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theconnectionsnj.com Somewhere in the magazine is a “Spot It” and send your answer with your name, town & phone number to: spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com Subject Line: FAKE KEEP A PROJECT JOURNAL By: Carolyn Hanson Carolyn Hanson is a local knitting and crochet designer, teacher and fiber artist. She can be contacted at cchanson3@gmail.com . Have you ever been asked what yarn you used for that lovely scarf or sweater, or better yet, would you make me one? Maybe you have a scrap of yarn or a recol- lection of the pattern. So after a frustrating search through your stash, you find some of the yarn, but the ball band is missing. Ugh. The pattern is some- where…maybe a magazine, a book, the Internet, who remembers. Double ugh. Here is a solution I share in all my classes, keep a journal. It can be on your com- puter, online or paper. Documenting your projects, both successes and failures, is invaluable. My journal includes: – Pattern name and source: Book title; magazine issue and date; internet location – Materials Used and # of skeins needed: Include samples of the actual yarn in each colors, and ball bands for each yarn and color (The ball band provides: Manufacturer Name, Yarn Name, fiber content (cotton, wool, etc), color, dye lot (all balls in the same color should have the same dye lot #), gauge, yarn weight and yardage, needle/hook suggestions, laundering instructions.} – Needles Used: You may need a different needle size from those suggested on the ball band. Good to remember. – For whom was it made: Yourself, friend (lucky girl) – Size: Size will determine the amount of yarn needed. – Where was the yarn purchased: So you can get more, of course. – Cost: Needed if you are selling your work, otherwise, nice to know, or not – Dates: When was it started and finished. This will help you answer the age-old question, “how long did it take you to make?” [My answer is, a lifetime.] If you want to sell your work and get paid for your time, you will need this info in hours. – Your Opinion: • Did you like the yarn? The pattern? • Did you learn anything new? • Were substitutions made? Did you make changes to the pattern or design? Different yarn? • Would you make it again? Would you make changes the next time? – Add a photo: You are a champion for doing this. I use Ravelry (www.ravelry.com) a s my journal. It has references to thousands of patterns so it’s easy to select the pattern used. The same holds true for yarn. All the manufactures’ yarn is available; just pick the name and color. All the yarn details are then included. There is space for many photos, comments, project rat- ings, dates and your opinion. One of the best features is that you can review every- one else’s project and read their comments, yarn choices, photos, etc. Others post their tips and tricks, which can be quite helpful. Being online means that I have access from anywhere at anytime. In addition to the journal, I keep small leftovers from all my projects in my grand- mother’s repurposed pasta bowl. I find this a lifesaver if repairs are needed or when working on a project that needs just a bit of this or that. Larger scraps are stored with its ball band. I’ve been asked more than once for leftovers to help another knitter who needs just a bit more. What are friends for? By recording your work, you can look back and see everything accomplished in the past year or years. You will be surprised. If you would like a copy of my journal, send an email. Happy to share.JOHN P. LAWSON
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