3KCBWDAY7: Balance

The task for this day's KCBW is so right on target for me and one I've been striving to accomplish lately--balancing the two crafts I love the most. This is also a perfect subject for closing up this fun week! 
The fact is, when I'm knitting I love it best and when I'm crocheting I love it best. 
My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was about 10 but I didn't learn to knit until I was 20. However, when I first started designing in 2005, I chose knitting to focus on first, simply because that's what grabbed my attention first. I'm glad I didn't try to do both equally back then or I wouldn't have a pattern to my name!

A couple of years ago I wanted to broaden my pattern customer base and added the Mirth line in addition to my already known Figheadh line. I wanted Mirth to feature both crafts, as Figheadh is knitting only. The next couple of years after that proved a little difficult for me in some ways and I had to scale back my work load. The result of that is that Mirth has stayed this tiny little germ of a pattern line. I vow to change that this year with new patterns, two of which we are testing now. 

It is now a month since I did my month of crochet blogging in March for National Crochet Month. I promised myself in the last post of that event that I would do both crafts equally.

I am glad to report that so far it has gone well!
Here's a knitted FO from a couple of weeks ago...

...and a crocheted FO from the week after that.

Right now I have a knitted sock design, a crochet shawl design, a knitted toddler dress design, a crochet cowl design, a knitted shawlette design, and a crochet hat design in the works. Never mind that all that is entirely too much to be working on simultaneously (normal for me)--it shows that I am practicing balance. At this point I am much weaker in my crochet design skills than knitting ones, but I plan to catch up! 
All it takes is doing, doing, doing (i.e. practice!)

Thank you all for the wonderful posts and for all the fun. 
If you didn't join in this year, think about doing KCBW in 2013. It's a blast!

Happy Knitting and Crocheting to you!

Comments

Pumpkin said…
As soon as I read this topic, I immediately thought of you and the crochet month you had a little while ago. I'm still so inspired by that.
It sounds like you're striking a good balance between knitting and crochet, and I can't wait to see your new designs
Anonymous said…
That knitted scarf is really pretty - what pattern is it?

I agree - blog week has been a blast!
Ana BC said…
Both projects are divine!!!
I am glad I found you @ Blog week, and I will be following you from now on.
Ana BC
Evelyn said…
I'm impressed ... while I have loved my crochet projects, I'm a knitter at heart. Nice to see that you give equal love to both crafts.
Kell said…
Wow! You're a perfect example of knitting and crochet in balance. Beautiful projects, too.
SarahFay said…
Your crochet FO is beautiful. Love the blue.
Ramona G. said…
Your knitted FO is so beautiful, just love it. Is that one of your patterns? I bet it was fun to knit! Your crochet piece is amazing too!
Kim Sonksen said…
I love both projects and your posts during this week have been awesome, loved them all and your blog is now on my reader :)
Caffeine Girl said…
I am as guilty as you for having a ridiculous number of WIPs. I figure there are more serious faults!
I think it is pretty tough to find balance between the two crafts, especially as a designer, so I admire your devotion to seeking out that balance.
Jen Hagan said…
Thank you all for reading and for taking time to post these lovely comments! I was away on vacation when this post went up and have not had time to finish reading all your posts. I will be visiting your blogs in the coming days and returning the favor! Happy Monday. :-)

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