Is It Scarfable?

Last week at a knitting event I was showing a knitter one of my designs for Signature Yarns which has been done in two different yarns. I went on to show her how the shape was scarf-able. Yes that was the word I used. I don't think I made it up? I'm pretty sure I read it somewhere but of course I have no idea where. She did have a questioning look on her face but it disappeared as I demonstrated what I meant. 

From this:
 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-halesworth-wrap

 Or this:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-halesworth-wrap

 
To this:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-halesworth-wrap

Simply put, it works best with rectangle shaped wraps. Fold the fabric on itself and wear it as a scarf, drop it from the long straight edge around your shoulders and wear it as a wrap or as a poncho with a shawl pin.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-halesworth-wrap

  

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-halesworth-wrap

Later it popped into my head is scarf-able really a word? 

      According to Merriam Webster when used as a verb:

Definition of scarf

1. transitive verb

2. 1 :  scoff 1 scarfed down my sandwich
3. 2 :  snap transitive transitive 2 scarfed up the best seats
     
   According to the Urban Dictionary:
    #scarf-able
   Top Definition scarf
   you can say it anyway you want.
   it can have any meaning.
   you just simply take out a random word in a sentence and fill it in with scarf.
   it can mean something good, bad, cool, funny.
   it has multiple meanings.
   -dude your being really mean today.
   -scarf off!
   
   -Hey that chick is definitely scarfable!
   
   -scarf! i forgot my keys!
   
   -you need to get that dam money or i'll scarf you up 

Wow! I really do learn new things from knitting everyday.

An Interview with..Valerie Johnson

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cobblestone-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 Valerie here and here on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twyla-4

Where do you find inspiration?
All over the place. From magazines, television shows, movies, people at the office. My eyes are always open to new ideas wherever I go.
 
What is your favourite knitting technique?
I am a lace knitter! Which is hilarious, because when I started knitting, the first few lace projects I tried went horribly wrong, and I swore I’d never knit lace. But I guess I just love the look of it too much – because I kept going back until one project (a feather and fan scarf) and it finally “clicked”.
 
Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I’m always looking at others designers’ work – and I think it’s great to be influenced by them. I have no formal training in design, so I’ve learned new techniques by knitting projects others have designed. 

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

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I am mostly a one-woman show, but I have a few knitter friends who will pitch in a test knit if I’m in need.
 
Did you do a formal business plan?
Not at all. I didn’t really plan to be a “designer” at all. I just shared a few patterns I’d made, and it grew from there. Now I have 49 patterns available on Ravelry (with more in the works). But even now I don’t really consider it a business. I don’t really design for the sake of designing. My designs have almost all been to fill a need in my life (whether a garment I wanted for myself, or a gift for a friend), and I write up the pattern and share it. Whether I offer it for free or for a few dollars just depends on the complexity and how much work I’ve put into it.
 
Do you have a mentor?
That would be my Mom. She started knitting when she was pregnant with me. She taught me when I was four or five, though I didn’t really take it up until my 20s. She is an amazing knitter – perfect tension; there’s no technique she can’t execute! So when I have a question or problem… she’s always there with the answer.
 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dorothy-18

 
Do you use a tech editor?
Again – that’s Mom. With almost 40 years of knitting experience under her belt, she’s handy to have look over your patterns. She’s also better with math than I am.
 
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
Admittedly, I am very lucky in that respect. I have a day job (I’m a sales writer).  So for me, the knitting/designing falls in the “life” side of that balance. I work mostly from home, and make my own schedule. I have a husband, but we have no kids, and he’s got his own hobbies to keep him occupied. It’s not usually hard to find time to work on my designs. Though I will admit, I probably neglect my housework more than I should… and I have been known to eat cereal for dinner so I can get back to the knitting.
 
How do you deal with criticism?
When it comes to my knitting, I haven’t had much (that I’ve seen/heard, anyway). But as I mentioned, I’m a writer… and I started my career as a journalist. Criticism is part and parcel of the field, and you don’t last long if you can’t deal with it. The main thing to remember is that no matter what you do (be it journalism or knitting), you’re never going to have everyone love you.  Someone somewhere will always have a differing opinion: Our diversity of thought is our beauty. And sometimes the critics are even right, so you can learn something new. And that’s always a good thing!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elphaba-2

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
Oh how I wish! As mentioned, I have a day job. I am definitely a part-time designer. My design work mostly supports my knitting habit. I make just enough in pattern sales to keep me in yarn, patterns, needles, and notions – which to me, seems like a pretty good deal.
While I occasionally dream about designing full-time, I think I’d miss my day job too. I consider myself very lucky that I’m able to do both!

What’s next for you? 
I’ve got quite a bit in the works right now, actually.

I recently had to give up my car, so on the few days I do go into the office, I have a long train commute. Perfect for sock knitting though!  So I’m working on a series of sock patterns each named after a station along commute.

I’ve got a cardigan pattern which is mostly complete; I just need to work on the numbers for the additional sizes.

I’ve also recently started a new shrug/shawl design, which I’m very excited about.

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

I'm waiting for Spring Flowers

I'm getting eager to start my garden, unfortunately we have a frost warning for tonight so I need to wait. I'm a balcony gardener and I can often start planting ahead of the traditional May 24th holiday weekend here in Toronto. I'm looking at knitted flowers instead for the time being. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/longing-for-spring-socks

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-bloom-corsage

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-roses---in-vienna

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers-for-hope

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

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-cardigan-adult-version

 

Toronto Knitters Frolic and Spring Social

 

Add caption

I didn't get time last weekend to post about these two events. On Saturday I worked in the Signature Yarns booth at the Toronto Knitters Frolic with Patrick and his amazing team of Chris, Caitlin, Janet, Susan, Barbara, Wanda, Jeanette, Dale, Jim and of course me! Jeanette, Wanda, Dale and I had all knit some of the samples in the booth. It was wonderful to be able to have customers speak to the person who had knit the items they were interested in. Jeanette is an amazingly fast knitter and has created the beautiful samples for many of my designs. 

Sunday was the social event. There was a caterer providing an afternoon tea, the amazing art of Debbie New and speeches by Sally Melville and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. The event was hosted by Patrick Amy Singer of Knitty Magazine and Julia Grunau of Patternfish. I thoroughly enjoyed the event.  We ended with a fashion show with garments by Sally Melville, Kim McBrien, Fiona Ellis, Kate Atherley and Universal Yarns as well as yours truly.

There's an flickr page here with photos.

An Interview with...Vicky Chan

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ava---lacy-shells-cardigan

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 Vicky here and here on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/madeline---lace-border-shrug-cardigan

Where do you find inspiration?
Internet, TV, stores, books, magazines, people. Inspiration is everywhere.

What is your favourite knitting technique?

Top-down seamless.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clair---continuous-motif-shrug-crochetknit

You mix knit and crochet in some of your patterns, are you finding more people have both skill sets?

I mix knit and crochet when they lend themselves beautifully to a design. I think people who like both crafts would enjoy this type of patterns as much as I do.

Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?

Yes. There are so many talented designers out there, you're bound to come across their work and can't help but admire it and being inspired. I only see the influence that makes me want to design more, learn more, and maintain my own style.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/irene---floral-lace-yoke-cardigan

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I make all my samples because I enjoy the process of creating something that I design. This also allows for modification and correction before I pass the pattern to volunteer testers.The number of testers varies depending on the pattern. I usually target for at least 2 testers per size.

Did you do a formal business plan?
No. I'll do one when the time comes.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/julia---floral-lace-tunic-crochetknit

Do you have a mentor?

Unfortunately, no. It would be wonderful to have one.

Do you have a business model that you have emulated?
No.

Do you use a tech editor?
No. I do my own tech editing. Reading pattern books, receiving feedback from testers and answering questions from customers have helped me a lot in writing better patterns.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arianna---two-way-floral-lace-cardigan

How do you maintain your life/work balance?
I'm pretty carefree about this. I mainly try not to bring work home. Having time for my family and for myself is the key.

How do you deal with criticism?

No one likes to hear negative criticism, I'm no exception. But one can only improve by being receptive to feedback. I do review and validate the criticism carefully and try not to take it personally. Luckily, there are a lot of kind people out there offering encouragement and helpful feedback rather than hurtful criticism. 

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?

I don't rely on my designs to support myself. But I would like to see how far I can go.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/angela---easy-trendy-cardigan-crochet

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
Give it time, do your homework, make more patterns, enjoy the adventure. If you're good at it, you'll make it. Hey, if not, at least you have your fun.

What’s next for you?

Publish more patterns as I didn't do very many last year. Maybe submit some designs to magazines and experience the process.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ada---lacy-shells-top

What's on my needles?

My wrist continues to improve daily and I'm treating knitting like exercise. After discovering that straight needles and a loose gauge with no stitch pattern seems to be working best, I went back to a stash buster project. After doing several shawls I wanted to give use the same rules and see how a garment might work out with multiple yarns in a loose gauge. 

Here's the mix, yarns all in shades of red with weights from lace to worsted. There's a mix of fibres as well. My swatch seemed happy after blocking. There's a fair bit of wool in worsted weight giving the overall fabric stability.

I'm using a 4.5 mm needle, here's the fabric. It's mainly rows of knit with some wrong side purl rows to give it more texture.

I'm working top down from shoulder saddles so I can see what hanging gauge will do to the fabric in full size. I hung the back over my mannequin for 48 hours before I did the cast off.  After 24 hours I realized I needed to add the neckband for stability and to get a more accurate understanding of the length. I did that on a 3.75 circular needle which my wrist did not like. I'm aiming for a tunic style so if the length continues to grow I can live with it. I'm working the pieces flat for another reason as well, the seams will help stabilize the body of the garment. 

Progress is slow, so I'll let you know in the future how this experiment works out. The shawls I've done this way drape beautifully and this looks pretty good on the mannequin even without any blocking.   

High Park Cherry Blossoms

I spent Friday afternoon with a friend walking through High Park and enjoying the amazing display of cherry blossoms. My photos do not do them justice. The park was very busy with people, cars on the main roads and the train which runs through the park on the roads which do not allow cars. It was a lovely afternoon.