As I looked through the GAL Designers this year, the crochet ones jumped out at me, especially Susan Carlson, FeltedButton.
What is your design process?
My inspiration for designs comes from a number of places—sometimes the actual yarn, sometimes a color palette, sometimes from art, graphics, quilts, nature, photographs, or other people.
What influences your style?
My style is influenced primarily by color. It is my “signature” so to speak. But I’m always trying to mix things up with texture, interesting stitch placements, new techniques and unusual designs. My really “noisy” brain likes to jump around and try new things!
What about designing and producing patterns are you most adept at, what parts are you most fond of, and what parts are challenging?(Pattern Grading, the last week of editing, coming up with a name for a project, self promotion?)
The process of taking a design from an idea in my head to someone else’s hook, hands and head is magical—that’s my very favorite part. But, I’m very fond of the early design phases, where I’m playing with color and watching what I have in my head come to life. The actual pattern writing is a challenge only because I have to set down my hook and sit at a computer. I’d rather be crocheting. And the self-promotion is a vulnerable process—putting a little piece of myself out in the world. Realistically, I really enjoy the whole process because it’s all part of making this crazy crocheting dream come true!
Were you surprised at how big the giftalong became?
This whole Giftalong gig is huge! What an amazing community of crafters and fiber lovers there are. I’m baffled at the breadth and variety of designs! Such talent!
Does anything intimidate you in knitting or crochet?
I’m pretty much game to try any new technique. In the early stages of crocheting, I attempted many techniques and patterns just to build a skill base on which I could use to design. And it has really helped as I’ve moved on to my own pattern writing.
When you want to learn something, do you look it up in a book, on Youtube, or seek a real person to teach you?
I’ll go anywhere to get new ideas and techniques—books, blog tutorials, YouTube, or simply playing with my hook and yarn to figure things out.
Any repetitive motion disorders due to knitting or crochet? How do you deal with them?
I have crochet elbow and shoulder at the moment. Since designing is my full-time gig, I do a lot of it. A little change of position, stretching and breaks seem to help. I suppose it can be good that I occasionally need to set down my hook to actually write the pattern, huh?
Do you frequent a particular yarn store?
Uh, yeah. Every store I can that sells it. Haha!
Do you usually finish things? If not, does it bother you?
The only things I don’t finish are those that are in “time out”. If I begin a design that just doesn’t behave like I want, it goes in some random basket or corner until I can sort things in my head. But I like to finish. There’s a sense of satisfaction about that!
Do you get to do any “selfish crocheting?”
Honestly, no. I would like to do more—I have so many things I would like to make for me–but because I wear too many other life “hats” I don’t get much free time to make things for myself. I can’t remember the last time I did.
Is crocheting a seasonal activity for you?
Hahaha! Nope. All year. All the time. All the places. I say, “Have yarn. Will travel.”
