Sempervivum, a modular shawl pattern is available for free on Knotions.com. Like most patterns, I shopped it around to a few places before I sold it to an editor. I took these submission photos in 2016, with my family talking me through my nerves the whole way, especially my middle son.
My hexagon motif is based on the Hens and Chicks plant, so my down the street neighbor’s garden was perfect to photographing the submission sample in. The problem is, I’d never spoken to her before.
My husband suggested that I bring K with me, she’s our family extrovert, but she was also prone to hugging strangers, and she had a cold – it’s not neighborly to share colds.
Ben suggested that I bring Matt, he’s quieter than K, but looks like a teddy bear. (Matt did not appreciate that description)
I practiced my speech as we walked down the block.
“Calm down mom, who wouldn’t let you take photos in their yard?”
I picked the front entryway, though the wreath hanging over both doors make me think she didn’t use it very often. I rang the doorbell before I could change my mind. She looked annoyed when she arrived.
“Hi, I live up the road from you. May I take a photo in your garden?”
She asked me to repeat myself – more slowly – twice. I showed her my swatch and the yarn I plan to re-knit it in. Her eyebrows climbed higher and higher as the talk went on.
But, I have permission to take photos whenever I need them, and to use them on the blog.
Matt patted my arm as we walked home, “You were really nervous Mom, but it worked out OK.“