Where
do you find inspiration?
Everywhere:
I look out for patterns and colour combinations wherever I go. I
often have a camera with me and take photos of anything that seems
interesting: it can be a random pattern created by different colour
bricks, unusual angles in a building, or even a pattern created by
cracks in the pavement. I spend some time every week looking for
interesting images online – images of garments (not necessarily
knitwear), interesting patterns, shapes - it can be anything. I also
have several sketchbooks where I collect my ideas.
Sometimes
inspiration comes from yarn – I see a skein of yarn and immediately
know what I'm going to make. But that does not happen often – life
would be too easy that way.
Usually
the something that inspires me is just the starting point: I see a
stitch pattern or garment construction that grabs my attention or
need a particular kind of garment for my kids. Then comes swatching,
sketching and more swatching - and that is the process where I get
most ideas. Very often what comes out at the end has nothing to do
with the original idea, but that is what makes designing exciting.
What
is your favourite knitting technique?
I
like trying new techniques and tricks, but my firm favourite is lace
or lace combined with cables and stockinette stitch – I love the
fabric they produce and endless design possibilities they offer.
Recently I have also fallen in love with garter stitch, which I
avoided since the first scarf I made for my teddy bear at the age of
6, wrongly thinking garter stitch is for beginners only.
How
did you determine your size range?
I
make the size range as wide as possible, but I stop at size 3X for
adults – I have found it really difficult to find test knitters
for sizes 2X and larger. I never really see finished projects in the
largest sizes, so I'm not sure there is a demand.
When
I design for kids, the size range depends on design elements used.
Sometimes a design is suitable for a full range of sizes from newborn
to 12 years, sometimes it is not. For example, a wide lace panel,
like the one I used in Leaf Lace Cardigan, would not work with a
raglan construction for baby sizes because it is too wide, so the
smallest size is 2 years. With some designs, I do not go higher than
8 years - a design that looks cute on a toddler, might not
necessarily appeal to a 12-year old.
Do
you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will
be influenced by their designs?
Yes,
I look at other designers' work all the time – because there are so
many awesome designs out there and you can learn so much. I believe
if you want to be a designer, you need to know what is happening in
the knitting world.
How
do you feel about the so called controversy of “dumbing down”
patterns for knitters?
Patterns
should be detailed enough to give knitters enough information so they
can successfully complete a garment, without having to work stuff out
for themselves with a spreadsheet.
To
make my patterns more accessible, I used to include tutorials in my
early patterns, but I do not do it any more, instead I provide a list
of links to tutorials available on the web. I also list the skills
used in the pattern, so knitters can make their own decision whether
the pattern is at the right level for them.
When
I'm not sure how detailed my instructions should be, I use feedback
from my test knitters – I try to have test knitters of different
levels of experience, which gives me a picture of what knitters using
my patterns might find difficult.
How
many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it
all yourself?
I
always knit my own samples. This helps me to figure out pattern
details, and make sure my instructions work – I write the pattern
while I'm knitting. Sometimes things do not work the way I assumed
they would, and I have to make changes to the design. Only after I
have finished all tricky parts of my sample that require shaping or
changes in the stitch patterns, and I'm satisfied everything works, I
grade the pattern and have it tech edited and test knitted.
I
do not have a set group of test knitters, many change from project to
project, but there are several people who have tested most of my
designs. I usually have 1-2 test knitters per size, the biggest test
I have run had about 30 test knitters.
When
I work on a simple design, like a cowl, scarf or a hat that is not
very complex, I usually test it myself - although I might change this
in the future.
Did
you do a formal business plan?
I'm
not sure this can be called a business plan, but yes, I do have a
plan, which helps me to focus on my objectives and steps I need to
take to achieve them. I usually plan for 3 month periods. Without a
plan I would probably keep getting excited about new ideas, start new
designs and never finish most of them – as I used to do when
knitting was my hobby, not a job. Having a plan helps me to focus on
my priorities so I do not waste the little work time I have every
day. It also reminds me I need to sell my patterns, not only have fun
designing them, which is something I tended to forget until quite
recently.
Do
you have a mentor?
No,
I do not – but I have learnt a lot from my own mistakes. I used to
concentrate on designing only, forgetting I was creating products
that needed to sell – until I realized it was affecting my family
and I couldn't go on this way. At the moment I'm taking an online
course helping me with non-design aspects of running a business, such
as planning and getting things done. I also subscribe to Fizzle,
which is a brilliant site with lots of help and short courses on
different aspects of online business.
Do
you have a business model that you have emulated?
I'm
in the process of creating my own business model, one that will work
well for me and my family. There is no point copying someone else's
model if your context is different.
That
said, there are several designers I admire not only for their
designs, but also for their business model – one of them is Justyna
Lorkowska.
Do
you use a tech editor?
Yes,
my amazing tech editor, Rachel Brown, checks most of my patterns. The
exception are simple designs, like scarves, cowls or hats – I tech
edit them myself. I did a tech editing course run by
Joeli
Caparco
(www.joelicreates.com) a
few years ago, and even considered it as a career, but tech
editing for others would mean even less time for designing so the
idea was quickly abandoned. It was a brilliant experience though, and
it changed the way I write patterns.
How
do you maintain your life/work balance?
As
for many parents of young kids, who work from home, that's tricky. I
try to separate work and family as much as I can: I get up at 5 am to
have 2 hours without distractions: I work on patterns and reply to
emails and messages, than switch the computer off when my kids get up
around 7. After my daughter has gone to school, I look after my
17-month old son, and knit whenever he plays on his own – sometimes
it's 5 minutes at a time, sometimes he can keep himself occupied for
more than half an hour. I switch my computer on again when he has his
afternoon nap, and work for another 1-3 hours. In the evening, after
the kids have gone to bed, I only have enough energy left for 1-2
hours of knitting in front of TV. The evenings are the time when I
knit any tricky parts I need to concentrate on, that is why I usually
knit at least 2 projects at a time – something easy for the day
(like sleeves), something more complex in the evening. I work this
way 7 days a week.
To
maintain just a bit of balance and my sanity, I do not read emails at
weekends and have a lie-in (i.e. get up around 7, not 5). My working
space is separate from where I spend the rest of the day (except
knitting – I knit everywhere), and I do not read emails or go on
social media when I'm with my son.
How
do you deal with criticism?
It
depends on the reason and the source of criticism. If it is
constructive criticism, I see it as feedback, not criticism, and a
learning opportunity that helps me to improve my work. Otherwise, I
ignore it – you can't please everyone.
How
long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
I'm
not there yet, as I only work a few hours a day, but the money I earn
is a substantial addition to our family budget.
What
advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in
knitting?
Do
what you love and what makes you happy, but do not quit your day job
until you know you can support yourself from designing.
What’s
next for you?
Finishing
several patterns I started before I took my baby break in 2014-15.
