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 Elizabeth here and here on Ravelry.
Where do you find inspiration?
All
over the place. My corner of the world (Austin, Texas) is not
particularly lush, but it is very saturated in sunshine, which has had
an interesting effect on my color palette. (Hellooo, citrus brights and
adobe colors!) I'm also inspired by trying to find unusual ways to
construct knitwear. Men's and boys' garments can be a little traditional
in shape and color, so I try to mix it up by giving the knitter some
interesting knitting to do along the way. I like reading history and
other non-fiction; I love fantasy and science fiction; I love looking at
other designers' work. At interesting shapes and textures around me.
Once you start steeping yourself in design, you can't stop being inspired.
Could you tell us a little about your focus on designs for boys and men?
Though
I do design some patterns for women, I decided to focus mainly on men's
and boys' knitwear for a couple of reasons. First, I have a husband and
son who have more adventurous tastes in clothing and color than most
guys. So not only do I see that there are paltry few knitting patterns
available for older boys and men -- but I also find that there are even
fewer designs available for guys whose tastes run beyond JCPenney
style.
Second, there are so many independent designers out
there now, I wanted to find a niche -- something unusual that people
could identify me with. I would have more individual pattern sales if I
designed for women, but on the other hand, I do find that I have an
easier time getting yarn companies' and magazines' attention since there
aren't many designers who specialize in this area.
What is your favourite knitting technique?
Short
rows. I love how they make more accurate shaping -- not to mention
unusual constructions -- possible. Short rows make knitting 3-D!
How did you determine your size range?
We
all know how infrequently designers for women offer a full range of
sizes -- now imagine the situation for larger men. Not to mention
teenage boys and petite men. So when I design garments, I try to offer
the fullest chest range possible. The only limits are the body
measurement information that's available and whether the particular
sweater will successfully size all the way up and down. I've heard from a
number of male knitters especially who are happy to have some more
options available.
Do you look at other designers' work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I don't know how one doesn't look
at other designers' work in the age of the interwebs, and since I work
full-time in the knitting industry (as book designer at Cooperative
Press, knitwear designer, and teacher), I'm constantly looking at other
people's designs. What's more, I like being influenced by other people. I'm just careful to write my own patterns from the ground up.
How do you feel about the so called controversy of "dumbing down" patterns for knitters?
I'm
not sure why one's choice of pattern writing style would be
controversial. I write some patterns with a beginner audience in mind.
In those, I explain every abbreviation, every unusual technique, and
often link to video tutorials that can help. Even when I'm not writing a
pattern explicitly with beginners in mind, I like to think about how my
pattern might offer a new tidbit of information, even to an experienced
knitter. My mom always says that she likes patterns that "give you a
class," and I suppose I've adopted her tastes that way.
How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I
don't usually work with sample or test knitters, but that's mainly
because I'm too impatient to get my design out to wait for them to
finish! I knit quickly, and need to knit the sample myself to make sure
everything works -- so I can't see myself employing sample knitters any
time soon. But I would like to use test knitters more often. I love
seeing garments especially worked up in different sizes!
Did you do a formal business plan?
Oh, gosh, no. That would be so grown up, wouldn't it?
When
I left my job as a history professor about two years ago, I did have a
plan about how I was going to make way in the industry as a freelancer.
But I knew those plans would change as I went. It's not been easy
financially in these early years, but I'm doing work that makes me
really happy, so I'll count that as a win.
I
have many! I'm not always good at asking for help when I need it, but I
do rely on several people for guidance, including my boss at
Cooperative Press, Shannon Okey. She is one of the most creative and
forward-thinking people that I know. I've learned a lot about how to
survive over the long haul in the fiber business both from her and from
Suzanne Middlebrooks, who owns the LYS Hill Country Weavers here in
Austin. And whenever I get too caught up in the weight of the world, I
try to think more like Sarah Eyre (of Cephalopod Yarns) does. She's my
zen hero.
Do you have a business model that you have emulated?
Nope, I am totally making it up as I go along.
What impact has the Internet had on your business?
Without the Internet, I would have no
business. Ravelry is such a boon to independent designers. Plus, I spend
most of my time working for Cooperative Press, which is based in
Cleveland. I'm in Austin, the other assistant editor is in Hawaii, and
our publicity manager is in California -- we all work remotely.
Do you use a tech editor?
Oh,
that's not even optional. I've been working with the wonderful,
UK-based tech editor Joeli Kelly for years. She mainly works for
publishers now, but kindly kept me on as an individual client.
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
I don't know, how do you? Oh, that wasn't the set up for a joke? Hahaha.
Actually,
I think I've got a pretty decent balance, all things considered. I work
a LOT, but I have very few appointments, per se, so I can tuck in other
things as needed.
And having a child is great for forcing some balance
on you. I mean, you can always tell yourself, "I'll do that nice,
leisurely thing for myself NEXT week." But a kid wants your attention
RIGHT NOW.
How do you deal with criticism?
So admirably. I really should be a poster child for how to handle criticism with grace and wisdom. (Sarcastic snort.)
No, actually, I'm pretty crap at taking criticism. Or,
really, I'm crap at taking rejection. Criticism I can handle, so long as
it's offered constructively and without malice.
How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
Is
it 2015 yet? Let's put it this way: I'd have sold my house and car by
now if I were having to support myself entirely. I'm hoping to get there
soon.
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
Think entrepreneurialy. What do you have to offer the industry that is
unusual, and how can you parlay those into jobs you can get paid for?
From my past experience in graphic design and academia, I have been able
to find work designing and editing knitting books; designing logos,
pattern templates, and other graphic identity for indie designers and
dyers; and teaching classes. Don't just think about what people are
already doing, but what's not yet being done that needs doing. And then
get out there and let the world know about your mad skills.
