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From Crochet Design Idea to Professional Proposal

Resources Page for Presentation given by Vashti Braha: From Crochet Design Idea to Professional Proposal  CGOA Professional Development Day, Reno NV September 12, 2012

Clickable links are listed below under four subheadings, but first!  A Gallery of Ten Crochet Photography Challenges I’ve Encountered (out of Thousands)  Click or double-click on a photo for details.

1. Creating, Choosing, Sharing Images of Swatches, Sketches, and Designs

 

2. Why Photography Skills for all Crochet Professionals are Important

Photography has been a challenging journey for me. I’m a crochet designer and teacher first. Perhaps this is why I was slow to realize that every photo I take is also my intellectual property (therefore a business asset) with the same potential infinite value as a crochet design. The more rights one retains to each type of original crochet-related content (whether photo, diagram, text, video, etc.), the more capital one has. Forever. Content to be used as the rights holder sees fit, especially in the unforeseen opportunities the future holds. In other words, do yourself a big favor: err on the side of sitting on the full rights to too much content, because chances are your future self will be glad you did. I speak from experience already! Regarding photography for example, I only waited 2 years to learn how saving my seemingly superfluous photos pays off.

I may never see myself as a professional photographer, but everything I’ve learned about it has been worth the effort, both personally and professionally. Understanding how cameras and light and angles work is nice; even better are the unexpectedly deeper and almost spiritual things photography is teaching me, like: the kinds of beauty I used to overlook; what I want to see and what’s most ‘real’ to me; choices of visual subtexts (those ‘1000 words’ that pictures speak), and just plain what’s important to me about crochet. A surprise fringe benefit is that as I page through the latest crochet magazine or book, I now also detect other points of view non-crocheting pro photographers take, either by default or by direction.

As a crochet designer who finds project photography challenging, the best thing I’ve done is to allow myself the time to take baby steps:

  • If all I do is keep the camera very still, I’m already ahead. It can singlehandedly produce a great raw photo for isolating key details later at the editing stage. Sounds obvious, but it’s a special skill to do this for certain kinds of shots. Surprisingly, it has also taken me a long time to recognize when a photo is subtly out of focus.
  • I block everything, even jewelry. Otherwise the camera will blab loudly to everyone that I didn’t, and I’ll have to retake the photo {shudder}.
  • Having at least one mannequin is fabulous, mainly because using live models for any kind of crochet photography is overwhelmingly complicated for me. Photographing crochet on/with live models require a whole different skill set. I’m going easy on myself and still learning so much with still photography. Another surprise for me has been the strong opinions I hear FOR or AGAINST crochet or knit designs photographed on live models!
  • I refuse to obsess about perfect light. There’s no way I’m getting up at dawn to photograph anything! No way am I delaying a new pattern release just because a tropical storm is brewing! However, the more I’ve thought about this, the more I wonder if this is a luxury I have in Florida, where I usually deal with too much light. The more photos I take of crochet, the less light I need, especially when my priority is to emphasize a stitch texture, or the intricate interaction between fiber type, yarn construction, stitch pattern and drape. I can add light during photo editing, but taking away too much light is trickier.
    • As a result, I avoid buying specialized paraphernalia that clutters up my house or makes it feel too much like a photographer’s studio. I often just put up a low three-fold cardboard screen to mute the Florida sun. Having a range of simple light modifying tools and backgrounds at hand, such as folding foam-core boards, frees me from waiting for only one ideal hour of indirect sunlight or a weather-perfect day.
  • Photoshop will just have to wait its turn. Until more non-photographers’ faces relax when they talk about using Photoshop, I’m making the most of iPhoto and supplementing with iWatermark and whatever the current incarnation of the online Picnik is – and enjoying myself while mastering the basics.
  • I learn a new setting on my camera when I’m good ‘n’ ready. My favorite option so far is the macro setting (on my Canon it looks like a flower symbol). It’s especially great for any beaded crochet, fancy stitches, and step outs (tutorials). I practiced for months with different close up ranges to recognize the macro ‘sweet spot.’ I wish I’d taken a few macro pics of the beaded seam of Tunisian Petals (see my blog link below about this)
  • I turn a crochet photo session into a relaxing event. I do a batch at a time. I often jot down a specific shot I need for a pattern or blog post, because I don’t always remember by the time it’s ‘photo shoot day.’ Depending on the time of day, I may turn up the music, pour a glass of wine, and relax into the job. Or in the morning I may get all sporty and aerobic about it, especially if I’m cleaning up the room reaching to get artsy angled shots, changing backgrounds, moving mannequins around etc. I might chat on the phone, or listen to my husband’s TV show. I avoid a lot of caffeine, though, for a steadier hand.

Helpful Links for Crochet Photography Newbies:

 

3. Submissions Guidelines for Crochet Pattern Magazines:

Submissions Guidelines for Pattern Book Publishers:

 

4. Recommended Miscellaneous Resources for New/Aspiring Professional Crochet Designers:

Note: even though some of these links offer advice about expired calls for proposals, the information is still relevant for future calls.

Shakti Scarfythings

This simple scarf & wrap pattern is really all about one powerful Tunisian crochet stitch. Quickly crochet easy scarves, wraps and shawls with this exciting lacy Tunisian crochet stitch. Learn to crochet it on the bias with any yarns and crochet hook sizes, then try seaming your scarf four different ways for new fashion looks.

As a “superpattern,” pattern includes a menu of six projects for you to choose from. Use it for your own freeform crochet: pair your own yarn and hook size, choose how many chains you start with and how many rows you end with, and try a new way of seaming it.

Crocheting this stitch on the bias feels so natural that it’s my first choice for crocheters new to crocheting on the bias. Oddly, this stitch has no standard name or description, and doesn’t seem to be one of the basic stitches one learns after the Tunisian Simple Stitch, even though it’s easy to do! I’ve seen it called several different names. I prefer Extended Knit Stitch and abbreviated it Tkes in this pattern.

The rows bias effortlessly for a dynamic stretch and flowing drape. The stitch is equally lovely in a tighter gauge for a solid warm scarf, or crocheted very loosely for a lacy layer, so this one pattern spans every season. I like wearing it as a narrower scarf, and also as a wider wrap.

The possibilities get even more exciting when I’ve tried seaming it four different ways! A mobius with a corner is one of my favorite results. The Tkes so versatile is that it looks great on both sides, so it’s a natural choice for a scarf or wrap with a mobius twist.

Skill Level

Easy. You should already be familiar with beginner Tunisian crochet patterns; you might like this handy checklist. This pattern is a good introduction to these other DesigningVashti patterns: Tunisian Islander Wrap (same stitch with a fancier edge), Neck Lattice (published in Simply Crochet by Interweave Press ©2011), Four Peaks (offset Tunisian Simple Stitch with eyelet edge), and most recently, Eilanner.

UK and Australian equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are provided in brackets. After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to crochet the Tunisian Extended Knit Stitch
  • How biasing works with Tunisian crochet stitches
  • How to crochet easy Tunisian lace by pairing a crochet hook size and yarn
  • How to seam a crochet scarf into four or more fashion wraps

Finished Dimensions

With materials used, tips & wearing notes for six projects. I have so many images for this pattern that I invite you to see more in this online photo set.

For several projects shown I used a size L/US11/8mm Tunisian crochet hook used, at least 8″ {20.5 cm} long. For some I used a size N/US15/10mm, and a size K/US10.5/6.5mm hook would also work great with some yarns.

Colorblock-Shakti: I love wearing this one unseamed as a simple scarf, because it shows off the diagonal color blocks the best. I also like how the wool fibers felt together a bit over time for a warm soft scarf. If I had 100g-150g of this yarn instead of 75g, I’d make the scarf slightly wider and longer.

  • Measured hung and unseamed, 64″ long X 6.5″ wide {163 cm X 16.5 cm}.
  • Yarn used: An anonymous self-striping mill-end yarn that is most likely merino wool; its weight category appears to be #3 (DK, light worsted). Yardage unknown; scarf weighs 2.65oz {75g}. For a fun scrap yarn project that approximates this look, crochet two strands held together of 8 contrasting #1 Super Fine Weight yarns (Fingering or light sock yarn, 3-ply baby yarn).

Swizzle-Shakti: As a 1-skein project, I like this one several ways, such as partially seamed with a half-twist mobius-style cowl. However, I love the luxurious feeling of it and its dramatic tiger pelt look, so I’d also like it longer and wider to wear as a wrap.

  • Measured hung and unseamed, 46″ X 7″ {117 cm X 18 cm}.
  • Yarn used: The Alpaca Yarn Company Swizzle (100% superfine alpaca; 215yd/197 m per 3.5oz/100g skein), 1 skein of color 07 Tiger Lily.

Skinny-Shakti: I like this one as a ruffled collar tied with a ribbon drawstring, instead of wearing it as a long skinny scarf, because it’s the only way that the stitch texture shows. I’d like it even more if I had a soft silk tie to use instead of the ribbon.

  • Measured hung and unseamed, collapses to 88″ X 2″ {approx. 220 cm X 5 cm}
  • Yarn used: Tilli Tomas Rock Star (100% silk with beads; 150yd/137m per 3.5oz/100g skein), 1 skein of color Ginger.

Red Mohair Veil: I love draping this fabric around me, and have plenty of yarn left to make it bigger. It’s weightless but warm, delicate and strong, and soft with an elegant sheen. It’s already a good bare-minimum width for me as a wrap, fine for throwing around my shoulders easily without catching on anything while I’m sitting.

  • Measured hung and unseamed, 53″ X 12.5″ {135 cm X 32 cm}.
  • Yarn used: Wagtail Yarns 4-Ply (100% Fine Kid Mohair; 410yd/375m per 3.5oz/100g skein), 1 skein of color 350 300, Winter Red.

Mobi-Dickie: I most like this one seamed with a half-twist, mobius-style. This is a stiffer but still soft fabric for more structured looks. Hanging it doesn’t change its dimensions much, but it does stretch nicely when worn.

  • Measured flat, 33″ X 9.5″ {84 cm X 24 cm}.
  • Yarn used: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 108yd/99m per 6oz/170g skein), one skein of Wheat and half of a skein of Taupe for 2-color version.

Suave Shoulders: This capelet-type cowl variation of Mobi-Dickie is seamed as a simple tube, and stretches wider at the shoulder than at the neck.

  • Measured flat, 33″ X 12″ {84 cm X 30.5 cm}.
  • Yarn used: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 108yd/99m per 6oz/170g skein), one skein of Wheat and one skein of Taupe for 2-color version.

Aero Wrap

Crocheting and wearing Aero is an elegant experience of Tunisian crochet lace. With fine silk yarn and the add-as-you-go beading option, the beauty of the lacy stitches hanging from your hook will inspire “just one more row!”

I developed this point-to-point stitch pattern and love it because I can build up more stitching speed than usual with Tunisian crochet. I also found its filet logic easy to memorize.

Tall stitches and open spaces create a Tunisian version of traditional filet crochet. Writing my newsletter on lacy nets inspired it. And, the stitch pattern looks nice enough on both sides to call it reversible.

Crocheting a triangular wrap from point to point makes it easy to use any amount of light weight yarn you have on hand. If you use a smaller amount of yarn than I did, the wide, shallow triangular shape will come out scarf-sized. (The pattern is created the same no matter how much yarn you use.)

Skill Level

Advanced Intermediate. Aero combines Tunisian stitches that may be familiar to those who have already ventured beyond the Tunisian Simple Stitch: the Tunisian Yarn Over (Tyo), Tunisian Double Treble {UK: Tunisian Triple Treble} (Tdtr), and twisted stitches. To see if you’re ready for an Intermediate-level Tunisian pattern, review this quick checklist.

It’s best if you have crocheted at least one Beginner or Easy level Tunisian crochet pattern first. Warm Aeroette started out as a practice swatch for students in my Aero classes! Other good stepping stones to Aero would be Ennis Revelation and Aery Faery. I’ve kept pattern abbreviations to a minimum and include International English equivalents for American terms.

?After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to create dramatic new filet lace with Tunisian crochet stitches
  • How to crochet a triangular scarf or wrap from point to point and the delightful convenience of crocheting the edging as you go
  • How to add beads to the as-you-go edging without pre-stringing them
  • The power of simple blocking to transform Tunisian crochet lace

Finished Dimensions

The pictured green wrap is 21″ at deepest center point and 61″ wide from point to point {53 X 155 cm}. Crocheting a shawl or scarf from point to point makes it easy to use any amount of yarn you have on hand, and to make it the size you wish.

Materials

Crochet Hook: Size F/US5/3.75 mm Tunisian hook, at least 13″/33 cm long. You can use a shorter Tunisian hook for the shortest beginning rows, and then switch to a longer hook as it becomes necessary for comfortably holding all loops on the hook. If you are going to add beads, you’ll need a steel crochet hook that is small enough to fit through the bead holes and pull through a loop of your yarn. (I used a .75mm Tulip hook labeled #10. Other brands may label the same mm size with a different number.)

Yarn used for pictured scarf: Handmaiden Sea Silk (70% Silk, 30% Seacell® 437 yds/400 m per 3.5 oz/100 g ball), 1 full skein.

Yarn substituting advice: This pattern will work with any amount and weight of yarn. To match the effect of the pictured wrap, look for a yarn weight of #1 Super Fine (“Fingering”) {UK & AUS 3 Ply}; or one recommending a needle or hook size range of B/US1/2.25 mm – D/US3/3.25 mm on its label. If this is your first time crocheting into the loops of Tunisian Yarn Over stitches, try to find a yarn that has subtle color changes like the tonal hand-dyed one shown. It was a bit challenging at first to make tall stitches with slippery yarn, but I quickly grew used to it.

Small scale for weighing yarn: recommended if you’re using an odd number of skeins of yarn, or partial skeins.

Beads (optional): At least 50 size 6/0 (“E Bead”) beads and a steel crochet hook small enough to fit through the bead hole and pull a loop of yarn through it. Triple your quantity of beads if you’ll be adding 3 beads to a stitch at a time (see photo in pattern). For the green Aero I used 1 bead per 2-row repeat for a total of 44 beads; I had to discard a few that had small holes. The number of beads you need will vary because the usable holes of your beads are likely to vary, and because you may get fewer, or more, row repeats from your yarn.

Liebling Shrug

 The award-winning Tunisian eyelet lace stitch pattern was originally developed for this design. It uses a combination of Tunisian stitches that are familiar to those who have already ventured beyond the Tunisian Simple Stitch, such as the yarn-over, slip stitch, and twisted stitches.

After I created a stitch pattern that made me (and the yarn) happy, I imagine creating a shoulderette that would be lovely enough to wear to a wedding.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How easy it is to crochet a fashionable shrug a.k.a. shoulderette
  • How to crochet Tunisian eyelets, Tunisian slip stitches, and twisted stitches
  • The power of simple blocking to transform Tunisian crochet lace.

Skill Level

There is no shaping (the edging automatically does the shaping). Pattern is written for those who are learning how to read fashion crochet patterns and so it uses fewer abbreviations than the average crochet pattern.

Styling Suggestions

  • Liebling is designed to be close-fitting. Wearing it over smooth, thin dark clothing would help to emphasize the stitch pattern, and over bare shoulders shows off its natural spring to summer look.
  • For daytime or dressy casual styling, bring out the drape in the stitch pattern with a simple smooth plant-based yarn. The multiple ways that the angles can be draped on the body asymmetrically will look great over easy basics, even jeans and a t-shirt!
  • For evening, Liebling is striking in a dressy, shimmering yarn and worn with a little black dress.

Materials

Crochet hooks used for project: Size K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian hook, minumum 9″/22 cm long; H/8/5mm regular crochet hook for edging.

Recommended Yarns: Yarns which list a needle/crochet hook size range of F/5/3.75mm-H/8/5.00mm. Yarn used for pictured Liebling: Berroco’s Mica (31% Cotton, 26% Silk, 23% Nylon, 20% Linen; 108yds/100m per 1.75oz/50g ball), color #1102 Ecru, 3 (3, 4, 5, 5) skeins.

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The DesigningVashti Blog

The DesigningVashti Blog

Free Crochet Tips, DesigningVashti Events, and More

For crochet enthusiasts at all levels, Vashti maintains three essential crochet blogs:

  The original DesigningVashti Blog since 2006
  The Crochet Pattern Companion Blog
  The ToyDesigningVashti Blog

Visit Doris Chan’s Everyday Crochet Blog, awarded a Flamie for Best Crochet Blog in 2009 by the Crochet Liberation Front.

About the Original DesigningVashti Blog

The entries in the original DesigningVashti Blog are indexed with topic labels, such as Tunisian Crochet, Conferences, Book Reviews. The list of labels is found in the right hand column and they are clickable. This makes it easy to find all the entries about your favorite topic.

The DesigningVashti blog has posts about:

About the Crochet Pattern Companion Blog

For free, in-depth crochet project information, the Crochet Pattern Companion Blog is a handy source of pattern support and project tips. The entries in this blog are indexed with clickable topic labels found in the upper right-hand column.

The Crochet Pattern Companion Blog has posts about:

About the ToyDesigningVashti Blog

The ToyDesigningVashti Blog follows the adventures of Toy Tester Bob and his friends over the years, as they check out all sorts of fun crochet toys and play items for kids.