I had a customer write me the other day… Here is what she wrote:
My husband bought me the rugged mountain pattern collection a few years ago and I absolutely LOVE them! I would love for you to publish a book with only your patterns in it! I am a huge fan of your work! Keep it up Lisa! You rock!
I actually have been contemplating this for a while. Although I have a couple of smaller books out: Lisa’s New & Easy Cable Afghans & Throws, and Hats, Scarves & Mittens For The Family, a big hardcover book is very enticing.
4 cable designs utilizing a new cable technique
Hats, Scarves & Mittens For The Family
P.S. These books are now available for purchase through the Crochet Garden, along with a few others!
What kind of book would you like to see? I actually have started on some swatches and sketches for a possible book.. and have a couple of themes in mind.
Book with just baby patterns? A book with baby and tot patterns? A book with a mix of things? Maybe, “best of the Crochet Garden?” What do you want to see in a book? What books do you have that you love? Out of the books you like, what is it about them that you like?
I would love to hear your thoughts!
On another note… Garden Lullaby
Sizes Newborn - 12 mos
has now been released! It comes in sizes Newborn to 12 mos.. I think it is a darling little dress… When I see this dress, I think of a little one, “helping” mom out on the laundry line.. It has been such a while since I did a thread dress. What next, maybe a Christening dress?
Oh, I wish there was more time in the day. I am now up to 3 binders full of designs and sketches. Each time I think of a new idea, out the binders come, and in goes another piece of paper… I am so worried about not remembering a design later- with how scatterbrained I am.
It is nice though, having them. Sometimes, I have editors come to me needing a design in a specific yarn. Sometimes I think of an idea right there on the spot. Other times, I just pull out my binder, photograph a few pages, then email them to the editor. I like having numerous ideas at my fingertips.. and so far, editors like it, or well, at least I think they do!
So.. about this big, book idea. I am feeling confident enough that I could pull off designing an incredible book. I do have things in motion. I am not yet ready though to propose the idea, as I feel I need to greatly cultivate it. So, please, lend me your thoughts! The biggest thing though, and not that it is an absolute when writing a book, but something that gave me even more of a drive to work on this book idea:
A while ago (not that long ago), I started to tech-edit some crochet patterns. Now, one does not need to be a tech editor to write a successful book proposal. I just feel that it adds to my skills. When I was asked to do tech editing, I was quite shocked. However, a multitude of reasons contributed… I was told I am highly detail oriented.. Which, I will have to agree, but only on a certain level. See, my desk, is a disaster 
I lose things all the time. I have notes here and there, hooks falling down.. towers of binders and papers trying to reach a new definition of “balancing act,” along with paperclips and safety pins.. Now, give me one piece of paper and ask me to solve a complex math problem, no problem! Give me a photo to edit and my eye zones in on each and every detail. Ask me to read a book, and I will remember in Chapter 1 what color shirt the protagonist was wearing (that is, if the author mentioned this).
I have concluded, my scattered-brainedness had to with the physical location of objects! And I am thinking, it is due to my over-detailed part of the brain.. so this other part of brain is squeezed out. Yes.. that is it. (Or maybe my rational of why I am always late because I can never find the keys?!
Well, more on the tech editing another time, maybe tomorrow. It was a very new experience for me, one I feel deserves a post all its own.. and well, gives me something new to write about so I do not neglect my poor blog!
I love the idea of a hard covered book full of your designs. I think the hardest part would be trying to figure out which ones to include.
I love the idea of a book.. I think a “Best Of” is a great idea. I like to get books ( the big hard back type) personally that have a variety of patterns….not really just one specific sizing/theme (If it were just a small book such as the afghans/hats & mittens I think sticking to one theme is great, but for a large book I like variety) Thats just my opinion though.. I am sure I would purchase any book that you came up with, because I know it would be Quality patterns…
I am thrilled to see that you are seriously considering this! I agree with Misty on the “Best Of” sort of book. I have looked for cabling pattern books, and they just aren’t out there. I love how your patterns have that ‘home made, heirloom quality’, yet they are hip enough that I have been asked if I got my scarf, hat and mitten set at American Eagle. You are a very talented lady and your work has inspired many of my friends to learn how to crochet. I know 4 people that would definitely purchase this book if it were available. I’m just going to keep telling myself that it is in the works!
Too late to cast my vote? I love your work! It’s beautiful. On to the voting…
I would absolutely love it if you would publish a book containing baby patterns and one containing toddler patterns. Your patterns are beautiful. I would love to see them bundled into books. Maybe e-books as a first pass and hardcover later on? You could sell them through Amazon etc on the Kindle and Nook…
Sarah- Never too late! Thank you so much for the sweet compliment! I think you are right on the baby and tot books. I would love to do one. Maybe I should start thinking about that! I did at one time, and it was put to the side… but now that you bring it up, I should start thinking about it again!