Hello Dear Crocheters!
I am so glad that you liked my bracelet! The pattern will be published in the Summer 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet, as well as on my blog. I’m delighted that I’ll be able to share the pattern in both places, but the downside is that you’re going to have to wait until June to get it!
So in the meantime, in addition to finishing up all those works-in-progress, let’s have a little creative chat. We’ve talked a bit about where your inspiration comes from…but now what do you do with those fleeting sparks of genious?
My method of choice is to record my ideas and a sketch in a graph paper notebook and expand my ideas from there. My sketches are usually half stitch diagrams and half picture, with crazy scribbles over it all about how I might achieve certain effects. After fleshing out my sketches a bit, I write out parts of the pattern that I am more sure of, leaving blanks for parts that I know will need some trial-and-error work.
Then it’s time to break out the hooks! I usually use some scrap yarn for testing out parts of a pattern I’m not sure about. Then I don’t feel too bad when it gets ripped out so many times it disintegrates. As I play, I fill in the blanks on my pattern notes with what I find works. When all the blanks are filled in, I pull out some real yarn and follow my pattern, making the necessary tweaks and filling in the details. Then I make it again!
How do you guys turn your inspirations into finished objects? Do you have a methodical process that results in a structured piece, or do you throw caution to the wind and freeform your way to artistic glory? Leave me a comment and let me know; I love getting to know you all!
Until next time,
PS: Thank you again for your inspirational comments on my bracelet, and keep your eyes peeled for some of your fabulous insights in the Summer 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet!