The power of "What if's"
A simple little question that opens up a world of possibilities
“What if"?” is *the* question that most influences my crochet designs and overall crochet journey. I highly recommend you make gift it to yourself and to people you care about from time to time.
I only wish I was this daring when it comes to life in general. But that’s a work-in-progress, or it can be if I so wish it. And I do. I mean… I’m not getting any younger, and being scared of life is kind of out of fashion by now.
Asking yourself “what if?” is a great exercise to open up possibilities, as much in your creative process as in your decision making process generally.
Many if not all of my crochet makes have developed from asking this same question over and over again. What if I tried this shape, or this construction? What if I added a third color or made the stitch like this instead of that way? What if I tried adapting this type of design to mosaic crochet?
Sometimes, that leads to many UFO’s, projects I start and not finish (immediately or ever). The truth is crochet has been sort of a lab-playground-gym for me to exercise my ability to take risks in a controled environment. In the case of crochet, the only risk is wasting time, energy or yarn, without much consequence. And you always learn something, so it’s not really ever a waste.
It helps you getting more comfortable with experimenting, allows you to test ideas, to play without knowing nor worrying (too much) about how things will turn out. And maybe this spills a bit into the rest of your life, and makes you a little less uncomfortable with taking risks in more serious matters than just a crochet project.
The beauty - of crochet *and* life - is that sometimes a risk is so worth it, and ends up becoming something I’m really excited about. It opens up so many possibilities! I probably should put “risk” in inverted commas, because the real risk - in crochet *and* life - is never discovering what it can be, what you can do. And that’s not a risk I want to take. I don’t think I’d forgive myself.
I digress, I know, but it’s not out of thin air. This is something I already know rationally. But inside? Having it be a way of being, of doing, of making decisions and taking steps without constantly hesitating, postponing, being anxious to the point of feeling like hiding in a hole somewhere, all-the-effing-time? That’s another matter. Not there yet, but I’m taking small steps and celebrating them. I’m learning to take small steps, and learning to celebrate them.
Oh how the summer holidays go fast… Getting back to work, and I still, always, have so much work to do aside from work…
No, I didn’t do everything I wanted to do while on holidays, but I did do things that I’m happy with, even excited about. And some have to do precisely with this “taking risks” thing, this asking yourself “What if?” thing.
But first things first.
“What if” numero uno: a crochet bag
I had an idea for a while for a crochet bag inspired by Japanese crafts. It seems like, unknowingly, I was waiting to discover Susan Lowman’s Continuous Overlay Mosaic Crochet technique, combined with anchored double crochet stitches, to finally design the bag in a way I believed would work well.
This Japanese inspiration may seem kind of random, but I feel it was meant to be.
I’ve been on a three decade-long love affair with Japanese crafts, from discovering origami as a kid, to studying Japanese history in college, to then finding out about furoshiki and sashiko to, in the meantime, working with a made in Japan watch brand at my dayjob, where I get to translate and edit content with a big dose of Japanese culture, traditions and craftsmanship.
So, let’s get back to the bag.
I knew I wanted to make it in overlay mosaic crochet (what else?) with Rosários4 Re-Use yarn in indigo blue and offwhite, which I had enough of already and fits perfectly into the sashiko theme. I also knew that I wanted to make it with the three-folded construction that is commonly seen with granny squares.
I only had to figure out:
what size I wanted the bag to be, and that involved the Pythagorean theorem, which was kind of an headache, I confess; fortunately I have someone more math-savy willing to share his wisdom (and scoff a bit too… cough, cough…);
what type of geometric patterns I could do in mosaic crochet that were somehow reminiscent of the sashiko stitch patterns;
how I could put them together in a more or less random way to replicate the patchworky look of traditional Japanese cloths with sashiko;
and in the end, decide what type of strap to attach to the bag.
I had to refrain from jumping into making the bag right away, and plan first, because I wanted it to be just right and save myself the trouble of frogging countless times, or of being frustrated by the process and giving it up.
Excel is my favourite tool for planning mosaic crochet designs. But no matter how much you plan beforehand, the making always holds some mystery and surprises in store along the way.
One of them is something I’m still in process of figuring out: the geometry of the stitches themselves, and how the combination of single and double crochet stitches affects the shape of the fabric.
With this type of design, this wasn’t a problem because the patterns are small enough to disguise the fact that each of the 3 squared-pannels of the bag isn’t exactly square, and it all works out in the end. For a design that is in itself a square (like a tile-inspired design or a checkered one), it’s more of a challenge (and it’s yet another work-in-progress).
The other partial surprise is that the fabric of the bag is reversible. It’s only partial because I had already seen (with this bracelet) how Susan Lowman’s continuous technique with anchored stitches allows the “wrong” side of the fabric to be totally flat, and that way we get a usable striped effect. And… the “wrong” side can actually be more appealing than the “right” side.
Also, although these three-folded bags are usually used flat with a shoulder strap, playing around with the bag as if it was an origami, it turned out that a 3D three-faced pyramid kind of shape emerged. And I loved it. And I also love sliding or adjustable straps. Together with my desire to take advantage of the reversibility of the fabric, I wanted to come up with a solution that allowed to do both things:
make the bag totally reversible, strap included;
give the bag that 3D shape when it’s closed.
This “What if” resulted in a simple solution: a kind of wristlet handle that attaches to the inside and the outside of the fabric at one end, and goes through a sliding loop on the other end. Both “elements” look exactly the same, and work exactly the same way, regardless of what side of the fabric you want to use.
“What if” numero dos: putting myself out there and being rejected
I was and am really excited about this bag, and I’ve been meaning to answer submission calls to try and get a pattern of mine published in a magazine. That’s a dream goal I have, and I’m not afraid to say it. :D
So, I knew the deadline for one magazine I follow was coming up and… asked myself “What if I submitted this bag?”. And I did, fully aware that it was more than likely that it wouldn’t be chosen, since I forced the design on one of the themes for the issue, and there were probably many more submissions that were better suited and better pitched than mine, from people that have more experience and know-how as designers.
And I was fine with that! In a way, I had mixed feelings about this. I kind of hoped it didn’t get selected, because I was so excited about the design I didn’t really want to keep it a secret for about 6 months, as is usually the case when designing for a magazine.
And it didn’t got picked! Which opened up space for the next “what if”.
“What if” numero tres: taking myself and my makes out of the comfort zone, aka, home
August 15th is a national holiday here in Portugal, and it happens to also be International Granny Square Day. And… it was the day Inês Costa chose to do an event at her atelier, Petit Comité.
It was meant to celebrate granny squares and be the opening day of the atelier as a place to hold workshops and other events related to yarn crafts in particular, but not just yarn crafts. And it so happens that I follow Inês Costa’s instagram profile for Petit Comité, and that I know her co-host in real life, Mónica from O Fio das Moiras, someone that inspires me and just gives the best vibes possible. And it so happens that I was on vacation mode.
So… what if I went to the event? Why not? I know at least one person, so that’s helpful. And what’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like people were going to eat me, as I’ve confirmed time and time again along my 43 years of life. No, never eaten so far. And I’m already aware that I need to get out more, and that it’s good for me to actually meet people, and to get in touch with others that share my love for crafts.
Since it was Granny Square day, I also took the chance to, the day before, finish up the bag so I could get some photos in time to publish on my Instagram as a “Definitely-Not-a-Granny-Square” bag. I like some cheekiness in my life, and it just felt right and it felt fun.
So, on this day I published this bag online and got to show it to other people in real life too. And the feedback was incredible… I really felt validated and encouraged and gently pushed, offline and online, to take the next step and actually publish the pattern.
Not only this, I was challenged by Inês to hold a workshop on Petit Comité to teach people how to make this bag! It’s hard to put into words how happy and excited this made me. And I can’t thank enough not only Inês and Mónica, but all the people that attended the event, gave me words of encouragement, and left me speechless with their kindness and support, which is still present in some way or another.
“What if” numeros cuatro, cinco, seis, siete… Lost count!
There were another “what if’s” during the past few weeks that are also worthwhile to me, and hold a lot of promise, but I won’t keep torturing you with this here, since this article is already quite long. Suffice to say I hope to keep having some good news on next issues, but I’m taking things step by step.
For now, I’m focusing on:
Getting the Portuguese version of the japanese-inspired bag pattern ready to publish. It’s now being tested by three lovely ladies whom I met at the Petit Comite’s event. It’s my first test call, and it will my first published pattern!
I’ll have it available for purchase through Ravelry first. Seems like the best and simplest place to start, but I still have some figuring out to do. I’ll keep you posted, and that’s a promise.
When the test is finished and the PT version is ready, I’ll then be doing a test call for the English version. In case you’re interested, do follow me on Instagram.
Setting up all the details about the workshop at Petit Comité with Inês, so I can get it ready in time and to the best of my abilities. It’s scary but also very exciting. Follow Inês’s updates on Instagram and take a look at all the wonderful workshops that are going to happen on Petit Comité in Lisbon in September. There will be one tomorrow, September 2nd, by Mónica d’O Fio das Moiras, but I suspect (and hope!) it won’t be her last at the Comité.
Working on another 2-3 ideas that came up from one “What if” I didn’t include above, but I’ll let you know about them when the time comes.
This is it for now, my dear, brave reader!
I would love to know your thoughts on any of what I just digressed endlessly about. :)
Keep on keeping on, and see ‘ya next time (whenever that is),
Ana
Some tidbits
This Fiber Nation Podcast: From Russia with Love episode is so worthwhile. A conversation with Galina Khmeleva about Orenburg lace that is about so much more than a heirloom technique.
Recently got my first piece published on . I’m very happy about taking part in such a cool project, and working with a very special group of people. Subscribe to KnitLeaks here on Substack and follow on Instagram for all news, events and interesting pieces about yarn crafts.
On the matter of “What if”’s, I was already thinking about submitting another pattern design to another magazine while waiting for feedback on my first ever submission call. Am now happily waiting to receive my second rejection, but thinking “what if it’s selected?”. It would be so cool… This even being an option is very, very exciting, but for now I’ve given myself a tap on the shoulder for just trying, and putting a submission together is a really cool challenge and exercise by itself.
Finished Objects
There were more but I’ll share only two. There’s a chance I won’t be so proficient in the coming months, so I’ll save them for another day.
If reading this newsletter reminds you of someone (you like), and gets you thinking they might enjoy it, you know what you can do. ;)
Adoro a analogia entre o crochet e a vida. Muitos parabéns pelo workshop e pelas novas possibilidades que vão surgindo, mesmo quando parece que as portas se fecham ;) Esse saco promete!