyDQT_dbDJGQC6lVGu9asU6oIFVDzLoD34AiIqWYicRSxblfJJxmGpcKWEIxK7r-BF3YZfsD3nY0fAudhL7-moAFoa9hr2BJ3EC250OXjaiG4obAwTI6wHaH0QGN2xu_QxQn2QSyQC-Lr4ZmEkxYOX/s4032/unnamed-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV8MNaNCMEL6T2Ef6NjeTy37DeMdKssnwNPX_FNtyDQT_dbDJGQC6lVGu9asU6oIFVDzLoD34AiIqWYicRSxblfJJxmGpcKWEIxK7r-BF3YZfsD3nY0fAudhL7-moAFoa9hr2BJ3EC250OXjaiG4obAwTI6wHaH0QGN2xu_QxQn2QSyQC-Lr4ZmEkxYOX/s320/unnamed-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">What is present day me up to? Well, I'm pretty excited because I am going through my own creative renaissance. For the first time in my life, I have a proper studio and not just a small room hidden away in my home. This space is a dream come true. Everyday when I gaze upon the Great Wall of Yarn, the proper name I have given to my stash, I feel pure joy. <br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am also feeling very inspired. I love that crochet is going through its own renaissance and I have been voraciously consuming the content of so many talented creators on YouTube. It is both exciting when your favorite art form has become insanely popular and a little intimidating. Even after decades of crocheting and designing, I could not help but wonder if there is a place for me among so many others. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Of course I think there is room for everyone and we each have our own interesting perspective to offer. Still, I had to figure out what I want my contribution to be going forward. I feel like there are already people crushing it in terms of teaching the basics. What I have decided to do is to simply put my crochet patterns out there on video because it is how we all love to learn. I also like the idea of having my designs on film and free for all to enjoy if they choose. My resolution for the new year is to get started on this path.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6KPihvi9oFh1MyVxiUstJhfG9TWJW7lEGpSC1A3uoVEWDEcSIA6r7RL95CbGzbTjmA-owdE4tcqqE4OUgkauiL9QHaG_TTKLWcQUhqaFEex6CtzXVYFbkxdY4VxK_jkId5dfB_YsW2h8wa1P5zyhB-u1tEhkIzUD62kEfnHja-Ak9ZvOluemQxW3fLv4/s3728/unnamed.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3728" data-original-width="2945" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6KPihvi9oFh1MyVxiUstJhfG9TWJW7lEGpSC1A3uoVEWDEcSIA6r7RL95CbGzbTjmA-owdE4tcqqE4OUgkauiL9QHaG_TTKLWcQUhqaFEex6CtzXVYFbkxdY4VxK_jkId5dfB_YsW2h8wa1P5zyhB-u1tEhkIzUD62kEfnHja-Ak9ZvOluemQxW3fLv4/w324-h409/unnamed.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have so many ideas for updating old projects and for new ones. I also enjoy following trends and pondering how I could make crocheted versions of the styles and accessories I love. Case in point, I was in Anthropologie and was so drawn to the Sherpa Crossbody Sling. It's furry and fun and versatile. I like that it looks great as a shoulder bag, but can also be worn as a shorter, crossbody bag. I love being hands free when I am out and about, so I love a good crosbody bag. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All this being said, the price tag of <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/sherpa-crossbody-sling-bag?color=224&inventoryCountry=US&countryCode=US&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=US%20-%20Bing%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Apparel%20-%20Apparel%20-%20General&utm_content=US%20-%20Bing%20Smart%20Shopping%20-%20Apparel%20-%20Apparel%20-%20General&utm_term=PRODUCT_GROUP&creative=&device=c&matchtype=e&network=s&utm_kxconfid=vx6rd81ts&msclkid=6c5c228bc8fa1442d9b247e1eba07ba9&gclid=6c5c228bc8fa1442d9b247e1eba07ba9&gclsrc=3p.ds&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1" target="_blank">Anthropologie's bag</a> is a pretty big ouchy and it's also just fun to see if you can dup a thing. To the left is my prototype made up in a boucle, but I have finally found the perfect fur yarn, so I am excited to get back to work and finalize my design. Yes, there will be a pattern and eventually a video too. Yay!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did I just "yay" myself? Sorry, I'm excited. Right now I am doing what I suspect everyone else is doing. I am Decembering it up with decorating, gift making, and holiday baking. I will see you soon with more from the studio. I have much to figure out in terms of making videos. I have never really leaned in hard to this medium aside from some simple companion videos for patterns. It's time to modernize my tech and develop my process. Oh my! Help?!</span><br /></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-21293969441518890522019-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:002019-05-20T10:57:20.800-07:00New Hooded Baby Blanket Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1280" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx8Vh7380XJgzudZnIwLvAWNIEXOrjMD8UMuam96XCf13-5piaOz3Ih-jNxkYO4iGa8NST0TUGYcm6_E_kw3JGIrO5yP257i4fhbx2j1bSonGTlPzoNkhJqZen_OPMOqJ5kPwkl8s16s3/s400/hooded+blanket+2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I get so much satisfaction from publishing patterns. Every time I publish one, I feel a surge of motivation and I tell myself that I need to set firm goals and get more done. My good intentions are usually waylaid by general life stuff, so I guess I need to learn to coast on the high I feel when I actually do publish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of small craft businesses? I do all the time. When I see a particularly great photo, I wonder how many shots it took to get that great one. How many different set-ups did they try? Where did they find that model? We in the crafting world have all had to become our own photographers and marketers which I always think is the hardest part. I daydream about a magical intern who will do all my pictures and listings for me so I can spend all of my time designing. Alas, it is all on me and not just me I fear. When you are the offspring of a pattern designer, chances are about 100% that you will get roped into helping out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have two son's, so they manage to escape quite a bit by virtue of being the wrong gender for much of what I make. However, I am not shy about enlisting them for help. I have to giggle when I think that part of their childhood memories will be some of the weird things I have asked them to do for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindRoseFiberStudio" target="_blank">Wind Rose Fiber Studio</a>. For instance, just yesterday, I had my 19 year old son hold a life-like baby in his arms so I could get a picture of my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Hooded Baby Blanket for the pattern</a>. The poor guy had to sit there and play daddy with a baby doll and he was such a good sport. I love my kids!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eeRwcAYQC_4fAMqQVZeG22W6BTgwy75Qt0aFRnRyf-6TuBlw4ZJb2UbRLf9SGpgagP-DCx53tiMnY2zEtRU2ijcRXt21QVkpoCyLytAwriD8hlv4QDutLEGxjLzaACrAwcS4m0ldQ-dB/s320/hooded+blanket+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I should share a bit about the pattern while I'm here. I wanted to make something super soft and fluffy so people could use it as a prop for precious new baby pictures. At the same time, I wanted it to be practical. After toying with a few ideas, I remembered my kids old hooded bath towels and how cozy they were. It was fun to wrap them up after a bath from head to toe and let them snuggle. I decided to make the same kind of thing only as a furry blanket. You can burrito up a baby with hood included or just use it as a nursery blanket. While the pattern is not difficult, it can be a challenge to work with fur yarn. You need to be able to feel for where the stitches go, but as long as you are comfortable with a crochet hook, the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/707628695/crochet-hooded-baby-blanket-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Hooded Baby Blanket</a> should be a quick and easy pattern. </span><br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-72322772152948456102019-04-22T15:21:00.000-07:002019-04-23T04:31:51.455-07:00The Early Bird is The Tired Bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kT8Ztc-WjZimmcHbgtRRDWCTTDCnQpQDBWTRKcnxI_st86NWEQvk-rNkOoWiKHK-MhTcagpK_NopOs8a0w54bKwOeRqJqNES5jDgBdk1ebauWLyIpdKHjmCIgp6H3VhQeoTjvivqFm5q/s1600/cold+brew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kT8Ztc-WjZimmcHbgtRRDWCTTDCnQpQDBWTRKcnxI_st86NWEQvk-rNkOoWiKHK-MhTcagpK_NopOs8a0w54bKwOeRqJqNES5jDgBdk1ebauWLyIpdKHjmCIgp6H3VhQeoTjvivqFm5q/s320/cold+brew.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just had a shot of my favorite cold brew, so hopefully I'm good to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am on Day 1 of waking up early. When I say early, I mean the 4 o'clock hour. I don't know if this is a trending thing, but I blame, um, I mean, I give credit to WheezyWaiter for this little adventure. I follow him on YouTube and last week he shared his experience with shifting to an early to bed, early to rise schedule. If you're curious:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is one of those videos that stuck with me. To say I value time, especially creative time, is probably an understatement. I often feel frustrated when my creative energy runs out, but the night is still young. I end up watching a couple hours of TV because who goes to bed at 8pm? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I tried it. I slept with my Apple watch on and a 4:30 alarm set to vibrate. It actually took 12 minutes of vibration before I woke up, but I was trying to spare my husband an early morning alarm. I'm sensitive like that. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I usually wake up around 6am, so this didn't feel like that much extra time. Determined to make the most of it, I went for a sunrise run, listened to my current audio book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Quest/dp/B07664YXST/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1556018463&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Creative Quest by Questlove</a> and I killed a few zombies (PvZ 2). Now, at 3:12 in the afternoon, I am feeling the sleepies, but I am determined to push through. I know it's going to take a few nights to fully transition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I am going to switch my wake-up time to 4am. I want just a little more am. I'm hoping I'll have an easier time getting to sleep tonight. Last night I tossed and turned which is adding to today's roughness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This may be a crazy, short lived experiment, but I can't resist giving it a go. I would much rather spend two hours in the early morning being creative, running, or just generally doing stuff than that same amount of time laying in front of the TV. I wonder how I'll feel a few days from now? </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-88587486734657670152019-04-18T10:28:00.000-07:002019-04-18T10:30:48.819-07:00There Is a Better Way, But I'm Doing it This Way Anyway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bVyxt5gZLkZHx_oAZtIyUdPqdNM3Z-sRNGrpS9pBRjCvNB2oH9tyFMyzGMBOfVX1YS-VQIiUO19u360Oew1yHQYIB4dVRtw7BKap3ruL-s3hHEomhY69-XmBBGD7K7ic7vFPpD-ia8nT/s1600/doily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1549" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bVyxt5gZLkZHx_oAZtIyUdPqdNM3Z-sRNGrpS9pBRjCvNB2oH9tyFMyzGMBOfVX1YS-VQIiUO19u360Oew1yHQYIB4dVRtw7BKap3ruL-s3hHEomhY69-XmBBGD7K7ic7vFPpD-ia8nT/s400/doily.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a better way to do this thing I'm doing, but I'm going to go ahead and do it this other way anyway. This sounds crazy and yet with almost every design I undertake, I find myself thinking this kind of thought. It's different from second-guessing or some sort of crisis of confidence, but rather my brain telling me that there is another way of doing the thing I'm doing that would be even better. I will ignore this intelligence and continue on, very often wasting some of my own precious time as well as yarn which I would argue is also precious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Case in point, my current project is a baby blanket for my nephew's first. My idea is to take a classic doily pattern and make it up in a soft, baby yarn, modifying it just a little to take out some of the larger spacing in the design so that it would serve well as a blanket. The idea is sound, even kind of fun and appropriate for my vintage loving nephew and his wife, but as I work up the blanket, I know it would represent better in a solid yarn and better still in one with a less fluffy texture. Yet here I am, ignoring my own reasoning and working through with my initial yarn purchase. The best thing you can say about this variegated, furry yarn is that the colors will be appealing to the indented recipients and it has an impressionist air which will probably even present the suggestion of lace when complete. Even so, I know deep down that I will end up crocheting the whole piece over again and this will become something taking up space in my studio or at best, donated to a charity which will have no idea what it is supposed to be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why do I do this? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do I want to prove myself wrong? </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it because I can't abandon a project once I've begun? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Will writing this phenomena down create personal change?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, I think this is just a shout into the void, an existential "why?" and one of many I have about myself and my creative brain. Perhaps I'm just wondering if anyone can relate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll come back and share my finished baby blanket, both of them. </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-49760461521127255952019-04-10T20:10:00.000-07:002019-04-10T20:14:31.206-07:00Daydreamer Dolman Sweater Pattern and More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/677345268/daydreamer-dolman-sweater-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_9" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/677345268/daydreamer-dolman-sweater-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_9" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIMFxYTgREvKUb7PSXHz39AwEwKpmMMcKBNXleX56uX2Q_Iy7WcxsTYXjLqHuYcCMzcu-3ZDWl_50gcz3Tdvc_pxfcHBc-tOYeyVP63ZguBExKLbuIvuxAezBYzH0pM0lRaHFKsm64xZ1/s400/daydreamer+dolman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was just reading my last blog post from <span style="font-size: x-large;">September</span> of 2018. That's right, <span style="font-size: x-large;">September</span>! Blimey it's been a long time!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At least let me follow up my last ancient post. Since the fall of last year, I have managed to get a couple projects done. The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/677345268/daydreamer-dolman-sweater-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_9" target="_blank">Daydreamer Dolman Sweater</a> is my brand new pattern that has been months in the making. I really wanted to design something to showcase all of the fun, cake style yarns on the market. This was made using Caron Latte Cakes and I just love how the colors present themselves in cool, geometric patterns. Of course you could go solid or design your own. I made </span><br />
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up this second one with short sleeves using Yarn Bee's Fur-Ever Style and trimmed it out with a pretty blue from my stash. This one is lighter weight and a nice layer to throw on over a tank. It's worked in a free size for all of us fans of loose, comfy clothes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbgW-rcJj4zOCMUOLe2nlr8Ncxkm_JS7Z3Sj6QXq79mg6izdsTYvABneWcQ68ARA8ezTTN7NoeAx0zn-VfEA_xA4kcwUpTaol6LEWL1BgNQpc-P7eF0AKNXFAp0iG8mBefLZ6-VMNyK14/s1600/DD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbgW-rcJj4zOCMUOLe2nlr8Ncxkm_JS7Z3Sj6QXq79mg6izdsTYvABneWcQ68ARA8ezTTN7NoeAx0zn-VfEA_xA4kcwUpTaol6LEWL1BgNQpc-P7eF0AKNXFAp0iG8mBefLZ6-VMNyK14/s400/DD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So that's my big new pattern, but in my last post I was talking about my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_30" target="_blank">All Wrapped Up in Circles & Squares Applique</a> and how I was working on project using this motif. I ended up assembling two of the 10" squares and designing a handbag. All of the details can be found on Instagram <span style="font-family: inherit;">by searching #circlesandsquaresbag You can find me on Insta @jennofwindrose and here is what the finished project looks like...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7QSHpbElep1VIb2geo9Yb8K7-g5-UBNkt79OXbRVp5V5D89A8kKKMEXsTYvvq7_CRT98ne8XU21sk23Xu_d4iMXErSeIR8KoZKHz6MIi3exFAU-F5Rhxz2_k5GVFUVrI9UxPfgMWS55/s1600/Circles+and+squares+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1280" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs7QSHpbElep1VIb2geo9Yb8K7-g5-UBNkt79OXbRVp5V5D89A8kKKMEXsTYvvq7_CRT98ne8XU21sk23Xu_d4iMXErSeIR8KoZKHz6MIi3exFAU-F5Rhxz2_k5GVFUVrI9UxPfgMWS55/s640/Circles+and+squares+bag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cute, huh?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/678940304/recycled-sari-silk-sliver-top-sari-silk?ga_search_query=Sari%2Bsilk&ref=shop_items_search_1&frs=1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/678940304/recycled-sari-silk-sliver-top-sari-silk?ga_search_query=Sari%2Bsilk&ref=shop_items_search_1&frs=1" border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1280" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wuFGX41t_HdrJg6v03_FK4gzK_mOgmFrlBVxajxPymYW9RTM76B8O3VRiJzpkWoJ1CgYEqj_3R99CbWItson7-y2npQ5QBY_Ci77AtKuDT9y3TC4DH3igHRI8ZyLGcfF6vFLJO0LJJBA/s400/Sari+Silk+Sliver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess I have one last share before I call it a night. I recently found a source for really nice quality <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/678940304/recycled-sari-silk-sliver-top-sari-silk?ga_search_query=Sari%2Bsilk&ref=shop_items_search_1&frs=1" target="_blank">Recycled Sari Silk Sliver</a>. It is free of little threads and bits that are commonly found in recycled sari silk so its pure pleasure to spin. If you love all of the gorgeous and somewhat random colors that can be found in recycled sari silk, you will go crazy for this fiber. Oops, can't forget the pic!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, I am going to call this Wednesday done. Hope life is treating you well!!</span></span><br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-43238833278551591582018-09-19T13:59:00.001-07:002018-09-19T13:59:21.526-07:00All Wrapped Up in Circles and Squares - New Crochet Patterns<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">All Wrapped Up in Circles and Squares</a> is the name of my latest pattern, but it also feels a bit like my mental state, at least the "all wrapped up" part. With one child in grad school and the other starting under grad, I have achieved a level-up of sorts. I'm greeting my newfound autonomy with over-eagerness, jumping into all of the projects that I have been promising myself I would do if I had a little more time. I have wrapped myself up in all of them. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/626238161/the-tulip-mandala-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_feat_3" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/626238161/the-tulip-mandala-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_feat_3" border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGxjobRdLaZeGqD2_fyxcUWBBhBCgvtKnBr3vX3v6TZtemvdjwc9suKwq2YvunlkKqM1w1xqqtzlwVEfODcCSei9DX2jRXA5-cP5Nyb7zeFMwlMeu1wwcraWrp33ug8E2-_G5FKJw-fil/s400/il_570xN.1598095629_tvet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Of these myriad projects, was the goal to design and publish more patterns. For starters, I had an idea to design a mandala, only to find out that they have been all the rage for at least a couple years. How did I get so out of touch? Oh well, I designed my mandala anyway. I call this the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/626238161/the-tulip-mandala-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_feat_3" target="_blank">Tulip Mandala</a>. There are subtle little flowers worked into the pattern. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/633713905/lotus-flower-applique-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_16" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/633713905/lotus-flower-applique-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_16" border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPESkzBqNH2GdyR-3q1tXmuSyctjNGhvSVDMkhNjBJI9xqax3ktYQKMUCosiz4fRsXKwI81LzAD28Z2oUMKxNkK058H5HTSAnQTsR0tkpzUJ0RLY_4vT5Bs2t9_FJbU51RGObxmgYyKVFD/s400/il_570xN.1626496829_ojj3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After the mandala, I decided I wanted to create a lotus flower in profile. You see plenty of crocheted lotus flowers, but they are typically an overhead view. They start at the center and work their way out to the petals. Crocheting in the round lends itself to flowers made this way, but I have always loved that iconic lotus in profile, so I created an appliqué to be used as a centerpiece or embellishment. Here's my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/633713905/lotus-flower-applique-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_16" target="_blank">Lotus Flower Appliqué.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I guess after the lotus flower, I must have been on an applique kick, because that's when I designed my latest motif, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">All Wrapped Up in Circles and Squares</a>. The inspiration for this design came from some old fashioned yarn play. I was stuck on a plane, so I pull out a hook and a skein of yarn (never leave home without the essentials) and just started to noodle or doodle or whatever it is we yarn people do. I ended up with a circle where the outer ring was a fully wrapped round of stitches. It was overlay and underlay. It had texture and what I think of as a stained glass effect, colors peeking out between lines. I did not know how I would use it, but I knew I had to turn it into something. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_1" border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujCufs6mMT4o0UlmPE0GbvJ2ftn-bek3husc6ucWE5jax6sUGpvrcxD6YlGwaswFpBk2P3l0p3UhacAFH8-UH937724S8iKpf_sNrxDDEkPmOId8axY80f4hx0FuW7nlioY8GTwIv0FPa/s640/il_570xN.1669266219_2tna.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I sat down to work with my new shape in earnest, I thought, "What if the circle becomes a square?" I turned my wrapped circle into a square and then I turned it back into another wrapped circle, and then again a square. It was a challenge to write, a brain teaser of sorts. It's easy to crochet in the round and it's easy to make a square, but going back and forth was something new, at least for me. In the end, I had a nice, big 10" square.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Currently, I'm working on designs utilizing the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/644167189/all-wrapped-up-in-circles-squares?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">All Wrapped Up in Circles and Squares</a> motif. I'm giving the first tutorial away CAL style on Instagram. You can find all of the posts by searching #circlesandsquaresbag and you can find me on Insta @jennofwindrose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-49547093645323863732018-05-13T16:49:00.000-07:002018-05-13T16:51:04.414-07:00The Tall Muk Luks Pattern is Here!<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/614095419/tall-muk-luks-slipper-socks-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/614095419/tall-muk-luks-slipper-socks-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_1" border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlWpOyVcIvx4SWO6CWUcfipPLA2osJx4sxNkDaG3tvFyQ0ZXSYSlvKU-AnLVOEQOi9p4wHgk-hxh3ktXE3D9p9vFq_1youaV8geWIVwDJSk6aR_Puz5JvAZS6AbrTfWCfnJ0mr-hd0tQh/s400/NMP+37.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I have been crocheting my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/614095419/tall-muk-luks-slipper-socks-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Tall Muk Luks</a> for well over 13 years now, but making something, and writing a pattern for that same something, are two very different enterprises. I have gone through quite a few versions on my path to this final product. The Tall Muk Luks are so beloved to me that I could not bring myself to publish a pattern for them until I was truly happy with my work. The day is finally here and I am so pleased to be able to share this pattern with you! The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/614095419/tall-muk-luks-slipper-socks-crocheted?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Tall Muk Luks Pattern</a> is available in my Etsy store and more details on the pattern can be found in the listing. It's a challenging crochet for intermediate to advanced skill levels, so if you are a beginner, find an experienced helper. I've included 27 pictures in this mammoth of a pattern to carry you through to success!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-82660844790043713192017-07-15T10:23:00.003-07:002017-07-15T10:23:48.432-07:00Fiberpunk Beads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6SGKBNV75CEHoIxuKxNi19DBfQotVgHTMAjHplFcTPrP8TnSbUbwnu01Sbt0q5tbtJWvIVN3MaK35KhzbsAZB6Kjy_yIZtWFUY9P4CLYEb6adFt1if8vtmVyw0fue8H2weI5WQ0-9TIr/s1600/il_570xN.1236853786_s1pz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6SGKBNV75CEHoIxuKxNi19DBfQotVgHTMAjHplFcTPrP8TnSbUbwnu01Sbt0q5tbtJWvIVN3MaK35KhzbsAZB6Kjy_yIZtWFUY9P4CLYEb6adFt1if8vtmVyw0fue8H2weI5WQ0-9TIr/s400/il_570xN.1236853786_s1pz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If intentions were blog posts, you would hear from me often, but today I am making good and turning my thoughts into typed words. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been having fun in my studio playing around with my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindRoseFiberStudio?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=21920102" target="_blank">Fiberpunk Beads</a> and I've started to make sets of them for other jewelry makers to explore. I am hoping they will find their people and be used in new and inventive ways. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm starting out by creating sets in solid colors. Each one contains a large pendant, a tube, 6 spacers and three extenders. I hope I have chosen components that will be assets to any design, but once I have a good variety of these kits, I'll branch out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/541797927/fiberpunk-beads-turquoise-blue-11-piece?ref=shop_home_active_3" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/541797927/fiberpunk-beads-turquoise-blue-11-piece?ref=shop_home_active_3" border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="570" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxRB-i8FJZh7VInHH-6bvTCe-lsnjwwBONNpnvMEvj1ZU9urRH_3SJQ7fFIVstlgq8BhN8k2yeyI8ynFsh5USybz0OWjEqhs1mS7adtwBKSQeYpDysl5xhkHQ3MY7SoTfuoAcBVLvsszc/s320/il_570xN.1236845390_pdwx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love the texture fiber adds to jewelry and the way it contrasts the hardness of metal. The beads I'm making are a combination of tatting and crochet and I'm trying to create designs that are out of the ordinary. When you look at these beads do you see earrings or a pendant necklace? Maybe you see a multi-strand bracelet or embellishments that can be sewn on like appliqués. Most of all, I hope you see possibilities!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-79021238216451561842017-01-11T11:32:00.000-08:002017-01-11T11:32:30.292-08:00Where Was I, Oh Yeah, Gift Baskets!<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, I ran out of steam before I could finish sharing all of the new <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindRoseFiberStudio?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=20522485" target="_blank">Gift Baskets at Wind Rose Fiber Studio.</a> In addition to the "learn to spin" baskets, I also put some together for the experienced spinners. I've never met a spinner who thought they had too much fiber. They might sheepishly say they do, but would they give any of it up? So for these enthusiasts, near and dear to my heart, I made two gifts. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z_vOb2hjNG32qKwW4B_RKSQ-cvaVDIAykmwuiMLmlNbEeH_9gkM4e2tAptvgGsS83wQKUGmF331udQFukDQGexAAqa_qFANYA7_N6wTmHafxBXPAkDHYfuGPyHHuufvLl_QNRbmDW03k/s1600/il_570xN.1093347588_l058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z_vOb2hjNG32qKwW4B_RKSQ-cvaVDIAykmwuiMLmlNbEeH_9gkM4e2tAptvgGsS83wQKUGmF331udQFukDQGexAAqa_qFANYA7_N6wTmHafxBXPAkDHYfuGPyHHuufvLl_QNRbmDW03k/s400/il_570xN.1093347588_l058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first one is full of the classics and I call it the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/481471282/favorite-spinning-fibers-gift-basket?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">Favorite Spinning Fibers Gift Basket</a>. This gift is stuffed full of Merino, Creamy Alpaca, Mixed BFL and I even threw in an ounce of Firestar. I don't know about you, but I love sneaking just a little sparkle into my yarns. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ccTsX-TMDEnfLP5NssDhbjPKgS9grW6oESIKKrSnRahriYpaRFqlArZpQLz_qAxiN_r339bS7tGRTWXuZX3_eIhX8f6y0ttpoRcCpy0UtExjLSHxCUx8DXZmcLh0OBnbnA5uIrdVh3I/s1600/il_570xN.1139914647_jrc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ccTsX-TMDEnfLP5NssDhbjPKgS9grW6oESIKKrSnRahriYpaRFqlArZpQLz_qAxiN_r339bS7tGRTWXuZX3_eIhX8f6y0ttpoRcCpy0UtExjLSHxCUx8DXZmcLh0OBnbnA5uIrdVh3I/s400/il_570xN.1139914647_jrc4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For the second basket, I incorporated some of the nicest fibers in my studio. This one I call the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494959161/luxury-spinning-fibers-gift-basket-gift?ref=related-0" target="_blank">Luxury Spinning Fibers Gift Basket</a>. This one is dedicated to soft, fine fibers including Yak, Silk, Organic Polwarth, Merino/Yak, and Alpaca/Silk. This one is sure to make any spinner smile.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF_uKsJlV7xZmJFbeMfXY8UQSEW23lbtmBrvyxz_QRssw1mNy4Sn4YxVEtQjo7pnHSZ8IDljopXgkpR20bO6tdxwcnsZii3fcSGVkYQN2gb3Yv05v1qTgCp806qKVbKg3QbbRG4baAttf/s1600/il_570xN.1163439909_p0s7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdF_uKsJlV7xZmJFbeMfXY8UQSEW23lbtmBrvyxz_QRssw1mNy4Sn4YxVEtQjo7pnHSZ8IDljopXgkpR20bO6tdxwcnsZii3fcSGVkYQN2gb3Yv05v1qTgCp806qKVbKg3QbbRG4baAttf/s400/il_570xN.1163439909_p0s7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My last two baskets are for the felters and dyers out there. In the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494951367/dye-your-own-wool-gift-basket-learn-to?ref=related-0" target="_blank">Dye Your Own Wool Gift Basket</a>, there are 6 full ounces of Merino, Jacquard Dyes in Fire Red, Sun Yellow and Brilliant Blue and Instructions. Don't forget that I also have instructions here for <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-dye-wool-roving.html" target="_blank">How To Dye Wool Roving</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7scDIeF3FgyVPDd-pOraYW4TIDGxBou2WxipXay55PwMCEhwkFLLRBZQ9WFf__lUrW-l-P46dIROArro8NMwoCawQF5DzsON3nYBaaCMnVQ27uTYe2KpuJN_WVcJ1LomgrLMh8HPpcWav/s1600/il_570xN.1139809869_96q7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7scDIeF3FgyVPDd-pOraYW4TIDGxBou2WxipXay55PwMCEhwkFLLRBZQ9WFf__lUrW-l-P46dIROArro8NMwoCawQF5DzsON3nYBaaCMnVQ27uTYe2KpuJN_WVcJ1LomgrLMh8HPpcWav/s400/il_570xN.1139809869_96q7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last but not least is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494927423/felting-gift-basket-wool-sampler-for?ref=related-2" target="_blank">The Felting Basket</a>. This colorful treat for the felting fans starts off with 1oz of Merino Wool and then it time to add some colors. There is .25oz each of Bright Blue, Crabapple, Silver Grey, Black, Olive, Violet, Aqua, Red, Yellow, Brown, Orange and PInk in wonderfully feltable Corriedale. What a great variety to add to a felter's stash!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There you have it. Including the <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2017/01/spinning-and-dyeing-gift-baskets.html" target="_blank">drop spindle baskets from yesterday's post</a>, there are 7 in all because sometimes you just want to give the gift of fiber!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-26019507169113942932017-01-10T19:16:00.000-08:002017-01-10T19:16:13.092-08:00Spinning and Dyeing Gift Baskets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2FcTAZU2ZgvxQIvUWWaEcfmFmZj-QcW5iUCbPCRpJTMVxGtYEic28R_JK9a4Cwg0D9aWMTTCrX78-5GaQGZTyNyIjVrvmA_xXFwSjUCQosllnlUxEEt1HZiaj96U6qpiMfYCTzBobu_x/s1600/il_fullxfull.1139792323_66v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2FcTAZU2ZgvxQIvUWWaEcfmFmZj-QcW5iUCbPCRpJTMVxGtYEic28R_JK9a4Cwg0D9aWMTTCrX78-5GaQGZTyNyIjVrvmA_xXFwSjUCQosllnlUxEEt1HZiaj96U6qpiMfYCTzBobu_x/s400/il_fullxfull.1139792323_66v1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've added something new to my little shop at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindRoseFiberStudio?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Wind Rose Fiber Studio</a>. It came to me one morning in December, that it would be fun to make gift baskets. While I plan to carry them year round, I'm sure this idea was motivated by the holiday season. It tends to be the time of year when people are shopping for loved ones. I thought it would be nice to have something all thought out, wrapped up and ready to give. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENZk7T2b20BffHXOQUWHpb1Hx8MCNwJXJUrQKeIvnKENp1dqjsNB859CorEnvO2pbCehwjdwNe6aMA0osuvkF-7EPlXMeLt52_iTRFTS4q1FL1tJrAXETBxzOFN4GSpuVjt04PLerdav5/s1600/Untitled+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENZk7T2b20BffHXOQUWHpb1Hx8MCNwJXJUrQKeIvnKENp1dqjsNB859CorEnvO2pbCehwjdwNe6aMA0osuvkF-7EPlXMeLt52_iTRFTS4q1FL1tJrAXETBxzOFN4GSpuVjt04PLerdav5/s400/Untitled+2.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up designing 7 gift baskets in all. I made three for spinning: one with 19 micron Merino in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/481424800/learn-to-spin-gift-basket-vermillion?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank">Vermillion, Leaf and Orchid</a>, one with natural fibers <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/494915125/learn-to-spin-gift-basket-natural?ref=shop_home_active_7" target="_blank">Organic Polwarth, Mixed BFL and Merino</a>, and another 19 micron Merino basket with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/481422684/learn-to-spin-gift-basket-cardinal?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank">Cardinal, Ginger and Cyan</a>. They all come with a top whorl drop spindle and a set of detailed instructions for learning to spin. They are all carefully arranged into bread baskets and then shrink wrapped. I finish off all of my baskets with a little blank card that can be addressed to the recipient and for that added homemade touch, I crocheted star ornaments from some of my own handspun. These go on the outside along with a yarn bow. Actually, the <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2012/03/2012-ornament-project-march.html" target="_blank">Star Ornament Pattern</a> is available here for free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's only three of the seven gift basket themes, but I'm starting to wear out tonight. I'll share the rest tomorrow. </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-14924951749500420402017-01-10T18:43:00.002-08:002017-01-10T18:44:18.767-08:00Well I did It<span style="font-size: large;">I just thought I would quickly follow up on yesterday's post. I did manage to get out there and run in spite of my moodiness. As if in response to the metaphoric rain cloud over my head, it started to drizzle just as I was leaving. It didn't bother me very much, mostly because this is the desert and rain rarely amounts to anything. I played the odds and ran anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ended up running 8 miles. I think I had something to prove to myself. I don't know. Like I said, I was moody. Actually, I'm still moody, but I'm trying to snap out of it. It occurred to me that it could even be a vitamin deficiency, so I took some B12 just for good measure. I also finished off today with cauliflower fried rice. This is where you process the cauliflower and use it instead of rice. It's pretty tasty stuff.</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-49930747628760970202017-01-09T14:37:00.000-08:002017-01-09T16:49:12.002-08:00Working Out After a Day Off<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I shared a bit about my fitness endeavors. I talked about MyFitnessPal (the app) and the different exercises I've done along the way. I like the idea of adding a little journaling to the process right here on my blog. It seems that so much of getting healthy is mental. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This mental aspect is on my mind because today, is the the day after, a day off. A couple of weeks ago I decided I would give myself one day off a week. I felt like my muscles needed a recovery day particularly since I've started doing exercises that are more challenging for me as well as longer runs. I guess I should be more specific. I do 25 minutes of a bodyweight bootcamp 6 days a week, and I run three times a week - 2 shorter runs (4 to 6 miles) and one longer one (8+).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I was spot on about the muscle recovery, but what I did not consider was how having a day off would affect my mental state. The thing about daily exercise is that you get used to it. You know it's coming and you know you'll get through it. After taking yesterday off, I'm rather fixated on the fact that I'm running later today. Can I still go the same distance? How will I feel? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One day off and I'm suffering a crisis in confidence. A recovery day for my muscles has become a breakdown day for my brain. I imagine after my run, I'll be singing a different tune. After all, I got through my morning workout just fine. Still, it makes me wonder if I'll feel this way every Monday. If so, is a day off worth it? </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-66123659857458246652017-01-08T21:34:00.001-08:002017-01-09T13:09:51.599-08:00You Have to Start Somewhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtlIrZrSnGx8LdLh-vn7lVY-PRJV8sVy5T5c1ldwZsnxVWRj2uTPdj8mgoEz1LiF21GUXIfocET0SHYN17z2J0NjwcM29MJcpvbp-gKUvGUgClSBWFuJxYaRF5E2dsa2Re3mGtKg36GPy/s1600/il_570xN.1022526774_k471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtlIrZrSnGx8LdLh-vn7lVY-PRJV8sVy5T5c1ldwZsnxVWRj2uTPdj8mgoEz1LiF21GUXIfocET0SHYN17z2J0NjwcM29MJcpvbp-gKUvGUgClSBWFuJxYaRF5E2dsa2Re3mGtKg36GPy/s400/il_570xN.1022526774_k471.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As far as blogging goes, 2016 was my lost year. As far as everything else goes, it was actually pretty cool. My sons grew ever more independent and impressive in their older teen years. A wedding brought my whole family together as weddings do. I did my fair share of crocheting and designing. My biggest project being my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/457608636/solomons-knot-drape-front-vest-pattern?ref=listing-shop-header-3" target="_blank">Solomon's Knot Drape Front Vest</a>. I also decided to focus on learning how to play the guitar which I have owned for over 25 years. All in all, 2016 was a year full of the richness that life offers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the biggest changes for me was when I somehow decided that I was going to get into better shape. More than decided really. Have you ever had that experience when something kind of crosses over in your mind and you know that you are actually going to accomplish your goal because you just do? I had one of those. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It started at the beginning of September when, feeling guilty about being rather lazy over the summer, I decided to get back to exercising. Now, here on the outskirts of Phoenix, September is still crazy hot, so after one walk, I was already feeling defeated. Then two things happened. First, my sister-in-law shared this very fun looking video on facebook of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyqR7WkL8i1b6xtSssDmW9w" target="_blank">The Fitness Marshall</a> doing a short cardio hip-hop workout.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f6wm2g682JM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first thought was, "Hey, I could do this inside!" So I went over to The Fitness Marshall's YouTube channel, picked out enough videos to make an hour long playlist, and decided to hip-hop my way to being more fit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right about the same time, my oldest son, who was already back at college, tells me about this app he's using and gets me to sign up on <a href="https://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">My Fitness Pal</a>. I put the app on my phone, friend my son so we can be fitness buddies, and I was off. Something about the combination of finding a fun exercise routine and tracking it in a diary along with my calorie intake just clicked for me. I never thought I'd be a calorie counter, but it really helped me to monitor and be mindful of my diet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flash forward to present day and I have logged onto the MyFitnessPal app for 127 days in a row. I went from cardio hip-hopping to kick boxing and now I'm using a body weight bootcamp video and I've started running. I've lost 38 pounds, donated more than half my wardrobe to charity and I kind of don't even know what size I wear right now because I'm still getting used to this smaller me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's weird to say all of that in a nutshell because its been such a long journey with sweat and sore muscles and feeling like I can't lose another pound no matter what I do (the lows) and being elated when the scale rewards me with a nice little drop (the highs). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't reached my weight loss goal as of yet, so the journey is ongoing. Aside from losing weight, I'm really focusing on strengthening my core and upper body. I want to slim down, but I want to feel strong at the same time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm 15 pounds away from my ultimate goal. The more weight I lose, the harder it seems to be to keep losing. I keep having to up my exercise and be ever vigilant about my diet. If you are out there trying to be a more fit version of yourself, I'm right there with you! If you would like to buddy up on MyFitnessPal, my username is fiberpunk. I've just started giving myself Sundays off, so tomorrow, it's back to the mat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yes, and Happy New Year!</span><br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-52562833075813071892015-12-22T14:19:00.001-08:002017-01-09T13:10:50.812-08:00Hat Parade!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AUaW94ppxroGtBMs5chhBMjVH8CMIUAn39mLcFEvExkZDw4WTLM6-_43iWjlgOWwJW36oRM_9LgljxHkJNYZdrUYuJvV7Lt7EJ4sLG7lP7ZtlYlC-tHqp8teeJLNPx1jJjY8ZnMfO_YH/s1600/Untitled+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AUaW94ppxroGtBMs5chhBMjVH8CMIUAn39mLcFEvExkZDw4WTLM6-_43iWjlgOWwJW36oRM_9LgljxHkJNYZdrUYuJvV7Lt7EJ4sLG7lP7ZtlYlC-tHqp8teeJLNPx1jJjY8ZnMfO_YH/s640/Untitled+2.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This fall I was asked to teach a crochet class to a group wishing to crochet for charity. This put me into a frenzied state of hat design. I started by actually writing up a pattern I've been making for 10 years. It's the one I have pictured here in the upper left hand corner and it's called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250053284/the-portland-beanie-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_16" target="_blank">The Portland Beanie</a>. This is a great go-to beanie pattern using DK or light worsted weight yarn. It looks terrific in solid colors and can be stunning made up in colorful hanspun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finishing that write-up, I decided it would be nice to be able to make a similar hat only in heavier weight yarn. They would make up quickly and so could be produced on a larger scale for charities. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/248854370/the-thick-and-quick-portland-beanie-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_22" target="_blank">The Thick and Quick Portland Beanie</a> is the result of that effort and is pictured on the center left. This pattern uses heavy worsted weight yarn and offers three different sizes great for growing youth to adult and also includes the Little Hat Flower Pattern for free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't quite done with my Portland Beanie stitch. Once I started designing, I couldn't stop. The next pattern I made was <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250187756/the-portland-beret-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_15" target="_blank">The Portland Beret</a>. In this pattern I used a sport weight, variegated yarn. It's pictured in the lower left corner. It can be worn slouchy style as shown here or it can be worn like a traditional beret. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the Portland Beret was complete, I wanted to make an actual slouchy with that exaggerated poof in the back. I used a worsted weight yarn and created <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250552608/the-portland-slouchy-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_13" target="_blank">The Portland Slouchy</a> in in the last two pictures of the right column. This one is my new favorite. It's comfortable and can be worn all day as a stylish accessory. It seems to look great on any shaped face or with any hairstyle. So versatile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once I had a hat for all of these different yarn weights and in a fun variety of styles, I had one thing left on my list of hats to make and that was a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/249645189/the-baby-beanie-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_18" target="_blank">The Baby Beanie</a>. It's in the upper right hand corner in blue, but of course it could just as easily be made in pink or any other color of the rainbow. In this design, I use single crochet stitches for a beanie that will hold in warmth. The pattern comes with instructions for the tassel topper you see here and a flower option. I gave it a rolled brim so it can grow with baby for at least a few weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is what happens to me when I'm asked to teach a class. I've always been one to over prepare. These short periods of prolific design are fulfilling, but it's probably good that I don't teach regularly. I fear all other aspects of life would suffer. I have even one more hat that I designed this fall, but I'm saving that for another post. This fall was a veritable parade of hats, hats and more hats! </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-15752038796770311022015-10-21T16:01:00.000-07:002017-01-09T13:12:20.785-08:00Crochet Covered Storage Tin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZkvXVyIS7x-qHoyXm0wuXK_XOISnzT7EMumBSMTMEu3FWlwpRmO9T8OYRB9pkdT9rri4Zfv-aruXH96D4cEYw60bWfPu2m_5Ce77HWhAeZPkjqnevjaMpJc5zkd7c5VrSfojoMD4-omg/s1600/Storage+Tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZkvXVyIS7x-qHoyXm0wuXK_XOISnzT7EMumBSMTMEu3FWlwpRmO9T8OYRB9pkdT9rri4Zfv-aruXH96D4cEYw60bWfPu2m_5Ce77HWhAeZPkjqnevjaMpJc5zkd7c5VrSfojoMD4-omg/s400/Storage+Tin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's my birthday and what am I doing? I'm yarn bombing a 6oz tin just for the fun of it. I might be getting one step closer to a tea cozy crocheting stereotype, but I love making things out of yarn enough that I don't even care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finished off a 6oz tin of almonds the other day and couldn't bring my self to throw it away. There are so many bits and pieces in the crafting that I do, so why not hold onto a perfectly good storage item? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Flashback to my father saving baby food jars for his workshop. He would screw the metal tops to the bottom of a shelf and then screw on the little glass jars. This way he could see and keep organized his smaller hardware pieces. Genius!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thing is, how can I allow something so plain as a tin to enter Wind Rose Fiber Studio? Somehow, always, fiber must get involved! So I grabbed a bit of leftover yarn, I think this is a Noro silk and wool blend, and started making a cover. The wonderfully colorful Noro was definitely an improvement, but I thought it still needed a little something. That's when I got the idea to make a classic storage container label slot. Three sides are sewn onto my cover and the top is open so I can label the contents of my tin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's a proper yarn lovers storage container and pretty cute if I do say so myself. Wouldn't a little grouping be fun together? It could also be cute to decorate a gift tin of cookies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think you need instructions for this one. I've hardly invented the cozy here. In the way of guidance, I started with a basic 6 stitch circle (working in the round with H hook and in sc) which I increased in circumference until it matched the bottom of the tin (42 sts). Then I did a round in the back loops only without increasing to form the bottom rim. I continued on with the same number of stitches in the round until it reached the height of my tin. I slip stitched one final row around to give it a nice edge. I covered the bottom of my tin in Weldbond to keep the cover in place. I don't really think the sides need glueing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For my label cover, I chained 17, I single crocheted in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 4 sts, 3 in next st for 1st corner, sc in next st and then 3 sc in next for 2nd corner, sc in next 5 stitches, then 3 sc, sc, 3 sc over the last three sts to create 3rd and 4th corners, join with sl st to first sc, finish off sewing the edges together as you weave in those ends. I whip stitched it onto my cover with needle and thread and there you have it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I basically just wrote a pattern after all. Of course you can keep the top that came with the tin. That could also be yarn bombed if you too abide by the notion that everything is better when covered in yarn. </span></div>
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-54124568167684916422015-10-19T17:15:00.000-07:002017-01-13T18:09:34.005-08:00The Regensburg Scarf Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQCV_KTjSQ8RsQ6_4s1LEZ1eCQ4rWBONQSs0q7H9XTShIk8UPhEjui8Em4DLbYjrSTNcftSZJzEm9pL3yDHSj15hwYz6pOGFTMuEsaU_n_ufE_XTE_CzCQUXSaX-VzG7ukJnfGE1JFcze/s1600/Reg+Scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQCV_KTjSQ8RsQ6_4s1LEZ1eCQ4rWBONQSs0q7H9XTShIk8UPhEjui8Em4DLbYjrSTNcftSZJzEm9pL3yDHSj15hwYz6pOGFTMuEsaU_n_ufE_XTE_CzCQUXSaX-VzG7ukJnfGE1JFcze/s400/Reg+Scarf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night I was in the mood to crochet a little something as I wound down for the day. I wanted something familiar, so I chose one of my own designs. I'm always promising myself that I'll revisit my patterns to see if I think they are holding up over time. The more pattern writing you do, the better you get, so it makes sense to go back to earlier patterns and do a little editing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern I picked is called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/78919415/the-regensburg-scarf-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_17" target="_blank">The Regensburg Scarf</a>. I wrote it back in 2011 after a trip to Germany including the town of, you guessed it, Regensburg. It wasn't any scarf in particular that inspired me. It was the fact that people were wearing scarves all the time and everywhere. The scarves were almost always the wrap around style where you bring the ends forward and they seemed to become part of an outfit, more like a necklace than a utility. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/78919415/the-regensburg-scarf-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_17" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/78919415/the-regensburg-scarf-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_17" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTa4z_WiS_bp-yUhTNa81gHwV1UMYft2j2NBeu3w0Gu1yWpUSPbuK0ZVHYOhmRWWHP3qCp_NWNvFCXFn4gEKKUy94xfoaenIeLCP0Raqyen7Y9WD7NLx3hJUAHWos3zNDasxxiqwD-d80/s400/A+Reg+Scarf.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The reason why I wanted to share this pattern here again today, is because it's pretty unique. I was reading over it last night and even found myself watching the companion video I made four years ago. I had a strange moment of wondering how I came up with this because it's different than anything else I've designed and it's just kind of fun to do something a little different. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Slowly my thought process came back to me. I know I liked the idea of working the fringe in as you crochet. I've always liked the idea of one uninterrupted thread creating an entire piece. I also made up a ruffle. I saw a lot of ruffles in Germany as well, so I wanted to make a crocheted scarf with ruffles. I wanted more than the texture from a popcorn stitch or something similar. I wanted an actual ruffle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if you find yourself in the mood to crochet something with a couple of unique elements, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/78919415/the-regensburg-scarf-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_17" target="_blank">The Regensburg Scarf</a> is a fun and relatively quick project. I think you'll enjoy the process, and if you're like me, you'll start thinking about what other designs you can make with a built in ruffle or fringe. </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-74467111542665011612015-10-16T20:24:00.000-07:002017-01-13T18:12:01.734-08:00Drop Spindle Earrings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwabt6nCnlbsPqldaRtJsJJbut2ejP4pEgxwkEgUpbnZ29troiSJxWbixjG72HwAHteC8ykbJMVhyphenhyphenaqblwnW5RJAGAVo7vyKQTATwbKJhhSCrtTPRyhyphenhyphenc0A5T8qSZFia_j2RK4_69T4ND/s1600/il_570xN.834203397_n5ls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwabt6nCnlbsPqldaRtJsJJbut2ejP4pEgxwkEgUpbnZ29troiSJxWbixjG72HwAHteC8ykbJMVhyphenhyphenaqblwnW5RJAGAVo7vyKQTATwbKJhhSCrtTPRyhyphenhyphenc0A5T8qSZFia_j2RK4_69T4ND/s320/il_570xN.834203397_n5ls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my last post I shared a doll-sized drop spindle. Today I'm going from small to smaller with my new <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/248222246/orange-drop-spindle-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">Drop Spindle Earrings</a>. My thought process was not terribly involved. I think it went something like, "If small is cute, than smaller would be even more cute." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I set out to made tiny drop spindles which turned out to be pretty fun. One night I sat in front of the TV just sanding the ends of at least 50 little spindles. It was almost meditative. During that time, I took one of my favorite pictures. Here they are, my little spindles. They seem to be floating or falling through space. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8K1FfzW88c0R7IPKoQDH8sDTVoovquML7-LXffG7rN9_ko5QPvrlF1eXJ6f6wOHCyG05CIQ_wDtK9UyIdiCBCIhW7LBmGssxKRgIAPwLABmDFFHA7xAGzfQuw-97Yt1QKc4nVZPl8i5b/s1600/11951763_10205020884985728_2089461454518388541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8K1FfzW88c0R7IPKoQDH8sDTVoovquML7-LXffG7rN9_ko5QPvrlF1eXJ6f6wOHCyG05CIQ_wDtK9UyIdiCBCIhW7LBmGssxKRgIAPwLABmDFFHA7xAGzfQuw-97Yt1QKc4nVZPl8i5b/s320/11951763_10205020884985728_2089461454518388541_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I had all of these cuties, I had to figure out how to turn them into earrings. They are much too small for any cup hook to be attached. I'm using fine wire to simulate the yarn. The wire allows me to create a centered loop at the top so that the earrings hang in a straight and balanced way. You can see that I have wrapped the wire at the top as though it is hitched into place above the cone of "spun" fiber. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG9pNU8VxElD4YtEs3ojdpxjt6zL8ZdOZecanJ4jhV-3qxhKdexir_yWHiazw381xXpuJkokw1k8z8c8fLC1Owye-96df7SE1XHrob9NUvP5asxKUW4eH8LAP8abrnug8rhJsFzNeAZ4P/s1600/il_570xN.834203905_qo7f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG9pNU8VxElD4YtEs3ojdpxjt6zL8ZdOZecanJ4jhV-3qxhKdexir_yWHiazw381xXpuJkokw1k8z8c8fLC1Owye-96df7SE1XHrob9NUvP5asxKUW4eH8LAP8abrnug8rhJsFzNeAZ4P/s320/il_570xN.834203905_qo7f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">They can be challenging to make because they are small and call for precise work. The spindles are only one inch long. The end result is a nice little dangle earring. Maybe people will recognize it for what it is, maybe not. The spinners will know and that's what counts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a few pairs made in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindRoseFiberStudio?section_id=5257792&ref=shopsection_leftnav_9" target="_blank">Gift Section at Wind Rose</a> and more colors on the way. </span><br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-56148709558848785242015-10-13T19:51:00.001-07:002017-01-09T13:15:38.014-08:00Doll Sized Drop Spindle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtFnSjSLBC9Puvtxl6VOhWAlMMSKZSGtqsV8lCkXSqOVAE-Wi0VG2dddnELWxiVZsKLSNC-2Y_kP9XEUUsTkHv-OI1kM187NbGLfXj7xDl9OdgSqHtLpo3ghEH68m9jUvMyDL5xHM2O3V/s1600/doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtFnSjSLBC9Puvtxl6VOhWAlMMSKZSGtqsV8lCkXSqOVAE-Wi0VG2dddnELWxiVZsKLSNC-2Y_kP9XEUUsTkHv-OI1kM187NbGLfXj7xDl9OdgSqHtLpo3ghEH68m9jUvMyDL5xHM2O3V/s400/doll.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the start of September, I found my way back into the studio. My first project was to replenish my supply of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178987629/oversized-tatting-needle-5mm-316-12?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">Oversized Tatting Needles</a>. I have been pleasantly surprised by the interest in these 12" needles. I have loved the one I made for myself, but you just never know how other people will feel about your ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While these needles are not complex in their design, they can be a challenge to drill. Needle tatting needles should not exceed the diameter of the yarn or else your tatting will be loose and less stable. The idea is to have a needle whose diameter matches most bulky yarns, which is actually a rather small diameter. However, the needle hole needs to be big enough to thread the yarn. Basically, I'm trying to perfectly center a 3mm hole on a 5mm wooden needle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reason I'm telling you all of this is because as I'm making these needles, there is some inevitable waste. This got me to thinking and playing around with these bits of wood. The result is a doll sized drop spindle. Is there a market for such a thing? I have no idea, but they are terribly cute. I'm going to make a handful of them for the shop and sell them with a little ball of wool like my doll has here. It's a way to use my wooden mishaps and share the spinning love with our 15 to 17 inch friends. I'll post an update when I have a few made.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a side note, I looked up the name of my doll, one of the few toys I have left from my childhood. My mother tells me that my dad loved this doll when they were holiday shopping one year. The left arm rotates and the doll changes expressions. After a quick bit of internet research, I can tell you that this is Mattel's Saucy doll from 1972. I have also discovered that she is featured in a few scary/creepy doll videos on YouTube. I've always thought she was cute, but I guess it can be a fine line between cute and creepy in doll world. </span><br />
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Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-71630969884022673042015-10-12T12:03:00.001-07:002017-01-09T13:16:37.671-08:00Summer Hiatus <span style="font-size: large;">Gracious, I'm tired of seeing the same post at the top of my blog! Especially one that begins with ack! I must admit that I entered a purposeful dormant period over the summer. I was feeling burnt out. That along with a son graduating from high school, travel to Ireland and a tenth grade curriculum to write, I decided to take the summer off from fiber arts. At the heart of this decision was not so much my busy life, but I wanted to miss fiber arts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was not unlike fasting or other forms forms of deprivation. At first it's not so bad, but then the cravings begin which soon turn to pangs. Before too long, it's just painful. Then there's that odd calm period and then the cravings begin all over again. Of course I couldn't go all summer without food, but I did mange to go without fiber arts. Towards the end, I came close to cheating several times. I'd pick up a crochet hook and start thinking about crocheting something, anything, and then I'd force myself to walk away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I was hoping for actually came to pass. By the end of the summer, not only was I itching to get back to fiber arts, but I was brimming with ideas. So much of the time I spent denying myself, I also spent thinking about what I would make when I finally felt the time was right. After four months celebrating life's big moments, exploring a bit more of this planet and preparing for the year ahead, I was ready to get my hands busy again and even better, it felt like an earned reward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been back at it since the beginning of September and the only reason I haven't written before now is because I was too consumed by my own deluge of creative activity. So, no pictures today or links to products, just a promise that over the next few weeks I'll be sharing what I've been up to. I have been posting at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Wind-Rose-Fiber-Studio-156487947773183/timeline/" target="_blank">Wind Rose Fiber Studio on Facebook</a> which I think of as the lazy writers' friend. It is time to brush off that enabling friend and get my fingers typing!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-26252770399422891812015-04-07T11:59:00.000-07:002017-01-09T13:17:17.152-08:00Ack! Pattern Writing! Ack!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDZzL3Uc3Fs4QVj7oOf6_AeMOeIPu4ldTM-65a8OVXK0cEOqBcgrg4pAjbl5OW260ensJ1Ifkt07ozPDBg-VGonl03zCUMIwDshpatuo9Nrw4M3XT3_7txqjuTgQ8X0ESyrpxVUb7jBw_/s1600/muk+luk+shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDZzL3Uc3Fs4QVj7oOf6_AeMOeIPu4ldTM-65a8OVXK0cEOqBcgrg4pAjbl5OW260ensJ1Ifkt07ozPDBg-VGonl03zCUMIwDshpatuo9Nrw4M3XT3_7txqjuTgQ8X0ESyrpxVUb7jBw_/s1600/muk+luk+shell.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall Muk Luk shell waiting for a sole and top trim.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's nice to have a blog so you can share the sheer "ack" of it all! Writing my Tall Muk Luks pattern was making me crazy. I always knew that it would be </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">challenging </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">to write this</span> design in a concise and approachable way. Well, I was right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you know, legs and feet come in all shapes and sizes. Attempting to accommodate as many as possible has really added to the ack factor. A little over a week ago, I got so frustrated that I just walked away. I told myself that it was because I had to pay my taxes and take a road trip to my son's college. Both were true, but not really the reason I was avoiding my crochet hooks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can only write about this now because I seem to have overcome my stumbling blocks. Everything is falling neatly into place and all I really have left to do is to make a test pair of each size. I also need to take some pictures which means finally bonding with my new Nikon 3300. This will certainly lead to another vent-tastic blog post. Stay tuned... </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-91613587700109793682015-03-15T14:49:00.000-07:002017-01-09T13:18:03.349-08:00The Tall Muk Luk Pattern - Progress Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzVWzt9MIEF67ZHv57q-EYmSJEVwnUrltQkc4UJ2VrDm1uoioS-D1WGAPhN0kpLzJjN80moZ-uKbvUVwM-rH8-ScE7V99_C5OATI6-c3DUCVhetCH7ulnPhZEAx7DYtQk-w689Nr4Tc-D/s1600/Studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzVWzt9MIEF67ZHv57q-EYmSJEVwnUrltQkc4UJ2VrDm1uoioS-D1WGAPhN0kpLzJjN80moZ-uKbvUVwM-rH8-ScE7V99_C5OATI6-c3DUCVhetCH7ulnPhZEAx7DYtQk-w689Nr4Tc-D/s1600/Studio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what my work space looked like at ten o'clock last night. You'd never know by this pic that I'm kind of a neat-nick, but when I'm in the midst of working on a design, things can get pretty messy. In the case of these muk luks, I've got more yarn on hand than usual because I'm writing the pattern to fit multiple sizes. This means experimenting with yarn weights plus various hooks which equals more stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The good news is that I'm making some real progress. I'm writing this blog post to propel myself forward as much as anything else. When you are all alone in a studio you have to be your own cheerleader. Go! Jenn Go! </span><br />
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<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-47856689452878269292015-02-25T16:23:00.000-08:002017-01-09T13:18:50.986-08:00The Tall Muk Luk Pattern - It's Really Happening!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOd236H_UTGXzvD52SkAM_E0XsRraS8LBpl4GwEvTJUJkAHAtVcJ_hb7QKZF_o3QVl3m0Atl53w1BlZk5myOqJqV8nvELmcC-QjuACwpsPVtB3gya9VIWFSevKVNwURiBzl-1nXrc171-/s1600/soles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOd236H_UTGXzvD52SkAM_E0XsRraS8LBpl4GwEvTJUJkAHAtVcJ_hb7QKZF_o3QVl3m0Atl53w1BlZk5myOqJqV8nvELmcC-QjuACwpsPVtB3gya9VIWFSevKVNwURiBzl-1nXrc171-/s1600/soles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2010/04/mini-muk-luks-crochet-along-part-i.html" target="_blank">crochet along</a> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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! </span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334660187375665433.post-24980665468241002522015-02-13T16:52:00.000-08:002017-01-09T13:19:36.420-08:00Oh Those Muk Luks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCk4kFJENP5zWYs1bCUCa26dfnIZXX3iQ1mfqSfUbsHirtXkxQqb8gbRDe3qApLArGtBh6pQMST7iwg_SmlPMQ7KZNdLo55E9MY9EyGelShBkPQ0HwNosl_VvbgA3AAuprW2tErMqY75t/s1600/Muk+Luks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCk4kFJENP5zWYs1bCUCa26dfnIZXX3iQ1mfqSfUbsHirtXkxQqb8gbRDe3qApLArGtBh6pQMST7iwg_SmlPMQ7KZNdLo55E9MY9EyGelShBkPQ0HwNosl_VvbgA3AAuprW2tErMqY75t/s1600/Muk+Luks.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2008/12/ode-to-muk-luks.html" target="_blank">Ode To Muk Luks</a>. Then in 2010, I decided to share the shorter <a href="http://windrosefiberstudio.blogspot.com/2010/04/mini-muk-luks-crochet-along-part-i.html" target="_blank">muk luk pattern in a photo tutorial crochet-along</a>. 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. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkkKovt_1Jod2AN53fn3yly8gIB7vTyh8ZIBw2jobqeOGg9y3YPN02gsGuFVj2kJ0yLwtwcGQEuBFqY0e9waR4wfKQdHpwDwEL3etNS91FcRJJzUoRD2hHh5aC3L1DSE0lqXvUZC4O4i1/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkkKovt_1Jod2AN53fn3yly8gIB7vTyh8ZIBw2jobqeOGg9y3YPN02gsGuFVj2kJ0yLwtwcGQEuBFqY0e9waR4wfKQdHpwDwEL3etNS91FcRJJzUoRD2hHh5aC3L1DSE0lqXvUZC4O4i1/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/windrosefiberstudio" target="_blank">YouTube support videos</a> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01345114690164621997noreply@blogger.com12