My First Lace Pattern is Here

I finally finished not only the knitting but the pattern write up for my first lace pattern!  I posted it this evening on Ravelry, and I have already sold one copy of the pattern!  I love the way it turned out, and I hope you all agree! 

Great as a Wrap

Great as a Table Runner

The Pattern is Available Under Shawls.

Time Flies

Well summer is over in my neck of the woods.  Kids are back to school, and I realized it has been over a month since I posted.  I almost made my end of July deadline on the yellow lace.  But those last finishing touches such as blocking and photographing and finishing the pattern write up are still in process.  I do have a little tease of the blocking however....

I have this wonderful new blocking tool, knitters block by cocoknits.com.  Individual squares hook together to the necessary shape and you simply wet and pin your knitting into place and shape.  My only problem was that I didn't have enough blocks for the entire piece as it is quite long.  I may need another set of squares.  Pattern for the yellow lace is on the way!



Can I charge my hourly rate to knit?

If you ask me to which profession I belong I’d like to tell you I’m a stand-up comedian or a race car driver.  (As you will see stand-up comedian has never been and is not now an option.  Race car driver just sounds fun, but it isn’t very practical.)  My honest answer, however, is attorney.  I have my own practice and work around my family and knitting.  I’ve started a knitting blog and writing knitting patterns.  These activities fill me with pride and joy.  I’m not complaining about my profession (insert your favorite lawyer joke here).  I enjoy work most days, and the flexibility it has given me with my family is a gift I never imagined.  That being said, a couple of years ago I discovered my “passion.”  I’ve always been envious of those who have known since their youth the career path they wished to pursue.  I admittedly went to law school because I had no plans for my life after college.  The wonderful education I obtained gave me a wonderful career.  A career I enjoy, but not a career that is my passion.  The envious path few people have from their youth to pursue.  My career and my passion need not be the same things.  Some might argue that turning a hobby into a job makes the hobby feel like a job and no longer a hobby.  That said, I’ve started my knitting blog and writing patterns to share free and patterns I’m willing to share for a price.  That brings us to the title of this article; can I charge my hourly rate for knitting?  As an attorney, people don’t bat an eye if I indicate I charge an hourly rate of $150 or $200 or more.  I did spend three years obtaining a juris doctorate and have accumulated more than a few year of experience in my profession, none of which apply to my knitting.  However, as I have accumulated birthdays (and unfortunately not an equivalent amount of wisdom) I begin to think charging my hourly rate for whatever task I undertake seems reasonable?  Or prudent?  Or logical?  Or wishful thinking.  As we age, we learn the value of time or at least increate our appreciation for the value of time.  The joy I find in following my passion exceeds my hourly rate in dollar terms.  Maybe someday my knitting expertise and insight will be worth $200 an hour.  Until then I’ll follow my passion and continue to enjoy my career.  When I can charge others my hourly rate for my passion, I’ll let you know. 

Time filies when you are working

Well, I have been busy working at my paid job.  It unfortuantely cuts into my knitting time!  The lace project is taking longer than I would have guessed, and I have finished one sweater and started a second in the meantime. 

I have set a goal to have my lace project finished by the end of this month!  We'll see if I succeed.  Lastly, I have decided you my dedicated blog followers will have access to the discounts on my pattern sales.  I will post the discount in the sale section along with a coupon code.  Enter the coupon code at check-out to get the deal!  Next month hopefully it will be a deal on the lace project!

Lace, Lace, Lace

I have the promised pictures of my first lace pattern.  It is coming along slowly but surely. 

Of course my beloved stitch markers are keeping me company as I go!