Finding Some Words

Eleven years ago. Our youngest son, just a few days old in that time. His arrival closed a door, while other doors opened.

A real struggle, as I got blocked in my writing. Staring at a blank computer screen, it truly got me frustrated. I kept reading though, and on my judging day, I kept on judging stories and poetry for The Writer's Cramp :)

And I picked up the needles. Yes, I am a knitter, and I am proud of it. I even got published in magazines in the United States (Piecework Knitting Traditions and KnitCircus Magazine), and in the United Kingdom. (Yarn Forward, Yarnwise, Inside Crochet). Later on also in Simply Breien, in The Netherlands, and even in Germany.

Patterns. Pattern writing is writing, but in a different way. I had to learn the US and UK terms and abbreviations for knitting and crochet. Had an enormous support from Mr. Charles Voth from Canada, who edited my work from time to time. He was able to read my mind.

I have to admit, I am a "nasty" designer when it comes to crochet. Nasty in a way, that I like to put in difficult stitches, beads, complex stitch combinations, with a result that no one would ever try to make my design.

I once managed to create a sock design, that was also stated to be un-knittable. Ten twists in a row... and test knitters with broken needles. I did not care at all. I used metal needles, not bamboo. Bamboo can break. And a lady from Sweden broke the un-knittable status, by adding a yarn over or two, to make extra long stitches, that could easily be twisted. I love to challenge people.

I love to challenge people. Can't live from it, but that is what I do.

In 2013 I started my own company in knitting and designing. More pattern writing, even in my own language. Also translating from Dutch to English and vice versa, and from Dutch to German and vice versa. Commissioned designs for yarn companies, in The Netherlands as well as in Italy. Writing is an art... it seems I only changed my direction in writing.

And now? Fear is taking over, as I have the opportunity to write a sock book for a Dutch yarn company. And I am commissioned to design two mystery blankets. No time to write short stories or poetry this year... will I ever get back to it?

God only knows... but I will keep on challenging authors on my judging day at The Writer's Cramp!