Doily Designs Sets Sail
Doily Designs is beginning a new, unique adventure on SubStack!
In these shifting seas of creativity, I find myself riding the wild currents of change, perched atop a beast of burden in this vast and unpredictable market. The waters are teeming with fierce and talented makers—each vying for their own glimmering treasures. Yet I hoist my flag with pride, setting my sights on heirloom troves and hidden knowledge, ready to carve out my own place among them.
This voyage won’t be easy. The world of crochet design is full of competition, and every new stitch feels like a battle won. But with hook in hand, imagination as compass, and courage as crew, I press forward—charting a course through storm and sunshine alike.
Why Set Sail Now?
The seas of handmade design are more crowded than ever. There are countless brilliant crafters, each offering their own patterns, techniques, and treasures. It would be easy to feel swallowed by the waves.
But every sailor knows: the sea is vast enough for many ships. My work—my doilies, shawls, ponchos, and playful creations—isn’t just about patterns. It’s about story, memory, and the joy of turning a ball of yarn into something timeless.
This Substack is my logbook, my captain’s journal, a place to share the maps I draw (patterns), the ports I visit (projects), and the treasures I uncover along the way (tips, inspiration, maybe even a few secrets).
What You’ll Find Here
Patterns & Projects: Some free, some exclusive—woven with care.
Behind the Scenes: The design process, the challenges, and the triumphs.
Treasure Maps: Tutorials, tips, and heirloom wisdom passed down through stitches.
Adventure & Storytelling: Crochet is more than loops of yarn—it’s a journey worth telling in tales of storm and sparkle.
The Pirate Spirit of Making
To crochet is to be part pirate, part poet. We take humble string and steal back time from the endless rush of life. We craft beauty from chaos, treasure from the ordinary. And yes, in a market where competition is fierce and the winds are unpredictable, we need that pirate’s daring spirit to survive and thrive.
I may not have a ship’s wheel or a parrot on my shoulder (though a crochet hook tucked behind the ear feels close enough), but I do have the same hunger for discovery, the same stubborn spark to chase after what’s just beyond the horizon.
So come aboard. Grab your yarn, sharpen your hooks, and sail with me into this adventure. The seas are wide, the competition fierce, and the treasures endless. Together, we’ll stitch our own legends.
Fair winds,
Cathleen of Doily Designs 🪝 (a.k.a. Captain Blacklace Doily 🧶
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Thank you for stopping by.
Best wishes, and happy crocheting!
