Nov 23, 2014

Knitting Pattern for Harriette, the hedgehog

Harriette, the hedgehog
I had a Mystery KAL in October hosted in my group on Ravelry. The post about it can be found here.
I think everyone enjoyed it, and at the end each participant knitted their own versions of Harriette, the hedgehog.

The knitting pattern is available for download by clicking here download now or visiting my store on Ravelry.

Staring next week I will have another Mystery KAL, hosted in my group on Ravelry. More details to follow in my next blog post.

Thank you for visiting.

Nov 21, 2014

Interview with a designer Lisa Chemery (Frogginette)

photo by Frogginette
Lisa Chemery (Frogginette)
is a fellow designer participating in the Gift-a-long 2014.
I had the privilege to interview her and this is the interview.
I love her whimsical and adorable designs and if given the time and opportunity I would knit any of her designs.


What inspires you to design? 

Even though I design for grown-ups sometimes (I recently released the grown-up version (link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/madame-entrechat) of my Entrechat (link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/entrechat-2) pattern), what inspires me is children -- mine in particular :) I look at them and imagine what I could make that would make them look even more lovely.


If you could knit/ crochet one thing - anything in the world what would that be? 

I'd rather knit all the things, rather than just one thing!! But if I have to choose… if I could find enough patience and spare hours, I'd knit something like the amazing Persian Dreams (link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/persian-dreams) blanket by Jenise Reid. It's just incredible! I don't do much color work but I am just in awe of intricate, hugely time-consuming projects like this one.


Describe your ideal day as a designer, what would you do and what would you prefer not to do? 
 
My ideal day as a designer would be casting on for a new design after I've already written out the pattern… No pattern writing, no grading, no making schematics… Just knitting and seeing my vision materialize.


How do you start a project, with yarn, pattern, idea or what? 

I almost always start a project with an idea, or a concept, but it's not necessarily fully-formed. Sometimes I have to try a few things before it feels "right."


What inspires you to pick up needles and start on the project? 

I have so many ideas (like most designers I think!), some of them are messy scribbles in my notebooks, some of them just a few notes describing a shape or a detail. What makes me pick out one and not another as my next design is a combination of factors: 

1) Does it look feasible, or does it need to be thought about more. I can't spend a lot of time on a wild goose chase for an idea that isn't fleshed out enough.

2) Is it a design that I think many people will respond strongly to? Sometimes I'll go ahead and knit up something just because I like it, but I won't release a pattern unless I'm pretty sure many others will love it as much as me.

4) Is it likely to be a fun knit for most knitters? If there are what I consider to be tedious aspects, is the payoff worth it for the average knitter?

3) Is the timing right? Season-wise, but also considering what's already in my catalog in terms of yarn weight, type of garment etc.. 

5) Something intangible, a "gut feeling" that it's time to go with that particular design.


What do you enjoy the most about the designing and what you dislike the most? 

I love seeing the projects that others make from my patterns. It's such a great feeling that never gets old. Also, lovely messages and feedback are so encouraging, and getting to know some of my customers in my Ravelry group, Club Frogginette (link: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/club-frogginette). 

As far as what I dislike the most, the grading process isn't my favorite, but all the never-ending, time-consuming tasks I have to do for each pattern are the most tedious: writing pattern entries in website databases, promoting patterns upon release etc… And let's not even talk about accounting… 


Are there any particular techniques you find challenging or impossible to work with? 

I am still not as good as I'd like to be at colorwork, and I only like lace-knitting in small doses, but it's probably because I lack practice. I am not a fan of magic loop and I am probably not the only knitter who finds grafting to be a bit unpleasant. On the other hand, seaming doesn't really bother me (even though all my designs are seamless) and I don't mind picking up stitches, knitting ribbing etc...


What is on your needles now? 

I'm finishing up Lenny for my girl (link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lenny) by Heidi Atwood-Reeves (link: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/heidi-atwood-reeves). It's a super fast and cute knit. I finished it in 2 days! I love Heidi's style and taste in colors. 


Do you work on multiple projects at the same time or single project? 
I usually only have 1 or 2 projects going on at the same time. WIPs make me a bit anxious, ha!

 
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Frogginette Knitting Patterns

Adorable knitting patterns with a French twist, fun to knit and easy to wear!

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photo by Frogginette



Where to find Frogginette:


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photo by Frogginette

Nov 13, 2014

Gift-a-long 2014


I have missed the Gift a long activities last year, because I was busy working on my thesis. But I managed to participate this year.
It is an awesome collaboration between many independent designers and it is just about to start.
Gift a long is a collective gathering of almost 300 knitwear designers, and has many fantastic activities.
The beginning starts today with a sale period of thousands of knitting patterns offered on Ravelry by the participating designers.
After the sale patterns is over the gift a long continues with KAL, fun games, and prices to win every day.
You should try it if you are on Ravelry by visiting the Indie Design Gift-a-long Group.
It introduces you to new designers, techniques, you may win something fabulous, learn and try something new and perhaps you may meet even new friends (even if only virtual).

Some important dates and times:
The sale period will run Thursday November 13th 8pm (US-EST) through Friday November 21 at 11:59 pm (US-EST).
Discount is 25% off.

Code to enter is giftalong2014

GAL2014 will run Thursday, November 13th at 8 pm (US-EST) through Wednesday December 31st at midnight (US-EST).

These are the patterns I have included in Gift-a-long:
Sockeaters
Diamondback rattlesnake
Maillie, Travelling Monster
Miranda, the owl
Monster Al and his friends
Fiffy, the fluffy dog
Squirt, the squirrel
Baby lovies - individual patterns
Charlie, the fish
Jelly, the dachshund
Marnie, Miranda, Matilda, and Max (Birds)
Chameleon Leon
Gracious cowl


Thank you for visiting and I hope you will explore the various independent designers participating in GAL.

Nov 8, 2014

Elmer, the elephant

Elmer, the elephant
In January I have picked the yarn at a store. The blue and white whispered: "stranded color work". I started almost immediately, and then life happened.

In March a huge box of yarn arrived from Cascade Yarns, and Elmer got left behind, unfinished legs and body without the head, waiting patiently.

Then in September, one of my favorite test knitters asked if I was considering to knit an elephant and did some color work as well. I immediately though of Elmer, and how he should be finished. So I returned to him and worked on his trunk, head and tusks.

In October I was busy with Mystery KAL in my group on Ravelry, as well as working on The Book Project, but I managed to squeeze in Elmer, and wrote the pattern.

This month the pattern is test knitted and polished, and will be available in early December.

Sometimes things get done quickly, and sometimes it takes time. We, knitters, learn to work one stitch at the time, patiently waiting for the beautiful object that our hands, two or four needles, and a ball of yarn can create.

Elmer, the elephant is going to a new home in December as well.

Shhh, it is a secret (for now) who will receive him.

Thank you for visiting.