More early patterns

Ad Astra is a square that I designed in early 2003. The very day that I was preparing to publish the pattern, the space shuttle Columbia disaster occurred. I thought the star design made a very fitting dedication to the space program, hence the name Ad Astra, which is Latin for "to the stars".

Here is the pattern: Ad Astra


Eternal Braid is a very special square for me. I haven't told many people why. Back in 2003, my younger brother Brad took his own life. This square was in the design process at the time that I received the terrible news. I took my yarn and hook with me on the airplane as I flew to New York for the funeral. On the three hour flight, I think I completed five squares! I had been trying to come up with a name for the square, and had the "braid" part, but couldn't figure out the rest. After Brad's death, the "eternal" part just clicked into place. It's still one of my favorites, and each time I see one in a completed Heartmade Blessings comfortghan, it feels like a small tribute to my brother.

Here is the pattern: Eternal Braid