New Technology and Needlework

I’ve been designing and writing patterns since my very first wee pattern in 1997. In October, it will be 15 years. I can hardly believe it! My first design was published in 1998. Time has flown!

In the beginning, I wasn’t really very good at writing patterns and I would really, really like to update the patterns I did on my first website dinosaur. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about pattern writing by going back over my published patterns and seeing what the tech editors have changed over the years. Talk about an enlightenment!

Although those old patterns have been used for years and I haven’t really had any complaints, they’re not really up to my current standards of pattern writing. But, in a world where I have to work about 70 hours a week just to feed, cover and clothe the family, who has the time? Still on my ever lengthy to-do list, though.

For years and years, I just carried on with my designing and pattern writing without a whole lot of feedback. When you live in a bubble, it’s hard to get feedback. And, although I love my kids dearly, they weren’t much help. Ha!

With the growth of the internet and technology, I am faced with all kinds of things that hadn’t occurred to me when I first started designing. With the birth of Ravelry, I am now getting an overload of feedback. It is so very nice to see finished projects from people. I love it when someone posts about a project and how much they loved it and even want to make another! So exciting that people like my work. “They like me; they really like me!”

Of course, with the good, there must be the bad, right? I can’t even begin to tell you how much it stings when someone leaves a scathing remark about me or my pattern writing. Wow! But, it’s all a learning experience. I have to take the good with the bad.

Sometimes, it makes me so sad, though. I see someone who has worked on a project. And, the project is too small or too big. They don’t know that gauge isn’t a computerized, scientific number. It is simply the designer’s tension. I see so many comments that “But, it’s too small and I’ve done plenty of patterns. My tension is perfectly average. I have never had to change hook sizes. The pattern is incorrect.”

How I wish these people would have just written to me. I can help with the tension issues. I can explain that there is no way they will get the same tension with their yarn substitution. Or whatever. Instead, they are simply unhappy and dissatisfied.

I am available to help with all of my patterns from the ones I’ve self-published to the ones in books and magazines. Please feel free to contact me. Just think of me as another crocheter/knitter, trying to help out.

In the past, I’ve re-written things. I’ve given lectures on my blog about gauge. I’m teaching online technique classes. I’ve hired someone to draw symbol charts for me. I have made online videos. I will do what I can to help, I promise! But, I’m not superwoman. Sometimes, I don’t have the time to stop working on a book in order to make a video, for instance. (70 hours a week, ya know. LOL) But, I will certainly do what I can.

It would be so wonderful if I could do it all. Patterns with charts, schematics and videos! After all, we’re in the century where this is possible. But, there’s also my family’s strange habit of wanting something to eat about 3 or 4 times a day. Can you imagine? Ha!

But, even if I can’t do it all, I will be here to help you with trying to meet your project goals.

Spring Into Crochet Lace

All your holiday crocheting is finished. And, it won’t be long before Spring arrives. Now is the time to start planning some beautiful Spring lace.

Clarice is one of my most popular designs. It is worked in a mercerized 5/2 perle cotton which is available on cones for a very reasonable price. I was able to find an incredible variety of colors at Webs.

Clarice is a top-down design, all worked in one piece as more of a modular design. Lovely lacework and a cute little button closure at the top make this top an adorable addition to your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Marilyn is also a top-down style. It begins with a round yoke, shaping at the bust, then a gorgeous diamond lace repeat. Unfortunately, the gorgeous rayon I used is no longer available. But, the beautiful 5/2 mercerized cotton from Webs can be easily substituted.

If you have any special occasions planned for Spring, a shawl is a lovely and versatile accessory. And, Dreams does not disappoint!

And, if you want something truly unique, try the beautiful Mariposa with its gorgeous butterfly shaping.

Add some Spring crochet to your WIPs so that you’re ready when it finally arrives!

Tunisian Crochet Symbols

I have recently compiled a directory of Tunisian crochet symbols which I will be using in future patterns where a chart is helpful. At nearly 5 pages, the file is packed with information on Tunisian crochet stitches, their usage and their step-by-step instruction. For many of them, you will also find a direct link to a video I have provided so you can see that stitch visually.

My Master Tunisian Crochet Symbol Directory is available with the purchase of my new Lucia Mitts pattern.

Sweetheart Ripple Afghan

I’d like to take a moment to pay homage to the most popular design in my career, the Sweetheart Ripple Afghan.

This incredible afghan actually happened quite by accident. I had been working on swatches for several days. I was developing a concept for a book proposal. After developing a unique stitch that gave this reversible effect, I set upon making lots and lots of swatches.

I had made this swatch in red, exactly as pictured above. However, I didn’t realize that there were hearts. I had no idea. I liked it. It was very clever. But, I didn’t know there were hearts.

I set it down after working on it and took a break. When I returned, there it was! The Hearts! My own heart just about jumped out of my chest in excitement. And, incredibly, it was actually in red! It was just meant to be, I guess.

I immediately took a photo and sent it to the editor of Crochet World magazine. I think that was the fastest submission and acceptance I had ever experienced.

That year, the afghan made the cover of the magazine. It was a lovely sight to see on the shelves of magazine stands.

You can now purchase this afghan pattern, along with the others I designed to go with it in a lovely book (both hard copy and PDF download) from Annie’s Attic called Reversible Ripple Afghans.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this would make a stunning gift.

Tunisian Crochet Evolution

Can I just say how thrilled I am about this wonderful resurgence of Tunisian crochet? When I first started, I was limited in my designing to the use of only about 3 readily-available sizes of hooks, all those many 14 years’ ago. These days, I have access to hooks of all sizes and I’m thrilled!

I can use bulky yarns and fine yarns. Yarns of all sizes and textures. So much fun! For all the new designers, now publishing in Tunisian crochet, you just have no idea of the difficulties faced when there were no hooks.

Published: City Kid

Several years’ ago, I started designing a vest for my little son. He was much littlier at the time. Before I had the chance to get it finished, I was commissioned to do other work and never got a chance to finish it.

When I was cleaning out my computer files last year, I noticed that I still had this vest design, unfinished. I felt it would be the perfect item for Vickie Howell’s new Sheep(ish) line of yarn and Vickie agreed. She even liked the original colors!

And, this is how the City Kid knit toddler vest was born. You can get the free pattern here.

As much as this design may look difficult, it is so much easier than it looks. The color changing doesn’t happen through an Intarsia method. It is a slip stitch method. The stitch pattern itself is actually a simple garter stitch throughout with slipped stitches to create the illusion of extensive color work. Very cool stitch pattern. One of my favorites.

Enjoy!

There Be Flowers!

Why, yes. Yes, this is a blog about knit and crochet. But, today, my friends, I can’t resist sharing this photo with you.

It’s currently Winter and the outside is looking quite dreary. But, in one little spot in my kitchen, I have just the slightest hint of Spring!

I am doing a few experiments this winter to see when I should start my indoor seed sowing. Petunias are part of the indoor experiments. And, to get pretty pink flowers in the middle of winter is truly a beautiful thing.

It’s always fun to actually have something to post on Bloom Day. It’s easy in the Spring, Summer and Fall. But, I really didn’t expect to have anything for Winter.

Tunisian Crochet Gloves

For about a year, from time-to-time, I’ve seen this pattern being discussed in the Tunisian Crochet YahooGroup. Mens Afghan Stitch Gloves

Given that it’s a vintage pattern, the “old school” pattern language was a bit difficult to grasp in a few spots. So, I decided to see if people wanted to do a crochet-along. Doing something together like this would help us all work through the pattern, deciphering those bits that were confusing.

Yesterday, I finished my very first ever glove! I made this in a gorgeous yarn called Lucy Neatby Celestial Merino. Incredibly, with just one hank of this yarn, I’ll have these gorgeous gloves and the Lucia Mitts I made last week. And, I still have 2 hanks of this colorway remaining!

If you would like to join us in this crochet-along, please visit the CrochetKimCAL YahooGroup.

Learn Tunisian Crochet

A few years’ ago, I started making available some online videos at YouTube for more difficult stitches that you may find in my patterns. These videos have been quite a success and have been used by many to learn these more unique stitches.

One of the most unique stitches is the Tunisian Purled Knit Stitch. As much as it sounds like a typo, it’s not. Through my research into stitches, I realized that the Tunisian Purl Stitch, as used in modern publications, is actually a “wrapped” stitch. If you really think about it, it is a Wrapped Tunisian Simple Stitch. The yarn goes around the front vertical bar, wrapping it and creating what looks similar to a purl bump in hand-knitting.

Once I really gave this stitch some serious thought, I realized that you could actually Purl any stitch. Here is an example of a Purled (or Wrapped) Tunisian Knit Stitch.

If you would like to learn Tunisian crochet, I have now organized all of my free videos in the order I feel is best for learning. You can view them here. And, my main YouTube channel, with all of my videos is here.

Better start learning now because you are going to want to get busy on the gorgeous new projects in my new book coming out very soon from Leisure Arts!

Winter Is The Perfect Time For Felting!

Felting is a method of purposely shrinking wool. You make the piece larger than you want, throw it in some hot water and shrink it. Sound easy? It is! And, you can make some fantastic projects. Just remember to use wool that hasn’t been treated. You won’t be able to felt Superwash wool.

Have a look at this awesome bag. The pattern is available at Kimane Designs here. It is made in Tunisian crochet which is, by far, my favorite needlework method when I want to felt something. Tunisian Knit Stitch could almost be considered a double thickness. By the time you felt it, you don’t even have to line it (unless you want to).

New Books In 2012

I have to admit that I am quite excited about the new books I completed in 2011. They are going to be terrific and I can’t wait for you to enjoy them this year. But, it’s a new year and new accomplishments are awaiting.

I’ve just committed to doing another book. Yay! Ordering yarn for the book has got to be the funnest part of the job. Having those boxes show up on your doorstep and opening up all the goodies is fantastic!

As I await the new yarn, I have a couple of projects to get out of the way, not the least of which is getting this house clean! It clears the mind and clears the palette, allowing me to get down to the work of designing. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it!

It’s the weekend and the house is quiet with both of the kids currently asleep. Time to get myself a cup of coffee and get to work!

New Design: Kansas City Cowl

Now that I’m trying to catch up, I’m happy to say that I’m blogging this design on the very day of its release! Aren’t you proud?!

Kansas City Cowl

“Designer Kim Guzman has created a stunning pattern that does triple duty as a cowl, a wrap and an infinity scarf. The Kansas City Cowl, knit in NaturallyCaron.com Country, features a gorgeous cabled center panel plus an intriguing drop stitch detail. This stunning one-color project will kick off your 2012 wardrobe in style.”

I love, love, love this design! And, I hope you do as well.

New Design: Summer Mist Throw

Summer Mist Throw

You can perhaps say I’m biased, but this is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite afghan designs. Naturally, when I received the yarn, I was overjoyed because I’m pretty sure that I’ve established that I like purple, right?

But, there’s something so, oh I don’t know, artsy (?) about this afghan. I’m not sure what it is. It’s just so elegant looking and seems like it would fit with any decor from French provincial to a contemporary leather sofa. I love it and I hope you will too. Click on the link above to get the free pattern, courtesy of Caron International Yarns.

New Designs: Huggable Baby

Red Heart has released a book of 15 knit and crochet designs, all made in super soft Baby Clouds yarn. With a bulky yarn like Baby Clouds, you can complete projects quickly. I have three designs in the book (shown below). You can see all of the designs at the Red Heart site here.

New Design: Lucia Mitts

So quick to stitch, you’ll find yourself wanting to make several to match … everything. This popular accessory can be worn alone or try layering them over your gloves for added warmth. A functional, yet elegant accessory in a beautiful and unexpected Tunisian crochet lace stitch pattern. Click here for more photos and details.

Included with the purchase of this pattern is my Tunisian Crochet Symbol Directory for use in learning the symbols required for this and future patterns, together with direct links to my Tunisian crochet videos, where available. It’s a wonderful resource with so much information packed into its five pages. The symbols are also provided as a possible aid in completion of other charts where similar symbols are used. The symbols I am using are based on the Japanese stitch pattern dictionaries.