Well, here it (almost) is. My first original knitting design. Except there was a simple pair of socks that I made myself, and some scarves when I first got back into knitting a few years ago, but this is the first time I've actually kept track of what I was doing and have written it all down so someone else could knit it too. And how do I feel? Sort of meh. The execution of an idea with yarn was not as easy as I thought. I studied clothing & textiles in college, but working with fabric is different and easier somehow. This was definitely a learning experience. A challenging but enjoyable learning experience!
I have quite a few sweaters with 3/4 sleeves, and they're warm and nice, except for that last, bare bit of arm. It's been cold lately, and I'll often wear them with a long-sleeved t-shirt, but that's not always enough. So I wanted some cozy arm warmers, something casual and simple enough to go with lots of other things. I thought a nice sweatshirt gray would be just the thing. I warmed them up with a braided cable and added a little eyelet rib cuff to keep my wrists warm and peek out from a coat sleeve.
I like how they turned out, and I will use them lots, but there is just something missing that makes them feel really special to me. I'm going to keep trying until understand how to make a design that I can feel good about selling. In the meantime, I'll finish editing this pattern over the weekend and it will be available as a free download on Ravelry, which was always my goal. So first New Year's resolution complete!
I serendipitously came across this video a few days ago. While Ira Glass is talking about storytelling, everything he says applies to any creative endeavor, and I just loved how he put it. There's a gap, and I am going to work my way across that gap!
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
Have you ever felt that way about something?
