The Ending of One Chapter

I am (ultimately) excited to be writing this blog post, because it's been a year in the making - I have, last Saturday, January 2nd, sent out all pre-ordered print copies of Leather, Lace, Grit and Grace. I cannot tell you how thrilling that was for me.

I say "ultimately" above, because I see all the minor problems that still exist with the print copy of this publication. I am, in this instance, my own harshest critic, and this freshman self-published title was absolutely riddled with internal process issues, not the least of which was my beginner's learning curve. And boy, was it steep and long. I know I tested the patience of those who had faith enough to purchase the title prior to publication, and while everyone received their electronic version many months ago, the print copy was my undoing at every turn. 

To each of you, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.

Self-publishing is a deeply personal and, in the end, transformative experience. I know what I did absolutely right with Leather, Lace, Grit and Grace. The palette, artwork and slightly grainy quality of the photos (thanks to a conscious decision to go with slightly lower-than-recommended resolution) captures the spirit and flavor of memory. I am still seriously crushing on the designs, several of which I plan on making for myself with what little free making time I have. I am confident of the research and stories contained in the book. Most importantly, I am so proud that I listened to my gut and decided to push forward with this project, when all rational thought pointed in the opposite direction.

The biggest thing I am taking away from this first foray in self-publishing is that it is not right for me to offer any sort of pre-print sale. In future, I won't offer any print book for public consumption until I have the printed copies, proofed to my ultimate satisfaction, in my hot little hands. Full stop.

Finally, it's the ending of the making chapter of Leather, Lace, Grit and Grace, but not its last chapter. This book still deserves its full and complete day in the sun, and I'm hoping it will get just that in the coming months.

Fait à la Main Day 4: Ode Wristers

So, after a small hiatus, here I am back with the rest of the introductions from Fait à la Main. If you haven’t yet seen the look book, feel free to access it here.

As wonderfully brief snow flurries fall here in the Pacific Northwest lowlands, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the centerpiece of the collection, my Ode Wristers.

I cannot state emphatically enough how much I love, love, love this design! Perfect yarn (LB Collection Angora Merino – sooooo soft), a technique I love (broomstick lace) and just the right amount of style come together to create wristers that are lacy, linear, and super cozy and warm. Oh, and did I mention they work up quickly with a mere 2 skeins of yarn (and only one skein if you want them in just one color)? I mean, nirvana must be within reach, right?

I also had a lot of fun photographing this design. Even in early November (when these photos were taken), there was a ton of color all around, and incorporating it to accentuate the design was an easy inspiration once we were on location.

This design will be individually available for purchase in my Ravelry store, or as one of the entire collection once all the design introductions have been made.

See you back here for day 5.

Happy New Year!

The Patons Lace Sequin
yarn used in my latest
published design. Can you
spot one of 2016's colors
of the year?

We've done it everyone - we've made it to 2016. Let us keep light, and hope, and peace, and just a little fun, in our immediate thoughts this year. I'm marking it - to take a page from Pantone - the year of serenity.

Photo (c) ILikeCrochet.com, and used with
kind permission

So, I'm going to take a breather for just one more day from introducing my latest self-published collection pieces and start this year off in a similar way as I did in 2015 - with a new third-party published design. Yup, right out of the new year gun, I'm off with one of my latest cowls - the Mid-Century Motif Cowl published in the February 2016 issue of ILikeCrochet. The main crochet technique starred in this cowl - starting crochet motifs with foundation stitches - is also a featured article/tutorial in this ILikeCrochet.com edition, written of course by yours truly. It includes lots of lovely photos to help get everyone up to speed on the technique, which is really handy to have in one's crochet technique tool box. But I digress.

Aren't those blocks of color just wonderful?!!! They are warm yet vibrant and meant to cut through the dreary early winter days.This cowl is also a great stashbuster, and one that each person can make uniquely their own with color choices. If you love color and playing with it like I do, this is another perfect project to tuck into.

I'll be back tomorrow with the continuation of Fait à la Main. In the meantime, enjoy the first day of 2016.