Going Back To Basics

I have decided to go back to the basics. That means that I am going to start this blog of with a series of how-to's and other things like that. This blog crosses my mind all the time. I know that my nonexistent posts would contradict that but it's true. So I will start off the new year with a new attitude and new plan for this blog. Videos will also be posted. So yay! I'm excited to have finally come to some kind of plan for this blog.

#WIP - Work In Progress Wednesday 4

WIP Wednesday Sept 8,2015

I am finally back with a project. This is actually a shawlette that I tried to knit up a few years ago. I was having a hard time with it because I was completely new to charts. I didn't understand how to read them. Thanks to a friendly Ravelry member who helped me out. She explained some of the things I was having issues with. 

Then I tried to knit it up and I just could not get it right. So I dropped it. I have picked it up a couple more time since but kept having problems. Now I'm trying once again. Only this time I get it! Um, I think. What' s the pattern that was giving me such a hard time? The Gingko Shouldette Shawl. Now that I can read the pattern though it seems to be an easy piece. We shall see if I can finish it this time.

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Know what you are good at

In the last post we talked about knowing you don't want to do. In this one we are going to talk about knowing what we are good at. I am good at learning many things creative things. A lot of times that means I get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing because I have so much I want to do. So one of the things that I am good at is making list. A thing I am not good at is sticking to them. So that is something I have to make sure to be diligent about as the success of this blog and my business depends on it. I working on  a series of lists even a list of lists I need to make. LOL.

Some of the lists include:
A list of lists I need to make (which this is)
A list of things that need to go in a business plan
A list of office supplies
A list of tools
A list of products needed
A list of how to price
A list of online shops I would like to sell from

I think you get the point. For me, the more lists I have to work with the better. I can always consolidate the lists. For now, these lists are being used not organize myself and to motivate me to get going. This is my step number one. So I am off to start on my list. Til next time...may the stitch be with you..

Knowing What You Don't Want To Do

STUCK IN A RUT


Some times you get stuck in a rut. You don't know what you want to do so you end up not doing anything. How to get things in motion? Since this is a needle work blog my list is specific to that topic. Knowing what type of rut you are in helps speed up the process of getting out of it. You can always alter the list.

My list of what I don't want to do for now:
I don't want to make bookmarks or any items small like that.
I under price myself.
I don't want to my miniatures.
I don't want to make toys for the exception of a particular bear.

As you can see my list is fairly short right now. I may add to it at some point. What is important to remember is that today doesn't have to be the same as yesterday. It is never to late to start over. You don't have to keep going in circles. You may just need to point yourself in a new direction. Easier said that done I know. Try the list maybe it'll help. Til next time...may the stitch be with you.

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Don't Call It A Comeback!

Like LL Cool J said "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years". Yeah for years but not so many posts. Okay so here's the thing. Crochet started off as a hobby for me many years ago. Then people started requesting that I make things for them. I thought 'hey, I can make some extra cash with this.' And that's what I did for awhile. Then I wanted to start to crochet as a full time business. I had a few online web stores. But I did not have the confidence. I have learned that preparation is great but if you don't believe in yourselves you will not succeed. That is what happened. I would just lose steam. What is different now is that I have been through a lot in my life. I am not at a point where I feel it's either now or never. So that is what I am going to do. I hope to document my journey via blog & maybe in vlog. So many of many posts for a bit will be business preparation posts. Till next time...may the stitch be with you.

Wow...long time

It has been so long since I've done a post. Shame, shame, shame on me since I really don't have a good reason why. Well, I haven't actually finished a project in a long time but still. But I'm back. lol I say that as if anyone is following this blog anymore. Even if it's just me here I will once again go on a crafting challenge.
There is a couple of sweaters and shawls I want to make. I am starting my crafting challenge by making a weekender bag for a summer vacatin trip with some of my family. The details of making the bag will be here. The details of the trip will be on my new blog. I know what you are saying, 'you have a new blog when you can't even post to this one'. Yes I do. Anyway my next post will be about the weekender.

Holden Shawlette

Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes


I had my eye on this shawlette for awhile. Being that I am fairly new at knitting I wasn't sure if I could knit lace yet. However, this pattern is quite easy to follow and the stitches are simple. Like I said, I am new to knitting so I find charts difficult to understand and avoid any project that has them right now. With that said, I did make a few mistakes. There is quite a bit of counting involved in the pattern. I lost count several times and had to find ways to either increase or decrease stitches. Some of the mistakes are noticeable but I made this for myself so I wasn't about to start over. I will make this again. I'm confident that I have the pattern down.

I am envious of those who are quick knitters. I have read several posts where people have finished this shawl in less than a week. It has taken me 3 weeks but I did it. It my first knitted lace project as well as my first completed project using sock yarn.
-actual finish date Monday 3/11/2013

The Rundown

• Great looking shawl
• Easy to follow pattern (has both written and charted instructions)
• Simple stitches
• Have to keep count of rows and stitches

Notes:

1. Use markers to point out the center stitch
2. Use markers to point out the lace parts (I didn't do this but I wish I had)
3. Use a row counter (especially for the stocknette part)