Friday, November 13, 2015

A Yarny Post

Whew. (Sound of blogger taking a deep breath of relief.) Three magazine projects have just been mailed off. After weeks - make that months - of drowning swimming in a sea of yarn, at last I can come up for air.

No matter how I try to pace myself with magazine projects, they always seem to run right up to the deadline. This is partly due to poor organisation, partly to perfectionist tendencies that keep me fussing around with technique when I ought to be crocheting full steam ahead, and partly to the fact that no matter how perfect I think a pattern is, there's always a flaw that needs to be fixed, or an improvement to be made. So I end up with one eye on the calendar and one eye on the hook, neglecting husband and housework and crocheting like crazy while the pressure mounts and the deadline creeps nearer and nearer.

It's at times like these that a little boost is needed. And what better boost could there be than a magazine cover featuring something I made?

Interweave Crochet Accessories 2016

Seeing the cover of Interweave Crochet Accessories 2016 put a new spring into my crochet step (nothing like a good mixed metaphor), and gave me the oomph I needed to persevere with the latest batch of projects.

Four of the patterns in this issue are mine (a new record for me!), including the two on the cover.

Knotty Waves Hat, Knotty Mitts, Graphic Lace Cowl, Both Sides Now Scarf

The Knotty Waves Hat and Mitts were squeezed from a single skein of worsted-weight yarn (that little coil in the photo is all that was left). Hdcs worked in the back bar give softness and texture to the crochet fabric, with Forward Loop Bobbles providing the "knots" of the patterns' names. The Graphic Lace Cowl contrasts a circle-and-stripe center panel with lace-pattern sides, while the Both Sides Now Scarf combines two of my own unvented stitches with back-loop slip stitch for a project that looks great on either side.

It's always a surprise to see my own work on a magazine cover ... and very humbling too, considering the many wonderful projects that might have been chosen instead. Do check out Interweave Crochet Accessories 2016 ... it's chock-full of amazing patterns for hats, mittens, scarves, cowls, and more, with plenty of interesting techniques to explore (by and for crochet geeks like me), and gift ideas galore.

Click here for a quick peek at all the projects on the Accessories 2016 Ravelry page.

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Jennifer at Thistlebear is hosting a Winter Link Party, and it's time for the November project update. Between magazine commissions, I've been slowly working on a small project of my own: a crochet top with colourwork center panel.

Progress so far: the stripes I had in mind for the center panel have been tentatively replaced by eight-sided motifs, which I hope will give a sort of flowery-tile, mosaic look.

Prototype motifs:


Same idea, slightly enlarged and with revised center portion:


Each eight-sided motif will feature a little brown flower shape against different background colours, all worked in the luscious tints of Planet Penny Cotton Club Ice Cream Colour yarn.

The difficult part, for me, is deciding on specific colour combinations and block placement. Here's one way I test out placement ideas without having to crochet a lot of motifs, using a drawing program:


What do you think? Should I make it mosaic/quilty, like the idea in the center, or something that shades from colour to colour, like the on on the left? I'm leaning towards a shaded placement myself.

Oh, and I now have a name for my project, inspired by the little brown flowers of the motif. Would you like to hear it? (Of course you would.) Here it is:

"Chocolate Goes with Everything."

'Nuff said. :)

Click here to see all the Thistlebear Winter Project Party links.

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How are you?

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19 comments:

  1. "chocolate goes with everything" - oh my that is quite brilliant! love the crochet too x

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  2. Wow! Congratulations! What a fun thing to have your work featured on such a great magazine. Love them all but especially the hat and mitts. Well done!
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  3. You have been working hard. The new top is going to be lovely, I shall look forward to seeing what decide on the placement - I really can't choose between them, but I love the idea of a programme for trying it out. CJ xx

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  4. Congratulations Sue you must be so proud and I'm sure that seeing seeing your beautiful creations on the FRONT of a magazine must make all the work worthwhile. They are all very lovely I do like the scarf it looks warm and cosy. Your top looks very interesting I like the shaded approach too and the name is perfect because it's so true, have a great weekend. :) xx

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  5. Congratulations! I love the hat and mitts. Actually, I love the look of all of these projects. What an accomplishment and I can only imagine how you must feel. Oh, the freedom and fun now that you are gently floating on top of all of your efforts. Hooray for you!

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  6. You are one talented lady, congratulations on making the cover!!! And of course chocolate goes with everything.

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  7. Wow! It must be so cool to have your work on the cover of a magazine. These patterns look fun to make and the one on the cover is especially enticing. Congratulations!

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  8. Oh BIG congratulations! Im so proud of you. The mitts and hat are beautiful.

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  9. I bought this magazine only because of your awesome designs in it! I love your work. Oh, I am in love with the pink, brown and green yummies you are making. I think it should be called "Neapolitan with a touch of Envy" (you know, because there is green). :) I like the design to the far left, but they are all lovely. Congrats on the magazine cover...looking forward to more of your awesome designs sweet friend. :)

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  10. Bravo, Sue! I am so pleased for you, that more of your beautiful work is being recognized, and featured! I like the shaded pattern on the left best in your sample design and am cheering you on with your project...whichever design you choose :)
    We are in the process of replacing a waterline from the house to the road. Thankfully someone gave us a clamp that is keeping the leak clogged in the meantime. I am almost ready to start crocheting the ruffle on my autumn shawl this afternoon! xx

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  11. *C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!* on being published! Your hat and mitts on there are so fancy and intricate and top of the charts cool! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. Ditto how Teresa typed it! Congratulations! You are really becoming quite the crochet Diva! I love your header photo, in case I've forgotten to say that before. And your motif project is going to be awesome, whatever color scheme you use. (I like each one, but I like all three of them together best. Because I'm crazy like that!

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  13. You are an amazing inventor of crochet stitches, how wonderful to have your designs featured in magazines!

    I like your header, by the way.

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  14. Congratulations on having your designs on the front of the magazine - they look great, you must be thrilled. Glad you're back with us and thank you for sharing. :-)

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  15. Very exciting and wonderful indeed!!! Congratulations! xx

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  16. Hi Mrs. M! Thank you for joining in with my link party. Congratulations on your designs, and on the front of the magazine, no less! That's so wonderful. I will keep my eye out for the accessories magazine. I get the main Interweave Crochet as a subscriber. I've seen your work in there too. I love your motifs project, those are coming along so pretty already. I can't wait to see what you do with them. I hope you have a good week, take care.

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  17. Congratulations, you're a veritable yarn queen (YQ). Being on a magazine cover has to be exciting. It's exciting for me knowing you're on a cover.

    As to your question, I like things that shade from color to color.

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  18. Beautiful patterns, Sue! Congrats on this gorgeous magazine cover. The hat is really great.

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  19. Lovely work, Sue. Congratulations. And have fun with YOUR project. :-) Regula

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