If At First

I didn't get to much yesterday save for reading really. I actually got pretty excited in the morning when I had an etsy request from three pairs of barefoot sandals, but when I tried to confirm the design they wanted, it appears that they wanted something from someone else. The image I was sent was a pair made from machine lace and when I said they weren't mine, I didn't even get a 'sorry, my mistake' in response. Oh well, nothing for it.

Between that and watching the country burn figuratively online, I wasn't inspired to do much, but hide in fictional worlds between glances of the chaos. I did make up a mock center for the eventual video on round laces. Interestingly, I managed it with the properly begun center. I hadn't been very good at that in the beginning, so I usually just defaulted to a tatted ring. When I sat down to do the mock up I thought I'd give it a go assuming it wouldn't turn out right, but it went swimmingly. I tried it again and again it worked, so when I do get to that video I can actually teach  it properly rather than my hybrid method.

Today is the last day of the kids' end-of-semester vacation and the husband is taking the day off, so no new video in queue yet. I need a couple of quiet hours to get one done even though the end result is just a few minutes long. Here's hoping for an order or an idea to keep my fingers busy in the meantime. With the last doily done, I'm out of fall back busy work.

What's Next

Okay, so let's see, Friday was the first full that my Armenian lace video was up and I had some lovely comments. a couple of questions to answer, and quite a few views. I guess it turned out okay then. Sorry I can't oblige with outtakes as I deleted all mistakes as they occurred. That is the joy of digital media after all. I used Friday to finally pin up the last of the gift doilies as well. It will sit here until the brother for whom it is intended visits again though.

I also gave some thought to the next video. I have two more stitches mocked up and ready to go. I'm going to do the fancy side stitch as it will allow me to teach the knot stitch going from left to right, and then the square stitch with a simple loop row above since it's a completely different shape. They will likely be two different video as that lets me keep them short. Short is easier to make in one shot and I imagine easier to watch over when trying to learn something.

I figure after these two I'll tackle a multi-row stitch like the basket stitch and then making round lace. I don't have a clue as to the actual timetable here, but I'm thinking maybe once a week right now. We'll just have to see how my free time flows I guess. If you missed the first video it's here, or on Instructables if you prefer. When I have a few more I'll add them to the sidebar of the blog as well.

Armenian Knotted Lace Video, The First

I actually managed to do the video yesterday. Yes, I am surprised at myself as well. The kids were off in the afternoon with grandma and so I got everything together and made what will be the first in a short series of tutorials for Armenian knotted lace. This one is just getting started and teaches the Armenian knot stitch in a simple loop. I'm not going to tell you how many takes it took to get the video done, nor am I going to say how many were spoiled by cat and how many by my own cursing over mistakes. I just want to make sure that you know that I will be spacing out the videos a bit to keep my frustration level down.

So here is the video. You can find the it on Instructables too if you prefer. I hope that you find it helpful and it makes sense. I'm not sure what the next one will be on, likely a different stitch, but not sure which. No, I did not mean to rhyme that and I'm sorry.

Just Starting

Okay, I admit it, I was super lazy yesterday. I didn't even read much. I just watched the current governmental chaos play out on my twitter feed and some DVR'd shows while I crocheted a few more small cords. Then later in the afternoon I got a bit more focused and started the step by step photos for the tutorial. Don't worry, I plan on making a video as well, but that requires more preparation, so I started with the photos. This is the example piece I started with to teach just the basic loop.

That's likely where I'll begin and I'm starting to think this might have to be a series of short tutorials to cover everything without overwhelming me. I should get some alone time this afternoon to try out a video, but that all depends on other people's plans, so we'll just have to wait and see I guess.I also plan on trying to actually read some more today, I'd hate to waste the school break too much.

That's Done

As expected, I didn't get up to much yesterday at all. I didn't even get any reading time. The kids and I wrapped up the first semester and then recovered for the rest of the day. The only project I managed to start was to get a couple of crochet cords made up in anticipation of the Armenian lace tutorial. I know most people start with a folded piece of material, but I thought the cord would be nicer to work on when doing the straight work.

I think today I'm going to start figuring out exactly what to teach and how I want to do so, so if there's anything in particular anyone would like me to focus on, please do let me know and I'll try to make sure I do. I've no clue how long it's gong to take me though. It could be a couple of days it could be a couple of weeks. I'm super rusty with the whole tutorial thing, so here's hoping I get my act together.