The Importance of Making For Yourself
by Nkese Lewis (@cosmic_crochet_creations)
I am incredibly excited to have Nkese of @cosmic_crochet_creations back on the blog to talk to us about the importance of not pattern testing! This blog post hit me hard in the feels, especially because it' comes one month after I made a plan to commit to non-tests… and then in classic Kasey fashion, overcommitted to tests. This blog post has re-inspired me to commit to taking time to make for me. I hope you can learn a thing or two from her, as well. Enjoy!
Nkese is pictured above in her own ruana design, and below in her own cape design, her own top design, and then two tops she made on her own time (the Madeline Crop Top by @snowflakecrochet & the Sundial Vest by @detroitknots). These were all things she made just for herself — not tests for others!
If you’re anything like me then you had BIG plans for 2020. I had planned to do a major destashing of yarn, as well as FINALLY using some of the patterns that had been patiently waiting for me in my Ravelry queue. As a matter fact, I had written down a list of everything I wanted to make in 2020. Next to each item on the list was a yarn suggestion from my stash. I was going to make ALL THE THINGS!!
But we all know how 2020 went. Now, I have even more yarn and more patterns than I know what to do with. But Kasey came up with a brilliant idea to destash yarn, use saved patterns and make for yourself all at the same time. She decided that for every test we completed we also had to make one thing for ourselves. I’m planning to take the month of March to get started on mine.
Some of y’all know at the end of last year I found myself really burnt out from testing even though I tested less than I had in the prior year. In December when I looked back over the year I realized I had spent a good part of the year testing and basically making for other people. Of course I know I don’t HAVE to test and I can say no, but I do enjoy helping friends out when I can. It had just gotten to the point where I wasn’t enjoying making as much as I had in the past. I think that’s partly because I wasn’t just making to make. I was making with a purpose and with real responsibilities and that can sometimes change how you feel about making. I forgot what it was like to make without having to be mindful of timeframes, pattern errors, yardage, and pictures. I put too much pressure on myself and I didn’t like how that made me feel. I want making to be exciting and peaceful. I want it to help me deal with stress, not stress me out. I need balance between testing for others and making for myself. I have to learn to say no because when I don’t I overwhelm myself, and that’s when I don’t enjoy making. I NEED yarn to help me on those days that I don’t want to think or feel, I just want to be. But yarn can’t be that if I’m always making it something that I have to do, instead of something that I want to do.
Now, let’s talk about pattern hoarding. I am all about supporting other makers. But supporting other makers is more than just buying patterns. It’s also about taking the time to actually make the patterns that you bought, otherwise what’s the point of having them in the first place? Is it nice to help people make money off the hard work they put into pattern making? ABSOLUTELY!! But actually making an item from a pattern that someone created, taking photos, and then showing it off for the designer and the world to see. NOW THAT’S PRICELESS!! It’s the BIGGEST compliment you can give. We need more of that!! So much more of that!!
So here are some maker goal ideas for 2021.
Pick 5 patterns from wherever you have your patterns stored. Maybe something from each season.
Plan to use yarn from your stash ONLY, I’m sure you have way more than you think.
If you do have to buy new yarn for some reason, don’t buy it without a plan or purpose.
Start working on one thing from your list each month with a tentative finish date. Even if you do every other month you could still finish 5-6 things by the end December.
Only pick patterns of things you know you will actually use or wear. You’ll be more likely to finish once you’ve started.
I hope that you will take time, to make time, for yourself this year. Happy making friends!!
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Thank you for reading this post by Nkese! Be sure to head to her Instagram to show her some support. And let us know if you’re planning to tackle her maker goals above! I know I am!
