August is always my favorite month of the year, because of my birthday. Since I was born on the first day of the month, I always celebrate to the last day. This year I enjoyed several different performances at the Brevard Summer Music Festival. My favorites were Carmen and An Evening with Cole Porter; but my musical friends and I also enjoyed the great masters, from Mozart to Mahler.
Of course musical anticipation breeds a good appetite, so our concerts were preceded by interesting meals and this year we included the experience of trying new restaurants, including Thai and Vegetarian. We also visited my favorite seafood restaurant before a drive to Dupont National Forest in South Carolina and a place called Ceasar’s Head. It is an overlook with beautiful views, from close to Asheville all the way to Greenville and to Georgia. On a clear day you can see forever or almost to Atlanta!
Between all the celebrations I completed a tablecloth restoration for a customer’s Sacramento, CA estate. It was a classic Dutch windmill design, made by my customer’s great-grandmother. It was in excellent shape but as it often happens, many of the delicate connectors between the design elements broke and one unfortunate kitty incident created a large hole that needed to be restored. I was familiar with that particular windmill pattern and enjoyed restoring the missing design and connectors. This particular pattern is actually worked in squares that are interconnected; however, you would never guess a squares construction because the connectors are so elaborate. I replaced or reinforced many of them and now the cloth has a new life.
I was also looking forward to my August demo time this last weekend at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway and had replenished my inventory of popular items like headbands, hats and fingerless gloves.
I usually send out a Mailchimp announcement to my local customers so they can shop for baby shower gifts and other items but also see me about questions or problems they are having while crocheting. One of my most FAQ is about patterns. Crochet directions written in this country do not have to comply to a certain standard like knitting directions do, so it seems that anything goes! Even when the source is a well-known company, directions are often difficult to decipher.
Purl Yarn Shop in downtown Asheville often refers customers with specific questions and challenges to me. (Thank you Elizabeth!) A lovely lady came to see me during my demo, directions and yarn in hand. She had purchased an Afghan kit from the well-known before not mentioned company and despite being a long time crocheter, she had trouble figuring out the pattern.
I started working from the directions in a circular foundation chain and noticed right away that important information was missing. If you need to skip over many stitches to get to your next slip stitch, it should be noted or they will have many frustrated customers. She was so upset; she called the customer service number and was told she should attend one of their pattern reading workshops! Well, there was a disclaimer on the bottom, and I am sure, many of the patterns that don’t make much sense were written in another country.
How about just writing a clear pattern that has been tested instead of losing customers! Cudos to Yarnspirations by Red Heart Co, their directions are always clear and correct. Let your books, magazines and yarn companies know about your challenges or this situation will never change. Patterns should add to your enjoyment and give reassurance that you are doing it correctly.
When purchasing books or magazines from the United Kingdom or other English speaking far away places, beware that they use a different name for single, half-double and double crochet and it is literally impossible to follow such a pattern unless you re-write it completely.
Good patterns are a great place to start but once you get confident in your work, just follow your own design and practice pattern independency.
September will bring another demo session for me at the Folk Art Center around Labor Day and the following weekend is Heritage Day at the folk Art Center. If you are in our area on September 17, please join us from 10 am – 4 pm for a celebration of Southern Appalachian culture on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This festival has old-time music and demonstrations of the crafts of yesteryear. And our most exciting event, the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition takes place at 2 pm!
Demonstrations include:
Chairmaking, quilting, heirloom apples, sheep shearing, corn shuck dolls, woodcarving, blacksmithing, weaving, stone carving, soap making, crocheting, knitting, spinning, rifle making, natural dyeing, basketry.
Band Schedule:
10:00- Blue Eyed Girl
11:00- Highland Highlights
12:00- Jonah Riddle and Carolina Express
1:00- Split Rail
2:00- World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition
3:00- Buncombe Turnpike
Another fun month is coming up! Why not plan an early fall visit to the Folk Art Center?
It’s almost time to think about creating some Christmas projects. If you need some inspiration, please visit my websites: www.heirloomtreasuresfiberarts.com and www.heirloomtreasuresboutique.com
Happy early fall to all!
“I do what I love and I love what I do!”