Where do you keep your crochet notes?
As you all know I am just 9 months into my new career as a crochet designer, and I have already developed some very bad habits!
One of those bad habits is the way I design and take notes; at the same time!
I am a really…… lazy ……… note taker!
So then ! Where do you keep your notes?
Do you write on the pattern? Sticky notes that always fall off! Cards that you pull out and never put back!
Maybe you religiously keep the size hook you were using with your half finished project? (Hats off to you! and well done! if you actually remember to do this!)
How many time have you returned to a project to find you cannot remember the hook size you were using? Or you can’t remember what stitch you used?
So when I design, I have a very rough idea in my head, I pick up my crochet hook and yarn; and just start crocheting, if I don’t like it, I undo it and start again, trying out different stitches – does this sound familiar? am I the only one who works like this?
If I’m being really, really good, then I will scribble some notes down as I work. Usually I manage the starting chain needed, and then the first few rows, after that ….. I get carried away. In my own little world, and completely forget to count stitches and rows.
More often I am very bad! I sometimes write a note on what I thought I did, but when I go back, I realise I didn’t actually do it like I thought!
Now don’t worry I do tidy all of this sloppiness up way before I publish my patterns; but I often cause myself double, and triple work, as a result.
My worse time was when I worked on three patterns at the same time, finished the items; and then returned to the notes and just went:-
“Oh dear!” “I can’t even follow what I did myself!”
( I said something quite a bit stronger to myself, you know I did!)
After a couple of design mistakes; where I have had to make a whole new sample because I couldn’t remember what on earth I had done on the original, and a whole design for broomstick crochet un-published as yet, because I just can’t face trying to read my truly awful design notes – something had to change.
I started looking around for a notebook/journal type thing, that would make it easier for me to record all the key elements I needed, when I come to type up my design, and then turn it into a pattern, someone else can follow.
I came across the My Crochet Project Bible designed by Lucy Hart, Chief Geek, from Stationery Geek an online store. As well as having a love of stationery; Lucy is also a yarn fanatic, and crocheter!
Ta Dah! Yeh! Lucy is one of us! she knows exactly what we all need from a journal.
I read Lucy’s post on starting to learn to crochet (and she was talking my language!) and finding herself making notes and ticking off rows etc on patterns (yep! me! me! – I did that too). And how quickly as you learn more, you read the pattern, but then find yourself altering it slightly, for your own spin on the pattern.
My Crochet Project Bible, the perfect notebook for any crocheter.
As she is in the journal business; Lucy designed a journal just for us crocheters, and now I have one, I can tell you it is fab!
My Crochet Project Bible has convenient reference pages for sizes, terms, and conversions.
The first couple of pages hold conversion information US vs UK crochet terminology, cheat sheets, and sizing details
Working example of how you can use My Crochet project Bible effectively.
You have one page to add all the information on the pattern name, where you found it, the hook you are using, yarn label information.
“How many times have you thrown/mislaid the label half way through your project, and then realised you needed the dye lot to get another ball?”
Or, you needed the washing details, to decide which blocking method you will use?
We have all been there! and Lucy, has you covered!
The opposite page is graph paper, which is genius because you can use it to draw yourself a diagram as well as write your notes.
This little book My Crochet Project Bible is saving my sanity; and has become my new carry everywhere I go item.
It’s just so useful, not just for corrections to patterns, but for all the ideas we get when on the move; to quickly draw an idea, jot down a stitch idea.
If you are a designer I would maybe recommend the A4 size for home office use, as the Bible comes in 2 sizes A5 (handbag sized) or A4 (printer paper size).
Whether you crochet as a hobby, or as a designer, or as a maker for craft fairs; the “My Crochet Project Bible” will be your go to reference for all your personal notes.
But wait!
Stationery Geek not only have a great range of different hobby type journals, they also have a great range of humorous accessories and gifts; perfect for anyone you know who is a serious hobbyist.
Finishing touch, add a gift card to your handmade gift!
They have honest gift tags which are so funny with all the messages that you would really like to write on a card!
“The wool in this cost a small fortune so I really hope you like it!”;
and
“If you don’t like this can I have it back?”
and this one is my favourite
“I made this, so yes you do have to pretend to like it!”
Other really useful items such as:-
Perfect Xmas gifts for any crocheter you know! Crochet Slogan pencil set.
Sets of cute pencils for crocheters or knitters;
all with humorous slogans on.
Coloured yarn stickers for planning colour sets,
crochet WIP cards, and loads more, check out the website.
Planning a blanket? Arrange the coloured stickers in your Project Bible
I’m going to write a wish list of useful stationery I would love for Xmas (I also have a December birthday!), and then leave it casually around the house, to give my family ideas for me!
Go check out the Stationery Geek website, they add new items all the time!
Exclusive Discount for readers of Crochet 24/7!
Lucy has very kindly arranged an exclusive 10% discount for anyone using my link to go to the Stationery Geek website ** CLICK HERE
The coupon code is one use per customer but has no expiry date, and no minimum order.
It can be used for the Hobbies and Craft section items, don’t forget to add it before you check-out,
the code is:- 10%Crochet24/7
** This post contains no affiliate links, I am simply expressing my own opinion on the My Crochet Project Bible, and providing a link for you to obtain 10% discount, should you wish to purchase something from Stationery Geek. I am not being compensated by Stationery Geek.
