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 Cindy here and here on Ravelry.
Where do you
find inspiration?
Everywhere! I
am really drawn to mid-century modern architecture and artwork. I really like clean, crisp lines and color
blocking but done in modern color palettes and bold combinations. My husband and I recently spent a day at the
Chicago Art Institute and I came away just bursting with ideas and designs
spinning in my head.
What is your favourite knitting
technique?
As boring as it sounds, I’m extremely partial to
stockinette stitch. The smooth surface
and the even stitches are so much more light and airy in a finished item than
the texture and weight of garter stitch.
How did you determine your size range?
Since I mostly work with accessories, it isn’t so much
a factor. But I do try to keep in mind
that even with a shawl what looks just right on one person may appear too tiny
or too large on another, so I try to make all of my patterns in a variety of
yarn weights so people have the option of up or down sizing them to fit their
wants.
Do you look at other designers' work or
are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I appreciate other designers’ work and I do enjoy
seeing what’s out there. I don’t worry
too much about being influenced by other people’s viewpoints. When I was very young my mom, who is an
interior decorator, told me to do what you love and it will always go together
and look good. I have found that to be
very true for designing. If I follow my
inspiration and do it in colors that make me happy, it will be unique to my
point of view and look good. The reverse
is true too. If I try to force
something that I’m not quite sure about or a color I don’t love, it often
doesn't turn out well.
How do you feel about the so called
controversy of "dumbing down" patterns for knitters?
As a designer, I understand both sides. My viewpoint is that our society wants
instant information, and knitters are no different. There are a lot of new knitters and some experienced
knitters that are branching out into new techniques. They want all the information in one
place. I don’t think that means I have
to write out every single detail, but I do include links and sources to where
they can find the needed information quickly and efficiently. Most of my customers seem to be very happy
with that. As a designer, it can mean
more work on the front end of pattern creation, but it does cut down on the
questions and emails over the life of the pattern. It also makes for a happier (=repeat)
customer.
How many sample/test knitters do you
have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I currently work
with about 6-8 test knitters. They are
excellent at time management and are always honest with me on what is
confusing/lacking in my written instructions and charts. I honestly could not do it without them. I try to rotate in some new testers on each
project just to get a new perspective and add some new eyes to each
project.
Did you do a
formal business plan?
My husband and I have owned several successful
businesses, so I have some solid business experience and treat designing very
much as a business. I have an affinity
for spreadsheets and numbers, so there are definite goals and milestones that I
track and am always aware of working towards.
I am also very mindful of the accounting requirements and tax
ramifications of my sales. As far as a
formal, written business plan, I haven’t written down all the details that
typically encompasses, but I do believe that I am mentally cognizant of my
business plan in all my decisions.
Do you have a
mentor?
No.
Do you have a business model that you
have emulated?
No.
What impact has the Internet had on your
business?
I don’t think I would be a designer without the
Internet. I always knitted to relax and
then I realized I wanted a more creative outlet. I only considered designing as a business due
to websites like Ravelry, Etsy, Patternfish and Craftsy. Without them, I don’t know that I’d have the
audience to have a business.
Do you use a tech editor?
Yes. I firmly believe you cannot proof
read your own written work. Your brain
just doesn’t see the mistakes. A good
tech editor is a hard to find and I’ve been through a few. It is very much a matter of finding someone
who “gets” your way of communicating and also is meticulously detailed every
time.
How do you maintain
your life/work balance?
My husband also works from our home and we jointly
home school our 10 year old special needs son, so our days are probably not
typical by most people’s standards, but we love it. I do my computer work during early morning hours
and breaks during the day. Knitting is
usually done while working with my son, riding in the car, and in the evenings
while my family watches TV or plays games.
They know it’s my “job” and are supportive, but I also try to be sure
I’m not overly focused on knitting and neglecting other things in my life.
How do you deal with criticism?
I’m not a fan. ;) I’m sure most people
aren’t overly fond of criticism, but I try to find the good in it. I feel there are two types of criticism; helpful
and spiteful. Helpful criticism is when
someone finds a typo or problem with formatting, etc. They have a right say, “Hey, this is
wrong.” Spiteful criticism is typically
governed by opinion, like when someone negatively bashes a pattern because they
don’t like the colors it is made up in or they’d rather it have this edge over
that edge. Everyone is entitled to an
opinion, but when you anonymously state it in a mean or derogatory way; I have
little patience for that, which unfortunately has become all too common online. That doesn’t mean I don’t like hearing other
people’s opinions on my patterns. I love
to see the modifications and color choices people make. It often opens my eyes to new ideas and
techniques I would never have thought of.
How long did it take for you to be able
to support yourself?
I just started publishing my designs about a year ago
and through a lot of hard work, I am now at the point where it is a very
lucrative business. I am fortunate enough
to have other sources of income, but this is definitely my favorite.
What advice would you give someone who
wants to pursue a career in knitting?
First, find your voice. What do you want
to put out into the world? If you stay
true to your design aesthetic and love what you put out there, you will draw
like minded people to your designs.
Don’t try to design what you think people want. It won’t come off as genuine or unique. Design what you’d want to wear, see and
make.
Second, spend
time on the details. Make sure your
written patterns are easy to follow and complete. Have your patterns tested and edited so you
don’t have to send out multiple revisions.
Third, set
achievable goals and deadlines and always try to beat them. Written goals and deadlines make me a better,
more prolific designer than I would ever be without them.
Fourth, don’t
sell yourself short. Designing is hard
work even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
Your time, experience and creativity deserve to be compensated.
Finally, as with
any career, it has its good days and bad days, but if you love it enough to
enjoy even the worst days, you can probably make it a success.
