Five years ago...

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheepish-cushion

I have some interviews promised but I didn't get one in in time for today's post. I looked back at my old posts and found that I've published around 350 interviews to date. Most of them are indexed here. Go down to the bottom of the page for the list.

I'm going to link to an old post today.  Five years ago I interviewed Jodie Lucas. 

I love the photo at the top of her interview. 

I looked to see if she is still active and the answer is yes, those amazing sheep pillows were published in May 2016. 

So of course now I'm curious about some of the even older interviews. Are the interviewee's still in the knitting industry? I may do a little investigation and let you know later.

Knitting Maxims and Myths

http://www.ravelry.com/bundles/cardigans-20953

After posting about the gauge curse on Monday I went back and read a few of my old posts about myths.

Here's an updated version of a post from 2011:

Have you ever noticed that common maxims that are true often have an opposite that is also true? 

Look before you leap versus he who hesitates is lost.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder versus out of sight out of mind. 

Deeper analysis tells us that while both are true we often need to look more closely to understand why that is the case.

As an example this quote: "Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires." Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Here's a list of knitting maxims, myths and personal rules which I hear frequently. The personal rules are the most dangerous, leading to many a knitting disaster. You will notice a few that are exact opposites. When you are having trouble with your knitting projects you might want to rethink some of these, especially the personal rules.

I don't need to do a swatch. I have perfect gauge.

But I'm always a size "X"!

I only knit with....(fill in the blank with a needle type or yarn).

You will be the only knitter in the world that can make stocking stitch edges that will not roll.

Yes - I can knit that item in the (extremely short) specified time. 

And the related one: This year all my Christmas gifts will be hand knit items.

Row gauge doesn't matter. 

Row gauge is critical to success.

Knitting is easy.

Knitting is hard.

You must hold your needles in the correct way.

There is no one single way to hold your needles.

Only old ladies knit.

Only cool young hipsters knit.

You must complete every project.

You must abandon projects that aren't working.

Buttonholes are too hard.

Buttonholes are easy.

The Gauge Curse I knew there Had to be One! - Knitting Myths and Superstitions

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-sheila-reilly-cardigan

According to Franklin Habit there is a gauge curse:

"Swearing in front of witnesses that you never swatch because you never need to will curse you with seven years of incorrect gauge."

You can read about his other lesser known curses here. 

However it's a well known knitting myth that knitting a sweater for a significant other before marriage can lead to  the relationship breaking up. There is even an old Ravelry group testing the curse. You can find it here. There's another group for believers of the curse here. 

The belief in this curse is so pervasive there is a Wikipedia page here. That page does give some interesting alternative explanations for the myth.

The good news is the Ravelry groups are pretty much inactive, perhaps it proves the myth hasn't happened enough for much posting.

Has it happened to me you ask? Unfortunately yes! Do I believe the myth? No, but then I'm not really the superstitious type. I did knit my husband a few sweaters in the early days of our marriage only to realize he just doesn't wear sweaters. We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary next Christmas eve.

An Interview with...Cosette Cornelius-Bates

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/squares-squared-hat

 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 Cosette here and here on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brussels-sprout-mitts

Where do you find inspiration?
When I was dyeing, and embroidering on knitting a lot, my inspiration came from all over the place.  For my designs I have to say my inspiration is either something in my environment - nature and place being most likely - or it is a person.  Generally it is the person I am making the original garment for.

Because I am such a color driven person, I can also be easily inspired by random colors ending up next to each other.  I also like to explore a technique I'm working with in many different ways, so a technique will often re-appear in my designs from a particular period of time.  It can be pretty inspiring to see how many different ways a technique can apply.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/belle-6

 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-beau

What is your favourite knitting technique?
I love doing color-work with one color in each hand.

Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I've been on a bit of a designing hiatus, so I've had the pleasure of knitting other designers designs!  It has been lovely.  I've learned things and made beautiful creations.  I'm not at all afraid I will be influenced by their designs, but I also don't think influence is a bad thing.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/loon-hat

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I try to get everything tested in all sizes.  Usually friends (in real life and online) are doing it.  I wouldn't enjoy knitting the same thing over and over and if someone else wants to help out, who am I to say no.  They do get free patterns or free yarn (back when I was dyeing).  

Did you do a formal business plan?  How do you maintain your life/work balance?
Nope.  And my business changes every year.  Right now my husband is working 3 jobs and doing a full time doctorate in another city.  So, survival mode has reduced the business down to just running local fiber events.  My main job at the moment is to chase around my 2 and 4.5 year old.  So life/work balance varies depending upon the needs of my family at that exact moment.  When I had one child and my husband wasn't in school, I was committing a bit of time each week to designing.  Then graduate school happened and I had to pull back.  But kids are only little once and the doctorate will be over in a year.  And so we move on.
 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/springling-shawl

Do you have a mentor?
The way I started designing was when a publishing company approached me to write a book.  I'd never before even considered writing down a pattern.  So, no mentor except the ones I've found via books.  I've been flying by the seat of my pants for 10 years and figuring things out as I went.  When I started my WordPress blog I could only figure out how to insert one photo per blog entry.  Oh, how the times have changed.  My business has also changed from selling artsy hats at Indie craft fairs, to dyeing my own lines of yarn, selling hand-spun, to running fiber clubs, to designing, to running Indie fiber festivals to... whatever is next.  

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/august-vest

Do you use a tech editor?
Depends upon how complicated the pattern is.  I do a lot of accessory design and I find that I don't necessarily need one for those.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
I have purposefully kept myself to myself, publishing my patterns independently, not selling my yarn in stores because I wanted control of my business and my life.  I have such an unusual business in how much it has changed and that it isn't just designing.  I would say that if nothing else, you need to have drive.  You need to work as hard at this job as you would at any other.  This is your good work and do it well.  That and treat your body well.  Yoga, massage, or whatever you need to take care of yourself. 
 
What’s next for you?
Realistically, next up is one more year of semi-survival mode, a completed doctorate, and maybe a move.  I will run one Indie Knit and Spin marketplace and one Spin In.  I'm not sure when I'll get back to designing.  Or, rather, to actually doing the math and layout of the designs I've been making.  And so up next, I think I'll finish the sweater I'm knitting for myself, choose a new project, and just keep on creating.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fogt-baby-wrap

Planning your Knitting Wardrobe

Are you a knitter who plans in advance how you will wear your knitted garments and accessories? Or do you just get excited about a yarn or pattern and leap right in with no idea how you will wear it?

I'm in the former category. I always choose the yarn colour with an idea of what I'll be wearing the finished item with. I have a clear idea in my mind regarding which silhouettes and garment lengths I prefer. The combination of leaving the corporate world and a weight loss four years ago meant I ended up slowly replacing a lot of my clothing. I was reasonably strategic with the new purchases and kept the colour palettes fairly neutral. I have basics in black, white, grey and lots of denim. These items give me a simple backdrop for the knits. Last fall I bought a pair of burgundy skinny jeans and they work surprisingly well with other neutrals and these two sweaters.  

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-patricia-lane-pullover

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-deirdre-henderson-cardigan

What about you, are you planning ahead or do you end up with wardrobe orphans of great knitting without having the rest of the outfit ready to wear?

And your point would be.....

I've always had lots of clothes, some would say too many. One of the reasons for this is, I view my clothing budget as part of my entertainment budget. After sharing my frustration previously with my De Quervain's Tenosynovitis perhaps I should add it to my health care budget too!

I've used various organization methods for my clothing and I purposely change them up every few years to see new combinations. I've organized by season, by item, by colour, by location in my home, by outfits and I've combined the previous methods in different ways. 

My shawls were mixed in with my hand knits with everything sorted by colour. I recently pulled the shawls and scarves out and stacked them in no particular order in one place. The plan now is to rotate the stacks so they all get equal love. I take one off of the top of the stack and when it goes back, it goes to the bottom. 

And no the photos do not show all of the shawls and scarves I've knit. I have been knitting for a long time you know. What? you're surprised by the number, and your point would be.......

An Interview with...Sara Gresbach

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/driftless

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 Sara here and here on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/due-north-2

Where do you find inspiration?
I generally find inspiration for my designs in the world around me, just my everyday life. Sometimes it’s a place, or a feeling, or a song that brings me joy. Sometimes it’s the people I love that inspire me to create, and sometimes it’s just a fantastic texture found browsing a stitch dictionary that I just have to make. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cave-point-hat

 

What is your favourite knitting technique?
One of my favorite techniques is cabling without a cable needle. I love how intuitive it is and how quickly it changes the texture of a fabric with out a lot of fuss.
 
Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I love to browse new designs on Ravelry, and I still knit other designers’ patterns quite often. I find I learn something new with every project. Sometimes it’s exploring new techniques to accomplish something I really want to design, and sometimes I just want the ease of following someone else’s instructions. I have a tendency to feel a bit burned-out when the only knitting I’m doing is design-related, so adding in other peoples’ designs helps to keep my sanity level regular.

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/la-playa

 
How do you feel about the so called controversy of “dumbing down” patterns for knitters?
I don’t have a really strong opinion about this, but in general, I try to add links and helpful tips into my patterns wherever I feel it will head-off the need for a knitter to contact me with questions. I’m always happy to provide pattern support for my designs, but it removes the step of knitters needing to contact me if I can provide them with the info I think they might need to make something work. It’s more empowering, and time-efficient, if someone can figure it out on their own.

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I do all of my sample knitting myself, which can be daunting when things just aren’t flying off the needles as quickly as I’d like. I utilize test knitters on a volunteer basis and have a great group of knitters, including my sweet mom, who often work up my designs to perfect the finished pattern for me.

Did you do a formal business plan?
Nope! 

“Sanctuary” to be published around May 15th.

Do you have a mentor?
I have been lucky enough to surround myself with lots of seasoned knitters. My mom taught me to knit and it’s something we have continued to share and encourage each other with. We often turn to each other for help and advice. I attend a knitting group at my LYS, Main Street Yarn Shop, and the owner, as well as a great group of other knitters, are a constant source of support and laughter. I would be lost with out them.

Do you use a tech editor?
Absolutely! I would be a mess with out her attention to detail. Just when I think I’ve got something really polished, she helps to make it just a tad more shiny for me. 
 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/her-own-path

How do you maintain your life/work balance?
I used to be a lot harder on myself and get really stressed out about designing. I’ve taken a more relaxed approach in the past couple years, and I think it’s actually allowed me to be more productive. I have learned not to push the process. There are days when the process comes easily and inspiration just flows, and days when it doesn’t. If I feel like I’m forcing anything too much, I step back and take a break, because I know my work isn’t as good when it’s forced. I also used to feel rushed to get something started if I felt inspired, which often led to frogging and re-working things. I’ve learned that letting an idea ruminate and bounce around in my head for a while, sometimes a long while, really allows me to develop it. By doing this, I am usually able to start a project when it’s the right time to start it, and I am more prepared because I have taken more time to think it through from several angles.

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
I’m still working on that! I’m a mom who works from home. When I quit my job as an Occupational Therapist, I had no intention of starting any type of career from home. I just wanted to be with my kids and be more available to my family. I look at my designing business as something that has allowed me to be at home with my kids and be there for my family in a way I couldn’t have if I’d continued full time employment. And it helps to support my knitting addiction, so everyone wins! 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/terrapin-2  & http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tiny-terrapin

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
If it’s a true passion for you, then I would say, jump in and give it a try. It’s not for everyone, and it definitely has it’s highs and lows, but it can be very gratifying. Obviously, if you don’t try, nothing will happen. If you give it a go and find it’s not for you, then at least you know.
It has become quite a competitive market in recent years though, so I guess I would say be prepared to produce as much of a consistent, high-quality product as possible to stay relevant. Do lots of reading and research and develop a relationship with a tech editor you really trust, that’s a must.
And make sure you are still finding enjoyment in it. For most of us, knitting started out as a hobby that brought us joy. If it turns into something that brings you no joy and only stress, it’s time to re-examine your process.

What’s next for you?
I have no big future plans for my knitting career other than to keep up what I’ve worked so hard to build. This was the first school-year that both of my kids were in school all day. It’s been great to get a feel for managing my time and painting a realistic picture for a design schedule. Summer will probably be quiet for publication since it means more family time, but I will be busy working behind the scenes on a few Fall designs I’ve already got brewing. 

Add cahttp://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lodgepole-pulloverption