a week of knitting-writing-designing-re-doing kind of week

I think I said it all... 

This past 7 days has given me a new take on my profession...I love it even more. With that said, there have been countless days that had me re-knitting a swatch or two to get the right gauge, re-writing a paragraph because that's not at all what I wanted to convey, and re-designing an old pattern to make it brand spanking new.

I love everything about my job. I mean, who wouldn't? 

I came from a nursing background where call lights went off every 5 minutes, patients yelled for (yet) another med (which my nurses were right on--Ativan, to the rescue), and lunch having to be served. Another call light, patient falling out of bed, they had to use the potty, they wanted a snack, they needed to talk, and...death. I was a Hospice CNA.

Don't get me wrong, everything about what I just described was fantastic, in its own way. 

I just love my job now as a knitter/designer/writer/photographer. I do it all. Only not all at once. And without the minute-by-minute stress.

This week gave me a bit of a flash back as to how this career is really the same, but different, than my former nursing career.  You have to pay attention to the little details, and be happy with the outcome. If you don't like it, you either deal with it, or you find a way to like it. Re-knit, in many cases. Re-write that paragraph. It's all good.

Spending time in Starbucks helps me to think better. I know, doesn't sound normal, but sitting at home, with it quiet, only makes my brain shut off. I need to be stimulated. This week always gives me something to strive for next week. I love a Monday. It's the chance to start over again...

Let's all strive to make it a great week next week. Check off your to-do list (yet) again. Make those unwanted items that always fall to the bottom of your list, the first ones you accomplish.

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb

Knitting. Coffee. Snowing.

Knitting. Coffee. and well, maybe not snow. For us in Colorado, it's a welcoming visitor, though. Fires surrounded our community last summer, so the snow can hang around, but not for very long.

I mean, it's April 23rd, for goodness sake.

What does that mean for my day? 

I'm in.

For anyone that knows me, it means I will be in my cozy home knitting, designing, drinking more coffee than a person should consume, and watching the flakes fly. Though, here in Colorado, what that (really) means is by noon the sun will be out, the roads will have begun their thaw, and I will be out and about.

That's my hope anyway.

So, grab a cup of coffee, or your beverage of choice, and settle in with me for a virtual knit-together. I'd love the company. Even a few comments would be nice.

What is on your needles today?

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb 

Divas Vogue Knitting Live experience

Having had the opportunity to hang with my peeps was something that was new and exciting for me. 

Vogue Knitting Live is an event everyone should experience, designer, knitter, yarn-a-holic, etc. The style shows, the fiber vendors, new friends, and more... I had the time of my life. It was something, as a new author, I was thrilled to have experienced. It gave me fodder for upcoming blog posts, new friends to keep up with, and new design ideas for classes and future books.

You walk into the Marketplace and these are hanging from the ceiling. Knitted artwork. 
 





















 




Every elevator in the Convention Center was adorned with these...

The one thing I enjoyed the most was meeting my publisher. She's a hoot. Shannon Okey is so much like me...quirky, fun, smiles a lot, loves the industry, and has more fun talking with people than the average person. The display at the table was fun and colorful. The pile containing my books kept getting smaller and smaller. Sweet! I signed the last 5 books before I jetted off back home. 
 

 





Let's not forget to mention how much fun I had buying new fibers. StevenBe was one person that inspired my creativity to the point of no return. Chunky fabrics created with larger needles, blingy yarns, coupled with simple fingering weight yarns. Oh my! I came home with yarn. I know, you're not surprised. I do love yarn. In fact, it's the part of me that has no control. Probably, no budget either. With that said, I did yield to caution and only buy fibers that would be a bit different from the ones that already live at my house.

I feel fortunate, as an author, to have attended this event. But, let me tell you, it won't be my last. In fact, my future plans will take me to Stitches Midwest, where more of the same will occur, I'm sure...

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb

Interview with Heather Storta - Knitting Designer

You know, it just makes me smile when I run across a designer that does everything right in writing a pattern. I mean, you all know as well as I do, how frustrating it is to be hummin' along with your pattern, and you can't seem to figure out what the designer is trying to tell you. Right?

Definitely, not this case here...

Meet Heather Storta.  She has 10 designs, 6 of which are socks. The "Beginner Socks" is the reason she found herself as my next feature designer. And its FREE! I joined the Sock a Month KAL on Ravelry so I could knit a pair of socks each  month for the year, therefore, giving me 12 by the end. Great gifts, right? This pattern was featured for January. Her directions were spot on for the beginner sock knitter. Precise. Clear instructions. I was amazed.

Let's talk with her...

Thanks for joining me, Heather! I, and my readers, would love to know how long you have been knitting socks? Or knitting in general, perhaps?

I learned to knit about 9 years ago - shortly after my first child was born. I was a stay at home mom (and still am!) and I was anxious to have a little time to myself outside of the house, so I started taking a weekly knitting class at my LYS. I took to it very quickly (my second project ever was a sweater!) It soon became a passion of mine, and I tackled socks fairly soon - the first pair I knitted was within a year of first learning how to knit. 

Sweater? Impressive. That just tells me a novice knitter, if he/she is ambitious enough, can do anything. I am especially inspired by your socks. What inspired you to design your Beginner Socks? I, of course, have knitted them, and love them!

I designed my Beginner Socks for a beginners' sock knitting class that I was teaching at Yarnhouse in Charlotte at the time. I wanted my own pattern to teach, so there were no concerns over copyright. I wrote it with the express purpose of creating a very easy to follow pattern for beginning sock knitters. I know how tricky knitting your first socks can be, and what things are most likely to trip knitters up in the process, so I made sure to address those aspects in the best way I could.

What do you enjoy most about designing socks, Heather? I'm an experienced sock knitter, but I was so in love with how you did your pattern - the words were perfect, and very easy to understand. You seem to have several. Can you share what your process is?

Thank you! There are different things I enjoy depending on what pattern I'm designing at the time.  For some designs I start with the yarn, and try to figure out how to make the most of its color or texture. For others, I start with the stitch pattern and work on how to show the particular stitch to best advantage. I look at stitch dictionaries and other patterns to get inspiration, and then I swatch to see what the stitch patterns might look like. I usually play around in charting software and try things out in swatch form until I get something I think will look good. Then, I find a yarn that I think will work well (if I didn't already start with the yarn) and get to knitting! It usually takes a few tries (sometimes more than a few) to get something I like. Then, I'll begin the actual writing of the patterns as I knit up my sample. Some designs are born in my head and practically write themselves. 

It's always great to hear that others enjoy the stitch dictionaries as much as I do. That's what they are there for, right? So, what's the most challenging part?

The most challenging part for me is getting my wording very clear and concise. I consider myself a knitter first and a designer second, so I know how frustrating it can be to work from a badly written pattern. I do my absolute best to write my patterns well. I'm sure I don't always succeed, but I do try! I put the same effort into my free patterns as I do the ones I charge for. 

William's Socks - Free Pattern

You know, that's what I especially loved about it--well written, concise and clear. Nice job! So, may I ask, what is your favorite sock yarn and colorway?

Hmm, that's a tough one! When I first got started knitting socks, I was in love with hand-painted variegated skeins, and went a little wild buying yarn with no particular sock project in mind for it. Now, I'm more sedate and like mostly solids to knit socks with, mainly because I now lean toward cables and lace patterns, and solids or semi-solids work best for those types of patterns. I really like MCN (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon) based yarns for socks - it makes the squishiest and softest socks! I really lean toward the blues, since it's my favorite color but I'll make myself 'knit out of the box' now and then and work with colors I don't typically lean towards, like oranges and purples.

I was once told, when it came to the yarn budget, sock yarn wasn't included. I have to agree! Who is your most influential knitwear designer?
Hmm, influential, I'm not sure. Pretty much every pattern I've knit from has influenced me, whether it's liking the writing style or liking a designer's fashion sense. I really admire Nancy Bush - the historical aspect of so many of her designs and her books really appeal to  me. I love historical fashion and historical knitting. So, anytime a designer has researched and pulled from history, it calls to me. I also adore Elizabeth Freeman's lace shawl designs. Cookie A. has amazing sock patterns that are fun to knit. And Cat Bordhi is a genius when it comes to different ways to construct a sock - her designs are fun and different!

Agree! Agree! Agree! The question of the day...if you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 5 knitting related items with you, what would they be?

One or more of Barbara Walker's Treasuries for inspiration, some knitting needles, a crochet hook (for fixing mistakes and applying crocheted edges), my spinning wheel, and a sheep. :-)

Fascinating what people say! What are pieces of advice you would give to someone getting started in designing socks?

First, knit lots of sock - lots of different socks. Second, jump in and try it. Socks are a great way to get into designing because your template can be a single size (women's medium, for example), and you don't have to go out of your way (at first) to try to adapt your patten for several different sizes. (Although, keep in mind, the best patterns are written for more than one size.) Also a good medium for trying out different stitch patterns.

What is your personal favorite project to knit?

Right now my favorite projects are lace shawls. I am never without a lace shawl on the needles. My close second is socks - I also always have at least one pair of socks on the needles. Socks are a great "take with you" project - they fit in a small bag and the rows are short so you can get a few rows done in the waiting room, or at little league baseball games. I adore fair Isle, so I usually have one or more Fair Isle projects going too, whether it's socks or a sweater. I'm working my way through the TKGA Master Knitting program ( I just sent level 2 off for review). So, when I'm in the middle of a level, I really enjoy working on that. 

Nightingale Socks

TKGA, something I've been entertaining myself! What are your current WIP's?

I currently have two shawls on the needles (shocker, I know!) Celestarium by Audry Nicklin, and Fabrege' by Laura Aylor. I'm finishing up a couple pairs of socks -  Rattlesnake Creek by Anne Podlesak, and Nightingale Socks by Vintage Purls. I also have a pair of sock I'm designing on the needles, as well as a shawl I'm designing. I'm definitely not a monogamous knitter!






Those Nightingale Socks Rock! One final question, I noticed you teach classes, what type of classes do you enjoy teaching the most?

I really enjoy teaching socks. They are fun, and it's wonderful to walk a knitter through the process, and show them how much fun they can be. I also enjoy teaching techniques classes like entreleac and illusion knitting.  I home-school my two boys, and my biggest reward is seeing that A-Ha moment and the excitement they get when things fall into place. I enjoy that when teaching as well. 

This was so much fun, Heather! Thank you for joining me here today.

Dearest readers, I'd be honored, and I'm sure Heather would be too, if you would check out her fabulous designs on Ravelry, her beautiful website and please follow her on twitter.

I have linked so many great things throughout this interview; I do hope you'll click around. 


Please, tune in again, where you'll meet (yet) another fabulous designer...

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb

Not-So-Lovin' the skill level thing

I'm a firm believer in knitting what you're comfortable knitting, or perhaps, are willing to knit. Some designers feel that it's necessary to label a pattern on how "easy" or how "hard" it is. 

My Monday night knitsters and I had a discussion about how we felt about those patterns that were labeled with beginner, easy, intermediate or experienced/advanced. (Chart below, and other charts can be found at http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/skill.html)

Skill levels for knitting
1		Beginner	Projects for first-time knitters using basic knit and purl stitches. Minimal shaping.
2		Easy	Projects using basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
3		Intermediate	Projects with a variety of stitches, such as basic cables and lace, simple intarsia, double-pointed needles and knitting in the round needle techniques, mid-level shaping and finishing.
4		Experienced	Projects using advanced techniques and stitches, such as short rows, fair isle, more intricate intarsia, cables, lace patterns, and numerous color changes.

I, for one, told them you would never see a skill level listed in my patterns. (though, early on, you may have. This was before I knew better, and was going by what the industry recommended). And here's why...

Example 1: Nadia is a beginner knitter, but sees the skill level listed as "intermediate", and goes right by. Nadia would love to make this pattern, but feels if the designer wrote intermediate it was for a reason, and she wasn't willing to try. Rather than read through the pattern to see if there is anything she may, in fact, be comfortable with, she chooses not to.

These to some, are hard to make, others dive in and try...

Example 2: Hannah is a beginner knitter, and sees the same skill level listed on the pattern. She decides to read through the pattern to see why the designer may have listed this one as intermediate. After scanning the page, she felt she was capable of doing this pattern.

Now, yes, there are two distinct different examples, one isn't willing to venture into the "intermediate" territory because of the label, while the other one is. My point is that having this label listed on a given pattern, may scare away some knitters who aren't willing to tackle just because of what the label read, when in fact, they could have possibly handled this pattern very well.

It's a subjective thing, in my opinion. Meaning it's the subjects personal perspective, feelings, beliefs, or desires. And how the knitter interprets the pattern. An ambitious beginner will attempt it despite the label, while the not-so-ambitious knitter will not, even though normally they may just have tried it.

I suppose, it could go a totally different way, in which the experienced/advanced knitter may not even want to knit a pattern labeled "easy" due to it not being challenging enough. 

So, why put it on the pattern in the first place? In my book, Dishcloth Diva, you won't find the patterns labeled with a skill level. Hypothetically, I don't want to scare away the beginner knitter, just because I felt the pattern was for the experienced knitter. That was my opinion alone. Though, some patterns in my book have more challenging stitches, any knitter who is willing to learn the stitch will be able to knit the pattern. And visa-versa. Any experienced knitter needing a reprieve from the more challenging patterns, will find great solace in knitting one. 


I'd love to hear your thoughts. Oh, and by the way, the Hexipuff picture wasn't a mistake. Stay tuned to future blog posts where I share my adventure with the whole hexipuff craze...

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb

Interview with Laura Linneman - Knitting Designer

If you could only see me, I'm squealing with delight as I introduce you to my newest Knitting Designer. And wait till you hear who she is and how I met her. Usually, it's the quick realization that the pattern I just knitted of said designer, is the reason I chose, said designer.


Not in this case. Get ready for it...

She's Laura (LaLa) Linneman from TheKnitgirllls. I know, right? *squee*  A designer, an organizer of knitting retreats, and co-podcasts with Leslie on theknitgirllls. I can hardly contain myself. I'm such a fan. Her and her fabulous co-podcaster and knitting friend, Leslie, met 5 years ago. Oh, I'm getting ahead of myself...

First, I need to tell you, I have been knitting Laura's Persephone's Return socks. Brilliant. Fun. Interesting. Socks. Yes, Socks! 

I have a Ravelry group, Dishcloth Diva. I saw that Laura had joined it. Sweet, I thought! Another designer, and podcast extraordinaire is joining my group. I clicked on her Ravelry page, and scrolled down to view all of her delicious patterns. I stopped when the bright green socks stared me in the face. It took me all of 4 seconds to decide I needed to knit those. Another great project added to my WIP pile. Downloaded immediately. I will add pictures to this when I have the first one done. 

Let's chat with her!

Thanks for joining me, Laura! First of all, we would love to know how long you have been knitting socks, or just knitting in general?

Persephone's Return Socks

My very fist project was a pair of socks when I was 8. My mom had just learned how to knit (she was and still is mainly a spinner and weaver) and the ladies in her spinning guild taught her socks as her first project as well. I got to the heel flap, put them down and didn't pick up knitting again until I was in high school.









8 years old? Impressive. Well, as you know, I was especially inspired by your socks. You are always knitting a pair in your podcast, and I love to see what it is you're knitting. What inspired you to design your Persephone's Return socks? 

I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology and when my LYS asked me to dye sock yarn and design the pattern for their first Spring Club shipment, I knew I wanted a bright green with just a bit of lace.


What IS your design process, Laura?

I'm a post-it note addict. I tend to sketch and then start to write on various colored post-its that then get stuck everywhere. I'm also a tech geek, so now, when I write or draw anything, I take a picture with my Ipad so that I don't loose it.

It's funny you say, post-its, because I used to be addicted to them until I found all these apps that can convert to pdf. I think we've all gone digital with that, or most anyway. I have to know, what is your favorite yarn to knit with when making socks?

My perfect sock yarn would be a 3-ply superwash BFL/nylon blend. I would love for it to have a tight twist and a semi-solid color with depth. That being said, the majority of my stash is proof I give into the lure of self-striping and crazy variegated yarns with cashmere way too often. 

You being a designer, must have some favorite designers of your own. Who are your favorite knitting designers? 

I love Wendy Johnson, Susan B. Anderson, Clara Parkes, Lucy Neatby, Hunter Hammersen, and Cat Bordhi for their sock and other wonderful designs. Jared Flood, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Stephen West, Kirsten Kapur, and Rebecca Danger for almost anything else. Every day I look at the new designs on Ravelry and they blow me away. There are so many talented people designing right now!

Wow! I too, love Wendy Johnson and Stephen West.  Okay, here's something for you...if you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 5 knitting related items with you, what would they be?

A Barbara Walker Stitch Collection, Signature Needles, my knitting BFF Leslie, my fiber stash and my spinning wheel (we would need a bigger boat). 

We all want to be designers, so what 1 or 2 or 3 pieces of advice would you give to someone getting started in designing socks?

Above all else, be fearless. It's just a bit of knitting. Try lots of things and if they don't work, rip them out and try again. Know the rules and why things work so that you can break them wisely.





Great advice!  You know, Laura, I just discovered you put on something called Super Summer Knitogether in Nashville, TN in July? Can you talk about that?

My knitting BFF, Leslie, and I have a video podcast called theknitgirllls.  The more we talked with the fans of the podcast, the more we realized that most knitters are not lucky enough to have local friends that knit. Super Summer Knitogether is our way of getting a group of wonderful knitters and spinners together for a fun filled four days.  We have wonderful teachers, a market filled with lots of indie vendors, and tons of fun. We want people to leave with friendships that will last a lifetime. Our market is open to the public. Unfortunately, the 2013 retreat slots are filled. We'll be opening the lottery for 2014 in August.

So, what are you working on, your current WIP's? 

Right now in the active WIP pile, I have a pair of self-striping socks with an afterthought heel, the Iced Cardigan by Carol Feller, and a new pair of socks of my own design, and a new hat design. I'm very proknitscious and can have anywhere from 10-20 nonactive projects on the needles at any one time. 

Whew! I'm glad you said that, because I've been thinking I have too many nonactive projects on my needles. So, I'm sure my readers are anxious to hear how you and Leslie met and got started with your podcast/website. I love you girllls! And watching your podcast while I knit. Go!

You are too sweet! I'm so glad you enjoy the show! Leslie and I met at a LYS around five years ago. She came up to the table I was knitting at and told me she was learning to knit and needed a knitting friend. We've been best buddies ever since. TheKnitgirllls was first a written blog. We wanted a spot where we could post projects and ideas and talk about things with all the knitting friends we had made at various retreats and festivals. I was a huge fan of audiopodcasts and convinced Leslie that we could do one. She decided it would be much more fun to show people what we were working on, and theknitgirllls videocast was born. Almost 3 years and over 140 episodes later, we still review wonderful books, and show off lots of yarn and fiber. 

I'm sure my readers are curious how you became "LaLa", because I am. 

It was a nickname from a college roommate. When I went to create my first blog, I was in college and it was called LaLa's Knits. 

This was so much fun, Laura. Thank you for joining me here today.

Dearest Readers, I'd be honored, and I'm sure Laura would be too, if you would check out all her fabulous designs, their Ravelry Group-The Knit Girllls, and don't forget to check out their blog, where all the podcasts are ready to be viewed. I also discovered they have a tutorial series of many things, such as Judy's Magic Cast On and Twisted German Cast On.

I have linked almost every other word in this interview (not really), because there are so many great things you all need to see. Click away!

Please, tune in again where you'll meet (yet) another fabulous designer...

So, as I always say,

Knit On!

Deb