I remember visiting fabric stores with my momma when I was little. “I’m going to make you a dress,” she’d say. “But first we have to pick out a pattern.” We’d go through pattern book after pattern book. She’d see something cute and point it out to me. I’d say no, I didn’t like the color, or the print, or too many flowers. Because the picture was made in a fabric that didn’t suit my tastes, I would rule the pattern out completely and keep looking. Most of the time we both ended up frustrated. Sometimes she would find a pattern she liked and we’d go straight to picking out material. It was years before she made me realize that I was only supposed to be looking at the shape of the dress, that the rest was completely up to our discretion and we could do whatever we wanted.
I like to think that I’m better about that now. I like the freedom of being able to take what I want and like about a pattern and change all the rest of it. I have an easier time doing that when it comes to sewing.
This dress is a perfect example. The inspiration was white and blue. I was presented with green satin. I had some very overwhelming pink organza. I love how it turned out, and so did the owner.
Crochet patterns are ever challenging though. I see a gorgeous pattern, and I love everything about it. Then I look at my yarn stash, and see nothing that will do justice to that pattern. Much of my stash is a collection of hand-dyed single skeins. They are the most beautiful yarns I’ve ever seen, but finding the perfect patterns to showcase their beauty is difficult. To that end, I will be showcasing my collection of one-skein patterns. Many that I have used, many that are in my ravelry queue. Reviews will be provided where appropriate, of both pattern and yarn. My work schedule is about to get crazy with the upcoming holiday season, so hopefully this will provide an opportunity to reflect.
justmadison 