I like to knit lace. I will happily knit lace scarves, cowl, socks, but my favourites are shawls, especially large and challenging ones. I’ve designed a fair few now, using stitch patterns from various stitch dictionaries, books and online resources, and I decided I wanted to try designing my own for truly original shawls.
I read a few tutorials and blog posts online which suggested different methods of designing lace and then off I went. Some don't get beyond a scribble on graph paper. The ones that look good on paper get swatched. If the swatch doesn't work, no big deal, it gets frogged. But I was building up a collection of swatches that I liked.
For the Christmas before last I was given a knitting journal but had no idea how to use it since I record all my projects on Ravelry. Then I realised the book was the perfect place to store my swatches. It is laid out with four pages for each project, with space to write about your design inspiration, graph paper for drawing up charts, and even holes punched to attach a small amount of yarn. Perfect for tying my swatches in. 
Now I can build up my own personal stitch dictionary!
My current design-in-progress is a circular shawl using four of my original lace patterns, all designed on a theme. I already have ideas for at least two of the others. Now I just need to find the time to use them all!

Things have been a bit slow here at Scarlett17Knits Towers (not my real address!) lately. Long story short, I was made redundant from my day job last month. Anyone who has been through a redundancy knows it can be an emotional process, even if you're expecting it. I wasn't expecting it which made it even more of a blow to lose a job I loved. I'm also someone who has always defined myself and my sense of purpose through my work. Without my job, suddenly I wasn't sure who I was any more. OK, I'm also Mummy, wife, knitter, designer, friend, daughter, but I didn't have "wage-earner" or "professional" high up on that list any more.
It completely knocked my creativity too. For about a week I didn't even want to knit (and that's how I know things must be bad!) or to spin. All my design ideas suddenly seemed pointless, not worth pursuing, or too hard work to get my brain around.

For now, I have decided to go freelance while I work out the next step on my career path and have signed up with an agency and, thankfully, have already started getting work (slowly, but everyone's got to start somewhere) which has massively helped my sense of professional self-esteem. I had two designs that were almost-ready which I had pushed aside when everything started falling apart at work, but which I now feel ready to pick up again. I've had them both tech edited already and will be looking for testers before the end of the week. I've also had my confidence boosted by the success so far of this month's pattern release (Shetland Marine, if you missed it), and by a weekend away with knitting friends that completely recharged my batteries. 

I'm working on a new sock design, and I've also made good progress on a circular lace shawl design, as well as casting on my first socks from handspun sock yarn!
I might have had a setback but I'm down but not out. Onwards and upwards, right?!

This month sees me back to the large lace shawls I love to design. (In fact I've got another being swatched as well. Just can't get enough of that lace!).
Shetland Marine is a top-down triangle, starting from a garter tab, and including beads. They're optional but they really do add sparkle to this delicate and feminine design, perfect for over a sundress or a plain shirt and jeans.

The pattern includes both charts and fully written instructions, so you can choose your preferred pattern style. 

If you'd like to knit your own Shetland Marine, you can find the pattern page in my Ravelry store by clicking through either photograph or the link in this or the first paragraph.