Yep, still here, right where you left us Sunday. And yesterday. And for that matter Saturday and Friday and I can't remember last Thursday, but we were probably here. It's the second home office. The one with cable. The third home office is actually upstairs in bed, where you can stretch your legs out and have a lot more yarn (and notebooks and calculators and rulers — oh, and animals) all over the place.
I love writing patterns, but it takes me a long time to write them. This is — hmm, let's see — the fourth version of this yoke/dress I've made in the last week. But I'm getting really happy with it so we're almost there. Stripes are so weird. I've learned not to try to plan them out too much. You just have to go for it. Too much planning makes them feel too balanced and fussy. And the truth is, as I learned the ripple, each stripe you add changes the whole composition anyway. Also the same color can look COMPLETELY different depending on which colors it is right next to. It's really true. So, it's all good. Just let go and stripe. It's easier and, I daresay, better. In this one there's mustard, tomato orange, gray, mineral green, pale lavender, robin's egg blue, and then the terra cotta. I'm thinking the under-dress will be pale mustard-colored gingham.
After a year of almost all knitting, I'm amazed at how fast crochet actually goes. I forgot that. Once you get going you can probably put a dress together in a few days. Writing a pattern is slow because you do suff and then you change it, so you rip it out. Or you keep going and it's not until the end that you discover you wish those belt eyelets were one inch higher for that size. DANG. Or whatever. You plan as well as you can but you need to put it together to see how it all works together. And then I usually let it hang for a few days. I try to let myself mellow about it. If something is still bothering me, then I know it's a real bother. Thus, four versions. Sometimes you get it right on the first try. Sometimes not so much. But I love the process. I absolutely love it. I don't even know why. I dream about it at night and can't wait to wake up and get back at it the next day and work it out. I feel very lucky for that.
Sometimes I wonder what other job would make me really happy like this one does. And the weird thing is that I think if I weren't doing this I would have liked to have been . . . a horse trainer, or just the person that takes care of the horses. A groom.
???
For some reason that just made me bust out laughing. That would've been another life, and I've never actually written it down before or even probably said it out loud, but it's true. I think I would've really liked that job.
All right, Alicia.... ~ a groom..... ~
hard to get my head around that, but the pattern maker, crafter, designer, artist.... the you I know and respect... a bit easier to see. But hey, you never know what may happen in this world. Stranger situations have been seen.
This striped dress is a real gem. I have crocheted mostly the last ten years because of the rapidity of which you spoke. It goes quickly and even frogging is redone so fast that I hardly mind. Patterns - you produce quality and we are blessed. I have one of your books and have done several of the projects in it with such fun and they have been so well received. Thank you for the blog and the books and the kits and the love for Andy and the critters which exudes from your blog on a daily basis.
Oh, it looks so nice! I like your blog very much! Thank you, for your great ideas!
Best wishes, Anna
The striped dress is darling, I already love it - and I still don't know how to crochet. I really, really need to learn this art!
A Groom- I can see it, but I'm glad you went this way - where would we be without you!
That dress is going to be adorable! I love the colors that you're using.
I learned to crochet years ago, but from a leftie and I'm a rightie and I never really got the hang of it. I'd love to try again, if only to use the colors that you're using for a nice ripple afghan...
Silly question, maybe- Just wondering if you had a special resource for learning how to write pattern instructions or if it came from years of writing experience.
Nearly every time I check your blog you encourage me in some way to be myself, and live in truth- whatever it may be. I think I'm a better me for owning your books and reading your blog because I have resonated with your spirit.
I think it just boils down to the way you live, you have stripped off the ugly in life and just said, "Nope, we're going to do things this way."
It is a beautiful way....
*sigh*
I want your job :)
Oh, how I love this blog! It encompasses all of my favorite things: an adorable puppers, beautiful, independent kitties, and enough creative inspiration to keep me happy for the rest of my life! Thank you for your daly hit of pure bliss.
Whatever job you are doing, I am just happy you share glimpses of what you are doing with us. Reading this blog is one of my regular pleasures.
I love recognizing when a task, a hobby or pastime, makes us so satisfied-content-blissed out... that we lose track of time, that we know we could happily do the job over and over again... what a blessing that is.
that would be one lucky horse...with one or two purdy blankets xo
I'm so inspired just by the part of that dress that I see from the pictures, I can't wait to se it finnished.
And so true about how stripes cahange with each new colour and are so hard to plan. That's what makes random stripes so fun - I am half way on a ripple blanket.
How did you learn to make patterns? I'm so curious about this. The dress will be beautiful!
The dress is making up beautifully.
Will we be able to buy the pattern? I learned to crochet about 18 months ago and it is the "quickness" that I love too.
Can't wait to see it!
I am glad you decided on this job. I love all your pretty items and designs. If you ever want to live the horse trainer life you are always welcome to come stay at my mom's bed and breakfast here in Connecticut. She has a wonderful horse named bay on the farm.
I started crocheting this weekend!! Thanks for the inspiration! KT
Why don't you combine both passions and give us a horse inspired outfit for a little girl. We'd like that!
PS I understand your obsession with little girls at the moment...but boys need clothes too. Got any ideas for them?
Dear Alicia, I hope you continue doing what you're doing because if you were a groom we'd be seeing photos of you mucking out a horse-stall of steaming piles of manure and that wouldn't be nearly as fun as seeing your adorable little crochet dress growing into reality. :-)
Your pal in the gorge... Teresa
Crochet is so much faster - however, I pick up every now and again and always head back to my needles. Someday I am going to make your cardigan in vintage crochet! I have to - it is one of my favorites. I'm so glad you ended up with the vocation you did - I'd miss this lovely place. :)
So, you want to feel better about the shout out to being a horse trainer? I would have liked to have been a farmer's wife. Not just any farmer, an Amish farmer's wife. You are the "Queen" of fiber crafts. Very good with math I must say!
Your horses would have had some AWESOME afghans! Can't wait to see how the little dress comes out--I heart crochet.
I was a horse groom and believe me, you are much better off doing what you are doing.
Pls pls pls do write up a pattern for your lovely crochet dresses.
I love the colors. Period. They're so whimsical and vintage-ey and somehow comforting. The second picture is my favorite; it certainly gives the feeling of a peaceful afternoon.
You know, I don't think the horse groom thing is that far out of left field actually. No matter if they're thoroughbreds or draft horses, they all have a certain homeliness (in the best possible way) - their smell and warmth, their comforting presence. They're such dear creatures you can forgive them the amount of manure they produce :) Good for your garden though!