Lets knit bunny

Last week when I wrote my post for handmade monday I had had a crazy week but all my work was finished and my diary was clear. I was looking forward to working on my own projects and having a bit of free time. Well that lasted all of one day.

 On Tuesday I recieved an email from one of my magazine editors asking if I'd like to do some patterns for a new crochet book. I was shocked and honered to be asked, as I'm such a new designer but of course I jumped it the chance. 5 big projects due beginning the of april, it would be hard work but a fun, interesting challenge and I couldn't wait to get started. Next I get an email telling me that they need the patterns for the 21st of march and the completed items by april. So my deadlines pretty much been cut in half.

When I design I do a quick scetch of proportions and the look I want, and then work out the best way to crochet each part. Then I make each part to check the pattern is going to work, making amendments to the rough pattern as I go. Finally I write up the pattern and test it. All in all it takes anything from 2-3 days per pattern. Taking the day job into account I worked out I had 6 full days plus evenings to complete these patterns for the deadline. Thats a very scary, very tight deadline.

I've been working flat out, up to 16 hour days ever since. Its hard work, its tiring but its wonderful. I'm producing patterns I'm really proud of. The challenge to work on such diffrent projects at the same time keep it interestind. I wish I could share some photos with you but that will have to wait for the book to be published and till then I'll keep you posted with how I'm getting on.

Its only been about 6 months since I started working with magazine and my first commision was published this week. Back in November/ December Lets Knit magazine asked me to create a bunny and chick for their easter magazine and now finally I can show you some pictures.

 This is the photo from the magazine. They have called them Suzy and Percy. I'm so pleased with how they look certanly puts my photo below to shame.

Its a complete delight to see my patterns in magazines and I had to resist the urge to tell everyone in WH smiths that it was my pattern when I went in on friday to buy my copy. When I opened it I was shocked again to find they had inclued my pattern in a 5 page spread about amigurumi and me. Its a lovely artical and a great magazine, I hope it inspires some of the knitters out there to give crochet a chance.

If you are on ravelry there is a link to this project here

Back to work for me now but not before I check out handmade monday :)