Embracing My Passion: Why I’m Writing Another Crochet Book After 20 Years in the Crafting Industry

After taking some time to reflect on my 20-year career in the crafting industry, I’ve made an important decision: I’m writing a new crochet book. This decision didn’t come lightly, but it feels like a natural progression, a return to my roots, and a culmination of all the skills I’ve honed over the past two decades.

Rediscovering My Love for Writing

In the fast-paced world of crafting, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks—reflecting on decades of designing new patterns, managing an e-commerce store, teaching classes, and engaging with a vibrant community on social media, I asked myself, what do you love? Amidst all these roles, I found myself longing for the deeper, more reflective process that writing a book offers. Writing allows me to connect with my audience in a meaningful way, sharing not just one-off patterns or tutorials, but the very essence of what crafting means to me: the behind the scenes story and purpose of it all.

The Hefty Project of Independent Publishing

Writing a how-to craft book is no small feat. It’s a project that demands not only creativity and expertise but also a deep understanding of the entire process from start to finish. Having independently published books before, I am well aware of the challenges ahead. However, it’s these challenges that make the journey so rewarding.

Independent publishing is a true test of one’s multifaceted skills. It requires meticulous planning, content creation, editing, design, marketing, and distribution—all tasks that I’ve grown intimately familiar with over my career. It’s about wearing many hats: writer, designer, marketer, and entrepreneur. Each role plays a crucial part in bringing a book to life, and I embrace this complexity with enthusiasm.

Drawing from Two Decades of Experience

As I embark on this new project, I realize how much my past experiences have prepared me for this moment. My work in TV production taught me the importance of storytelling and visual presentation—essential elements in creating an engaging craft book. Running an e-commerce business honed my skills in customer service, research & development, product manufacturing, understanding what my audience truly needs, and delivering value in a competitive market.

Managing a website and social media marketing has kept me in tune with the latest trends and technologies, allowing me to reach a global audience and build a community around my brand. Designing and teaching have always been at the heart of what I do, and they will continue to be the core of this new book, where I can share my passion for crafting with others.

A Culmination of My Journey

This book will be more than just a collection of patterns or tutorials; it will be a reflection of my journey—a testament to the joy of creating, the lessons learned, and the wisdom gained over 20 years in the industry. It’s about bringing all these elements together to create something that not only teaches but also inspires.

Looking Ahead

As I dive into this new project, I am filled with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. Writing this book is a way for me to give back to the crafting community that has supported me throughout my career. It’s also a way to connect with new crafters, sharing the knowledge and passion that has driven me for so many years.

I can’t wait to share this journey with you—stay tuned for more updates as I bring this new book to life. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, and for allowing me to continue doing what I love: creating, sharing, and inspiring.

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What to Expect in #Book23 Crochet Book:

I’m thrilled to announce that my next project is officially underway—#Book23 is coming! This book is particularly special to me, as it marks a new chapter in my journey after 20 years in the crafting industry. As I dive into the writing process, I want to share some exciting details with you, but instead of revealing everything at once, I’ll be teasing each aspect of the book in a series of blog posts. Consider this your first sneak peek into what #Book23 has in store!

A Reader-Friendly Experience

One of the things my long-time readers love about my books is the larger, easy-to-read font. I’m happy to confirm that #Book23 will feature the same 14pt font that you’ve come to appreciate. I know how important it is to follow along with ease, and this is just one of the many ways I’m ensuring that this book is accessible to all crafters.

Step-by-Step Guidance and Visuals

In #Book23, you can expect the same clear, step-by-step instructions that guide you through each pattern with confidence. I’ll also include detailed charts to help you visualize the construction of each shawl. And of course, there will be plenty of high-quality photos, capturing every intricate detail to inspire and guide you along the way. I have yet to decide how video tutorials will be incorporated into this project but once I do, you will be the first to know 🙂

Diving Deeper into the Craft

But this book isn’t just about patterns—#Book23 will also take you on a deeper exploration of the art of each design. I’ll delve into the world of color, offering tips on how to select and combine shades to create stunning effects. I’ll also be sharing insights on yarn choices, substitutions, and how to manipulate patterns to make them uniquely yours.

The Story Behind Each Pattern in this Crochet Book

One of the most exciting aspects of #Book23 is the inclusion of the history and inspiration behind each design. Every crochet pattern has a story, and I can’t wait to share these narratives with you. Understanding the background of each piece will add a richer, more meaningful dimension to your crafting experience.

Budget-Friendly and Accessible

As always, making crafting accessible is a priority for me. That’s why I’ve intentionally curated yarn choices for #Book23 that are both widely available and budget-friendly. Not a single project in this book will cost over $30, ensuring that these beautiful designs are within reach for everyone.

#Book23: The First Steps in Writing a Crochet Book

As I embark on the journey of writing #Book23, I want to share the initial steps that go into creating a crochet book. Writing a book is a detailed process that begins long before the first stitch is even made. It involves careful planning, creative thinking, and a deep understanding of the craft. Here’s a glimpse into the first crucial steps: developing a concept, writing an outline, and creating a color palette.

Step 1: Developing a Concept

The first step in writing a crochet book is developing a solid concept. This is where the foundation of the book is laid. For #Book23, I wanted to create something that would resonate with both beginners and experienced crafters—a collection that is not only beautiful but also educational. The concept of #Book23 was born from my desire to explore the diversity of shawl shapes, construction methods, and the history behind these timeless pieces.

When developing a concept, it’s important to consider what makes the book unique. What can you offer that isn’t already available? For #Book23, I wanted to dive deeper into the world of shawls, offering not just patterns but also insights into color choices, yarn substitutions, and pattern manipulations. This concept will guide every decision throughout the writing process, ensuring that the book is cohesive and delivers on its promise to the reader.

Step 2: Writing an Outline

Once the concept is clear, the next step is to write a detailed outline. The outline serves as a roadmap for the book, organizing ideas and ensuring that all the key points are covered. For #Book23, the outline includes a list of shawl shapes I want to feature, the techniques I’ll cover, and the additional content like color exploration and historical insights.

A well-thought-out outline breaks down the book into manageable sections, making the writing process more efficient. It also helps in identifying any gaps or areas that need further development. For instance, while outlining #Book23, I realized the importance of including a section on pattern manipulation—showing how crafters can adapt the designs to suit their personal style. The outline also helps in structuring the flow of the book, ensuring that it’s easy to follow and logically organized.

Step 3: Creating a Color Palette

Color is a vital element in any crochet project, and creating a cohesive color palette is one of the most exciting steps in the book development process. The color palette sets the tone for the entire collection and can greatly influence the final look of the projects.

For #Book23, I’ve carefully curated a color palette that reflects the theme of the book while remaining versatile enough for crafters to adapt to their preferences. When creating a color palette, I consider the mood I want to evoke, the trends in the crafting community, and the availability of yarn colors. The palette should include a mix of neutrals, vibrant tones, and a few unexpected pops of color to keep things interesting.

Choosing the right colors also involves thinking about how they will photograph, how they will work together in different combinations, and how they will appeal to a wide audience. For #Book23, I wanted to ensure that each shawl would not only stand out on its own but also complement the others in the collection.

Stay Tuned for More

The first steps in writing a crochet book—developing a concept, writing an outline, and creating a color palette—are all about setting the stage for the work to come. These steps lay the groundwork for a successful project, guiding the creative process and ensuring that the final product is both beautiful and functional.  This is just the beginning of what I have planned for #Book23. Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing more details, including sneak peeks of the patterns, behind-the-scenes insights into the writing process, and perhaps even a few surprises. I’m so excited to take you along on this journey as I bring #Book23 to life.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible adventure. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, let’s continue to create, share, and inspire—one stitch at a time.

xoxo, Kristin

Kristin Omdahl is the best-selling author of dozens of knit and crochet books; designer of almost 1,000 knit and crochet patterns; and producer of award-winning videos. You can join Kristin, a 20 year veteran in the crafting industry, weekly for The Kristin Omdahl Show podcast on YouTube and browse through thousands of tutorial videos there, too. 

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