You can find Janelle here and here on Ravelry.
Where do you find inspiration?
I have a large collection of stitch
dictionaries and spend a great deal of time paging through them and considering
how different stitch patterns would work together. I also find a lot of inspiration in the
patterns nature creates.
What is your favourite knitting technique?
Lace, especially Japanese lace
patterns, although currently a close second is Bavarian twisted stitch patterns.
Do you look at other designers' work or are you afraid that
you will be influenced by their designs?
I do look at other designers’
work. I feel it’s important to be aware
of current trends and how other designers express their aesthetic, brand and
cohesive collections. I feel like I’m
still finding my feet in this field and have a great deal to learn from other
designers.
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| http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/new-tech-cowl |
How do you feel about the so called controversy of
"dumbing down" patterns for knitters?
Is there a controversy? Knitters all have different skill levels
depending on the technique. I include
lots of information in my patterns to ensure knitters have enough detail to
succeed. The controversy I run across is
the charts versus written instruction debate – extremely polarizing! I include both and knitters can then choose
which they want to use, although this does make my patterns longer.
How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or
do you do it all yourself?
Up until now I haven’t used sample
knitters that often because I work out the details of my designs on the
needles. But I’ve realized that the only
way I can increase my pattern output is by employing sample knitters. Knitting all the samples myself is
too slow. Currently I have found two
sample knitters and I use the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry. I’ve been using test knitters almost since
the beginning.
Did you do a formal business plan?
No, I don’t have a formal business
plan. At this point designing/teaching
doesn’t comprise a large enough portion of my income that I need one. I have several large projects underway in my
other spheres of work and once those are completed, I’d like to develop a more
formalized approach to my designing and marketing.
I have a number of designers that have
inspired and encouraged my work.
What impact has the Internet had on your business?
I couldn’t have a business without
the Internet as 99% of my pattern sales come via the Internet. Online pattern sales makes what I do
feasible.
Has being published in Knitty resulted in more sales of your other patterns?
Has being published in Knitty resulted in more sales of your other patterns?
Yes, although at the time I was
published in Knitty I didn’t have a large collection of patterns. I believe that published in Knitty gave more
“legitimacy” to my design work.
Do you use a tech editor?
Yes, and the quality and consistency
of my patterns has improved as a direct result of her input. I wouldn’t release a pattern without a tech
editor’s work on it.
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
That’s the biggest challenge. For now, I go through creative spurts where I
design when I can find the time. My goal
is to always have a few designs ready to go so that I can
publish new designs regularly, rather than one or two a year.
How do you deal with criticism?
I struggle a lot with this one and
am working on developing a thicker skin.
I set the criticism aside for a day or two until I have the distance to
evaluate it realistically and determine if there is anything constructive I can
take from it.
How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
At this point I’m not, but I look
forward to the day when I can!
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a
career in knitting?
Be aware that it’s going to take time to build up a portfolio of designs and that success isn’t going to come overnight. Find your niche and focus on designing what you enjoy.
Be aware that it’s going to take time to build up a portfolio of designs and that success isn’t going to come overnight. Find your niche and focus on designing what you enjoy.
