Back Atcha' -- A Two Legged Trip into My Crazy World

As my own customer service representative part of my job is reading and answering emails sent from hither and yon.  (I'm proud to say that I've had blog hits from people in 60 different countries!)  I've been getting some interesting emails from blog readers and customers lately asking me questions that required more than just a minute to answer.  Today, I thought I'd take a few minutes to share two of those with you along with the answers I sent because they offer some insight into my creative process and some useful information about my finished projects.

Grandpa's Sweater Scrubby

I enlisted the help of Linda, one of my loyal customers, to test the "Grandpa's Sweater" scrubby pattern (thanks again, Linda!) which began a somewhat lengthy string of emails back and forth about the pattern itself and the creative process.  In one, she mentioned that she'd thought about working a craft fair or two with items she made and also asked if I often used other testers.

Here's part of my reply:

Every pattern I work goes through a different process.  Let me sort of walk you through the one you tested:

1.  draw it on paper in the proportion I envision
2.  find a tutorial on how to crochet cables because if I've ever done a project with cables in it, it was about 20 years ago
3.  crochet, frog, crochet, frog, crochet, frog, crochet... (yep, only four times with this one)
4.  finally get to a finished product that is close to my original design but more practical for the intended use (KISS) taking notes as I go
5.  actually write the pattern pretty much as it will appear when it gets to your hands
6.  frog the prototype and remake it following my instructions--this time with the #10 thread added
7.  type it up, add pictures, convert to .pdf
8.  beg my best customer to test it for me (LOL, but no joke!) and send her the .pdf

I did send it to another online friend [ed:  That would be Megan!] who's great at finding my typos and any confusing language, but she hasn't actually made the pattern.  I was an English major (not for long, but I was), so the writing part is usually a pretty smooth but time consuming process.  This was the first time I used an actual tester because I know this pattern looks intimidating to a newbie and I really wanted to make sure that just about anybody could pick it up and make it without having to tear it apart.  Nothing makes me more nuts than paying for a pattern written in the designer's shorthand.  Heck, I could write it in shorthand and not pay someone to do it for me.  This may be work for me, but it's a hobby too.  Like you, when I pick up a pattern written by someone else, I want to have the thinking done for me. . .

. . .The reason I give my blessing to sell the finished product is pretty simple.  I want to do it too!  Last year I did a couple of small Holiday craft fairs (selling my handmade jewelry) and they were so much fun.  I found myself crocheting small pieces all winter and selling them at a small local flea market.  My nephews are all about stuffed animals, but paying up to $15 for a pattern you can only use once is not a smart idea in my book, so I choose which patterns I purchase carefully.  They love that they can show them off and say, "My Auntie MADE this for me."  One of the factors I think about when I purchase a pattern is "can I sell the finished product?"  Not just whether it would sell, but will I be allowed.  Let's face it, I could crank out my scrubbies and sell them on Etsy and have another two or three people on Etsy doing the same thing.  So what?  There are so many sellers on Etsy that few people are going to notice that two are selling identical items and how many of those scrubbies can one person make anyhow?  I figure if you took your time and did all the work, you deserve a couple of bucks for it.  Besides, I would love to have people tell me they're going out and selling my stuff and meeting new people and having a great time doing it. . .

* * *

This one's from Leah and it's typical of a conversation I may have had when I worked as a "department store retailer.":

Big Girl Towel and Pot Holder in progress

Hello!  I stumbled upon your patterns while looking for a good kitchen set (I'm making a wedding gift a bit last minute) and fell in LOVE with your Big Girl set.  The elegance of it instantly caught my eye.  And then I dug a little deeper, scrolled down the blog, found your other sets, and now I'm having trouble deciding which set of beautiful craftsmanship I want to imitate.  So my question is, do you have any comments on the effectiveness of the individual sets?  Which potholders are thicker, which scrubbies are more effective, which towels are more absorbent?  And also, have you ever adapted one of your patterns for a round potholder?  If you have, I would love to buy that as well.  Totally understand if you can't accommodate my greediness (not to mention indecisiveness...) but I wanted to get your thoughts before I dove in any further.  

And here's my (edited) answer:


First things first:  The absorbency of the individual item will be dependent upon the yarn you use.  I've found that I really like (okay, absolutely, totally LOVE) the softness and loft of Peaches 'n Creme by the Pisgah yarn and dye company.  Lily Sugar 'n Cream isn't quite as fluffy soft, but that means it's going to scrub a bit better.  Regardless of which yarn you choose, using a #10 crochet cotton held together with your worsted weight yarn to make a scrubby will give it a bit of extra texture to help get your dishes clean.

Other tips I've received for making scrubbies include using a worsted weight acrylic instead of cotton or using nylon netting that you can purchase at the craft store in rolls.  I prefer the cotton because my goal is to avoid synthetics whenever possible.

On to the specifics:  All of the towels will have pretty much the same absorbency.

BGJ Towel Collection

The thickness of the potholders is defined by the density of the stitch used.  The Chubby Nubby and Tiny Bubbles styles have the closest, tightest texture which makes them my thickest designs followed by the Broken Links.  Grandpa's Sweater and Big Girl won't be quite as thick.  All of the pot holders are two layers thick in the interest of safety, but I cannot guarantee that they will protect your hands for long periods at very high temperatures.  As with any kitchen item, use care and common sense when you're handling hot tools and pans.

The same goes for the scrubbies; the Tiny Bubbles and Broken Links will probably give you a bit more "tooth" because of their texture, but the addition of the crochet cotton helps to level the field a bit.  When I sit down to design a new set, I begin with the scrubby because I want to make sure that the texture of the design will clean your dishes not just look pretty hanging over your sink.

As for a round pot holder...  I really hadn't thought about it.  I'll add it to my ever expanding list of things to do.

* * *

Here's one last tip that helps me when I'm working a pattern:  If you find that the decorative portion of your project is wider than the rest of it (which can happen with a towel and is actually specified in at least one of my patterns), go down one hook size for that part, then return to the recommended size when you return to the more basic area.

As always, I very much enjoy receiving emails and comments from any of my customers and readers.  I do my best to answer them in a timely manner and they never fall on deaf ears.  I worked for a series of major department stores for more than twenty years and the most important thing I learned from that experience is how NOT to do business.  Rather than follow the old rule "The customer is always right," I prefer to live by my own rule:  "It doesn't matter who's right!  Make  the customer happy."  If I can develop a design, be it crochet or jewelry, in which the customer has been a participant, and the customer/client/patron/friend is happy, I'm happy.  Thank you all for visiting, reading, sharing advice and feedback, and most of all inspiration.

Azriel

May 1997-October 2010

She clings
As though there is nothing more
No hereafter
No white light
I know
In my heart of hearts
Her soul lives
Beyond this life
Travel on old friend
I grieve
And in my grief find strength
To persevere
To live well

Free Crochet Pattern: Too Hot to Handle

Here it is, folks!  This is the third, but probably not the final, installment in the Big Girl Kitchen line.  Megan of Crochet Every Day fame suggested a scarf and, of course I thought, "table scarf or neck scarf?"  Who knows what I'll come up with next?  There are so many ideas rolling around in my brain these days that my bucket list  is going to keep me busy typing and crocheting for the next 100 years!  (Let's hope these aching fingers can keep up.)  Truth be told, I've grown very fond of this pattern and I'm not ready to walk away from it yet.  I am considering some ideas for basic table linens (placemats, coasters, and a runner) that use the now familiar repeat from all the Big Girl patterns.  If you have a request of any kind, please post a comment here and I'll add it to the file (no, not the round file!).  Anyhow, thank you one and all for stopping by and for making my blog such a great place for me to hang out.  I hope you like it (the blog and the pattern) as much as I do.  Happy hooking!

About my work:

Any pattern I design and post is my property.  Please do not duplicate my patterns for any reason especially to sell.  Instead, please link to my blog (http://laurielaliberte.blogspot.com/ ) or to the pattern page when referencing one of my patterns.

You are more than welcome to offer finished products made from my patterns for sale.  I see no reason why you should not profit from your hard work.  However, I'd really appreciate it if you gave me credit for the design; please reference my blog or the pattern page.

If you do make any of my patterns I'd love to see your finished items; please feel free to email pictures to me.

If you are not interested in making your own pieces, I occasionally offer finished items in my shops on Etsy and Bonanzle.  I also welcome special orders, so email me and let's work together.

BigGirlJewelry@yahoo.com

Big Girl Pot Holder/Hot Pad 

All instructions use American terminology and standard abbreviations.

Supplies needed:

about 2 oz. or one ball of worsted weight cotton yarn

size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

smaller hook or yarn needle for weaving in ends

stitch marker or length of scrap yarn (optional)

Flat side

ch28

Row 1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch1, sk next ch, sc in next ch] across, turn (27 sts)

Row 2:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [sc in ch1 sp, ch1, sk next sc] across, sc in last 2 sc, turn (27 sts)

Row 3:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in ch1 sp] across, ending with your last sc in last sc of previous row, turn (27 sts)

Rows 4-27:  rep Rows 2-3 ending with a Row 3, fo and set aside

Decorated Side

ch28

Row 1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch1, sk next ch, sc in next ch] across, turn (27 sts)

Row 2:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [sc in ch1 sp, ch1, sk next sc] across, sc in last 2 sc, turn (27 sts)

Row 3:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in ch1 sp] across, ending with your last sc in last sc of previous row, turn (27 sts)

Rows 4-7:  [repeat Rows 2-3] twice

Row 8:  ch1, sc in each sc and ch1 sp across, turn (27 sts)

Row 9:  ch1, working in back loops only sc in each st across, turn (27 sts)

Row 10:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in each st across, turn (27 sts)

Row 11:  repeat Row 9

Row 12:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in 1st st, [dc in next st, sc in next st] repeat to end, turn (27 sts)

Row 13:  ch1, working in back loops only dc in 1st st, [sc in next st, dc in next st] repeat to end, turn (27 sts)

Rows 14-16:  repeat Rows 12-13 ending with a Row 12

Row 17:  ch1, working in back loops only sc in each st across, turn (27 sts)

Row 18:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in each st across, turn (27 sts)

Rows 19-20:  repeat Rows 17-18

Row 21:  ch1, sc in 1st st, [ch1, sk next st, sc in next st] repeat to end, turn (27 sts)

Rows 22-27:  [repeat Rows 2-3] 3 times

do not turn or finish off

Finishing Round

Turn, ch1, holding wrong sides of 2 finished pieces together, sc in each st around working 3sc at each corner, join w/sl st in 1st sc, fo, weave in ends

Guide for optional hanging loop

Choose where you would like to place the hanging loop.  You can place it anywhere you want.  Most common placement would be in a corner or at the center of one side.

As you work the Finishing Round, stop between 2 stitches, ch10, join w/sl st to last sc worked, sl st in each ch of the ch10, join again w/sl st, continue working sc where you left off.

I would love to see your finished project!  Please send me photos so I may post them on my blog.

Okay, this one is totally unplanned and off the cuff:  I was just catching up on the latest posts from the blogs/bloggers I follow and this is one that I really felt the need to share, so this post is more just a link than a post.

Take a look at Angel's "Gambit's View" from yesterday.  It's well worth a two minute break with your coffee.  Aristotle Had it Right

Hard at Work for You!

I was just thinking that it looks as though I'm neglecting my blog.  Perhaps I am just a bit, but it's for a few good reasons:

Grandpa's Sweater Set

First, I've been hard at work developing new patterns to bring to my faithful followers.  I've already posted my newest kitchen set, "Grandpa's Sweater," on Ravelry, Etsy, and Addoway.  As has become my standard, the set consists of a scrubby, pot holder, and towel with variations in the patterns to accommodate certain preferences.  Each element is also available separately.  By the way, if you utilize any of the links and you're told the item has sold, simply check the shop.  If I've sold it, I've relisted it and the URL has changed.  Of course, you may email me for assistance at any time.

Broken Links Set

Another set that will be posted any minute now is the "Broken Links" collection.  This one was sort of a transition from my usual bumpy scrubbies to the aran influence of Grandpa's Sweater.  I love that the bumpy side of the pot holder is thick enough that it makes a great pocket style hot pad.  You see, I'm not one to use an oven mitt; I prefer a double thick pot holder that I can slide over my hand.  That's why I offer that option in the instructions for most of my hot pads.  One note of caution:  Not every design or yarn will protect your hands sufficiently in a single layer, so please use common sense when creating any of these items in your home.  (As the proud auntie I feel the need to mention that the apples in that picture were picked by my nephews and niece.)

Of course, as I promised last month, a third installment of the "Big Girl Kitchen Collection" will be posted at no cost here on the blog, so keep one eye open for that.

Big Girl Pot Holder/Hot Pad

Last, an item I'm perfecting as we speak is a set of three scrubbies done in the simplest of stitches with the beginner or the I-just-want-a-brain-dead-easy-pattern-for-in-front-of-the-TV crocheter. This idea came to me as I read an email from Linda, a terrific lady who tested the Grandpa's Sweater scrubby.  That's all the detail I'm willing to reveal for now because the only thing I like better than receiving a happy surprise, is bestowing one.  Call me a tease if you must but, "You get what you get and you don't get upset."  (That's what my five year old nephew tells me, anyhow.)

Before I go, I'd like to open a discussion:  As we round out the Big Girl Kitchen Collection this month, what would you like to see next?  Shall I continue with this particular theme and do something along the lines of placemats? coasters? a table runner?  Or would you prefer something completely different?  This is all for you; so voice your opinion.  I've got plenty of ideas rolling around in my brain; tell me which one to pull out next!

Versatile Blogger? ME? Aw, shucks!

Okay. . .so. . .um. . .where to begin?  I know, I'm rarely at a loss for words.  If you've ever read one of my emails, you already know it too.  And my posts here are no different...  In fact, I once had an English professor look at me after issuing an assignment to the class for seven pages and say, "ONLY seven pages, Laurie."  I still gave him ten.  (But I also still got an A.)  So what's the deal here?  Well, I'm not one for viral videos, chain letters, and the like. . .and some people love blog awards, and some group them with the aforementioned banes of my existence.  Anyhow, I have mixed feelings about this whole deal.

Don't get me wrong; I AM honored and grateful.  Perhaps I should start at the beginning before my former Prof stumbles across my blog and says, "Hey, I remember that one!"

Angel, a very well named fellow blogger and wonderful all-around human being (NO, I'm not just saying that; read her blog! Besides, I'm a Sagittarius.  I don't have it in me to offer false compliments!) was given this award and thereby obligated to pass it on.  I was one of the recipients.  And just in case she hasn't already heard it:  Thank you, Angel.  You are truly a dear and I'm honestly thrilled that you think highly enough of my humble writing to bestow such an honor upon it.

So here's my dilemma. . .As the recipient of this award, I'm expected to do three things:

1. Thank the award giver
2. Tell you 7 interesting things about myself
3. Give the award to 15 fellow bloggers

I have no problem with #s 1 and 2, but 3 is an issue for me.  Thanking the award giver is a no-brainer; even if it wasn't in the rules, I'd do that.  Hang on a sec.  *runs off to Angel's blog to make sure I posted a comment of thanks before I post any links so I don't look like a complete jerk*

Okay, so #2, here goes:

1.  I learned to read at the age of three and promptly developed a voracious appetite for books, but I mostly binge read these days.  (I'll devour books for weeks on end then not read for a year.)

2.  I almost failed eighth grade English because my teacher sucked.  Now before you freak out at my criticism of the most important profession in our civilization, let me clarify; read on.  The teacher in question spent an entire semester assigning reading, then quizzing our class on the reading assignment.  That's all we did!  For an ENTIRE semester!  IMHO, that is the laziest way to "teach."  (added 9/14 Just to clarify, the teacher in question called ME lazy.  I wasn't lazy, Mrs. Remillard; I was BORED, NOT CHALLENGED, INTELLECTUALLY UNDERNOURISHED by your lack of skill as a teacher!)  Because of my behavior in that class, I was kept from entering the honors level English class the following year.  That leads me to. . .

3.  I'm neither a leader nor a follower.  I've learned when I should do as I'm told and keep my mouth shut, but I'm still rebellious enough to question authority when I feel it's warranted.  I suppose that means I've matured a bit since the eighth grade.  I still march to my own beat, but I choose my battles more carefully these days.  I love to teach people things then let them loose to do as they will with that knowledge.  Perhaps that's why I've developed such a passion for pattern writing; I can say, "Here's how to make it, now move on!"


4.  I adore children, but have no desire to have any of my own.  My two nephews and one niece fully satisfy any maternal instincts that may bubble to the surface.  I totally get why parents find child rearing so rewarding, but I'm far too selfish to give up my freedom to it.  A male friend once told me I'd have a difficult time finding a husband because I didn't want kids.  In the words of Joy Behar, "I want a man in my life, not in my house."


5.  I'm honest, sometimes to my own detriment.  (Didja' read #4?  That should be proof enough.)


6.  I started writing a novel while I was in college and never finished either one.  You see, I write because I love to write and because it's cathartic, but I have the attention span of a fruit fly.  I took a couple of courses but just couldn't deal with the grind of classes every day when I wanted the freedom to write what I wanted to write instead of the assignments for my classes.  (I left with a GPA of 4.0 and never returned.)


7.  This is a toughie because it's the last one.  So what should I tell you that will leave you satisfied yet wanting more?  I thought about posting one fact that is inappropriately self-serving, but that's a fact I only share with people who decide they want to take a stab at making me feel intellectually inferior.  (I used it a LOT when I was a blonde.)  How's this?  I'm a Buddhist who was raised Roman Catholic.  My "crisis of Faith" began at the age of eight, in Catholic school, when our teacher, Sister Mary Leonette, couldn't answer the "tough questions" to my satisfaction and punished me for asking too many of them.


To be perfectly honest, if you want to know anything else, just ask; I'll probably tell you.  I'm just not always so terrific at volunteering information.


Okay, so I suppose it's time to address requirement #3 and pass this award on to 15 (really? 15? Isn't that bit excessive?) new recipients.  I seriously have to follow my heart here and say no.  What I WILL do is refer you all to the section at the bottom of this page appropriately titled, "I Actually READ Every Blog I Follow!"  Every one of them is worth a read.  I'm sorry, Angel, I just can't do it.  I thought about cutting the number down, but I'd be forcing myself to do something that's truly against my nature.  (Yeah, I was always the one who risked bad luck by not passing on chain letters and I asked my BFF to stop forwarding email jokes to me because all I did was delete them without reading them.)  So many people are sincere in passing these awards to their fellow bloggers, that I feel I should be just as spirited or not do it at all.  Love me or hate me for this decision; it's an honest one and I just made it as I reached the second sentence of this paragraph.

You've Waited So Patiently: Free Crochet Pattern

When I posted the free pattern for the Big Girl Dish Scrubby last month I really didn't expect it to be such a hit.  To date, it has received 106 hearts and it's in 26 queues!  More than that, it's brought some very positive attention to my other patterns and I can now support my yarn habit without tapping into an already too tight budget.  So, rather than simply say thank you to the many folks who had their crochet hooks in helping me do this, I offer a gesture of thanks:

A short while ago I promised matching pieces and I've finally set down to keep that promise.  So, with no further ado, I offer the Free Big Girl Kitchen Towel.....and a tease.  The tease is a work in progress and will be my next free pattern offered here.  You'll see it in a couple of the pics in this post.

All instructions use American terminology and standard abbreviations.

Supplies Needed:

about 5-6 oz. of worsted weight cotton yarn (that's about 3 balls of Peaches n Creme or Lily Sugar n Cream)

size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

one button about 1 1/4" in diameter

yarn needle and/or traditional sewing needle for attaching button and weaving in ends

stitch markers or scraps of yarn for row counting (optional)

Special Stitches Used:

single crochet decrease (sc dec) -- insert hook into both loops of first stitch being worked, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into both loops of next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through all 3 loops on hook

double triple crochet (dtrc) -- yo 3 times, insert hook into next st, pull up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] 4 times

ch 48

Row 1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn (47 sc)

Row 2:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next sc] rep to end, turn (47 sts)

Row 3:  ch1, sc in 1st sc and 1st ch1 sp, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next ch1 sp] rep to end, sc in last st, turn (47 sts)

Row 4:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next ch1 sp] rep across ending w/ sc in last sc, turn (47 sts)

Row 5:  rep Row 3

Row 6:  ch1, sc in 1st sc and in each sc and ch1 sp across, turn (47 sc)

Row 7:  ch1, working in back loops only sc in each st across, turn (47 sc)

Row 8:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in each st across, turn (47 sc)

Row 9:  rep Row 7

Row 10:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in 1st sc, [dc in next st, sc in next st] rep to end, turn (47 sts)

Row 11:  ch1, working in back loops only sc in 1st sc, [sc in next dc, dc in next sc] rep across ending w/sc in last sc, turn (47 sts)

Row 12:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in 1st sc, [dc in next sc, sc in next dc] rep across ending w/sc in last sc, turn (47 sts)

Rows 13-14:  rep Rows 11-12

Row 15:  ch1, working in back loops only sc in each st across, turn (47 sc)

Row 16:  ch1, working in front loops only sc in each st across, turn (47 sc)

Rows 17-18:  rep Rows 15-16

Row 19:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next sc] rep to end, turn (47 sts)

Row 20:  ch1, sc in 1st sc and 1st ch1 sp, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next ch1 sp] rep to end, sc in last st, turn (47 sts)

Row 21:  ch1, sc in 1st sc, [ch1, sk next sc, sc in next ch1 sp] rep across ending w/ sc in last sc, turn (47 sts)

Rows 22-59:  rep Rows 20-21

Row 60:  ch1, sc in each sc and ch1 sp across, turn (47 sc)

Row 61:  ch1, sc dec 12 times, sc in next st, sc dec 11 times, turn (24 sts)

Row 62:  ch1, sc dec 12 times, turn (12 sts)

Row 63:  ch1, sc dec 6 times, turn (6 sts)

Row 64:  ch1, sc in each st across, turn (6 sts)

Rows 65-81:  repeat Row 64

Note:  Before proceeding, you may wish to fit your hanging loop to the place where you'd like it to hang.  If worked as instructed it will fit the average drawer pull or oven door handle.  If you need to add length simply continue repeating Row 64 as necessary.

Row 82:  ch3 (counts as dc), trc in next st, dtrc in next 2 sts, trc in next st, dc in next st, turn (6 sts)

Note:  The space between the two dtrc is your buttonhole.

Row 83:  ch1, sc in each of 1st 2 sts, 2sc in each of next 2 sts, sc in each of next 2 sts

Finishing Round:  beginning with last stitch in which you worked, sc around working 3 sc in corners and stopping at Row 82, join w/sl st in 1st sc of Row 83, fo, weave in ends

Attaching button:  Fold end of narrow strip and attach button at desired position making sure that the hanging loop made by this fold allows enough room for you to hang your towel where you wish to hang it.  Take care to attach the button loosely enough that there is sufficient space behind it for the thickness of your fabric.

 

Note:  This pattern has not been tested.  I made it; I wrote it; I'm posting it; done.  If you find any mistakes or have suggestions for clarification, please email me or leave a comment here (preferred).

About my work:


Any pattern I design and post here is my property. Please do not duplicate my patterns for any reason especially to sell. Instead, please link to my blog or to the pattern page when referencing one of my patterns.

You are more than welcome to offer finished items made from my patterns for sale. I see no reason why you should not profit from your hard work. However, I'd really appreciate it if you gave me credit for the design; please reference my blog or the pattern page.

If you do make any of my patterns, I'd love to see your finished items; please feel free to email pictures to me.

If you are not interested in making your own pieces, I occasionally offer finished items in my shops on Etsy and Bonanzle. I also welcome special orders, so email me and let's work together.

BigGirlJewelry@yahoo.com