Even though I deal with anxiety, and I love crocheting, I’m not someone who finds working on a project therapeutic or relaxing. But so far I’m really enjoying building up this skirt of tiny stitches in fingering weight yarn. Maybe it’s because the yarn is so squishy and lovely, or maybe it’s because I’m excited for what the finished product will be.

Using fingering weight yarn can make a project go slower, but I think the payoff is worth it – crocheted fabric tends to be thicker overall, so the finer the yarn used, the thinner the finished fabric. This typically means a nicer drape for the garment, and more opportunity for details. And, I’d argue, a more wearable, comfortable garment.

It definitely was a funny choice to more toward using finer weight yarns for my designs right as I was about to have my son, and of course have far, far less “free time,” But two and a half years in, and I think I’m starting to find a good rhythm. I use the few hours a couple days a week that my son is at preschool for computer work – pattern grading and editing, photo editing, writing, and some admin stuff – and I’ve learned so much about pattern designing the past couple years that I’m finding ways to streamline my process. I crochet during the day when I have bits of time or my son is occupied with some independent play. And the time after my son is in bed can be used for a bit of technical work, crocheting, writing, basically anything my brain can handle at the time, or just hanging out with my husband.

I know this skirt is going to take a bit longer than the last few patterns I’ve made, so I’m trying to give it extra time, like taking it along on car rides when I’m not driving, or being more okay with working just a few stitches in between racing all the Hot Wheels with my son.

I hope it turns out close to what’s in my head and my sketches, because I can’t wait to see it finished!