Self-publishing -

WHAT’S IN A CROCHET PATTERN

A well written pattern makes you a promise. Information provided in the crochet pattern allows you to complete the crochet project. Without all of it, how will finish? Whether you are buying a book of patterns or from independent designers like me, the standard should be followed.

Review the information from ANATOMY OF A CROCHET PATTERN to verify that you are getting everything needed.

It is okay to contact a crochet designer if you think you need something more.

Download and add the ANATOMY OF A CROCHET PATTERN GUIDE to your quick reference library.

HEADBAND MASK HOLDER

As 2020 quickly comes to a close and a vaccine rollout beginning, I hope we can meet the new year with grace and the same fortitude we have shown each other all year.

If you follow me or have seen my Pinterest and Instagram additions of this Headband, maybe its already on your crochet hook. I hope so, as my essential family member can attest, these work! I even wear now to the grocery store which seems to be the only place I go anymore, keeps my ears warm too!

This pattern and other versions can be found on the FREE PATTERN page, download as many times as you like and feel free to share the pattern AND THE Headband too. The materials are probably already in your sewing “crochet” basket. Mix up the colors too, the pattern is easy and quick to do.

Keep that crochet hook busy, happiness and health to all of you!

 5/5

CROCHET HAYSTACK STITCH

The lastest addition to The Lily Collection – Baptism Cross Blanket XIII afghan using the Haystack Stitch. Learning new crochet stitches are fun and designing in the art world of crochet is my thing!

This crochet design pattern falls off the hook at a fast pace and the Haystack Stitch is easy, well defined and a repeat pattern. Welcome Baptism Cross Blanket XIII with your likes and shares which support me as an independent small business crochet designer.

The blanket is larger than my other designs at 47 inches length x 42 inches wide. Using the ethereal quality of Caron Simply Soft yarn and a G6/4.00mm crochet hook makes this design come alive. All my Cross designs are special to me and I know you will love this one too.

Fav Crochet Book

If you are a crochet designer you collect BOOKS on anything crochet! The Harmony Guide to Crocheting Techniques and Stitches is one of my favorite “go-to’s” when I am deciding on such things as texture and stitches.

Originally published in 1986 a mere thirty-one years ago, this book is jammed packed full of information. I even recall the day I found it in a thrift store in Mountain Home, AR! Taking care of my mother, I didn’t plan to drive 15 miles x2 into town that day, but I went anyway. I remember how tired and exhausted I was, but I told Mom I had to go to town to pick up a few things at the grocery store (I always had a list going!). I was passing by this thrift store, one her and I frequented often and decided to just do a quick walk through. Of course my hunt is always to the book shelves and found this treasure waiting for me! I believe in Angels, yes I do, there is no other explanation for this valuable book waiting patiently just for me!

1952 Clark's JP Tablecloths and Bedspreads Book No. 295

1944 Clark's JP Old and New Favorite Doilies Book No. 217

1950 Clark's JP Floral Doilies Book No. 268

1950 Clark's JP Pineapple Fan Fair Book No. 266

1950 Clark's JP Old and New Favorites Book No. 269

1954 Coats and Clark's Quick Tricks Book No. 307

1947 Clark's JP Doilies Book No. 235

1953 Star Puritan Crochet Book No. 100

1949 The American Thread Co. Flower Doilies Star Book No. 64

1954 Clark's JP Smart Chair Sets Book No. 309

1947 Clark's JP Coats Bedspreads Book No. 232

1949 Clark's JP Ruffled Doilies Book No. 253

1949 Clark's JP Fine Crochet and Tatting Book No. 259

1949 Star Book No. 65 Flower Edgings

1950s The American Thread Co. Star Doily Book No. 151

1960s The American Thread Co. Star Home Book No. 108

1926 ABC Book of Chair Sets

1951 Lily Design Book No. 58 Edgings

1950 American Thread Co. Star Book No. 71 Doily Bouquet

1949 Clark's JP Handkerchief Edgings Book No. 256

1944 The Spool Cotton Co. Chair Sets Book No. 206

The Froggin is over

So, what happens when the design process of crochetin, froggin, changin, documentin is over? You go to your EDITOR of course!

Unless you are a master crochet editor its always best if someone other than yourself reads through your pattern. The reason for this is simple, when you review you are seeing your personal history of a particular design. A crochet technical editor draws on their vast crochet technical pattern language and experience.

In my experience using a crochet tech editor saves me time in the long run and gives me confidence that what I am publishing can be followed by YOU! This is a great lesson as you perfect your designing skills to use professionals when you can.

The designs I have been working on since my last post in July’2018 are headed to the Editor now, let’s hope she has time now for me – because I can’t wait to share these with you!

Behind the Frog

Designing is a full time job and boy have I been busy!

Lots, of froggin and rippin as I work on size, a work-in-place crochet flower and where they are to be placed, graphing, stitch changes and so much more on a couple of designs I’m working on.

This is what I do so I don’t get discouraged! If you design too – you KNOW! If you dream of designing this shouldn’t discourage you.

To work out any crochet design the steps are always the path to greatness:

DESIGN IT, MAKE IT, FROG IT, REPEAT IT

Be patient with me, I will be back writing more posts, newsletters, more about Self-Publishing and My Thread challenge series. In the meantime…….

CROCHET ON!

SERIES: Desire to Self-Publish TAKING STOCK

What is your crochet skill-set?

Okay, it seems we all learned to crochet at the knee of our Mother or Grandmother or so it seems in all the BLOGS I’ve read (yawn). But then what happened? What’s the rest of the story?

Are you still crocheting in singles and doubles, blankets in circles and squares? Become a master of Tunisian, Croknit, Broomstick, Filet and Intarsia? Are you reading from patterns or charts? Do you consistently change mid-stream every pattern you do?

The Crochet education never stops.

Someone out there creates another stitch pattern our hand itches to pick up the crochet hook, again.

That is the world of Crochet.

Some say, crochet is too difficult to learn. For me knitting has been a bugger! Maybe because I learned crochet as a young mother and have been intrigued by its diversity. Every time I get into trouble with knitting I can’t easily figure my way out, I equate it to popping a sugar cube in my mouth (melts away, or in knitting RUNS AWAY!). Crochet on the other hand is easy to frog (definition: Rip-in it out without losing all those rows!).

Figuring out your crochet education goals can be fun and there are tons of folks and videos to help. Websites, Blogs and Groups like Ravelry, Craftsy and Crochet Guild of America. If I had to recommend any I recommend all of them.

AND, then there is Self-Publishing. A completely different journey altogether BUT, a natural path to follow if your skills and desires are there.