What a crochet designer does while on leave...

CJ's First Sweater
Originally uploaded by rchach

She crochets.

So yes, I am taking a break from designing and projects for CBF, the book, and magazines. But that doesn't mean I put down my hook.

I am very lucky that my hobby and job right now are one in the same. And I rarely take a break from work. Usually as soon as I finish one deadline, I'll hop right on to swatching for more submissions and come up with more designs. This time I am really trying hard to sit on my hands from doing that, knowing I'll have no time once CJ comes.

So instead, this weekend I whipped out a little sweater for her. It is my design, not from a pattern. Normally, I would be thinking how to write this up, where I want to publish it, etc. Not this time. I made a promise to not add anything to my work to do list and I am sticking to it. I crocheted this little sweater for CJ and CJ alone.* It was fun for me and hopefully she'll look super cute in it.

Now in full disclosure, I do have a pattern coming out this winter that is similar to this sweater. I used it for the base of this one, so this sweater is sort of like a preview of that one. Granted that one has different yarn, gauge, and style. Ok they only share the same stitch pattern, but it still could be a sneak preview, I think you'll see it too when it comes out.

The yarn I used was Spud and Chloe Sweater. I had a skein left over from a project in the book. The button is a little clay doggie that a friend gave me years ago.

It was really relaxing getting to crochet for the fam and not have to worry about taking notes along the way. I have a couple more projects planned this week to keep me busy while we wait for her little debut. If they come out cute, I'll share them with you.

* I am not writing this up as a pattern, so please please don't ask. This is the first break from writing I have taken in years, and I just want to enjoy it. But do not get mad either, I know for a fact that there are some just as cute baby sweaters coming out this winter that will keep you happy. They just won't be this one or from me. But they will be incredibly cute! I'll let you know when they are out at the newsstand. *