KnitDesigns by Tian

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Am I really giving up knitting and crocheting?

The truth is, I haven't wanted to knit or crochet anything for a while now. Nothing has felt right. I wasn't inspired by all the new projects on Ravelry. What is wrong with me? Have you ever felt this way? Like you've lost your knitting mojo?

I was in a slump. A knitting and crocheting dry spell so bad I didn't even buy yarn. Crazy, right?! Ok, let's be honest. I don't need more yarn. I have enough yarn to run a sizeable yarn shop. Anyway, not having that drive to stitch was disconcerting.

Sure, I've stopping knitting and crocheting for spells of time in the past and always came back. But this? It felt different. This, I was afraid, felt like it would be permanent. To be honest, it was a bit scary because I started to think about what to do with my stash and books and fibers and notions and bags, and....

Covell Tee

image by Knit Picks

Like most major life changing decisions, I sat on the decision for a while.

I refused to make any decisions.

I wasn't 100% sure of anything.

I did a lot of reading and I ignored my stash, willing myself to not feel guilty. I had projects I had to finish like this afghan and designs for upcoming publications (some of which I had local knitters and crocheters help me make the sample). I did them without my usual enthusiasm. I stepped away from it all, letting things happen as they will.

After MONTHS of having no stitching desire, I think it's back. I want to knit again (insert dramatic voice). The siren call of my stash is beckoning me to touch and play and make again. It's not at the levels it once was, but everyday the desire grows.

I want to sketch new ideas. I want to try new stitches. I want to make things again.

Have you lost your stitching mojo in the past? What did you do to overcome it and get back to knitting and crocheting?

Leave a comment below and let me know

P.S. I've added two bundles to my Ravelry store: Knit Shawl Collection and Crochet Shawl Collection.

Each collection includes 6 of my top selling and favorite shawl patterns, easily bundled for you at a 50% OFF discount. No coupon code needed.

Knit shawl bundle, Tian Connaughton. KnitDesigns by Tian

Click here for the Knit Shawl Collection and here for the Crochet Shawl Collection. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment or email me. Cheers!

Until next time... Stitch On!
Tian

A rising tide lifts all boats

Hey bottom scroller! Don't miss...

* My struggle with loosing my knitting and crocheting mojo PLUS my newest design, Covell Tee, featured in Knit Picks' Flourish Collection.

** A knit shawl bundle that includes 6 of my most popular shawls for a 50% OFF discount.

*** The charity {The Weekly Yarn} is supporting for the month of March is Afri(K)que, a non-profit empowering women and girls. A portion from total profits from my Ravelry pattern sales will be donated at the end of the month.

**** Are you an aspiring knit and crochet designer needing more help figuring our where to start? Unlock your Inner Designer: How to start designing (course + workbook) is available for immediate download on Etsy. Get your printable PDF copy here.

Are you an aspiring knit and crochet designer needing more help figuring our where to start?

Click here to get your printable PDF copy of Unlock Your Inner Designer: How to start designing (course + workbook)

Need more 1:1 help than the course + workbook, email me to talk. I'll help you get it!

I am dedicated to giving you the tools and confidence to knit and crochet what you want on your terms.

Join

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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Why buying the whole collection is better than buying a single pattern (sometimes)

*This post contain affiliated links.

Are you a single pattern or whole collection kinda gal?

For me, when there is an option I'll choose the whole collection all the way.

Fun fact about me:

Lacy Lime Socks

image by I Like Knitting magazine

I rarely buy individual patterns (which is totally weird thinking about it now since I sell single patterns in my Ravelry store), especially if the pattern I am after is part of a collection or magazine. Usually, there is more value in purchasing the whole collection rather than just the one pattern, such as the price and additional content.

If I find a pattern on Ravelry I like and want to make, I immediately check to see if it's part of a collection (on the pattern page, this information will show up under the Published in section) because if I like this pattern, there's a good chance I'll like the others, right? Okay, well, that's my excuse. Don't judge me.

What are the advantages to buying a whole collection over a single pattern?

Lets break this down.

For one, price. Let's be honest, price is a huge factor. You will get a per pattern price break, meaning that each individual pattern in the collection will be significantly cheaper than buying all the patterns separately. Heck, it' will be cheaper than buying half of the patterns individually. Does that makes sense?

Doing the math.

Orchid Tee, Tian Connaughton, KnitDesigns by Tian

Café Sunshine Cardigan

image by I Like Crochet magazine

A single shawl pattern will run you about $6 on Ravelry.

A magazine (let's use I Like Crochet and I Like Knitting magazines as examples) has 30 high quality patterns, plus articles, tip, and tutorials priced at only $19.97/year for 6 issues. This works out to about $3.33 per issue. You get over 180 total patterns over a year. Each pattern will cost you just $0.11 each.

Granted, you won't love every pattern in every issue. Lawd, ain't that the truth. But the truth is, there are 180 patterns. With that type of volume, chances are you will find TONS you like. If you like just one pattern in each of the 6 issues in a year, you've already made back your investment, and some.

How to quickly gauge if you should get collection?

Orchid Tee

image by I Like Knitting magazine

With a lot of magazines and collections, you can't buy the individual patterns for, sometimes, a year or years after the initial publication. So, if you really want the pattern and nothing else you have to wait for the publisher or designer to make the pattern available for individual sale.

If the collection or magazine has 2-3 patterns that you really like, done deal. With 2-3 patterns, I'm already getting a better price deal than buying each individually.

Also, I look to see if the collection has aspirational designs. You know, those patterns you love that you want to grow into. Those patterns you don't think you are quite ready to work up right now because you will need to develop some skills. For example, when I started knitting, I bought tons of Interweave Knits and Knitscene magazines, not only for the projects I wanted to make immediately, but for those interesting designs that were beyond my skill level that I aspired to make. And now, years later when I see a design on Ravelry that I want to make it is so cool to discover it is in one of my old magazines marked as a pattern to come back to later when I was good enough.

P.S. I've added two bundles to my Ravelry store: Knit Shawl Collection and Crochet Shawl Collection.

Each collection includes 6 of my top selling and favorite shawl patterns, easily bundled for you at a 50% OFF discount. No coupon code needed.

Click here for the Knit Shawl Collection and here for the Crochet Shawl Collection. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment or email me. Cheers!

Until next time... Stitch On!
Tian

A rising tide lifts all boats

Hey bottom scroller! Don't miss...

* What are the advantages to buying a whole collection over a single pattern?
** Why you should subscribe to I Like Crochet and I Like Knitting magazines.

*** The charity {The Weekly Yarn} is supporting for the month of March is Afri(K)que, a non-profit empowering women and girls. A portion from total profits from my Ravelry pattern sales will be donated at the end of the month.

Need more 1:1 help than the course + workbook, email me to talk. I'll help you get it!

I am dedicated to giving you the tools and confidence to knit and crochet what you want on your terms.

Join

* indicates required

Thursday, March 2, 2017

National Crochet Month 2017

Thanks for making the KnitDesigns by Tian stop on the NatCroMo 2017 blog tour.

If you are a regular reader of the KnitDesigns by Tian blog, welcome back. I am so glad to see you again.

If you are new to KnitDesigns by Tian and found me through the blog tour, hey, glad you're here. Keep reading for a free pattern.

For those who don't know me, here is a quick intro about me: my name is Tian. I am a crochet and knitwear designers, a crochet and knit technical editor, working mostly with magazines and yarn companies, and business coach and consultant, helping crafters to turn their hobby into a profitable and sustainable full-time business. Feel free to email me if you want to chat about your hobby and goals.

Why we crochet?
For many, crochet is a simple craft to pass the time while binge watching the latest series on Netflix. For some others, it's a job, creating samples and/or designs for publication. For me (especially lately), crochet is a way to show creativity, individuality, and love. It is a way to express how much I care.

Recently, family friends experienced a tragic home fire where they lost everything they possess and one of their beloved pet. While we are all thrilled that the family made it out of the situation safely, we are deeply saddened at their loss and the emotional scars the children will endure.

Of course insurance will replaced all their material possessions but as a friend, how do you show them that we care and are thinking about them? Immediately I knew I had to crochet the family an afghan, one that is big enough for the parents and both kids to snuggle under on the couch (when they have one again) to read books and watch tv.

I just finished the afghan and it will be off to it's new family before the week is out. The afghan I made roughly followed the Granny Stripe Afghan by Attic24 using 9 cakes of Bernat Pop! available at most Wal-Mart store (yes, I bought yarn from a big box store, and it won't be the last time. Don't judge me. The colors are great and the yarn is perfect for a family with young kids and pets). This is such a quick project, it shows off the color change of the yarn (and looks great, even when I place wacky colors next to each other), and definitely big enough for all 4 of them.

Why do I crochet?

That's why I crochet. To give comfort and show love. Crochet is a way for me to give a hug, even when we're apart.

With every stitch is a memory. And with every row is wish.

So, why do you crochet? Leave a comment below to share.

Free Pattern for National Crochet Month 2017

To celebrate National Crochet Month, I am giving away a free copy of my Harwinton Easy Lace Boomerang. Afghans are not the only way to give a hug. Often I do stoles and shawls. You can too with this pattern.

To get your coupon code for a free copy of the Harwinton Easy Lace Boomerang shawl, click here to subscribe to {The Weekly Yarn.

The coupon code will be emailed to you immediately. Don't wait to use. The coupon code expires at 1AM EST, March 4, 2017.

***PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THE COUPON CODE IN PUBLIC SPACES. THE PROMOTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS TO THE NEWSLETTER. THANK YOU***

Until next time... Stitch On!Tian
A rising tide lifts all boats

Hey bottom scroller! Don't miss...

* Why we crochet?

** To get the coupon code for a free copy of my Harwinton Easy Lace Boomerang shawl, click here.

*** The charity {The Weekly Yarn} is supporting for the month of March is Afri(K)que, a non-profit empowering women and girls. A portion from total profits from my Ravelry pattern sales will be donated at the end of the month.

Need more 1:1 help than the course + workbook, email me to talk. I'll help you get it!

I am dedicated to giving you the tools and confidence to knit and crochet what you want on your terms.

Join

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Am I really giving up knitting and crocheting?

Am I really giving up knitting and crocheting?

{The Weekly Yarn} from KnitDesigns by Tian

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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Why buying the whole collection is better than buying a single pattern (sometimes)

{The Weekly Yarn} from KnitDesigns by Tian

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Thursday, March 2, 2017

National Crochet Month 2017

Why do I crochet?

Free Pattern for National Crochet Month 2017

{The Weekly Yarn} from KnitDesigns by Tian

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