Kristin Omdahl Bamboo Yarns

Kristin Omdahl has created her own line of yarns!  As you crocheters know, Kristin is a talented designer of both crochet and knitwear, and now she's taking it to the next level by offering brilliant hand dyed bamboo yarns (disclosure:  Kristin is offering her yarns at a discount to pattern designers to give them the opportunity to experience and utilize this beautiful yarn in our own designs).

So, I had the hardest time deciding which yarns to order!  I went with Be So Bold and Be So Sporty.

It came in a flash, and how wonderfully packaged.  Kristin really pays attention to detail but still manages to give that personal touch.

Here is the Be So Bold (100% bamboo, 165 yds/594m per 4 oz/113g for $30) in Sophia's Serengeti Sunset.  It's a worsted weight yarn, and I'm using my G hook for the swatch (see below).  I think it's a single ply and looks almost weaved.  It's soooo easy to crochet with, no splits!

My swatch has 2 rows of single crochet, followed by 2 rows of double crochet.  I'm getting 8 stitches per inch, and 2 rows of single is about a half inch and 2 rows of double is a little more than an inch.

Ok, so now that my swatch is made, let's go wash it! I was a little worried at first because, even though bamboo has some amazing properties (it’s naturally antibacterial and gives ultraviolet protection, with good drape and breath-ability), it can be a bit challenging to maintain (it needs to be hand washed and loses strength and swells in water).  But, I have to say, the swatch isn't shrinking or growing in size (hey, I'm doing this in real time!).  Whew, well, I'll post after drying pix, but so far, so good.  So, now on to the designing!

My Rose Valley and Princess' Wool

"My Rose Valley" is a beautiful blog by a Swedish woman living in Switzerland with her American husband and three children. She covers all sorts of crafts and has some great crochet patterns. I especially love her Maybelle Crochet Flower that she is working on translating into Swedish in her latest post (her English is so good).  I aspire to have such a seamless, special look to my blog. Mmmm, it might be time for some more revamping...

On another note, I just got the shipment of chunky yarn made from Princess' wool (remember, this year I said I was NOT going through that whole skirting and cleaning process again!  I still haven't carded, much less spun, her wool from last year). There's a lot of yarn in that bag!  I can't believe this is it, that's all the wool that I'll ever have from her :-(. So, that just means that I will have to come up with a really special crochet project for it!  Help me decide what to make!

Design or Deception?

Some of my crochet designer friends have been going through a rough patch lately because their patterns have been stolen and sold by others.  Obviously, taking someone else's pattern, changing the name on it, and putting out there for sale is morally and legally wrong.  But, where is the line drawn?  The other end involves the stitches and techniques themselves -- no one can copyright the single crochet stitch or the front post double crochet.  But that leaves a very large murky middle.  And where's the line between drawing inspiration from other designers' creations and copying them?  I know I struggle with that -- it feels like it's very hard to come up with new and different things to crochet.  Often, the only real difference between certain designs is the color combinations used -- is that enough to not be treading on someone else's pattern?

I certainly don't have any definitive answers to these questions, but I'd like to suggest some ideas for the designers out there who are trying to do the right thing (and hopefully give those who are trying to make a quick buck something to think about!)

1)  Creating and designing crochet items is such a fun and satisfying endeavor.  That good feeling comes from the creation process, and you've got it in you!  It's ok to look at pictures of other designers' work to learn about color theory and combinations, about different looks and to identify the different techniques used, but stop there.  Don't look at the actual pattern!  You're much less likely to "copy" anything, whether on purpose or by accident, if you minimize your exposure other people's patterns.  Focus on buying or finding books and magazines that teach you all the different crochet stitches and techniques, but not actual patterns.

2)  Once you've gotten inspiration from other designs out there, then it's got to come from you, in your own voice.  Identify the item you want to make, the color(s) you want to use, and the stitches/technique that will provide the structure.  Then, once you actually start making the item and writing down the instructions, don't worry yet about standardization of the language, just get your thoughts down, as though you were trying to explain to a friend how she/he could also make the item.

3)  If you decide that you do want to sell your pattern, then you do need to go back and standardize the stitch and technique abbreviations, but keep some of your own uniqueness in there.  If you've got a better way to explain how to make a crocheted cable for example, then use that as a way to set yourself apart and to ensure that you are bringing something new and different to the world of crochet.  Now, isn't that better than worrying about treading on someone else's turf?!  (Though it seems only the people who are trying to do the right thing are the worriers :-)

I've been thinking a lot about the design process lately, not just because of the recent events, but because I think that's where we really get to experience the beautiful side of being human.  Designing and creating are in each of us -- bringing it out in ways that make us and others happy is what it's all about.  On the eve of Thanksgiving, it's what I'm grateful for, and no pattern stealer can take that away!!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Starting a Crochet Business Part Time, Post 2

Ok, so last time, I talked about starting a crafts business as a part-timer, but this post I want to specialize a bit and talk about crochet as a business.  There is about 1 crocheter to every 4 or 5 knitters out there, maybe even fewer.  This is both good and bad – less competition but less potential customers for crochet patterns.  As for actual crocheted products, unless you come up with something small, easy to make, and marketable and can devote many hours a day to crocheting, it's going to be tough. 

I'm not trying to discourage anyone, just inject a bit of reality and help you think through the possibilities.  Here are some ways to explore whether you are really ready to take the plunge!

1)     Experiment -- read about and try as many different types of crochet as you can.  It will help you discover what you like and don't like making.  You can't do everything, though it can be very tempting when you're starting out.  Heck, you're willing to make just about anything to get a sale or get some buzz, aren't you?!  DON’T.  It is really not sustainable over the medium to long run, and you will start hating what used to be a hobby that you loved.  Don't let that happen.

2)    Hone your skills – you need to be a really good crocheter in order to be able to grow beyond just making gifts for friends and family.  You don't have to know every technique and stitch of crochet or how to make every type of item, but you need to be able to consistently produce professional looking products.  Ways to test yourself and improve would be to check out Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today's Top Crocheters, a book that has a number of advanced techniques in it.  Also, the CGOA offers a certification program that helps you build your knowledge and skills.     

3)     Specialize – now that you've probably eliminated some areas of crochet that are just not right for you, start perfecting what you do like making and start experimenting with that area.  This will prepare you for the next step – designing your own crochet projects!

I am really looking forward to hearing about your journey!