Today is the 6-year anniversary of my crochet design career. Honestly, I can’t believe it has only been 6 years. Normally when people say that they mean because the time has moved so slowly or that they’re bored and things are dragging on seemingly endlessly. But that’s not what I mean. I mean it feels that way because it feels like I’ve never done anything else. The other phases of my life sort of blend together and fade and almost feel like the memories of someone else. When you find something that fits you so well and feels so right it feels like it’s all you’ve ever done.
When I began designing those short 6 years ago, I was unemployed and simply bored. I’d been working on a couple different crochet-alongs, one specifically an afghan block sampler. I was instantly smitten with the idea of afghan blocks. There were so many variations, and I found it a brilliant way to crochet because each were a small project that could be completed in a day, and because they were all so different it never got boring – I was always crocheting a new set of stitches in a new way. I had to see if I could take this newfound affinity for afghan blocks to the next level. I decided to try and design one myself.
It was scary. It was really scary. I remember sitting down with some scrap yarn and wondering to myself what I was doing. Why did I think I was capable of designing crochet? I even, at one point, told myself that all the designs had been done and I wouldn’t be able to come up with something new. Ask me how I feel about that now, 114 published designs later. It sounds especially ridiculous when you look at how much the crochet design world has blown up in the last few years. I don’t think anyone expected such an influx of so many amazing and prolific crochet designers and stunning designs.
For some reason I persevered through that first design. I’ll be honest with you. That’s not like me. I’ve always been too good at giving up or not believing in myself. Fortunately, my curiosity won out that time, and I designed my first afghan block – Fan Dance. But that wasn’t the end of the experiment. I still had to write a pattern. That part turned out to come exceptionally naturally to me, so I pressed on. I had the pattern tested, I stumbled my way through publishing it on Ravelry, and I presented it to the crochet world.
My first pattern went over pretty well. And it turned out to be a very different experience than that of showing any of my more traditional art to friends, family, and strangers who would have a look, perhaps offer some kind words, and then move on. Offering people a pattern was offering them a part in the creation of this art form. It was engaging. It was social. It was exciting. It was fun!
It was completely addicting.
I got to hear your stories and share mine. We got to chat about crochet and our lives. I got to see my ideas through whole new eyes, in new colors, new yarns, and presented new ways. It was a completely different experience than anything I’d ever had. And I treasured it. I still do.
You, reader and crocheter, are the reason I keep doing this. Creating this art together is so rewarding and every day I am so grateful to you for allowing me to play a tiny roll in your life to hopefully bring a little bit of joy or comfort (or even a little bit of a challenge) when needed. You also make my life possible with your support in multiple ways. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to hear your kind words when I publish something you like. I’m over the moon every single time you share a picture of what you made from one of my patterns – I don’t think the excitement of this has ever worn out. My heart has been touched so many times when you’ve shared stories of how something you’ve made has special meaning to you or your loved ones or helped you connect with them. I appreciate every single penny you’ve spent on my paid work. It allows me to be home with my children, it allows me to take care of my own health, and it allows me to provide necessities for my family.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming on this journey with me, for being so kind and supportive and for sharing your creations. I absolutely cannot wait to see what we make next.
Please check out the Patterns page here on Every Trick on the Hook or my Ravelry store or Etsy store to see more of my patterns, both free and paid.
The best way to keep up with my goings-on is to follow Every Trick on the Hook on Facebook. You can also message me there, post on the wall, and follow my posts for the latest news.
If you’re looking for a more interactive Facebook experience, join the Polly Plum Pattern Posse Facebook group. We’re a fun and supportive group. Really! There’s so much help there that chances are your question will be answered by someone before I even see it. It’s the best place to go with a question. It’s also a great place to share your Polly Plum makes and see what others are making.
If Facebook isn’t your thing you can also join the Ravelry group – Polly’s Place or follow @polly_plum_crochet on Instagram
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