Sketch Journal Your Life in Yarn

Janice'sShawlCrop

I have wanted to do this for a long time! Actually, I do it all the time, in separate journals, some for writing, some for drawing. But I have wanted them to be all in one sketchbook, instead of in and around all the other drawings I make on a daily basis.

FiberJournalCoverLowRes

(Cover of newly begun SketchJournal for Yarn Projects)

Several months ago I attempted to designate one sketchbook for only drawings and writings about yarn projects, but then began adding in other sketches and drawings-landscapes, florals, home indoors, people and places I go. I’m determined to keep this sketchbook/journal reserved solely for drawings of my finished yarn works and write a bit around the drawings to describe each one.

NearingtheEnd

One of the things I love most about knitting is the story that gets knitted up into each piece. Things like: who is it for? why am I knitting/crocheting this? why are the specific colors chosen? Is there meaning in the stitch pattern, the color choices, the shape, the fiber, the overall piece being knitted?

BlockingJanice'sShawl

These are the things I want to preserve. Don’t you? Personally, I think every knitter should have a little book or binder somewhere to keep the patterns he/she has knitted, a bit of the actual yarn they used, any notes on how the pattern did or didn’t work, and best of all–a photograph or drawing of the finished item.

ColorFest

This shawl, knitted as a commission for a friend, is a variation on Paula Emmons Fuessle’s Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl. I love this pattern!!! This is my third of these shawls and I’m collecting sock yarns for another. This is quite possibly a fool-proof pattern!! No matter what leftover sock yarns (or other gauge yarns!) you have, somehow they always look super mixed and matched in one of these simple shawls.

JaniceShawlColor

There’s really nothing difficult about it at all! It’s just the unbelievable amount of stitches you have by the time you get to the ruffle! But by then, you are so excited about all the color in your hands, you just keep going, high on color!!

croppedShawldrawing

The final thing I want to do for this journal page is include some pieces of a few of the yarns used in it. Some of the yarns were leftovers of my socks and I used it all up. But I do have some left of the Zauberball yarn (used as the main base of colors, with the other leftovers mixed in here and there). I also have some of the shimmery yarns leftover, so I can add that on the page as well. I might punch two small holes and then thread the yarns through, tying them together. We shall see.

I’ll share more of these pages with you as I go along. There are several recently finished projects I want to add into my sketch journal…

Can’t wait!!

P.S. If you try this, PLEASE send me a pic or a leave a comment here to let me know if you are giving it a go! You can make it as simple or elaborate as you like! Just keep it fun!!

P.P.S. Did you get the word about my new FREE Knitterly Arts Newsletter?? My goal is to send it monthly (possibly more often:) to inspire you in your fiber journey…

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8 thoughts on “Sketch Journal Your Life in Yarn

  1. Denise says:

    I think this is an awesome idea. Mine will certainly not be as artistic as yours because I cannot draw. However, I can use some of my scrapbooking talents to do this. What type of book did you use?

    • jenpedwards says:

      Hi Denise! I use Aquabee Sketchbooks and my favorite size is the 9″x9″ square format. Your scrap booking supplies would work beautifully and any stamping or collaging too!

      • Denise says:

        I like 9 x 9 scrapbooks. Is this something you would find in a drawing/sketching department? I have colored pencils, ink pads, chalk and the like. I like the distressed look. I just came across you the other day and boy have you hooked me!

        • jenpedwards says:

          I find mine at Cheap Joes Art Stuff, an online art supply shop! They are probably available at Dick Blick’s art supply also! I hope you have loads of fun art journaling yiur fiber life! I am!

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