Interview with Crochet Kim – KIM GUZMAN

SOME SAMPLES OF KIM’S ORIGINAL PATTERNS AVAILABLE ON HER WEBSITE.

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Kim Guzman is one of my favorite crochet designers.

Adult jiffy cardigan

Her ‘Jiffy Cardigan’ is the first adult sweater I attempted to make. It’s featured on one of my earlier blogs. I crocheted it for my mother and she loves it. I asked Kim if she would let me pick her brain about crochet. Below is the result of the Q&A.

Q: Can you tell me a little about yourself and your family?

A: I am a single mother of three. My oldest is almost 21 years’ old. Yikes! He no longer lives with me. My youngest two children, 16 years’ old and 2 years’ old, live with me. We live in a Chicago suburb and I’m really longing to move right now (as I look outside at all the snow). Snow is beautiful; don’t get me wrong. And, I don’t mind looking at it. It’s just not fun to be out and around in it.

Q: When and how did you learn to crochet?

A: My father’s mother taught me to make a simple double crochet granny square when I was 8 years’ old. I remember another woman teaching me hairpin lace. After that, I learned how to crochet reading books myself. It’s been very challenging. And, I’ve made mistakes, let me tell you! For instance, I mixed up front and back loop single crochet for years. When it said front loop, I took it to be literally the FRONT LOOP of the single crochet. I never could figure out why I couldn’t get a back loop ribbing effect until much later.

Q: And, you are a crochet pattern designer. How long have you been designing?

A: I’ve been designing since a hook was put into my hand at about 8 years’ old. My grandmother taught me how to do granny squares. But, when I wanted to expand my knowledge, I taught myself from what books were available and I could get my hands on. Being a pre-teen, I didn’t have very much money and any allowances I received went for yarn. This enabled me to expand on things and learn to design at an early age. When I was about 10 or 11, I designed my first doily. But, this was because my grandmother told me I was too young to work with thread. Ha! That’s my stubborness showing, even at a young age.

Q: What types of projects do you design?

A: I design all types of projects. Afghans, garments, hats, scarves. I have never done many projects for home decor. And, this year is the first year that I’ve actually designed several purses and bags.

(Ed. note – Check out the men’s sweater patterns on Kim’s site!)

Q: Do you prefer certain techniques in crochet?

I love ALL crochet. But, I have to admit a certain fondness of Tunisian crochet, both with the double-ended hook and single-ended hook.

I especially enjoy things that others may find “different.” For instance, I learned broomstick lace crochet. You typically use a size 35 or 50 knitting needle as a broomstick lace “pin.” However, once I learned the technique, I immediately started thinking of other ways to work the lace. I used a much smaller knitting needle as a “pin”. And, I’ve used the usual broomstick pin to mimic the drop stitch in knitting.

Q: And, you offer ongoing Tunisian classes online.

A: Yes, I offer free online Tunisian classes on my website. Tunisian crochet is so misunderstood. Before I learned to do Tunisian crochet, I was incredibly apprehensive. I saw some terrific patterns but once I saw the words “afghan hook,” I ignored them and went to the next project.

When there was a resurgence of Tunisian crochet, both in the standard afghan hook and the double-ended hook, in the late 90s, I taught myself and there has been no looking back.

I offer the classes because I feel that there must be people out there just like me. People who are apprehensive about it. People who think it’s too difficult. But, in all honesty, it’s actually easier than regular crochet. I can teach someone Tunisian crochet in less than an hour, even someone who has no crochet experience at all.

Q: Can you briefly explain your design process?

A: I am a yarn person. I will crochet with thread, but I prefer yarn. I prefer baby yarn, sport weight yarn, DK weight yarn and worsted. I don’t tend to crochet much in bulky yarns, but I will occasionally. It is the yarn that “speaks” to me.

Once I gather a bunch of yarns around me, I will grab hooks and swatch it up in different stitch patterns, different colors, multiple colors. I’ll just go and go and go until I find something I really like. Then, I look at it in swatch form and try to envision it as a finished item. Once something jumps out at me, I go with it.

Q: How do you determine which projects will be in traditional crochet vs. Tunisian?

A: I never really know when something will turn out to be regular crochet or Tunisian. I swatch and swatch and swatch. Swatching is your friend! I try to come up with something I like. And, I hope that a publisher will like it as much as I do.

Q: Do you knit also? Other needle arts?

A: I actually taught myself how to knit after I learned to do Tunisian. In the same year, I believe. Learning the two techniques at basically the same time made me fully appreciate the similarities and I had a much better understanding of each of them.

All these years, I’ve used knitting as a relief hobby. Something I could do in my spare time to relieve stress and not have to worry about writing out the pattern. Surprisingly, though, I’ve submitted my first knitted sweater design and it’s been accepted this year. So, it looks like I may be doing some knitted items in the future as well.

Let’s see. Other needle arts. I did several latch hook rugs as a child. And, I’ve sold four latch hook designs to Caron International.

Q: What are your crochet goals for the next year?

A: I plan on adding several more designs to my new website, Kimane Designs. I have the yarn all sorted and projects lined up for a collection of designs inspired by my 16-year-old daughter. I hope to have those available in March and April. And, Brianna (my daughter) is planning on working with me on some other designs. We’ll be perusing the stitch books, looking through fashion magazines and she’ll be drawing out things that appeal to her and I’ll be trying to duplicate her ideas in crochet fabric.

SPORTY BABY

I’ll also be adding to my current collection of baby designs. I’ve always been one to escape from the norm. The baby things I’m designing are tailored garments for baby. I felt that there was a need for better fitting garments for baby. Baby might want to look like a fashion model too! These garments consist of tops with cap sleeves rather than drop shoulders. And, I’ve developed designs for pants, complete with self-forming darts in the seat to alleviate that problem with the diaper showing when baby bends over. Just little details to make a really nice outfit for baby.

I also plan on working more on my three websites. This will include retiring some things from the CrochetKim.com website and possibly re-working them in newer yarns. Or, re-designing them to give them a fresh look.

Q: What has been your greatest crochet accomplishment?

A: Every day, I am astounded by crochet. I couldn’t possibly pinpoint one thing. One day, nine years’ ago, I sold 5 Christmas Tree Skirt patterns to Annie’s Attic for the very first time. Incredible! If you had told me 20 years’ ago, I would be doing this, I never would have believed it possible. So, each day is new and exciting. I just keep going and trying to accomplish more each time. My designing is better with each new garment. And, I’ve added knitting now as well!. Always growing and changing and trying to achieve better and better designs.

(Ed. note – Since I received this information from Kim, she has had several more patterns accepted for publication. Please visit her website to see all the latest.)

It’s taken a lot of hard work. When I first started making garments, for instance, I stuck with the easiest, drop shoulders. Then, I progressed to modified drop shoulders. Now, I’m working on cap sleeves and raglans. Another designing feature I’m working on is waist and bust shaping of garments. I have purchased several sewing books so that I can expand my knowledge. I may not use this type of shaping on every garment. But, I do want to add shaping/darting to several blouses I have planned in the next couple of months.

Q: Where can we find your designs?

My new website is http://www.kimanedesigns.net. And, my original website is http://www.crochetkim.com.

I maintain my portfolio of published designs on my website here: http://www.crochetkim.com/designs.html.

Q: Can you offer any tips on how someone can go about getting published?

A: Research. Once you have something you’d like to present to a publisher, research. Look at their current publications. Look at how their patterns are written. Be sure to review http://www.yarnstandards.com to make sure that you are using appropriate abbreviations. Then, go ahead and give it a try! Most publishers have their mailing information available online.

If you are truly serious about being a crochet professional, I recommend that you join the CGOA. Once a member, you can apply to be an associate professional and request a mentor to assist you along the way. This is an invaluable asset.