Oh, moving. Four weeks ago, I moved for the seventeenth time in less than 15 years; and I am not even in the military. My husband and I chose this nomadic life, and enjoyed every aspect and every moment of it. But, we were ready to settle down.
And so this time, we moved our little family into our very own house, and we have no plans to move anywhere anytime soon (and, I secretly dream of never moving anywhere again, ever). Because no matter how many times you go through the process, and how efficient you are at packing your belongings for a move across continents, states, or just down the street, the aftermath never gets easier. Packing is easy. It’s the cleaning, unpacking, and organizing following a move that takes the biggest toll. It requires motivation, determination, and tons of energy. And time. Oh, so much time. And with a curious, clingy toddler in tow, the end is seemingly beyond my reach this time.
I hoped to have two more patterns ready by the end of May. That now seems a little too unrealistic. Especially since, at least in the Jute and Cotton series, I want to make versions of all baskets available in three different sizes to offer a stackable set. That’s a lot of baskets to make, and many lines of instruction to write, check, double check, test, and then check again. My husband laughs and says that I seem to be making baskets just to contain my old baskets.
So, patterns for which baskets are coming first, and when?
This lovely lacy design has become my favorite in the Jute and Cotton series and I can’t wait to share it with you – hopefully by the end of June. (Psst: The pattern for this basket is available in my shop. Click on the image below to check it out.)
I wouldn’t want to disappoint a long line of eager crocheters patiently waiting for the square version of my very popular round jute and cotton baskets. It shouldn’t be long before this design is available as well. (Psst: It’s already available as well. Click on the image below to see it in my shop.)
And then? There are so many more basket ideas I’ve been toying with and designs for which I want to share with you! In the picture from my workshop (which these days is the windowsill) above, you can see some of them in various stages of completeness: a design that’s complementing the lacy basket; the polka dot baskets; a tall and narrow container that can be hung and serve a myriad of functions inside the house and out; and a basket with rolled rim worked in a double thick stitch that is sturdy yet really soft. And then I’ve been testing a basket worked in a brilliant new stitch that I accidentally invented (or discovered through trial and error while trying to make the square baskets) – this stitch is amazing, and creates the foundation of the sturdiest basket I’ve ever made despite looking quite delicate. Oh, and then there are baskets worked in a variation of the star stitch – they are also quite stiff and their surface features lovely texture.
And that’s just baskets. I have several bracelets, cushions, and floor mats just waiting to be taken more seriously. And then, there is a mammoth of a project I’ve been working on ever since my son was born almost two years ago. It’s nowhere to be finished, but when I finally get my hands on it, it will be magnificent. I’m keeping its identity a secret, and if you guessed it’s a blanket/throw/afgan, you’d be wrong. It’s a design quite rare in the crochet world, and I am so very proud if it. No worries, it will not take you two years to complete.
Oooh, and also, I’ve been dying to start writing free tutorials for my blog. There is so much I have learned about crocheting through my own mistakes, and I’d like to share this knowledge with you.
As you can see, all I need to make this all happen is a little help from a full-time housekeeper and a live-in nanny (and for each day to have 48 hours).
It will happen!
And one last thing.
I sure hope you decide to have a look at my pattern shop right here at jakigu.com. The current sale is pretty sweet!
However, if you prefer to purchase my patterns through my Etsy, Ravelry, or Craftsy shops, you’re welcome to use coupon code BLOGZLAVA3 for an instant $3 off any purchase of $6 or more.
Go make something beautiful!
Stay tuned for Clue #2.
Coiled crochet. Such a simple concept – and so widely underused, if you ask me. Crocheting over a coil helps create a thicker textile without the need to use too much yarn. It also makes work grow faster as the stitches are considerably taller than they would be without the coil. And perhaps the most significant quality of a coiled basket, in my opinion, is the sturdiness that comes with it. I appreciate the delicate nature and decorative characteristic of stiffened doilies shaped into bowls, but how practical are they, really? Coiled crochet baskets, bowls, and containers, on the other hand, beg to be used – and can handle a great deal of abuse, too!
Possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to choosing a coil. Ropes and clotheslines of various thicknesses, several strands of yarn (scrap or deliberately chosen), fabric strips, recycled plastic bags (aka plarn), a crocheted chain, or even wire; to name just a few options.
For the large blue basket, I used 2 strands of jute. In the small red and yellow baskets, I crocheted over cotton clothesline.
What do you think? Do you like the coiled crochet concept? Have you ever made anything in this technique? Would you be interested in a pattern?
