One of the many things keeping me busy while away from you dear readers was, brace yourself……yes, knitting.
It’s the one place I’ve found myself most comfortable and where I can express myself artistically, as well as emotionally. Because for me, this is my voice. So many of my designs come from somewhere deep inside me, where other creative mediums simply cannot reach. It may seem silly to some. But this is where my heart feels happiest. It’s where my dreams go to find life and where I find my joy.

So, if you’re wondering what has been occupying most of my time, it’s a pretty safe bet that it involves the wooly variety and sharp sticks.

One really big and exciting project I’ve been quietly working on is a knit pattern design for Knit Picks. I’ve been working with them for nearly 3 years now (give or take) through their wonderful IDP program, which gives us independent designers a way to showcase our designs in collaboration with Knit Picks and their wide array of affordable and beautiful yarns. The designer maintains the full percentage of their pattern sales and also receives great exposure through the site.

One of the Knit Pick’s newest projects involves eBook Collections sourced by designers from the IDP, such as myself. Last year, I submitted a design proposal and i was so excited to have it accepted. It took a few months of hard work. Coming up with a stitch pattern. Deciding on a yarn line that best suited my design. Getting the different design elements from my head onto paper. Number crunching for writing up the pattern in various different sizes. (Thanks to a great deal of help from my brilliant math genius husband!) And all by a scheduled deadline. Something my free-spirited, Fly-by-the-seat-of-my-Pants self is not accustom to.

But I met the deadline! And after many emails between myself and my wonderful test knitter and trips back and forth between editors, my design became reality. And it’s ready to unveil…finally!

I’m most proud of this design mainly because it is my first cardigan pattern. My usual repertoire consists of gloves, hats and scarves. So this was indeed a learning experience for me. And that’s something I will never grow tired of. I think that’s why Knitting holds so much intrigue and excitement for me. Knowing that no matter how much you think you already know, there is some new and interesting way of doing things. New stitches to discover, new techniques to try and master. And possibly the best part…meeting new people and sharing the art with others.

You can find my pattern, Desert Jade in the “First Light” Spring 2013 Collection on Knit Picks website. I’ll be giving away a free copy of the entire 14 pattern collection this weekend, so stay tuned!