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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/esja-3 |
Once a week I post interviews with interesting people about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every one of these individuals makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the knitting world.
You can find Annie here and here on Ravelry.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marfa |
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere. I love to get inspiration from my surroundings, and TV shows and movies….I actually re-watched the TV show The Killing (its a dark crime series on Netflix that takes place in Seattle, WA) because I remembered the main character wearing a number of awesome sweaters that looked hand knit. I also enjoyed a show called the Bletchley Circle that was on Netflix, it was a period piece set in the UK post war and the women wore lots of hand knits. I also just love looking through my stitch dictionaries for inspiration. I will get an idea for a garment type/shape and then look for the perfect stitch pattern(s) to create it.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kuni |
What is your favourite knitting technique?
That is a tough one….I can’t say I have a favorite, I love the rhythm I can get into when knitting brioche, but I am a sucker for any stitch pattern that I is easily memorized so I can get into a groove while knitting it.
Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
Honestly I try not to look at other designer’s work, though it is hard to not see other people’s pieces on Instagram, which is my social media of choice (and really the only one I use other than Ravelry). If I have a new idea for a design, I don’t like to look on Ravelry or elsewhere to see if a similar one already exists, I just like to cast on and see my ideas come to life.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caribou-6 |
How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I usually knit the prototype and or first piece of a new design. If I don’t love the way the first knit came out, I will re-knit it, sometimes changing the design a little…..Then I like to have the pattern test knit, and depending on what it is (an accessory or a garment) I like to have more testers for a garment (especially if it comes in multiple sizes).
Did you do a formal business plan?
Nope. I do this for fun, and to support my yarn habit.
Do you have a mentor? Not really, my great grandmother taught me how to knit when I was about 7 or 8, and I knit on and off over the years. I did get back into it in 2010 when I moved back to Michigan from California. I realized I needed a Winter hobby, and knitting fit the bill. Until then I literally only knit. (I didn’t even know how to purl). I took a knitting lesson from a friend who taught me how to cable, soon after I knit the Owls sweater by Kate Davies (I actually knit it 5 times and gave away all but one as gifts) and it was all over for me! I had found my new favorite thing!
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northbound |
Do you have a business model that you have emulated? No.
Do you use a tech editor?
Yes. Her name is Angela of Buzz and Fuzz Tech Editing and she is AWESOME!
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crescent-6 |
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
That has been a little tougher lately, as I have a little boy who turns 2 in March, and I just had a baby January 1st. I also work as an Acupuncturist, so knitting and knit designing is more of a hobby and creative outlet for me rather than work….I do try to pick up my needles at least once a day, as knitting really is my meditative Zen time, but right now I am really trying to prioritize spending time with my littles.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gren |
How do you deal with criticism? Well, I always prefer constructive criticism, and luckily I am not aware of much critique in the way of my knitwear design, but I also consider myself a small fish in the world of knit designing, so I don’t think that there are that many out there who know about me….therefore I don’t think I have as large of an audience with the potential for criticizing….that said, at the end of the day, I design things that I like and want to wear, so if someone doesn’t like something I have created, that’s fine, its not for them.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/day-dreamer-3 |
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
I’d say go for it! There is something so very satisfying about seeing your ideas come to life with your own two hands, and to put yourself out there as a hand knitwear designer, and have others who like your designs enough to take the time to knit them is very rewarding.
What’s next for you?
That’s a good question. I am not sure…I still have so many ideas for new designs that I see myself continuing down this path of designing for at least the next few years. I also love the opportunity to work with different yarn companies and other creators. I am looking forward to doing more collaborations with other designers and makers in the future.
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| https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cora-hat |
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