June Contemporary Crafts Market

First off, I want to thank the readers who left me supportive comments regarding my stepping away from the wig-gig. I just can't tell you how free and strong I have felt since making the decision. And how much I have accomplished! I've actually checked off 5 things from my to do list since Monday morning! 5 things that wouldn't have gotten started, let alone completed, if I were working on the big wig!

And one of those things was putting together my postcard for the CCM at the Santa Monica Civic on June 6-8. Here it is:


This time, in addition to my one of a kind wearable art pieces, I will be offering my patterns and kits. If you would like to come as my guest, please go here to print a free pass for 2!

Staying on Target

This weekend I had a big revelation and made a decision! I guess I have been leading up to this for a while, but something happened this weekend that put it all into perspective.

The revelation - that I am preventing myself from reaching my goals by scattering my assets (meaning my time, talent and creativity) Like many creative people, there are so many things that interest me and so many skills I have developed over the years. But there is only so much time in the day and all of the things I love take lots of time.

I wish I could mention the names involved, but that would be indiscreet. But what happened is I went to listen in on a consultation with a Big Star for a wig project. This Big Star is a gorgeous woman for whom I used to make clothes back in my past life. She is still gorgeous, even more of an icon, and getting ready to do another fabulous 'thing' (could I be any more vague?) So here I am, reconnecting with her about 20 years later, and this time, not as a costume designer, but as a sub-contractor wig ventilator.

Meanwhile, I was intending to put aside work in both pattern writing and getting ready for a wearable art show at the beginning of June so I can meet the excruciatingly close deadline for this wig. The prospect of 10 days of intense, extreme boredom lies ahead. About 100 hours of tying double knots in individual hairs lies ahead. Meanwhile, my show will be getting closer and closer. Meanwhile, my stress level will be rising higher and higher.

For what? The $, while impressive, is only $. The 10 days will be gone and I'll never get them back.

So I walked away - not just from this particular job, but from wig-making all together. And I felt that instant sense of relief that comes from being put back into my proper place in life and is a validation of a correct decision.

I made an agreement with myself that I will stay on track from now on. After my first priority (family) I am committed to devoting myself to the 2 businesses that really interest me - wearable art being #1 and pattern publishing as #2.

This is Foot Fetish. It is the 2nd sock design for DRG Publishing Tops and Toes, which will be out next February. The sample and pattern should be finished this afternoon. I am feeling so liberated, so relieved, and looking forward to the future once again!

And very grateful that my reconnecting with Big Star illuminated to me that I want to go forward, not backward!

Giant Doilies

This one is the cover design from Doris Chan's Amazing Crochet Lace. I used 16 balls of ggh Aspen and a size J hook. It took one day to complete.


I enjoyed the fast results from the large hook so much that I decided to make something else along the same lines. Since I only had 10 balls of this Berroco X-Press, I decided to make a Doily Vest of my own design, and needed to upsize to a Size L hook to get a fabric that had a little drape to it.

Man, this one went so fast I could hardly believe it - about 6 hours! I would be making a lot more of these if it wasn't so hard on my hands.

Shruggity Shrug Pattern is Ready!

I forced myself to finish this pattern today! Now I am so happy to say:
Shruggity Shrug Pattern Now Available Here!

Now I am going to tackle Flower Box.

Flower Box Sweater

I absolutely love this sweater! It fits so beautifully and was so fun and easy to make. I just love when everything comes out exactly the way I envisioned it in my mind before I started.


The knitted squares have crocheted borders and then are sewn together.


The lace edging is crocheted.


Random crocheted and embroidered flowers with crystal centers inspired the name. The hand made porcelain buttons couldn't have been more perfect if I had made them myself!

The sweater is for sale on my Yarnartist's site and I am considering writing the pattern, too.

Mo' Flower Power

Mo as in mohair!

A little story: When my son was in elementary school, I started an art and needlework program at his school. One year I taught everyone in grades 2-5 how to knit. The unit began with me bringing in samples of many different types of fiber and explaining how yarns were made. We talked about where the fiber came from - plants, animals, chemicals, etc. In summary, I asked "Where does wool come from?" "Sheep!!!" the children yelled. "Where does cotton come from?" "Plants!" the children responded. And where does mohair come from?" One little voice replied uncertainly "Moles?"

Anyway, the above scarf is Flower Power made up in Claudia Handpaints Mole hair, I mean Mohair! See the crystals on the fringes? One skein made this entire very long scarf! I will be putting up the pattern, yarn and beads as a kit on my site later today or tomorrow.

I Guess You Could Say...

... that Berroco makes some of my favorite commercially produced yarns. When I saw this yarn I just had to have some.

Yarn: Berroco Sox
Colorway: 1425 John Moores
Pattern: My own basic toe-up with short row heel and stretchy bind-off on 58 sts, Size 1 needles.

Secret for getting the stripes to match: Before beginning, pull out yarn and start at a place where the color/pattern is clearly beginning to change. Measure long tail if using long tail cast-on. This is much easier to find than a random beginning point when you are ready to start the second sock.

Love the way these socks look - really enjoyed knitting with the yarn as the color and pattern changes were so pleasing to my aesthetic sense. However...they itch. So into the gift bag they go, waiting for the perfect owner to be revealed.

More on socks: I finished writing up the pattern for the Electric Flower Socks for Tops and Toes, due out next February.

I am proud to say that for once I didn't procrastinate and actually sent the pattern and sample off more than a week ahead of the due date!!!

Could this be a new trend? I sure hope so. I love the sense of freedom I feel now, except there are a few more deadlines and promises I must keep before I am really free of pressure.

Flower Power

Finally, I completed the pattern for this scarf.

I can't believe that this goes back to last August!!!

I guess that I don't need to mention that I like making things better than I like pattern writing.

The name has changed from Lucky Scarf to Flower Power. The pattern is available via download here. Enjoy!

Okay, I'll Show You...

...what I've been working on.

Yes, it is Shruggity Shrug Revisited in Claudia Handpaints Mohair. The lightest most lovely soft mohair, a little heavier than Kidsilk Haze but sooo much softer. My plan is to kit this pattern but it takes 3 skeins, so I am stalled, wondering if it would be too pricey.

This one will not be kitted, just the pattern will be available. You might recognize my snowflakes, crocheted from my sick bed. This was what I had planned and I am so happy with both the sweater and the snowflakes. It is called "Snowflakes in Summer" and Eden says it looks Japanese. I am so flattered! I adore the Japanese pattern books and have no doubt been influenced by them, but where did he see Japanese knitting? He definitely doesn't look at my books.

But he studies Japanese in school and collects anime films and Japanese graphic novels, so I suppose there is some crossover in design sensibilities.

And those of you who know me know that cannot be all. There are several other things that haven't been photographed yet..