The phrase “It Takes A Village” usually refers to raising children. But, it is really appropriate for so much more. Being a Knitting Designer sometimes can feel lonely. Your spouse tries, but doesn’t really understand, your children know that they don’t bother Mommy when she is counting, and only a few friends accept and encourage your nights and early mornings of knitting bliss. Others just shake their head and silently laugh.
To help you on your way, you need someone to say “of course, you can!” You need another to help you “market” yourself. And yet another to be your big cheerleader. (Almost more important than the belief in yourself.) Then there is the important one who quietly tells you of their joy in your latest design. And the one that claps and says “I will be able to say I knew you when….” And, of course, the spontaneous hug!
You will have some who can’t comprehend or believe that you really do it. And then there are the others who think you are truly amazing. Reading about the legends, Barbra Walker and Elizabeth Zimmerman, gives you goose bumps and their stories bring tears to your eyes. You make your own discoveries and you really don’t know if you alone discovered it or you are just delusional because you spend so much time knitting, designing and discovering on your own.
Then you see a book about Scandinavian design and you realize you hope to be there before you turn 60. The next time you turn around, you meet a newly publish designer and she gives you hope and encouragement. You dream about pattern stitches and wake up at night to make a note or knit a few rows. Your dog is always at your feet and your knitting chair begins to smell like you’ve been there for years.
You are encouraged, you are pushed to do more in one day than anyone could believe could be accomplished or it is a day of learning and ripped rows lay at your feet. You do math, you do math, you do math again. Did I mention the math? You swatch, you sketch, you read books-blogs-magazines and more books-blogs-magazines.
Writing, typing, photography, modeling and graphics. Do I have time to blog? Ravelry? Or add to my website? The submission, the rejection, the submission, the joy. Then joy comes when someone shows you your sweater design finished in their yarn, in their size. It is all your village, and your village is raising you.
Thank you, Village!
Nancy
To help you on your way, you need someone to say “of course, you can!” You need another to help you “market” yourself. And yet another to be your big cheerleader. (Almost more important than the belief in yourself.) Then there is the important one who quietly tells you of their joy in your latest design. And the one that claps and says “I will be able to say I knew you when….” And, of course, the spontaneous hug!
You will have some who can’t comprehend or believe that you really do it. And then there are the others who think you are truly amazing. Reading about the legends, Barbra Walker and Elizabeth Zimmerman, gives you goose bumps and their stories bring tears to your eyes. You make your own discoveries and you really don’t know if you alone discovered it or you are just delusional because you spend so much time knitting, designing and discovering on your own.
Then you see a book about Scandinavian design and you realize you hope to be there before you turn 60. The next time you turn around, you meet a newly publish designer and she gives you hope and encouragement. You dream about pattern stitches and wake up at night to make a note or knit a few rows. Your dog is always at your feet and your knitting chair begins to smell like you’ve been there for years.
You are encouraged, you are pushed to do more in one day than anyone could believe could be accomplished or it is a day of learning and ripped rows lay at your feet. You do math, you do math, you do math again. Did I mention the math? You swatch, you sketch, you read books-blogs-magazines and more books-blogs-magazines.
Writing, typing, photography, modeling and graphics. Do I have time to blog? Ravelry? Or add to my website? The submission, the rejection, the submission, the joy. Then joy comes when someone shows you your sweater design finished in their yarn, in their size. It is all your village, and your village is raising you.
Thank you, Village!
Nancy
