Wednesday 26 February 2014

My secret project revealed

At Ally Pally last year (2013) the commissioning editor of Search Press came to see me and asked if I would like to do a crochet blanket book for them.
We were very busy at the time and I'm afraid to admit I was a complete diva, I wasn't sure I wanted to do a book and very was demanding about this that and the other.
Later that evening back at the hotel I began to think I had made a huge mistake and blown my chances of fulfilling a life long dream.
So when we got home I sent a half apologetic e-mail to Katie, probably waffling, but still holding my ground about some of my demands.
I was very happily surprised when she replied saying that they'd still love to have me as an author.

Then came several months of dithering.
I was keen to do the book, but my life isn't my own and I needed to consider NDS and Phil and Daisy.
My designs sell our wool and our wool sales are all we have to live on, we have to pay 2 sets of rent and the rent for the business, feed ourselves and 2 dogs and a cat.
Both Phil and Daisy were really excited and confident that we could do it as a team, they would (will) take on the extra work that I won't have time to do anymore, which needs to be done while I am swanning about with a crochet hook and stolen yarn.
Also the original number of blankets talked about was 20 in 2 years, I don't think I could do it even if I crocheted for 7 days a week.
After lots of discussion and whimpering e-mails from me Katie agreed that 14 was fine.

In January I signed the contract, I was still not sure I was able to do what Search Press wanted, but Daisy and Phil had convinced me that between the 3 of us we could cope and that I needed to seize this chance as I might not get another one.
So for the past month I have been putting together a "sketchbook" of idea's and swatches, I even started one blanket and have solid plans for another two.

On monday morning after Unravel we travelled the extra miles to go and have a meeting with Katie.
I wasn't sure if any of my ideas and plans were good enough or if they were what Search Press wanted.
But I needn't have worried, she was happy with everything I am doing and put my mind to rest about some of my other worries.

I can't begin to express how happy and excited I am.
I get to do exactly what I want, just as long as it is not to complicated for you to do, which is something I am always concious about when I design.
All the motifs are simple ones, the blankets are more about colour arrangement and shape.
There will be 7 sections, each one containing 2 blankets, in each section there will be1 simple, 1 more complex, 1 bed sized, 1 smaller, 1 4 ply and 1 DK.

Along the way I will be blogging about my progress, telling you stories and even showing you tiny snippets of what I am doing.
If I seem a bit absent don't worry I'm still here beavering away on my sofa crocheting like mad and trying to restrain myself from making anything to difficult and complex to make.
2 years plus is a long time to wait for a book, I really hope you like it and that the wait is worthwhile.

11 comments:

  1. It's going to be fabulous - and a success! Congratulations.

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  2. Congratulations , i am sure it will be a great success , your work is always perfect , outstanding and beautiful . Your instructions are very well explained and easy to read . Roll on publication...
    Best wishes
    Lorraine x

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  3. OMG that's amazing news - I can see why you're both ecstatic and daunted at the prospect, but you must know how us office-drones envy the thought of 2 years of crochet, we will absolutely want to live it vicariously through you! (Though I'm more than happy to offer to work crochet shifts should you ever get bored or crochet-blindness... :-) ). Congratulations and I can't wait to hear more.

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  4. Yippeeee! And strongs with all the hard work!

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  5. Wow, well done! I am sure it will be a fantastic success as your work is always amazing and I know I won't be alone in enjoying the snippets you share with us all. Go Team NDS!

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  6. Brilliant! Best bit of news on a really shi*** day! So cool!

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  7. Good for you Amanda!

    Jo An

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  8. As Jodie says, if you get Crochet blind I think you will find that there are people who can help - after all you have a group of people on a KAL blanket at the moment some of whom I am sure would happily volunteer.

    Remember that most Knitting designers don't knit their own samples.

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  9. I think its wonderful and I can't wait. I love all of your designs and plan to purchase yarn in a couple of weeks when I have extra money.

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  10. Sounds fantastic. Congratulations!
    I'm sure all will be fine, so stop getting in a panic and enjoy the opportunity.

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  11. Such fantastic an amazing news Amanda!! Congratulations and well done!

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