Do you daydream a lot? I do, all the time. Whether it’s about my dream house, pets I’d love to have, or planning my future wedding (even though i’m not engaged yet), my imagination takes me everywhere (with a little help from Pinterest). I wonder what my life would be like if I followed other paths besides studying to be a counselor. What if I was a photographer? A musician? A homemaker? A yarn shop owner? These are all things I believe I would be happy doing. One thing in particular that I want to share with you today, though, is my desire to be a yarncraft designer and teacher.
I’d love to make patterns and help people learn to crochet and knit for a living. I’ve taught some friends how to knit and crochet already and I love it so much! It’s like spreading a little piece of joy from my heart to others. I know I’m a decent teacher already, so what I really want to be able to do is turn this:
into… into a yarny masterpiece! I want to design new patterns to share with others. Functional and beautiful and stylish things that everyone will love. Why am I feeling especially strongly about this right now? Well, take a look at Lucy’s latest post over at Attic24, and you’ll see what I want to be able to do. She’s so clever and creative, and I think I’m quite jealous!
But have you ever tried to design a pattern? It’s hard! I’m no good at math and I get overwhelmed easily by it, so complicated patterns are just such a pain to figure out and then write down in an understandable way. I dream of making fancy, elaborate, advanced patterns, but so far I can barely make the simple ones! If you’ve been a follower for a while you’ll be familiar with one or two of my designs (I only really have three Ravelry-worthy patterns). Here’s what I’ve got, in order of their creation:
My crochet owl was completed in my junior year of undergrad (I think Spring of 2010). Not bad for my first go, but I actually got the inspiration for the body shape from another pattern.
Then, much more recently, I made this pincushion pattern. But guess what? It’s basically a copy of a knitted pattern that I got impatient with and never finished.
And then most recently, I have my in-a-day wraplet, but the first part of the pattern was again inspired by someone else’s work. This didn’t even turn out quite the way I wanted, because I ran out of yarn.
Perhaps I’m being too down on myself. I know plenty of my blog followers like my patterns because you have told me so, for which I am extremely grateful and very pleased. Maybe I’m just not satisfied with myself because I think that, if I really try, I can do better. (I’m also feeling a bit negative right now because I’m quite sick due to allergies at the moment — sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, just feeling icky.) Perhaps this feeling could turn into some motivation that pushes me to get inspired and make something even better? I hope so.
So, I’m hopefully going to be experimenting more soon with some new and original pattern ideas. I just need to create them according to what yarn I have in my stash, which, while plentiful, is also limited. Do you know that feeling? When you have lots of yarn but none of it’s what you want for a project? Happens to me all the time. So frustrating.
Well, I’ll finish this post by reminding you that there are only 3 days left until the giveaway closes (really 2 days, since it’s 11:51 pm here). Thanks for stopping by, please come again soon!
Im sure you’ll be a super duper designer and teacher very soon. If youre passionate about something and it gives you joy, it can only be a success. You can do it!!!
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I appreciate it!
You have designed more things than me so I think you are an expert! Keep at it. The more you try the better you will get
I agree with Patch. The more you do it, the better you’ll become. You should celebrate the three patterns you’ve already done and add those to your portfolio. With anything, your skills increase the more you do it. I have no doubt you’ll be able to achieve your crafty goals!!!!
I understand your angst though. When it comes to knitting (and crochet eventually as I do that more), I consider myself a follower. I love both crafts but I don’t have aspirations of being a designer but I have the same need to increase my skill-set and do the best I can do with them. Even while at work, I day-dream about getting better at them.
Go eat some ice-cream, take care of your allergies then try again. Maybe take a break also from Pinterest and the blogs you love. All of those people started where you are — at the beginning and they are years of experience ahead of you. Comparing yourself to them isn’t a fair one, but I know how that can be (because I do the same comparisons between myself and the bloggers like yourself whose work I admire).
Good point. I’ll try that. And I even have ice cream on hand!
Thanks so much!
I understand your desire; I have the same one. I’m more of a pattern follower, but would love to be a pattern designer. Congratulations on the three you’ve made! Take pride in them and keep honing your skills. You’ll be designing new ones before you know it.
Feel better soon!
Blessings,
Kate
Thanks Kate! I will!
Here’s a thought… How about a variation on a theme. You could take your basic owl shape and add different details and turn it into a different creature maybe. That way you will be building on what you have already done. Keep things simple too – simple always works best.
Thanks for the idea! Sounds good.
Hey Hannah!!! I want to try my hand at writting designs, lol!!! somehow creating is easier than writting for me….
Writing can be really difficult, I agree. It’s hard to be really clear sometimes.
yep, that’s a fulltime job,
but hey keep it up practice makes perfect…