Become a Crochet Pattern Tester

What is it all about?

Having a Pattern Tested is a huge part of the Design Process. I would like to think I am perfect, but it is certainly not the case. I make mistakes! My longsuffering testers find these and point them out. We then work together to make certain that the pattern is correct, workable and any sizing issues are sorted out.

I want my patterns to be easy to follow, and mistakes free. Those who use my patterns want the same thing.

What do Pattern Testers get out of the process?

Testers get the first look at original designs. They can take their Crochet skills to the next level. They become part of a select group on Facebook there just for the testers of my patterns. On completion they get a copy of the finished pattern to keep.

My pattern test group brings together people from all over the world. I have testers from Mexico, Alaska, Morocco, USA, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany and possibly a few other places I forget.

What is Expected of a Tester?

• Are asked to join the Facebook group Auburncraft Crochet. Guidelines are given out and prospective testers are asked to agree to them.
• Communication between testers and myself is very important to keep me informed during the test process, and to map the progress of the test.
• Must know basic crochet stitches and have experience reading patterns.
• Must be able to complete the project by the deadline asked.
• Must add the completed project to their Ravelry account within a week of completion.
• Must provide 2 plus quality photos (photo credit will be given) to be used in places such as social media and in final pattern listings.

Having an eye for detail is an advantage in testing. When a new design is ready for testing, I will put out the call for testers. If selected you will be given the pattern and details necessary for the testing process to begin. I try to take on board all feedback, but at times I can get conflicting feedback from testers and so if your feedback is not used, it is not a slight towards you. So in saying this, having an easy going temperament is also an advantage to a tester.

If interested, go to Auburncraft Crochet on Facebook.

How to Make a Straight Edge for a Crochet Border

You know how sometimes, edges for a blanket are not always perfectly straight! No matter how hard you try, things just end up wonky!

There could be a heap of reasons for this:

Maybe you have joined shapes together and they are a bit in and out in places.

You could be someone just starting out on the crochet journey, and your edges look a bit like a road in Tasmania (if you have ever been there you will get the reference).

Or like me, on this project I am designing, you find that a Single/Double Crochet straight into the other colours or work just looks sloppy.

Whatever the reason, this little cheat can solve the problem and give you a lovely straight edge to work the remainder of your border from.

The first thing you need to know to achieve this, is how to Surface Slip Stitch.

How to complete a Surface Slip Stitch.

1. Attach the yarn at work edge with a slst.

2. Insert hook through face of work

3. Pull up a loop from back of work through to front of work and through loop on hook.

4. Insert hook into next st. Repeat

5. Once you have that sorted, work a Surface Slip Stitch in a straight line, along the edge of your project that you wish to add a border to.

6. Work your next row of stitches into the top loop only,of your Surface Slip Stitch. This is the loop closest to the work edge. It won't matter if you also hook through the main body of your work, as well. This is up to you (I didn't). For the project shown here, I did a row of Single Crochet/USA Terms, Double Crochet/Uk Terms. The result is a lovely, straight transition into your border, without messy stitches just worked into the raw edge.

Main Picture is of my Latest Design which will hopefully be out testing very soon. Round Leadlight Blanket. This measures 61”/155cm Wide. 

Merry Christmas

Put your hand up if you packed your Crochet, to go visit family today! I know my Crochet is on hand, if I can find the time or the need, for it.

We all need a little Christmas Cheer, so with that in mind, I am offering 30% off, on any of my patterns in my Ravelry Store. Use the code 'Christmas' at checkout. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sue-stapleton

Frankie Drake Crochet Cloche Hat

Do you ever find yourself watching a show and getting inspired to grab your hook?   I do!I have been binge watching Frankie Drake Mysteries of late and just loving the 1920's fashion.  Really lovely trousers and dresses.  But oh, the hats!   I found myself in love with them.  Next thing I knew I had my hook in my hand.I am pretty happy with the results and would like to think that Frankie would rock this hat!The hat is out with my long-suffering testers at present and will be published in the next few weeks.This uses a 5mm hook and an Aran or Chunky Yarn.  Whichever makes gauge.  I made this one with Lincraft Balmy.  The hat is one size only.  Circumference is 22 inches.  Larger or smaller could be achieved using a larger or smaller hook.  Or adjusting the yarn thickness.The embellishments on the hat are made using Surface Slip Stitch and the band is done with a length of Ribbon.Watch this space for an update when published.

Crochet Sizing Chart for Hats, Scarves and Blankets!

A while back I started a sizing chart, just for my own records, so I could reference it at a later date and easily see just what sizes I had used, for things like blankets, scarves and hats.

I decided to put the information from my own crochet experiences, into a reduced smaller chart.

So while some of these sizes may not be exactly what other charts may say, these are what works for me.

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Dearne Crochet Headband/Earwarmer

My daughter has always loved wide headbands and I have been keeping her in stock with them, for as long as I can remember.I noticed that the knitted one I had done for her back in her teens, was looking rather worn.  I rummaged through the stash, found some yarn and set about making this one.This works up quickly and is made from Stylecraft Special Aran and uses a 5mm hook.Beginner friendly!This is a free pattern and available for download on Love Crochet.

PATTERN PERMISSIONS

This is a FREE pattern (download is available on ravelry), and by using it, you’re agreeing to the following conditions.You’re welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog (or ravelry) using something like this:

Pattern byAuburncraftAuburncraftcrochet.comWhat is not allowed:

• Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.
• Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Link to this page instead (or my ravelry). Doing anything else is copyright theft.
• Do not use any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) to promote yourself or your crochet business on your own blog, Facebook page, or anywhere else.
• Do not post a translation of the pattern anywhere – this is copyright theft. If you would like to help make a translation available, please contact me.
• Do not make a video tutorial of this pattern (or any of my patterns).

This post may contain affiliate links

Freeform Crochet! Where is that Pattern?

Freeform Crochet is about letting go and throwing all those rules and patterns out the window!If you are like me,  you only ever read instructions on anything (and I mean anything), if there is no other choice.In Freeform, there are no rules, no instructions. If I want to put that stitch there I just will.  So what, if I have 20 stitches this side and 22 on the other side. Who cares!  I did count them, but I know I didn't need to!I find sites that offer tutorials etc, on how to make a particular item using freeform amusing.  So you are offering me a guide, or maybe you can use the term 'pattern' on how to make a freeform piece?  And mine will come out the same as yours?  Sort of ruins the whole idea of it!Sure, look up suggested ideas, such as spirals or shells done using bullion stitch, surface slip stitch. Read up on Scrumbling (which in normal speak, just means making some odd motifs and joining them together). And get the lowdown on various  techniques used.  But once you are done researching, grab your hook and some yarn and get stuck into something.  Let your imagination go wild.Freeform offers you the chance to make something unique to you.  Each year a trend starts and pictures start popping up of the same crochet piece made over and over and over.   I know as a designer I would love to be the one who designed something that just everybody has to make.  BUT! After a while of seeing the same thing over and over I do get a little bored.  What is the answer?  Yep, FREEFORM!!!The picture for this post, is a coat I started over a year ago.  One day I may even finish it.  It's just a whole pile of flowers and a few spirals, stuck together in a random sort of way. The gaps are filled in with random stitches.  I love it!  It is going to be a rather thick coat when done and will sit just below the knees.I got sidetracked along the way and so it has been shoved in the WIP box.  I promise I will finish it, one day!Like most people who crochet or craft with yarn, I have a truck load of part balls of the stuff.  Freeform is the answer to this.Some Pluses for Freeform:Uses up a heap of leftover yarn.If you made a mistake, it never happened.You don't have to count your stitches, as it really doesn't matter.If you are a beginner at crochet. You can just call your work Freeform and dare anyone to say it isn't right.You end up with a piece of work that is totally original to you.If you run out of a colour of yarn, it doesn't matter.You don't have to check gauge.

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 Time to start saving those leftovers and putting them to use. There is no right or wrong way to do Freeform! Just give it a go!    

DD Crochet Cowl/Neckwarmer

 A very good friend asked me to make a Cowl for her. I had been playing around with Star Stitch at the time and so felt it was a good idea to use it in this Cowl.  I also named this after my friend. Sometimes in life, if you are lucky enough you have a person who is always there for you, no matter what. Deb is that person for me!At the time I did not really think this would be a popular pattern.  Just goes to show you can never tell what people will love. This pattern is often downloaded more than 450 times in a month.I often tend to do things a little different and the cowl is one of these things.  It is made with 2 strands of Aran weight yarn (double).  Any Aran could be used Aran weight yarn used.  The one pictured was made from Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 10 ply.  It is so very soft. This is an Australian Yarn and can be purchased online via their web page.  A good alternative to this yarn would be King Cole Merino Blend Aran.   The same results could be achieved using a Chunky Yarn with one strand.This is a free pattern and can be found in my Ravelry Store and on Love CrochetThis post may contain affiliate links 

PATTERN PERMISSIONS

This is a FREE pattern (download is available on ravelry), and by using it, you’re agreeing to the following conditions.You’re welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog (or ravelry) using something like this:

Pattern byAuburncraftAuburncraftcrochet.comWhat is not allowed:

• Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.
• Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Link to this page instead (or my ravelry). Doing anything else is copyright theft.
• Do not use any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) to promote yourself or your crochet business on your own blog, Facebook page, or anywhere else.
• Do not post a translation of the pattern anywhere – this is copyright theft. If you would like to help make a translation available, please contact me.
• Do not make a video tutorial of this pattern (or any of my patterns).

Sometimes You Just Need a Triangle

Sometimes you just need a simple Triangle.Think of all the possibilities!  Cushions, blankets, bunting.  Or you may have a flat chested doll that needs a bikini!I whipped up this little Triangle as part of a much larger design I have been working on for AGES!  I wanted a Triangle with specific angles to it, as it had to fit in a specific spot.TriangleBy AuburncraftUSA TermsSc- Single CrochetCh- ChainDec- Single Crochet two togetherSc3tog- Single Crochet three together.-----------------------------------------------------------------------5mm HookDk YarnMeasurements  Using Dk Yarn.Triangle Measurements 5”/12.7cm x 5”/12.7cmUse stitch markers to keep track of decrease rows.Ch25.Row 1. Sc into 4^th ch from hook.  Sc in each ch across. Turn (23)Row 2. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 19 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (21)Row 3. And every alternate Row from here. Ch1. Sc in each st across. Turn.Row 4. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 17 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (19)Row 6. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 15 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (17)Row 8. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 13 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (15)Row 10. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 11 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (13)Row 12. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 9 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (11)Row 14. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 7 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (9)Row 16. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 5 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (7)Row 18. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 3 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (5)Row 20. Sc Dec. Work 1 sc in next 1 st’s. Sc Dec. Turn (3)Row 22. Sc3tog. Fasten off and cut yarn.Sew in ends.Block Triangles so they sit flat.  This will make them easier to join.The main picture is a little teaser of what I am making from these.  It is going to beFAB-U-LOUS!!!!! 

Nice Words For Sale! Going Cheap!

Maybe it is just me. Who knows! But being a Crochet Designer I wonder what a nice word or comment costs?Does it cost an arm and a leg?  Will people be punished and have their crochet hooks confiscated for a week, if they leave a nice comment and do they get bonus points if they find (or think,) they find an error and leave a comment about it (without bothering to send a message to see if they are right?) And are Ravelry and Etsy in on this.It does get a little disheartening to spend huge amounts of time creating, testing and publishing crochet patterns, for sale or for free and have quite a few downloaded only have the odd person comment that sees a full stop in the wrong place.So if you get a pattern for free, or if you buy one,  post a nice comment and make the designer feel they are doing a good job.  I promise it will not cost anything, and it will put a smile on their face.

My Very Own Sunflower Crochet Hat

I Love Flowers!I Really Love Sunflowers!Sunflowers make you smile!So who doesn't want to walk around with a Sunflower on their head?My testers and I had fun with this one.  Fun to make and fun to wear.This is available in several sizes:

•   Baby 17-inch circumference• Toddler -18-inch circumference• Child -19.5-inch circumference• Teen- 21- inch circumference• Adult Small- 22.5-inch circumference• Adult Large- 24-inch circumference

4mm HookMade from Stylecraft Special DkThe band is Half Double/Treble Crochet worked into the 3rd Loop.Crocodile Stitch is used to form the Petals.A small amount of Surface Slip Stitch is done on the Flower centre.This is a written pattern with some photos to help along the way.The pattern is in written form Uk and USA terms.This is a paid pattern and available on Ravelry, Etsy ,   Craftsy This Post May Contain Affiliate links

Don't You Hate it When Snakes Stop You Crocheting!

What a day! Got home from the gym and intended to do the last two rounds of the third and final colour change on my Leadlight Blanket.  I have been working on this solid for ages trying to get this section done.  96 Bobbins on the go at once.  I could see the finish line ahead with such a small amount left to do and intended to spend the afternoon working on it.The world had other ideas!Got in the door and number 2 child spots a snake in the house.   Call the snake catcher, and he comes and cannot find it. $125 call out fee. About an hour later I spot the snake and so the snake catcher comes again. He still cannot find the snake.Number 2 child goes to the loo and as he is stepping through the doorway spots Mr Snake curled up at the back of the loo. So he slams the door shut. On the phone to the snake guy again who says he is 15 minutes away. I stand on the stairs to keep an eye on the loo door in case the snake tries to escape. About 10 minutes in Mr Snake popped his head and about a foot of his body out from under the door. So I start jumping on the stairs, as they hate the noise. He darts back inside the loo. Snake man phones to say he had to swing past another place to grab a brown snake that was in someones yard. So I spent the next 20 minutes tap dancing on the stairs till the snake guy arrived. He brought the brown snake with him for a sort of play date with my snake.  No not really that stayed in a bag, in the back of his car. Thankfully he was able to catch our snake. Another $125 and no crochet done today! I did get some dancing in, but was pretty put out with Mr Snake for spoiling my crochet time!!!!!

Clover Crochet Hooks and A Bit of Whirl!

I truly love my Clover Hooks.  They are easily my hook of choice.BUT... I do have one minor gripe about them.  Why don't they separate the colours just slightly better? I have lost count of the times I have had to frog a project, due to picking up the 3.5mm instead of the 3mm.They are both RED! Yes, different shades of Red, but still Red. It is so annoying!I am sure that they could mix it up a little. Put some Polka Dots on one. Or some Stripes.The cynic in me thinks they do it on purpose.  It's someones idea of a cruel joke. Whoever thought the colour choices up are probably a frustrated Hooker, cackling in glee that they made me frog another project.What I am currently working on, happens to be made from Scheepjes Whirl, in Lavenderlicious. Have you ever tried frogging that? To add to the disaster of it all, I always intend to rewind as I frog but often it doesn't happen. Tangled Whirl is a nightmare!As I was untangling my Whirl,  I had the thought, ' If I throw a Whirl, does it become a whirling, Whirl?'Just maybe Scheepjes and Clover got together and decided to make the hook sizes most used for this yarn the same colour.  It is their evil plan for world frogging domination! How sinister is that!But hey! My latest Design is going to be FAB-U-LOUS in my Lavenderlicious.  Two Squares done and a heap of them to go!Disclaimer;  This post may contain Affiliate links.

What The Heart Wants Crochet Scarf

Filet Hearts in a line.  Colour is added with chain lengths, threaded through the holes.Throw in a Pompom or two, and you have a fun Boho Scarf that is unique to you.  Choose the colours that suit you, and you want to spice up your look.This is a great project to use up some of that scrap yarn that has been piling up.The main Body of the Scarf uses two balls of Stylecraft Special Dk Yarn in Graphite but any dk yarn could be used.If you don't have any leftover yarn (Hah! Sure!), I used part of a ball of Magenta in the Stylecraft and a Gold I had.This is an Easy Project, using simple stitches, Double/Treble Crochet and Chains to create a Filet Crochet Technique.  It works up quickly!4mm hook.The pattern comes in Uk and USA terms.Finished size: 148cm/58.5’ x 22cm/8.5’ The pattern is available on:CraftsyLove CrochetAnd Ravelry

The Mystery of Surface Slip Stitch!

I can do anything with a Big Ball of String, or yarn, as the case may be!We all have our favourite or 'go-to' things.   I know I do.   I have several design techniques that I tend to default to, when working up a new design.I like to work borders for Blankets, one side at a time.  I also like throwing in a bit of Surface Slip Stitch, in many of my designs.Surface Slip Stitch can turn a simple single/double Crochet into a work of art!  A masterpiece of epic proportions!That plain cushion cover can become interesting or fluffy (depending upon yarn choice).It's also a great way to use up left over balls of yarn in your stash.   It is so easy to do too!The main photo shows my Shaggadelic Vest.  This turned out fluffy and warm, using Drops Melody  for the Surface Slip Stitch.Also, my  Wish Upon A Star Cushion.   This uses Paint Box Simply Chunky   I just love the look.Lastly my Dragonflies in Spring Blanket, made from dk Cotton yarn.  The Surface Slip Stitch on this just makes the pattern pop.Three different items and three different looks. How to Complete a Surface Slip Stitch

• If beginning your Surface Slip Stitch at an edge, Slip Stitch to attach your yarn.  If your Surface Slip Stitch begins in the middle of your work or elsewhere, I just start right from step 2 and leave a long tail to sew in later
• Insert hook through face of work
• Pull up a loop from the back of work, through to front of work and through loop on hook.
• Insert hook into next st. Repeat.

 

The Yarn Stash, Swallowed My Sunshine!

I have been in the process of a new design (aren't I always).    It started out simple enough as, a child hat pattern.  Then of course it grew.  Before I knew it I had done calculations for 5 sizes.I got the child size made and was working on an Adult version, when I ran out (or thought I had) of Stylecraft Special DK  in Sunshine.Getting towards that last little bit of yarn, I crossed my fingers, crochet twice as fast, made my work a little tighter, but all in vain.  I needed another ball!I looked through the Stash.  Nope! None to be seen!I glared at the hat.  I glared at the yarn stash, but it made no difference.  So, with huge haste and a pout on my face (which really is quite silly, as the pout won't help and  it still takes about 10 days to get a delivery no matter how fast I order) I ordered another ball.A couple of days passed and then I remembered.  That cushion I started and grouped the yarn for!  I am sure it had a ball of Sunshine in it!After a small search I had Sunshine in my hand ( and the room did seem to brighten a bit on my finding it).So I have a yarn order on the way I don't really need (and yes, of course I added more yarn to the order than, that one ball) and I have a hat to finish.Note to self:  I must downsize my stash, so it is manageable and I must organise my stash, so yarn cannot get eaten up by it.Wonder if anyone else's stash, eats their yarn? 

Pumpkin Spice Crochet Hat

I had a ball of Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury, that had been begging me to use it.  So the name of the hat comes from the Colour of the yarn used. 'Pumpkin Spice".King Cole Merino Blend Aran is a good match if you can't get your hands on some BWM Luxury but trust me you would love it.  It is just as the name says.I guess designing is a lot about trial and error and I sure found it to be the case designing this hat.I have written about the journey to design this, previously on my blog.  It did test me to the limits. a number of times.Getting the stitches right took quite some time.  Too loose, too tight,  the pattern running with a slant on it.  Some days it was a case of 'this hat just hates me!'   And then I ran out of cream yarn!!!!!!!!!!!So dejected, but not defeated I had to wait for another ball of yarn to arrive.So I am happy to say that it is now Published on Love Crochet Ravelry , Etsy and  Craftsy a

Crochet Metallic Flower

 I had a wedding to attend earlier this year and I was very excited at the prospect of attending.   I wanted to (hopefully) look nice.I am one of those people, who go and try on a dress and just cannot find anything I like. I also do not want to spend a million dollars on a dress (if I had a million dollars, I would not spend it on a dress anyway).  I have to also say that I do have my own style.  What I rather like, may not be something others would wear, but that's okay and I will own it!I had some ideas for a dress, swishing around in my head and so I took a trip to my local yarn store.  I walked away with a number of balls of Madame Tricot Metallic Gold yarn (full disclosure, I also grabbed a few other squishy lovelies that were calling my name.  We all know you can never have enough!).I set to and began making my dress.  I wanted a yoke with flowers around it.  After trying several different flowers and a lot of frogging,  I finally, settled on this design.The pattern for the flower is available for free on my RavelryGetting the yoke just right was a lot of trial and error.  In the end I was very pleased with the  result.Once the Yoke was done, the rest was smooth sailing. I placed another row of flowers at the waist and then again near the bottom of the dress.The day of the wedding was quite warm and my dress was just right for it.At times, I like to enter some of my crochet into the local shows and decided to enter the dress.  I was quite pleased that it won a prize. One day I may write the pattern for the dress up.  But at this stage there is only the pattern for the flower.

PATTERN PERMISSIONS

This is a FREE pattern (download is available on ravelry), and by using it, you’re agreeing to the following conditions.You’re welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:

Pattern byAuburncraftAuburncraftcrochet.comWhat is not allowed:

• Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.
• Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Link to this page instead (or my ravelry). Doing anything else is copyright theft.
• Do not use any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) to promote yourself or your crochet business on your own blog, Facebook page, or anywhere else.
• Do not post a translation of the pattern anywhere – this is copyright theft. If you would like to help make a translation available, please contact me.
• Do not make a video tutorial of this pattern (or any of my patterns).

Introducing Mallory & A 'How To' Cover A Head in Fabric.

Find a person, with a head and wrap it in material.  There, done!No, not really, just kidding!INTRODUCING MALLORY!Mallory has recently signed on, to do some modelling for  Auburncraft Designs.I carried out some extensive interviews, as I am rather particular, as to who works for me. Mallory was the  successful applicant.  Now I know that we are not meant to discriminate and I did try hard not to.  But just quietly some of the other applicants were not all that attractive (ebay has a massive amount of different heads, with different shapes).  So I took my time and waited patiently till Mallory applied for the position.I am finding working with her a dream.  She is rather a bit on the quiet side, but she does exactly as I ask first time and is willing to work extended hours for nothing more than a warm, crochet hat, as payment.Nothing is too much trouble.  Turn that way!  Hold still!  Stay that way for an hour or so! And I hope you don't mind if I cover your head with Glue?Where else could I get such dedication!Now, if only she could do some of those pesky Math Calculations (that have been plaguing me lately) for my crochet.  I did ask her if she would, but she refused to answer!So if you are looking for a model for your Hats, Scarves etc.  And you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for one.  The 'how to' is below!

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HOW TO COVER YOUR OWN FOAM HEAD

• Get a Foam Head  (I bought my head on Ebay.  There were so many different shaped heads to choose from, but I liked this one.  They are only a few dollars).
• Modge Podge.  (This is a water based glue. I think the MATTE, would possibly give a better result, but I had some Gloss on hand so mine was done in that.  Most large craft places have it, or buy online)
• A paintbrush
• Scissors
• Some scrap material ( I had some batik material leftover from making the Hygge Shawl Cal last year)
• A bowl of water to dip your brush into

Step 1. Cut the material into approx 2 inch squares.Step 2. Using your paintbrush, cover an area on the head ready to attach the material.Step 3. Place a square of material onto the Head.Step 4. Dip your brush into the water and damp the material slightly.Step 5.  Add some more Modge Podge to cover the piece of material.Continue adding pieces of material till the head is covered.  Allow to dry.Give the Head a Name!

One W.I.P, Two W.I.P, Three W.I.P...Zombies!

I think that Crocheting is kind of addictive!You start one project and that is good.  Then you see another and just have to start that one.  Before you know it, you have a room, cupboard, shed, house full of W.I.P.SDesigning for me is pretty much the same!  If I stop to count how many W.I.P.S I have, it would take me all day to get a proper number.Two reasons for that.   First one is that math is not, my strongest point and second, I have way too many W.I.P.SDon't get me wrong.  Like many, who started school in the 60's, I can recite my times tables by rote and I can add and subtract basic percentages, in my head.Butttttttttt..... when you are talking about designing crochet, at times there is a ton of calculations.    If you happen to be designing something that has several sizes, then ooh, my goodness.Starting chains for each size and you have to take into account the first stitch makes two.Decreases and increases for each size.  Odd numbers and even number and numbers, numbers, numbers!  ARrGh!I get there in the end.  I often find myself going between the calculator, a sheet of paper and then I resort to drawing it out, to try and make certain I have it right.  My testers at times, find that I am not right and then I have to sit in the naughty corner, for a bit.Yesterday I was doing calculations for a new fun hat design.  My head was slowly turning to flummery.  I thought about sending out a life line, by phoning a friend.   I did message a designer friend and ask for her brain.  It's okay, I said I wanted it in a non Zombie like way.Yes,  back with the Zombies again!  I love shows like 'The Walking Dead'.  So Zombies are going to creep (or stagger) into the conversation sooner or later.At times when I am all tangled up in a Math haze, I ponder if the design is really worth it. I do have to say, I am pretty pleased with how this is turning out.   Hopefully it will be ready for the testers within the next week.I just have a few more CALCULATIONS to do!!!Stay Tuned for the Reveal SOOON!  Image at top of page is a sneak peek!This is made from Stylecraft Dk Yarn.  Available on Love Crochet