Beatrice Scarf

In the last few posts, I have talked a bit about how in love I am with short rows in crochet. I didn't mention that there is one other technique that is inspiring me lately. It's partial motifs that you crochet one at a time but join to the last one (sort of like entrelac). The finished piece does not look like motifs at all but a continuous row of crocheting. I find it to be really cool.

The finished piece is a strip, so it can easily make neat scarves (like Beatrice) or bracelets. What I am working on is how to join them to make tops and skirts. I really think their is something cool to be done in there.

I should also mention that this scarf was also inspired by listening to a ton of Beatrix Potter stories. I can so see her wearing a scarf like this if she was a crocheter.

Sorting Swatches

Sorting Swatches
Originally uploaded by rchach

This is actually very helpful for the next thing I am signing a contract for today. More on that later next year. We'll call this a "sneak peek" of a secret project I will be starting in December and working on like mad till next April. It is really good news for CBF.

Ella "short row" Headband

So yesterday, I told you about how obsessed I am with short rows, remember?

Well, It all started from this stitch pattern. The cuff yesterday had added circles at the ends of the long rows from the short rows. Today's stitch pattern has added diamonds in the center of the fabric from the short rows.

It is just such a fun technique. I hope I have some time to swatch more and see where short rows can go. I am envisioning some very cool fabrics.

Anyway, this headband is in Interweave Crochet Accessories. It is a very quick crochet. And one ball can make a bunch of headbands too.

Tatianna Cuff

These days I am a writing machine. I had to finish up half a dozen patterns and ship out the yarn to my crocheters to stay on task. That is fun for me to figure out the math and best way to show the stitches in diagram form; but makes for very boring blog posts.

Instead, I want to show off a couple of my designs in the Interweave Crochet Accessories Issue. I love the concept of having a ton of small projects all in one place. I hope they continue this special issue!

My hands down favorite is the Tatianna Cuff. I knew the moment I finished the cuff that I would not want to part with it. It is very much my style. Plus, it is pretty cool to crochet.

It is made up of little short rows inside of longer rows, which give the little circles at the end of the rows. I just love the look slightly eastern European.

After I made this cuff, I became obsessed with short rows, so don't be surprised if you see them popping up in more of my work.

Cincy House Featured on House Hunters

In case you haven’t seen my ramblings on twitter. I wanted to let you know that my house was featured on House Hunters last night. It is the taupe and purple one (the second house); if you have seen my blog you will easily recognize the house. They did not show my crochet studio, yarn, books, or mannequins. They must have really had some magic elves moving them. I guess that stuff scares the muggles. Thank goodness our Realtor is a knitter and totally “gets it”. We LOVED our house and the neighborhood. I used to talk about it all the time. The house and the area inspired so much of my work and really gave me the creativity to go and become a designer full-time.

Here’s the link to the episode, "Emily and John Put Off Wedding Plans to Focus on Finding First Home in Cincinnati". http://tiny.cc/pjs5h I am sure they will air it again. It seems like they are constantly airing House Hunters on HGTV.

If you know anyone in Cincy, looking for a house at an amazing price in a great neighborhood (1 block walk to starbucks, 2 blocks to cafes, and 3 blocks to a great park- all in the historic district) please let them know the house is still available at over 25k less then when it aired on HGTV. http://tiny.cc/3k8tu

Otherwise I hope you enjoy the look around our old stomping grounds. The city is really great and I hope you all get a chance to visit it sometime.

** Just found the link to watch the video online: http://is.gd/ghPuc **

Helping in the studio

Helping in the studio
Originally uploaded by rchach

In case you wondered how 'helpful" CJ really is in the studio....

She loves unloading the boxes of yarn or books. Playing with each item as a treasure. She is usually also carrying around my hook case as a purse too.

Day in our life

I have been getting a lot of "how to do you do it" questions and I thought I would share "how we do it". I will say up front that some days I can get lots of work done and some days nothing. In terms of actual work time, I probably get between 3-6 hours to work a day without staying up too too late.

Here's our day, pretty much every day.

We get up (I wake up the same time as CJ, and Mr CBF takes her while I shower and get dressed- all of 10 minutes), we have breakfast and get changed. While food is warming, I check my email from overnight and sometimes tweet about the day. We head up to the office (the office/ playroom is in the attic) around 10 (because it takes us that long to eat, get changed- sometimes twice, unload the dishwasher or some other chore). CJ will play up here anywhere from 30 min to an hour. So I do things that I can with one eye on her. I can do some office tasks or swatch, nothing that I need to concentrate on. She goes down for a nap then I can write back emails or write a pattern or call someone. Morning nap can last from an hour or more. Once she is up I take the afternoon "off". We have lunch, run errands, go to the park, have play dates; all while I am checking email on my phone (basically keeping in touch). We head back to the office in the late afternoon, again for an hour or less I can do things that I can with one eye on her. Sometimes Mr CBF comes home early enough and I can get another hour of concentration time, sometimes not. After dinner, we play downstairs for a bit. I usually can crochet a row or two while we are playing or reading. After bedtime, I will head back to the office and crunch out some more patterns or emails. Then bed for me.

That's it. Everyday. Basically writing when she is napping, crocheting while she is playing. And squeezing in work when I can. Nothing magical at all. I just work all the time.

Well, speaking of the babe; I hear her now...

Bright Sneak Peek

With all our financial concerns over here, I have noticed that my work keeps leaning to brighter and louder projects. Almost like my subconsciousness is keeping itself cheery. Which the thought just makes me chuckle, so I guess it is working. (Way to go brain!)

I certainly know that I am not alone in this crummy economic climate. I will say that I notice that I am enjoying crocheting with bright colors on little quick projects lately using my stash yarn. The project above will be coming out this spring, I think. But is is a great stash project. I can definitely see me making similar projects for gifts this year. Since even better then crocheting bright projects, is giving them and making someone else smile too! Of course, I will let you know the details when I can!

Putting CJ to work

Putting her to work
Originally uploaded by rchach

Life over here has gotten crazier. You probably can tell by now that every time I am quiet, things are blowing up one way or another. My twitter feed certainly can tell you most of the details. Nothing too unusual, just typical life with a toddler. She gets sick, gets us sick, picks up a new cold and repeats the cycle.

Work wise I am swamped too. Which is a fantastically fabulous thing of beauty. Besides that I love my job (well, both of them- mom and designer), we can use the money. The house in Cincy still has not sold even though the price is so low we will be bringing money to the table. (yes, silly low- we are priced the same as the fixer-uppers in the neighborhood and ours is move in- we want to sell that bad. You can see my twitter or facebook for more details.)

Anyway, work is great. I got 7 projects on my table this month, plus a new new book I am working on the preliminary details, and a super secret other huge project too. So A LOT going on. I would say my only complaint is that I wish I had my office set up, since every time I need anything (like paper or tape or a hook) I am digging through box after box trying to find it. I keep telling myself that my Hanukkah/ Christmas present to myself will be taking a few days off and setting up up here; but we will see how that goes.

I do have a couple of new designs that are popping up here and there. I will try to make time soon to talk a bit about them, because I adore them.

Ok, back to work and to see what babe has gotten herself into now!

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations, Cora! You won my copy of Drew's book, Crochet It. Wear It. Love It! Hope you enjoy!

Send me an email with your mailing address and I will get it right out to you.