Story of a Design: Winter's Night Necklace

My design, Winter's Night Necklace, is now available to download from the Crochet Me website. It is one of four designs in an ebook called Lace Ice that is a supplement to the Winter 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet.

Winter's Night Necklace

I translated the design into crochet from a Victorian-style machine lace necklace. Back when I was designing it I was really excited about how it was coming along, but I couldn't share what I was doing. Well, I sort of did: I posted a picture back in February of a motif prototype that didn't quite work. This was the type of design that worked itself once I created the motif to my liking, and hit upon the right color combination.

I discovered that I have a very slender neck compared to most people so I learned a bit about pattern grading on the fly while working up the pattern for publication. The length can be adjusted through adding motifs and lengthening the button straps.

This is my second published necklace design and I confess I very much enjoy designing them! They seem to be the perfect thread project as they can be: made in size 20 thread, worked up quickly, worn to show off as well as enhance any outfit. Expect to see more necklaces in the future!

Why I Willingly Submit to Sleep Deprivation: My 5 Reasons for Attending the CGOA Conference

Crocheters from around the country descended upon Concord, NC, last week to attend the semi-annual CGOA conference. Hobbyists and professionals spend five days together sharing their love of crochet through classes, fashion show, design competition, and crocheting in public.

I've much to blog about my experiences while at conference. Subsequent posts will be about the people I connected with and how I reframed the Designer Meet & Greet to reduce my anxiety.

I knew going into conference that it would be an exhausting experience that is capable of inducing the ability to see through space and time triggered by sleep deprivation. A few hours of missed sleep each night is a sacrifice I'm willing to make and here are my reasons why:

Opportunity
This is my main reason for attending. The chance to meet with my mentor Kathryn, fellow designers, hobbyists, and vendors is priceless. I love the seeming randomness of making connections with people. I try not to plan too much so the opportunities can present themselves and let the magic happen.

Inspiration
A creative force field is generated by the convergence of designers and hobbyists ignited by the design competition and fashion show then fueled by communal sleep deprivation and the daily two free cocktails offered by the hotel. It's paradoxical how the conference is both invigorating and depleting, and instead of trying to wrap my brain around that I'll just bask in the mystery of it all. Besides, I've got dozens of design ideas that require my attention.

Feedback
The opportunity to show and consult with various professionals and editors and receive their feedback is alone worth attending. It may also have a happy ending--as in selling a design! Plus I was able to get a lot of feedback from my mentor in addition to all of her suggestions, sharing of wisdom and philosophy of crochet, and more.

Doris Chan shows off
her very own Spoctopus

Learning Experience
I haven't attended any classes, unless Professional Development Day counts, yet I leave conference thinking I've learned. There is plenty of factual knowledge to learn at conference, but there is also plenty of social knowledge to be gained such as: many crochet designers are Trekkies! All knowledge is empowering and I seek to know, understand, and contribute to the vast database of the community.

Community
I'm a true introvert at heart so my desire to be part of a community is ambivalent--and I struggle with being able to see myself as truly belonging in any group. In the last hour I was at conference I came to realize that there was more than just crochet that I had in common with many of the people around me, and in that realization I started to feel like I belonged and was part of the community.

Story of a Design: Mehndi Necklace

As I'm still beginning my journey as a designer, I find the story of my designs interesting. My design process for the Mehndi Necklace began about a year ago. It's hard to believe I have patiently waited this long to be able to share with fellow crocheters this design! The mehndi motif was inspired by an actual mehndi hand design. I originally wanted to make it as a slave bracelet in size 40 thread and so I did!

Slave bracelet
Size 40 thread

While I liked what I had designed, something just wasn't right with the straps. I puzzled over it, showed it to fellow crochet designers at guild meetings. Then it hit me that maybe this motif wasn't meant to be a slave bracelet. It was meant to be a necklace!

But what kind of neckband would fit with the motif? After more deliberation I decided to use elements in the motif. The first version I made was in black with a raspberry pink accent, just like the original bracelet.

First version of necklace

When I decided to submit it for publication I knew that the black and raspberry was too Victorian-Gothic, so I decided to make one in a purple-grape with a matching lighter color. It was only after submitting it that I realized that there was a color palette for the issue, but it was perfect as is!

Final version

Now that the design is published I can finally wear my two necklaces in public. I like the versatility of the design--it can be worn with casual clothes or with dressy evening wear. Plus it works up great in different color combinations so it can be made to match many outfits.

Mehndi Necklace Pattern

Split Infinitive Pattern Now Available!

Featured on the cover!

I'm pleased to announce that my Split Infinitive design is now available as a pillow project and how-to in the upcoming issue of Crochet! Magazine. It's available as a digital download, and will be available as a print edition on June 4, 2013.

This design has had quite a history, originating in September 2010, then winning 2nd Place in the Artistic Expressions category at the 2011 CGOA conference in Greensboro. Its place in the annals of crochet is definitely secured. I'm happy to finally be sharing my creation with fellow crocheters!

Split Infinitive Pillow