5KCBWDAY7 - Looking Back, Looking Forward

As they say, better late than never.  I've been away this weekend on my felt course and didn't get back until late last night.  Anyway, the post for the final day of Knitting and Crochet blog week is to look back at this same post from last year and to look forward to what I hope to have achieved by next years.

Looking Back

Tunisian Crochet - Although I have continued to explore tunisian crochet, which I love, I have yet to make a large item with it.  I do however have a few clothing patterns that i hope to create one day!

Workshops - Well, I have definitely achieved this goal.  Since the last blog week, I have taught private workshops in crochet and am now teaching as part of the adult education programme. I can honestly say that I love it.

Design - Probably my biggest goal last year was to write up some of my crochet designs.  I have written up 2, my crochet Christmas wreath and my sock pattern.  It is a real challenge writing patterns as it is so important to keep it simple and easy to follow.  This is something I wish to continue with.

Looking Forward

By next years Knitting and Crochet Blog Week I hope to have:

1) Made that tunisian cardigan I love so much

2)  Learnt how to broomstick crochet

3)  Conquered the World with my range of upcycled skirts and clothing using crochet and felt

I wonder just how many of these I will have achieved by next years knitting and crochet blog week?

As ever, it's been so much fun joining in with #5KCBW and I want to send a great big thank you to the awesome Eskimimi Makes for planning it all and creating some wonderful topics.  If you want to read my other posts from this week, then follow the links below.

5KCBWDAY1 -  A Day in the Life
5KCBWDAY2 - Dating Profile
5KCBWDAY3 - Experimental Photography
5KCBWDAY4 - Conversations between Workers
5KCBWDAY5 - Something a Bit Different
5KCBWDAY6 - Views of Others, Views of Yourself

You can also read everyone elses posts by searching for the tags below (there are some brilliant posts out there).

An Evening with Debbie Bliss

Last night I met knitting royalty!  I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the Debbie Bliss event at The Black Sheep Craft Barn in Culcheth and it turned out to be a fabulous evening.  

Being rather excited, we did arrive early, but this gave us chance to browse the yarn and to check out the beautiful fabrics in the new Fabric Room. 

The evening began with a goody bag from designer yarns, a glass of bubbly (I couldn't refuse) and canapes (or butties and sausage rolls for those of us slightly more common) before being whisked off to the workshop room for a Q and A with the lady herself - Debbie Bliss.

It was really interesting listening to Debbie talk about her career as a knitwear designer and work in producing her line of yarns, what inspires her to design as well as tales of projects that haven't quite gone to plan!  We managed to have a little chat with her (and a piccie) afterwards. 

From left to right:  Fiona, Me, Debbie Bliss, Joanne

During our chat about knitting and my crocheting, she started to talk about her friend who had come with her who was a crocheter and had just started to write a column in Simply Crochet magazine.  At the mention of the name Emma I knew who it was and I was whisked away by Debbie to meet her! It was the wonderful crochet designer Emma Varnam. I have to say that I was a little starstruck about meeting her as I adore her patterns and have made a few of them myself - the Indian Summer Shrug being the first crocheted item of clothing I ever made!  If you aren't familiar with Emma's work then check out her blog.  She regularly has patterns published in Inside Crochet and has written a new How to Crochet Book.  We had a really good talk about crochet, even though I couldn't remember anything I did, she admired my shawl, and photographed it,and she even took my business card (squeal)! 

Emma Varnam and Me

I am truly inspired now to really knuckle down and write up some of the patterns I've designed and get them out there into the crochet world - as I've been threatening for quite some time now.

Well done to The Black Sheep Craft Barn for hosting such a great event .  When is the next one?!

#4KCBWDAY7 - Looking Forward

I've done it! I've reached the final day of the fourth Knitting and Crochet Blog Week and I've published every single day.
The final task of the week is to look forward to what I hope to have achieved by Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2015.  Here are my 3 things to do:
1.  Tunisian Crochet
I have already started to learn tunisian crochet and know 3 stitches! By next year, I hope to have mastered more stitches and to have made a large project, an item of clothing or a throw, using it.
2.Workshops
By next year I want to have taught crochet workshops!
3.  Design
I have already designed quite a few crochet items. These are born from ideas in my head which I then crochet up, adapting as I go along. However, I've never written them down properly (they are all recorded in 'Sarah Speak'. By next year, I hope to have written up one of my patterns, had it test crocheted and published it.
So, this time next year, will I have achieved any of my goals?
Do you have any craft goals you hope to achieve by #5KCBW?
Until next time,
Sarah x