Create your Crochet Journey Journal
Does size matter? Yep, it does for me and I realized that in 2018. Every year, I have the intention of keeping a crochet journal. I start with a binder and by February, it's collecting dust and moved off my desk never to be seen again. Occasionally in the year, I may remember I have it but I like continuity. If I quit using it for a gapping time, I say oh well and don't bother again.
We had a guest designer make leaflets to put into a binder for crocheters which is really awesome.
I find myself wandering Staples looking at the planners but I am old now. I know myself. I know I love them in the moment but give me a week and I know it's collecting dust.
This past July, I had a crazy content month. I had so many notes and partial or full patterns that my head was spinning. So while picking up milk at Walmart, I passed by the Notebook Section and I saw this Red Hilroy.
So I bought one because it has no tabs, just paper and I was more attracted to the size of the book. It's small enough to lug in my crochet bag. It's easy to carry it around the house or where ever I need it to be. The book doesn't tell me the months, so there's no guilt if I am skipping over time. Truth is, there are times when nothing much is happening and I am caught up.
Knowing myself, as a sign of finishing a pattern. I fold the pattern in half. It's my way of saying, I'm done. Most times, I write my own notes on a pattern but if I never keep those, my notes are permanently gone. Sometimes, the notes have crochet diagrams, yarn subs, different hook sizes I used or highlights in the pattern that I know tripped me up. It essence, this is my crochet growth journey. It's my personal workbook.
While on important phone calls, I use the book to take notes. Because gawd forbid I am looking for that phone number again. In fact, proud to say, my desk has never been so organized as it has this past 6 months.
Shockingly, I know. I didn't clean off my desk before I took this photo. My notes are inside my journal instead of all the scrap paper that used to be lying around my desk. I'm known for having a messy desk of paper that I end up stacking on top of each other with no counter space left to do anything.
When crocheting in my 'Away from Cyber Life Room', my journal is small enough to put onto the end table. I can take notes with it resting on my knee.
At the end of the pattern, I staple the pattern folded to a piece of paper inside. If I need the pattern again, say it's a WIP, I will just paperclip the pattern to the paper so I can easily remove it.
My handwriting, if you noticed, is always upper case letters. I trained in high school and college to be a design engineer. This was pre-computer where you would have to hand draw schematics and more. So the general rule was all writing is all upper case. My dad also has the same writing skills as he was a tradesman in similar trade I was studying to be in. So if someone writes in upper case on the internet, I don't perceive it at yelling.
I had just finished this girl's poncho but was deciding how much yarn to giveaway for Jeanne's H & K Giveaways we did back in October. If I ever need to remember how much we gave away for the challenge, I have it now. Before, it would be on a piece of paper and most likely long gone to my recycling bin.
Conclusion
For me, I have realized that big binders or organizers that are too planned don't work for me. While I really like the idea having something crochet based or organized, for me, simpler is better and without guilt. For the $2 it cost me for the my journal, it was a sound investment and my life is much better.
For 2019, I am moving my journal to something a little more fancy. I found an artisan that works with leather at one of the local craft shows. She had really super amazing journals but I had one wish. I wanted the journal to be removable from the cover when my journal gets full. A journal that I can easily replace out when it gets full.
The sailboat on water in leather feels like renewal as I am living in the Maritimes now. The Journal is handmade which I adore as thought and time went into it. It's the same size of the journal I am currently using, so it means I will use it.
Don't get wrapped up into journals you may see that are so organized that you know you may never use them. At the end of the day, simpler is better. Save your money, get a small book at the local office supply store or general retailer. For me, it's helped me beyond measure. If you are living in paperwork hell with patterns, this may help you too!
linda says
Thank you so much for your patterns. A preacher and his wife are having there first baby and I want to make them a baby blanket. I found several, I just wanted to make it special cause his dad died last year with the Covid. His death has broken many hearts so hope this will help a little.
Mikey says
That's sweet of you to consider others feelings and step forward in the active of creative giving. You are the difference. 🙂
Louise Kadrovach says
I use a comp book with date & year - who it is for - pattern I'm using - yarn & color - hook size & ch # / I write my notes on the pattern itself or put a sticky note on it - I'm in the process of trying to truly organize by - eg baby afghans, baby items, afghans, special items, Christmas stuff, etc - any help or ideas would be appreciated !! Thank you
Mikey says
I think you have the idea pretty good. Organize it in a way that makes sense for the way you would search. For myself, I would do by the project type.
Kathleen I Van Orden says
What is the size in inches of your journal?
Mikey says
8" x 10"
Wilma Goodwin says
I have read and accept your Community Guidelines. I’d like to join. Thanks !
Marina King says
I'm not sure what you are referring to, the Facebook group?
Wilma Goodwin says
I’d like to be able to get your emails. Newsletters, etc
Marina King says
If you have joined the Facebook group that's where all his communications go. There really isn't a newsletter or emails from the crochet crowd.
Vicky says
I use a disc bound notebook and notebook paper cut to size and punched.
KS Broussasd says
We sound a lot of like. I’m upscaling mine a bit more this year just for pretty factor, but I like to be as a simple as possible. I guess don envelopes for patterns, glue in pjamaphlets, and have my own coloring
Coding system. Good luck everyone with your journals.
Sheila says
I don't have a journal but this summer I divided all my printed patterns by type - crochet, loom knitting, etc. Each is now in a sheet protector and in 3-ring binders for easy access. I can remove it from the binder, tuck it in with the project, and return it when I'm done. I do like the idea of keeping a journal of what projects I've done, what yarns I used and who received it.
Becoming says
This sounds a very similar concept to 'The Bullet Journal'. Great job Mikey at creating and adapting to find a solution that works for you. It was great to see another adaptation for this method.
Orna says
While reorgnizing my room, the one I use for preparing lessons, keeping my matirials, I realized I am a notebook junky. Have them in all sizes. So I decided it is time to use them. Now I have one in my crochet bag which is small in size but heavy in pages. What I like about it is that there is a place for a pencil. So the pencil is always attached. (I prefer pencils on pens.) Very convenient. And the cover is handmade with very nice silky fiber.
Candi McAdams says
Excellent idea, something I've been trying for for years. I've managed to get all of my patterns and notes for said patterns in one folder. When I find it again I will put a rock on it so it will quit wandering off.
Mollie says
I have designed a few baby afghans for my family members and destroyed the directions when finished so each piece would be one of a kind. If I had kept a journal, they would still be one of a kind. But, if I ever wanted to make another, it is lost. At my age (77) I could not begin to remember. I have given the items to family and friends, and even nurses and doctors that have cared for me. Love your idea!
Cynthia Sundown says
I totally agree with you about not having a journal that is "too" Organized. I too, end up writing "other notes" In my project journal, if it is nearby.
It comes in SIO handy, especially when making a project again, after a long period of time. I usually date when I begin and end a project, so I have an idea of how long it takes to complete. I am a bit OCD....
Sara Blasingame says
Is it good to keep a journal for crocheting and etc. Like crosstitch, knitting and so forth. I never kept one before on any project. Do you list a date for when you start the project.
Patti Walrod says
Mom and I earlier this year went to a "Home Show" in San Diego. We were researching cabinet companies because Mom wants to remodel the kitchen. As Mom talked to the sales reps/owners, I picked up business cards, flyers, and brochures and paperclipped them to pages and I would write notes on a "neighboring" page. I felt pleased with how I was helping Mom and keeping everything organized for her.
I dropped the notebook.
Chaos.
All my carefully paperclipped flyers and brochures fell out.
My recommendation: staple it or when traveling with the journal secure it in such a way that everything stays in the spot you intended.
Patti
Theresa Adams says
I love this idea...bought me a note book to do this as I always scribble on my pattern
Marie Schaffer says
I love as I read this article that I actually do some of the things that you do regarding writing things on different size paper etc love your tutorials.
Arlene says
I use a 5 inch by 8 inch journal. All it contains is lined pages, no year, months, or dates. It is just the right size for me and very portable. I also found it in the stationary section and it only cost 2 dollars. I have not filled it up yet so I will get more than a year's use out of it. 🙂
Karlya says
Great idea. I have thought of doing this but wondered what size I needed and if someone might also have the idea . I have a couple of journals here at home. I going to start one. Hopefully my granddaughter will someday use it or look at it and say WOW