It's been a while since I posted a little "life" update, in fact my last and only update was in July! The pattern posts obviously get the most views and attention so I have been concentrating mostly on them. However, I realize this blog was actually to document my journey to becoming a fully fledged pattern designer so I think a little update on what I've been up to would be appropriate!

Crochet curly wig tutorial coming to the blog soon!

So what have I been up to? Truthfully I've been trying to throw designs out as quickly as possible for the last 5 months. It takes me about a month to design a pattern, test it, photograph everything and write up the actual pattern. I know that is very slow compared to some designers but I have only been crocheting about a year now. That coupled with the fact that I am a complete perfectionist and frog, frog, frog until I get it right and you'll understand why it takes me a whole month! So far I have designed 5 patterns on my design journey, a monkey, a mouse, a cupcake, a bear and an elf! All of them are free and located under the "Free Amigurumi Patterns" tab at the top of my blog. Right now I'm working on my own crochet curly wig pattern. I hope to offer a Youtube tutorial of how to crochet a little wig for your amigurumi dolls - it makes a nice alternative to just plain yarn hair!

I'm also continuing to work with my friends at Three Bears Yarn. They have been very generous in providing me with yarn so I can keep on designing and not have to worry about material costs. I really do love this yarn (you can read my review of their product here). It's just perfect for amigurumi! I've built up quite a stash in a very short time and truthfully I'm running out of places to store it. We're moving house at the moment and everything is a mess, there's no place for anything and nothing is in its place! I can't wait to get into my new flat and arrange my yarn stash proudly and beautifully!

Since all of my designs are now made in Three Bears Yarn, a few months ago I had the idea to sell "yarn and pattern packs" on their website - you get all the yarn you will need to make my design and a printed, hard copy of the pattern. I thought it would be useful and easy for those who want to make their project look exactly like mine, but in the back of my mind I was worried nobody would be interested in buying the packs. Thankfully though, some of you were and I am ever so grateful to everyone who has bought a pack so far. I make a small commission every time a pack sells and I made enough pack money through October to buy my mum a beautiful crocheted Snoopy blanket from one of my fellow crafters. Just have a look, isn't it gorgeous? My Mum is a massive Snoopy fan and she was overjoyed when she opened it! Thank you, lovely readers, for buying her birthday present!

  
Tom (Mr. Heart & Sew) says I can call myself a professional pattern designer now that I've made some money (no matter how small) from my designs. I don't know. I still feel like a very small fish in a very big pond of fully fledged designers!

 Julie xxx 

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