Canova Beach Made Ravelry Hot Right Now Top 20 and how I arrived there...

Just a quick note to say thanks to anyone who favorited, liked, queued or otherwise supported Canova Beach on its release date of 06/29!

It made it to Ravelry's Hot Right Now Top 20 and stayed there for a few hours! A tremendous accomplishment according to my design instructor, Francoise Danoy of Aroha Knits.  I studied her approach to knitwear design through her signature on-line design course Swatch Studio a bit over a year ago.

I had forty plus knit/felted designs but knew I could do more than that tiny niche, but lacked the courage and drive to try. I had all but given up designing, when I spotted a post about a design workshop being hosted by Frenchie (her nickname) and I was intrigued. I had taken her 5 Shawls 5 Days Challenge previously, so I knew a bit about her.

The Initiate Knit Design workshop helps demystify knitwear design and provides an easy to follow framework that Frenchie herself uses. I took the workshop and had an idea, which became my first post-felting design Infinite Surf. I learned from the challenge that Frenchie has infinite patience and gives a lot of time and effort into her workshop. The free 10 day workshop took me from inspiration to fleshed out idea to the beginnings of a written pattern and design sample.

When the opportunity came to sign up for Swatch Studio, I jumped on it and was the first one to sign up for that round.  Of course, early bird prices and a coaching call with Frenchie were also inducements, because for the first time in ages I felt empowered that I could do this.

I can recommend this workshop for anyone who may have toyed with the idea of designing or just simply curious about the design process. I known other knitters who have taken the workshop as a way of improving their own understanding of knitting and knitting construction.

I have rediscovered my passion for design and have been working on new designs ever since. I have made many friends in this wonderful supportive community and am grateful for their friendship and support.

If you are interested in taking the design challenge, you may sign up for it at www.initiateknitdesign.com.  I've signed up again for my fifth or sixth round because each time I get fresh idea. It starts again on July 16, so I hope I see you there.

Design duty... & challenges.......

I am designing a new pattern, but the knitting is taking some time.  When you knit your own prototypes, you are controlled by your own speed and physical shortcomings. That said, I am making progress on the current project and thought I would post a few pictures.

I am also engaging in some on-line classes & challenges to enhance my skills, so that I may continue to develop as a designer.  I recently took part in a challenge sponsored by ArohaKnits to make 5 shawls in 5 days.  They were mini-shawls (swatches) to explore shawl construction for folks who want to either knit shawls or design them.  I had fund diving into my yarn stash to select the yarns I wanted to use.  I decided to use some handspun yarn that I purchased several years back.  I think they came out pretty nicely.  Five popular shapes & a bonus for the weekend.

From the top clockwise, Crescent, Square Knit in the Round, Side to Side, Asymmetrical Triangle, Triangle & Semi-Circular.

This week, I am taking part in a 5 day headband challenge, which also sounds like a great bit of fun.  I will post more about that once I have started.  Solene Knits is the sponsor of the new challenge.
It should prove to be enlightening and I'm hoping that I will find new inspiration while taking part.