The Design Process

Two new designs finished, as scheduled! I love designing and creating new patterns. I find it exciting , rewarding and very involved. I can say that I owe a lot to Mary McCall, who got me seriously started when I began pattern testing for her. And there's Jonelle Raffino of Southwest Trading Co, Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits and Myrna Stahman, author of the lace knitting book, Stahman Shawls and Scarves, who, by the way, has an upcoming book, Variations, still in the publishing stage.

You start by having this idea in your head, a picture of what you want to do. Pencil and paper comes in handy. Pull out your knitting and crocheting reference books, pattern stitches, research some more, then graph it out. Yes, I do graph them out! This is how I picture the design, how it will turn out.

Then, I go search for yarn. This is where it pays to have a huge stash. Whether it be lace or texture, you search for the right colorway, the right thickness, the right needle. Grab the needle and start knitting.
Oh, and take lots of notes.

The tedious process comes next, putting your idea into paper or on your computer. Having speedy fingers help a lot, and having the right software. Type it up, print it out, and knit it again, using your written directions. This is where you find errors and glitches, and make the necessary corrections.

This may not work for others. Each one has his or her own unique process and this is how I do mine. Now. to more fun stuff. Pictures!


A crocheted bag, done in one piece, from the bottom up. I used Reynolds Saucy worsted cotton yarn, 2 skeins, approximately 300 yards.




Snakes and Ladders socks, a simple knit and purl combination, no cables. It works well with self-striping yarns like Regia.

Patterns now available on my my website.

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting
and do it all the time. While finishing a piece
is the plan, you still love the process, and
can't imagine a day going by without giving
some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation
involves leaving ample space for the stash and
supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn
ends and you begin.
http://marniemaclean.com


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How true, specially the vacation part--lol!

Thank you to my crochet and knitting sisters for your comments and congratulations on my new venture. I was so antsy that I started a new crochet bag pattern and a textured sock pattern geared towards self- patterning yarns. I have too many of that and knitting them with plain stockinette stitch is just too boring. I love texture and lace.

I had to go back to Rumpels to exchange a Lorna's Laces skein. The yarn has cuts! This is the second time this has happened to me. And I was so careful untying the knot. Yes, I untie knots, you know, those knots that hold the skeins together? I don't cut them, for fear of cutting thru the yarn. And I still get cuts. Luckily, Linda can return them to Lorna's.

Crochet Guild meeting tonight.

Moi, a Designer?

Today, I went to Rumpelstiltskin (LYS here in Sacramento) to see if Linda (the owner) would be interested in selling some of my patterns in her store. I tried not to have any expectations, came prepared for rejection, but still a little shaky with excitement.

She bought my patterns! How cool is that? I brought my knitted samples with me, as well as half a dozen of each pattern already printed. She's one cool lady. She even asked me if I would be willing to sell the sample scarf I knitted if anyone wants to buy it and gave me a rather good price for it. She said that my asking price was $20 too low, he, he.

After learning that I crochet too, she suggested that I design some purse patterns for the store, using her yarns. Apparently, it's in huge demand. I went home with yarns and my head filled with some of my patterns waiting to be written down.

This is one great, fulfilling feeling. I have been crocheting for so long and knitting socks for so long, that I know I will be able to make this work.

Crochet Fantasy

I have gotten comments from my fellow crocheters that Crochet Fantasy will no longer be published? When did that happen? I read the Dec 2004 issue and there was no mention at all. I just renewed several months ago for another year. I know I said that I won't be renewing (I still stick to that decision) but it's sad to see another crochet magazine go. I guess not a lot of people are into crocheting garments, like what Crochet Fantasy offers.

The other crochet magazine, Crochet!, doesn't do anything to me either. Too many weird new stuff, too bland.

For some reason, I like Crochet World. It has toys in it, some cute doilies, some cute little easy and fast stuff to crochet. It has variety.

I take back what I say about Vogue Knitting (VK). After reading the latest issue, I found some stuff that I might knit one of these days. It has purses and a cute lacy poncho. I'm afraid the knitting and crocheting fashion industry is getting overrun by poncho patterns! argh.....

I'm for old fashioned lace shawls, socks, and purses. Lots of purses, felted or not.

New sock design

I finished another lace sock pattern, "Ribbons and Lace". I used Gems Merino Pearl fingering yarn in Terra Cotta color, using US size 0 dpns.

The heel is Eye of Partridge pattern which I thought looked really nice, a change from my old boring Sl1, K1 heel pattern.

It is now available for sale on my WEBSITE.

Subscription Pile up

I hate to admit it but I am oversubscribed with knitting magazines and I have to cut down. Here are some of the ones I won't be renewing:

1. Vogue Knitting - too vogue for my taste. I don't think I'll be knitting any of its patterns soon.

2. Inknitters - I love this magazine for the techniques but the patterns have been changing and they don't look very attractive anymore. I like the modular patterns it contains though. Well, I have to think about this one.

3. Cast On - aughh. Some of the patterns are very unattractive, although it comes with membership to TKGA.

4. Creative Knitting - way too many fun fur scarf patterns.

5. Knit 'N Style - too many errors and incomplete instructions.

6. Crochet Fantasy - going downhill. The last issue was horrible. Same color scheme using bulky yarns, oversized coats, yada, yada, yada.

These are the ones I'm keeping:

1. Spinoff
2. Interweave Knits
3. Knitters
4. FCEK

This should be good enough. I hope I stay focused.

Joann's

A brand spanking new and HUGE Joann's Fabrics store re-opened here in Elk Grove, CA after being in a bad location for years. It's now located in a newly built strip mall. Well, I was there last night and went home happy happy happy!

It's way larger than Michael's, and has more yarns than Michael's and Walmart's combined. Prices are very good too! And of course it has a ton of fabrics PLUS many other crafts, just like Michael's. And I think it also carries ALL the knitting and crochet magazines. A little bit low on Knitting books though, not like my favorite LYS, Rumpelstiltskin.

Joann's also carries their own line of yarns called "Sensations". Right now, it has 4 or 5 different types of scarf yarns, the fun fur variety. It has Lion Brand, Coats and Clark, Patons, and Bernat yarns and threads. Yes, I sound like an AD but can't help it. We need more yarn stores in Sacramento!

Emma's Lace Scarf

Coats and Clark came out with a new supersoft yarn, Cara Mia (TLC line). It's a blend of acrylic/angora/rayon. I designed a one-skein lace scarf named after my daughter, Emily . Yes, we call her Emma too! Here's a close-up:

I knitted it with US size 9 needles. It's available for sale in my Ebay store.

More on designing, I just finished the "Peekaboo socks". I'm still finalizing the pattern. I used Opal sock yarn for this one.


My experience with pattern testing for other designers like Mary McCall, Handjive Knits and Southwest Trading has taught me a lot on designing my own patterns. Plus, the availability of knitting softwares like the Sole Solution really helps a lot. And never forget Barbara Walker's Treasuries of Knitting Patterns. Each desginer should invest in her books.

I recently bought a CD from Lisa Gentry containing several of her patterns for sale. She's at Caneyladys-Creations. I originally paid $14.95 for the first 8 patterns. But, a great thing about it is that everytime she publishes a new pattern, you get an update, for FREE! Wow! I'm impressed.

Just finished a baby sock out of a new yarn from Coats and Clark. It's called Sassy stripes under the Moda Dea Collection. It's 100% acrylic and very very soft. It creates a self striping pattern similar to the other sock yarns. Here's a pic:



I've been handpainting some Merino Superwash fingering yarns. They're so similar to Koigu in size and yardage. I'm selling them in my Ebay store.


Peppermint Colorway


Jungle colorway

Ponchos, my dear...

Two ponchos, one for me and another for Emily (3 yo).



Crocheted poncho for my little one. Very simple pattern from the Candy Tots book. I love the flower specially.


This one is for me, knitted, using the Straw.com pattern. I was able to use most of my smaller skeins of handspun yarn. Lots of ends to weave in-lol!

I have decided...

that I will stop feeling guilty everytime I start a new project. I refuse to be stressed out by feeling that I have to finish an old project before I start a new one. It's my project, my time, my yarns and my needles! So there! I can start as many projects as I want as long as I have needles available. And when I start feeling guilty, I will use it to motivate myself to finish that UFO. I know I am my worst enemy. And I plan to take lots of notes in case I forget.

CA Wool and Fiber festival:
Rather small gathering, not a lot of vendors, very little choices. Total driving hours is 7 hours from Sacramento to Boonville on narrow zig-zag 2-lane roads. I wonder why they hold it there? Lambtown is bigger and more accessible. I came home with some handpainted Tussah silk roving and one prize winning Cormo fleece from Merry Meadows Farm in Willits, CA. Beautiful, clean and inexpensive. There was one vendor selling 4 rather expensive drop spindles. That's it!

Well, I won't be going back next year.

Susan Bates Socks set. This pack contains 4 different sizes, US size 1, 0, 00 and 000. The needles are color coded and measure 7 inches long. There are 5 needles in each size. I've always wanted to knit those tiny socks that people make into earrings or lapel pins. Now I can play with them.

Picture of the Simple Elegance stole from Soysilk thread.


close up of the lace stitch.


Blocking another crocheted lace shawl. I used hundreds of pins to block this one. Makes me wish I had some of those blocking wires.

I am crocheting the Triangular Shawl by Doris Chan, page 91, in the latest IK magazine CROCHET. There is an error on Row 1. The pattern repeat enclosed in brackets [...] that needs to be repeated 15 times is missing one step. After the last "ch 3", you must include "skip next 2 sc" or your work will end up crooked. For an advanced crocheter, it only makes sense to do it but to a beginner who is following the pattern word for word, that one ommision screws up the pattern.

I will try to email Interweave Press. My past attempts in emailing magazines have not been successful. Vogue Knitting has the worst customer service, in my opinion.

Totally, utterly lost

I can't believe it! I'm lost without the stole. It's kinda like I don't have a purpose anymore ( ha, ha!). Good news is that Jonelle loved it even with the changes I made to the pattern. And without a project to finish, I'm wandering aimlessly between the piles of wool in my craft room. But wait, I almost forgot the last sock I have to knit for Mary. I'll get that finished and out to her soon.

I also finished Teresa's socks and with the leftover yarn, I'm knitting her a lace scarf. Teresa Simons (Mountain Shadow Ranch)is my spinning mentor. She has taught me a lot on spinning, wool preparation, sheep breeds and has been very generous with her time and awesome fibers. I love hanging out with her.

I have been thinking a lot about designing my own patterns. In the works right now is a lace scarf pattern from one skein of Cara Mia yarn. The pattern is already written up. Just need some sprucing up. Second is a pair of lace socks. Third is some lace fingerless mitts. Yes, I am addicted to lace!

I finished the stole!

It's over! It's finished! No more lace stole! What an utter relief! I'm going to miss the blasted thing. I don't remember anymore when I started the Simple Elegance Stole (designed by Debra Chinn) that I knitted for Southwest Trading Co. (Soysilk). I washed and blocked it and it's drying upstairs. Very tedious but ended up being breathtaking. But I can't knit another one for myself. Once I send it back to Jonelle, I really don't see myself knitting another one. It's not the pattern. It's me. I don't see myself knitting the same pattern over and over again. That's why we buy so many patterns. So we can knit a brand new pattern everytime.

The CA State Fair ends today. I had a wonderful time helping Teresa do a demo on Spinning Cotton. People were amazed to see that we still spin on handspindles. Very antiquated, they say. Teresa and Corwyn spun on spinning wheels. I spun with drop spindles. I noticed that more kids crowded around me. They were fascinated with the toy wheel spindle I made. The adults were more interested in the spinning wheels.

The fair was a success. Only 1 hitch. When the fair people cancelled Black History day last Saturday and closed the fair early at 9 pm instead of midnight. There was some protest but I guess they had to do it because they didn't want a repeat of what happened last year. Oh well.

I'm happily off to new project and finishing off old ones (yeah, right).

I have been experiencing the blogging "blah" lately. Haven't posted for a while; haven't read any of my fave knitting blogs; haven't taken any pictures; haven't finished any projects. Well, actually, I lied. I haven't finished any of my already started projects from long ago. But I finished 2 baby layettes that I just started last week. Crocheting baby things is a breath of fresh air. Because they get finished fast.

BUT, I have been spinning a lot! Our California State Fair is the happening thing right now. I spun some cotton at the fair with my friend, Teresa Simons of Mountain Shadow Ranch. And I used a drop spindle. I can control the twist a lot more and we all know cotton fibers need a lot of twist!

I have 2 lace scarves that are almost finished. I just have to focus. FOCUS!

My latest Creation

I just finished this babyset for my SIL. The pattern is from Crochet for Babies and Toddlers. Of course I had to make changes and add-ons, like the edging. The hat is also my own design, using the main lace pattern on the sweater. There was no matching hat or bootie provided.

Not much to report. I'm still plodding away on the Simple Elegance Shawl for Soysilk. Almost had a major disaster. I snagged the lace on my working needle and thought I might have to rip the whole thing. Brought me to tears. But I was able to fix it with no problems. And I was being so careful!

Almost finished with a new project I just started, a Summer Shardigan by Terri Ranck. It's different and fast.

I've been spinning a lot, both with spindles and my wheels. I just bought some raw wool from Jean Near here in CA. I've heard so much about the quality of her raw fleece that I have to try it.

I will be teaching our Crochet Guild members next month on how to crochet from charts. This will be interesting and challenging.