Some of you know that I have a lot of lower back pain.  A LOT!  This started happening about four years' ago when I fell on ice going to work in lovely, snowy, icy downtown Chicago.  I slipped on ice that was on a sewer cap when I was crossing the street.  By the end of the day, I could barely walk.  I required some major assistance in exiting myself from my car.  It just couldn't be done without help.  I was far more willing to spend the rest of my days in the car than actually try to extricate myself from it without help.

Then, it happened again, a year later.  I was 7 months' pregnant with Christian.  And, I slipped on some ice on the sidewalk, walking to the train station to go to work.  It was, at that point, that my life changed (and people "saw" a lot more of me on the internet!  ).  I couldn't go back to work.  The strain of the pregnancy in addition to the back pain was just too much.

So, I have lived with this lower back pain for quite awhile.  I'll get some major twinges.  I have to be very careful.

But, since Wednesday, I have had no twinges.  No lower back pain at all.  Oh, there is still some pain.  I've got pain all across the back of my neck and shoulders right now from crocheting too long.    But, there is no lower back pain.

What have I done differently this week?  The only thing is that I've given up my beloved Diet Dr. Pepper and I've given up aspartame (NutraSweet).  I've been drinking a bunch more water, probably about a half a gallon a day.  Has this change caused my relief?  I have no idea.  But, I'm not complainin'!  This dietary thing may just be a coincidence.  Maybe my back pain has subsided for no reason whatsoever and it will come back like normal the next time I go shopping or something.  But, it surely is nice now.

On Thursday, I received the final of the boxes of yarn for this book that is due by the end of June.  There are three boxes of yarn, sitting here, looking at me.  I have literally been crocheting like mad to get a couple of things finished before I grant myself the luxury of opening them.  But, I will definitely be able to open them and get started tomorrow or the next day.  Monday sounds like a good day to start writing a book, doesn't it? 

Last week, I was beginning to fret.  I have three designs which I had on my plate to be purchased by editors.  And, I haven't been very diligent about submitting new designs for many months.  I had been trying to keep my plate clean because I have a book proposal submitted.  It's been under review since August of last year.  It would mean a lot of work for a long period of time.  I didn't want to get swamped by other items.  It was a touchy situation.  Do I submit more designs?  Do I continue to wait?  I didn't know what to do.  But, it was getting scary because, having nothing after these three designs, well, I would be dead in the water with no rent paid, no gas paid, no electric paid.  You get the idea.

But, out of the blue, Friday morning, I got an email requesting a book!  I have a very tight deadline.  So, I'll be scrambling to get those first three designs completed.  Then, it will be off to the races!  Everything else must be completed and in their hands by the end of June.  Yikes!

If I appear to be absent for awhile, no need for concern.  I'm just "under the gun".

In addition to the above, I have two designs ready for the 2008 CGOA Design Contest.  And, I need to start a design I have in mind for the 2008 CGOA Fashion Show.  This will be a lot of fun.  But, I won't be able to start it until after the end of June.  Those few weeks before the show should be very busy.  I may be weaving in ends on the drive up to New Hampshire!

What I am wondering now is whether I will hear about my original book proposal right in the big middle of it all.  Wouldn't that be ironic?  Keeping my plate pretty clear for so long.  Then, boom, my book is accepted. 

For anyone waiting so patiently for my new Kids Collections to be developed and posted at Kimane Designs.  I'm sorry.  Those are getting re-routed on my "to do" list.  It will have to wait until I get these other projects finished, unfortunately.

One interesting development for me is that I've stopped drinking carbonated soda this week.  Those people who know me will not understand what it's like for me not to have a Diet Dr. Pepper in my hand.  So, to stop drinking soda is a big, big step.  I had to really do a lot of research at the grocery store to find an alternative beverage of choice.  This weekend, when I ceased drinking my usual Diet Dr. Pepper, I was prepared.  So far, it hasn't been tremendously difficult to make the switch.  But, there you have it.  I think it's a good change. 

I'm so excited!  I can't hardly stand it.    Marly, the host of the Yarn Thing Podcast, interviewed ME!  It was just posted this morning.  And, I want you all to take a listen.  Because, well, how often do you get to hear the voice behind the blog?  The real voice!  I'm not sure how my voice sounds.  Does it sound like I have an Oklahoma accent?  I just can't place it.  I've lived all over ...  Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Hawaii, Arizona.  Maybe I just don't have an accent?  I don't know...you tell me.

Yarn Thing Podcast

What's funny is that I was talking about starting a project in fingering weight yarn.  That project is what turned into the Garden Party Wrap.  In the last month, the Wrap became so popular that it was the #1 hottest new crochet pattern on Ravelry.

I mention some books and reference material in my interview.  There is a link which will take you to that information, if you're interested.

Please enjoy!  Marly is an absolutely terrific host.  The hostess with the mostest!  I hope to be able to meet her in person one day.  If you've never listened to her podcasts, you might want to check out the others.  You'll find interviews of Robyn Chachula, Amy O'Neill-Houck, Kim Werker, Carrie A. Sullivan and more in the archives!  Please do visit!  I know you'll love Marly just as much as we do.  Enjoy!

In this day of podcasts, you have several from which to choose.  But, did you know that there is a REAL, LIVE blog radio cast?  Mary Beth Temple is the host of Getting Loopy which airs on Tuesdays at 1 pm ET.  I just listened and it was delightful!  During the show, people can call in and comments can be made during the show.  It's the real deal, folks!

Please help support Mary Beth in this brand new venture!  If you get a chance to listen to the live broadcast, that's terrific!  But, if you can't make it, you can always listen to the recording as well.  Help that ranking soar!  Let people know that we WANT CROCHET!  Show 'em by letting her show move up and up and up in the ranks.

Click here to Get Loopy with Mary Beth Temple and her guests!

I've had some discussion about this pattern and I wanted to post a clarification.  If you have run into problems on Row 10, not to worry!  A lot of people are rockin' along on this pattern and subconsciously repeat what they've been doing once they get to Row 10.  However, please note that Row 10 changes.  It is the set-up for the center open-work filler diamond between the pineapples.  The center shell of (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) stops here.  You'll still have the shells around the pineapples.  But, the center one stops.  That should clear up any confusion for you.    Rock on with your Garden Party Wrap!

I'm not sure what evil non-crafty demon has attacked, but I'm having a really difficult time focusing on my work lately.  Whatever it is, I hope it's just some sort of virus and it will be gone soon!

Two weeks AFTER I estimated, I finally mailed out three projects to an editor and it was picked up on Saturday.  Still well within the deadline.  But, wow!  I don't know what has come over me.  It could be the massive amount of work I've done in the last 12 months.  It could just be my mind telling me that it's time for a break. 

I am almost finished with the project I'd like to submit to the CGOA Design Contest.  I would like to think that it's this project and the amount of work that I'm putting into it that is causing me to feel like I'm not really "working."  This project feels more like play to me.  And, the amount of time I've put into it ... well, it really speaks for itself since I've already practically finished two separate models in two separate yarns.  I want to show you so badly!  But, it will have to wait until after the conference.  I promise to show you photos!  You won't be able to stop me, in fact! 

I've got four projects on the agenda which need completion.  Two are kinda big.  Two are not.  I will get started on them just as soon as I put the finishing touches on the Contest project.  Hopefully I will have it finished today.  I can't wait to get started on the projects I have planned with a box of Knit Picks Shine Sport I have here.  I definitely hope to get them finished in time to post them for the summer.  I just wish there was some way to buy more time in a day!  Trying to work without sleeping, though?  That only really works for about a day then it's exhaustion city. 

So, it's back to work for me!  So much yarn....so little time!

I'm sorry, folks.  I blame it all on life.  I know some of you were worried and emailed me.  I appreciate it!  But, truly, it has simply been very hectic around here and trying to keep up with the design schedule does fray on the nerves a bit at times.  But, all is well!

I want to mention that a truly wonderful friend picked up my computer and brought it back, better than new!   Now, both Christian and Brianna can use the internet again, without Brianna constantly asking me to use the borrowed laptop to check her MySpace.  Yay!

I'm very, very happy to report that the Garden Party Wrap is still the #1 hottest new crochet pattern on Ravelry.  And, this one has kept me quite busy as well.  Since there is a crochet-along with the pattern, I've tried very hard (sometimes unsuccessfully) to stay on top of that.  For those of you on Ravelry, you can visit here to see all the lovely projects.  For those of you not on Ravelry, here is a mere sampling of the projects.

	Made by Sandy S. of Missouri in Baby Bee Peach Fuzz
	Made by Ronni T. of Missouri in Newtons Spool
	Made by Karen D. of Connecticut in Blue Heron
	Made by Karen D. of Connecticut in Reynolds Fusion
	Made by Karen D. of Connecticut in Omega Estilo
	Made by Hilary D. of Germany in Isager Strik Alpaca
	Made by Beth M. of Oklahoma in handpainted laceweight

And, here is a list of the yarns people are using. And, this by no means encompasses them all. Just a random sampling so that you can see the truly creative experiences people have been having with this pattern. I am thrilled to have presented a pattern that has inspired people to do so many wonderful projects!

• Baby Bee Peach Fuzz
• Sean Sheep Jendabine
• Knit Picks Memories
• Patons Brilliant
• Sanguine Gryphon Sappho
• Just Our Yarn Aziza
• Knit Picks Shimmer
• TLC Cotton Plus
• Patons Lacette
• Sirdar Snuggly DK
• Caron Simply Soft
• Royale Fashion 3 Crochet Thread

In addition to my regularly-scheduled designing, I've also started working on something for the CGOA Design Contest.  I'm very excited about this one and I have been working on a prototype model all week.  I finally reached a point to where I felt comfortable in choosing and ordering the official yarn for it.  I can't use the yarn that I am using for the prototype because it is a discontinued yarn.  So, it meant picking out something else.  But, honestly, I feel that this is such a unique design that it's really worth it to be making it twice just to be sure that it's going to work before I bought the yarn.  Nope, can't really tell you anything about it yet.  But, hopefully lots of you will get to see it at the CGOA conference in New Hampshire this summer!

And, yes!  I definitely have made plans to go to the CGOA Conference this year!  Yay!  I'm so excited!  Since Brianna and Christian will be with me, I keep thinking that people will recognize Christian before they recognize me.  Don't be shy!  If you see us, please do say hi. 

It appears that the proverbial cat is now out of the bag!  A new website has launched at NaturallyCaron.com.  And, it includes two of my designs!

The yarn used for these projects is called Country.  It is a wool blend like no other wool blend I have ever used.  It is incredibly soft, has absolutely vibrant colors and has a delightful sheen.  You should be able to find it available for sale very soon.

Aspen Neckwarmer

Naples Wrap

  What fun!  The Garden Party Wrap is now at NUMBER ONE in the most popular recent patterns on Ravelry!  Woo hoo!

I have had such a big ego boost in the last few days since I first posted about the Garden Party Wrap!  Very exciting!  There is quite a buzz going on over the pattern.  It's even being included in a group crochet-along.

Today, I received an amazing email from someone who immediately started the wrap after receiving the instructions.  I just HAD to share it because it was so intriguing!  When I started reading it, it seemed more of a page from a novel than a crochet pattern critique.  Very cool indeed!  I have permission to post it, so here goes:

I've been sitting at the dining table, with the laptop open to the Garden Party Wrap pattern, candles lit (well off to the side), sipping some homemade Chocolate/Hazelnut/Cream liquer on this cold snowy evening in Germany, working away at this pattern you've come up with. Quite frankly -- I'm smitten.  This pattern is so simple and logical, and the Alpaca Laceweight I'm working with just loves it!!  It's making the cutest little round chains!  They're not turning into the typical >>>>>> of chain stitches - they're staying round!  Pretty!!  And the alpaca is so soft and silky in the hand!  Normally, starting a project with a foundation chain (something I'm doing less and less lately) I'll grab a hook a size larger just for the beginning chain, then switch down a notch for the pattern.  I forgot to go down a size today, but the yarn and the hook are playing so well together, it would be a pity to separate them.  So, I'm working with a 3.75mm hook. The yarn is a 2-ply, about 33 WPI and has a nice halo to it.

Isn't that incredible?  Wowzah!  I've never had such strong reactions to one of my designs!  Thank you, Hilary! 

Those words are pretty scary, aren't they?  I kind of figured that our main computer was on its last leg when I had to run the system disks last month and lost every single file, program, etc.  But, today, Christian got the message of "immediate save all data and replace hard disk".  Yep, it died.  This is distressing because both Christian and Brianna use that computer.  It's the one hooked up to the cable internet.  But, it's over three years' old.  These things don't last forever.  And, if I didn't have this laptop from a friend, I'd be completely dead in the water right now.  Just the thought of it is upsetting.

I really don't have funds to make such a large purchase right now.  Something about keeping a roof over our heads takes precedence, I guess.    But, I know that I have seen an ad on television for a small company called B E Tek that sells refurbished computers.  Perhaps they would even be able to replace the hard disk?  Or, maybe they would take my computer as partial payment for a refurbished one?  I don't know.  I'll have to investigate.  It's just one of those things about life throwing you lemons.  You've got to try to figure out how to make lemonade.

Thank you for the responses so far regarding the First Sale Doctrine.  Some really valid points have been made.  I'd love to have more responses.  Don't be shy.  I'm just curious about opinions on the issue.  I'm not going to criticize for an opinion. 

The issue first came up in a discussion on Ravelry.  Someone wanted to forward a PDF to their friend because she had no intentions of ever using it.  And, she had every intention of deleting it from her own computer after forwarding.  Seems fair, right?  But, it turns out that it's not allowed.  And, that's why I wrote about it.  Just curious about what everyone else thought about it.

For several days, I've been working on a gorgeous laceweight project.  It's not something I've done before and I was experimenting with some laceweight yarn someone had gifted to me.  Now, it's done!  Yay!  And, it's lovely.  I'm very pleased with it.  The pattern can be purchased here.  I look forward to seeing your projects made from this design!

 

I don't usually post controversial topics in my blog.  But, this particular topic has forced me to really think about this and I wanted to bring it to a broader audience, the big wide internet!

There is a clause within the Copyright law that clearly states that we have the right to sell books, CDs, videos, etc. that we purchase.  It is called the First Sale Doctrine.  If we acquire the hard copy of these items, we can sell them.  Period.  BUT, it has been determined that the purchase of digital media (MP3s, PDF patterns, etc.) is NOT covered by the First Sale Doctrine.  Therefore, these items are not allowed by law to be resold by the purchaser.  In essence, if you buy a PDF pattern and you no longer want it, you are not allowed to send it to your friend (or even sell it to your friend), and then, like a law-abiding citizen, delete it from your computer.  It's not allowed.

Once this decision was made to NOT include digital media in the First Sale Doctrine, there was indeed a Bill put before Congress in 2002 asking for an amendment to the First Sale Doctrine so that it would include digital media.  But, after two years of kicking it around Congress, it was not passed or written into law.

I can find no evidence of any other Bill or case law which has changed the decision that digital media is not covered in First Sale Doctrine.  (And, if anyone is aware of anything further, please be sure to let me know.)

Now, we have some people on one side of a fence.  They say that this isn't fair.  We bought it.  We should be able to do with it what we want!  Sell it, don't sell it, burn it LOL, give it to our friend, etc.  Everyone has told us that digital media should be considered the same as any other hard copy, so why shouldn't we sell it?

Now, we have some people on the other side of a fence.  Let's just say that Congress decided that it was okay to transfer the ownership of PDFs in the same fashion as hard copy books.  We've got some very honest people in our world.  These people would likely email it to their friend and delete it from their computer, right?  Nothing seems to be wrong there.  But, do you think that EVERYONE would do that?  Do you think that there's a possibility that there may be a JoeEbaySeller who might sell copy after copy, perhaps at a reduced rate from the original purchase?  And, don't kid yourself.  Someone WOULD do this.  How quickly would the independent designers be put out of business?

We've already got lots of people working very hard to put publishers and designers out of business.  They're copying book after book and posting them on the internet.  Oh, now, come on.  Don't tell me you didn't know about that.  It's cost millions of dollars to the industry that we know and love.  It's put companies out of business.  So, yes, there are indeed people out there who are probably waiting with bated breath to have this law changed so that they can sell PDFs over and over and no one would be the wiser.

I've heard lots of talk about people wanting designs from independent designers.  There are a lot of things they like about purchasing patterns from indies.  Indies can get items published quicker, thereby making good use of trends in fashion or color or even particular yarns.  Indies are right there at the click of a mouse should there be questions.  If there is errata with indie patterns, it is discovered quickly and easily accessed.  I could go on.  But, I think you get the point.

Now, I'm left with wondering whether it is worth it to you.  When you purchase a $5 pattern, knowing that you can't transfer the ownership, is it worth it to you?  Which is more important?  The fact that there are so many advantages to purchasing patterns from independent designers?  Or, would you rather see the law changed so that you can later transfer the ownership?

How much is that $5 worth to you?  You purchase a pattern, you make the pattern, you no longer want it and want to give it away.  But, you can't.  Would you say "Oh, that's okay, no problem.  I don't want it and I'll just delete it."  Or, do you want the law changed so that you CAN sell it, even though there is no technology available to protect the independent designer you purchased it from?  Knowing that, and knowing that changing this law would be akin to placing candy in a child's hand and telling them not to eat it, how ready are you to see this law changed?

Should you wish to read more, here you go:

http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/lawreviews/meta-elements/journals/bclawr/44_2/09_FMS.htm

I am including a schematic for the Friendship Shawl shown here and available from the Caron site here.

I am hoping this schematic will aid in your stitching.  If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

We had an absolutely gorgeous day today and I was able to get some pictures of Christian in the new designs.  Yay!  Near the end, he was really quite annoyed.  But, I liked the photo anyway and decided to go ahead and use it.