Knit-a-While

A Special Kind of Knitting Basket

By Ida | Published: November 9, 2009

Throughout the year, but most often at this time of the year, I try to think of ways that readers of Knit-a-While and Knitting Purls can help others throughout the world. We’ve knit blankets for people and pets, we’ve donated yarn and other knitting-related items. This year, I wanted something different.

This year, I wanted something that didn’t ask people to add something to their knitting queue. It seems as though a lot of lucky people are going to be getting handknit items for the holiday! But, I wanted the project to be fiber related. Then it hit me: Heifer International 7. I have been a supporter of the organization for many years. So, I took a look at its online catalog and found the perfect way to help. We can donate a Knitting Basket!

But it’s not just any knitting basket. No indeed. Recipients of a Heifer International Knitting Basket will receive 2 llamas and 2 sheep. The fibers from these animals can be made into blankets, ponchos, clothing, and other handcrafted items to support families. They can make a huge difference in the lives of people all over the world.

And so can readers of Knit-a-While and Knitting Purls. By clicking on the Donate button at the bottom of the sidebar (and if someone can tell me how to move it to the top, I’d appreciate it), you can help make a difference. Each Knitting Basket is $500; shares are $50. Knitting Purls/Knit-a-While will donate the number of shares purchased by your contributions. We’d love to be able to donate an entire Knitting Basket, of course, but even shares will be helpful. Here’s how it will work. Let’s say that our readers donate a total of $650. We’ll donate an entire Knitting Basket as well as 2 shares of another!

There’s no question that times are tough for many of us. Some people who have been regular donors in the past now find they’re unable to make their usual contributions. But, if you can spare just a few dollars, we can combine it to the contributions of other readers and help a family in need. We’ll be a force in the world.

Although this can definitely be an ongoing project, I’d like to send the first contribution to Heifer International by December 15.

Would you like to make a donation to our Knitting Basket project as a gift to someone or in someone’s memory? Just let me know. I’ll happily send an acknowledgment.

The Lost Is Found

Well, kind of. The source of the spiral tube socks I wrote about yesterday has been found. Well, kind of. I now know the pattern is in Easy Knitted Socks.

41120255 And I know I have a copy of the book. The question remains, however: Where the heck is it?

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Here a Sock, There a Sock, Everywhere a Sock Sock

By Ida | Published: November 8, 2009

One of the best things about cooler weather is that I can pull out my handknit wool socks to caress my feet and keep the tootsies warm. Sure, some people can wear wool socks year-round, but that’s not me. My feet just get too hot. But once the cooler weather comes, I’m more than ready to put on a pair of my personally made socks.

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These are the very first pair of socks I knit. (I refuse to count any of the socks I knit on two needles and then attempted to seam. Actually, I don’t think I have any of those sorry attempts any longer.) They are the simplest of sock construction: a tube sock. But they do have a spiral design, which made the knitting interesting. The socks are made from DK weight yarn, so they are heavier than most of my others. They are wonderful for wearing around the house, especially since they’ve become slightly felted. I usually wear my Birkenstock clogs at all times of the year, and these socks make sure my heels are warm. In short, I love these socks.

I’d love to make another pair, but I have a problem: I have no idea which pattern book I found them in. Since making them, I’ve collected many, MANY more pattern books, many of them dedicated to socks. And to be honest, my organizational system leaves much to be desired. Oh I could find another pattern, or even come up with one of my own, but I just love these socks so much.

Since my initial glee at the successful completion of my first pair of socks, I have knitted several more. In fact, for quite some time, there was never a time when I didn’t have at least one pair on the needles. But then, a few months ago, I seemed to develop sock-knitting ennui. Nothing thrilled me. If I found sock yarn I couldn’t resist, I used it to make fingerless or regular mitts. But then cooler weather returned and with it, my sock-knitting mojo. Here’s my current project.

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These are just my plain vanilla socks, because I really want to show off the colors of the yarn. This is a kettle-dyed 50/50 blend of superwash merino and tencel from Susan Brugger at Sheepish Fibers . It’s one of their Big Foot line, which means there are 500 yards in the skein–something this big foot loves. I love working with this yarn. It’s soft and it doesn’t split, a problem I often find in sock yarn. This is the Petal colorway. I’m not generally a pink person, but I find the subtle color changes are gorgeous and may convert me. Do yourself a favor, and check out the other beautiful yarns Susan has in her shop .

And, of course, you need another sock pattern book

Knitters are always on the lookout for new, interesting patterns, and sock knitters are no exception. And publishers of knitting-related books are rushing to fill that need. Both Cookie A. and Wendy Johnson came out with new books this year. And then there is one of my all-time favorite sock-knitting pattern books, Judy Sumner’s Knitted Socks East and West. But most of us can’t have enough, so check out Kathleen Taylor’s The Big Book of Socks: The Ultimate Beyond-the-Basics Guide to Knitting Socks.

This book has sock patterns for everyone. There are patterns for traditional, plain vanilla (which I love) socks as well as ones for more adventurous knitters and sock wearers. Love short row heels but hate wrapping? You’re covered. There are tube socks, lace socks, beaded socks, and cabled, striped, argyled, and intarsia socks, among others. (Personally, I can’t wait to try the Thrummed Slippers.) Several of the patterns are sized for everyone in the family; many knitters will be happy to see that women’s wide sizes are included in many patterns. There are booties, kneesocks, and lengths between. Do you like short rows but hate the wrapping step?

Most of the patterns are written to be knitted from the top down on DPNs or 1 or 2 circular needles. There are, however, a few patterns that are knit on 2 needles. And if you’re someone who likes to knit using the suggested yarn yet are frustrated when you can’t find it or it’s priced out of your range, this book will be a welcome relief. Many of the patterns are knit using Knit Picks or other well-known, easily accessible, and reasonably priced yarns.

And, if you’ve been wanting to dye your own yarn, Taylor gives instructions on how to dye spiral self-patterning yarn.

The book is filled with beautiful photographs that show off the patterns. And the photos are large enough to actually see the patterns. Where charts are required, they are large, so one can follow them without straining their eyes–or having them enlarged. The patterns are well written and easy to follow. Knitters will quickly see, however, that The Big Book of Socks is a bit different than most sock pattern books. Instead of putting instructions on how to do an afterthought or short row heel, for example, with the pattern, knitters are referred to the appendix, where instructions for heels and toes are grouped. Though it allows space for larger photos and diagrams of the individual patterns, some knitters may find it annoying to have to switch to another section of the book for instructions. And if you’re one of those knitters who likes to photocopy the pattern so you can write notes on it, etc., remember to copy the technique section as well. Once one becomes familiar with the techniques, it may not be a problem.

The cover of The Big Book of Socks says there are “75 original patterns.” That’s a bit misleading. Yes, there are 75 patterns, but the differences between some of them may be something as simple as yarn weight. And really, can a stockinette sock with a ribbed cuff truly be called “original”? Still, this book would be an asset to a sock knitter’s library. I’d venture to guess that most knitters would choose more patterns from this book to knit than from some of the others on the market.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Cookie A, Judy Sumner, Knitted Socks East and West, Sheepish Fibers, Sheepish Handknits, socks, Wendy Johnson | 1 Comment

400 Knitting Stitches

By Ida | Published: November 5, 2009

When I was a child, growing up in Iowa, I used to read the dictionary in the bathroom. Yes, it was the quietest room in the house, but it also seemed to be a waste of time to just sit there and do nothing. So, when my attention wasn’t required, I read the dictionary, learning words and definitions of thousands of words. I’ve often wondered if that’s one of the reasons I eventually went into the publishing field.

Fast forward a few decades (all right, more than a few). I’m now an adult and live in New York. And though I no longer tend to read in the bathroom, I still have a love of dictionaries. Now, however, stitch dictionaries are what capture my attention. I love looking at the stitches and envisioning new designs using them. Imagine my excitement when I was contacted by Potter Craft and told there was a new stitch dictionary about to hit the shelves!

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400 Knitting Stitches: A Complete Dictionary of Essential Stitch Patterns was originally published in French in 2005. An English-translated version was published in 2007 by Australian publisher Murdoch Books. This is the first U.S. version of the book.

The book begins with knitting basics, so beginners should not be intimidated by the idea of 400 stitches. Although it is doubtful that any stitch book can truly be called “complete,” this one does include a wide variety of stitches. Unlike some stitch dictionaries, most of the ones included in 400 Stitches are easy to visualize in a project that would be worn or used. The stitch patterns themselves are divided into the following categories: knit-purl, crossed stitches and cables, slipped stitches, lacy stitches, double stitches, twisted stitches, cast-off stitches, and fancy stitches. The book ends with a clear and concise explanation of the symbols used in the charts.

The charts. Every stitch pattern in 400 Knitting Stitches is accompanied by a chart. This includes the most basic patterns, such as stockinette, garter, and moss. Though it might seem ridiculous to include charts for such patterns, it can be an effective way to introduce new knitters to chart reading. Because they are already familiar with these patterns, the connection between the stitch and how it appears in a chart can be made easily.

In some stitch dictionaries, it is extremely difficult to get a visual “feel” for the pattern from the photographs. That is not the case in 400 Stitches. Each pattern is shown with a photograph that is large enough and detailed enough for the knitter to be able to get a good idea of how the pattern would work in a project.

Potter Craft books can generally be counted on as being designed well (except for that lying flat when opened thing). Unfortunately, the design of 400 Stitches is the book’s biggest problem. That, along with the use of metric measurements and punctuation style, makes one think that this version is primarily the Australian version with a new cover. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does help explain why the design might not be up to what one might expect from a Potter Craft book. The book is designed to get lots of information in a limited space, and unfortunately, it doesn’t always work to the benefit of the knitter.

Most stitch dictionaries are written like patterns: each row’s instructions appear on a separate line. That is not the case in 400 Stitches. The instructions are run in, with row numbers in bold. This can make it more difficult to keep your place while knitting the pattern. This is not helped by the fact that the book’s gutter is very small, and the text often runs deep into that area.

Of course, there are charts for every pattern, but they are not without their own problems. Most are so small, they are extremely difficult read. But, the most annoying factor is that, despite large areas of white space next to them, many of the charts on the lefthand (verso) pages are set so far to the right that they fall into the gutter area. In fact, it is possible to miss the charts on some of the lefthand pages, as they are so small and so far right of the page. In most cases, these are patterns in which the need for a chart is debatable, but if one is included, it should be usable.

Despite these factors, 400 Knitting Stitches can be a valuable addition to a knitting library. Unlike some other dictionaries, this book’s size (approximately 7 X 9 inches) makes it fit easily on a shelf or, better yet, into a knitting bag. It also includes a variety of stitch patterns, not just a specific type of pattern. This means that you can buy 1 book, rather than multiples, to get a variety of pattern types. As stated earlier in this post, the photographs are well done and show off the patterns well. It would have been nice, however, if the knitter’s needs were taken into consideration more than they appear to have been. And sometimes, less really is more.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged knit dictionary, Potter Craft | 2 Comments

We Have Winners!

By Ida | Published: November 3, 2009

This will be a short post, but I wanted to make sure that you all know who the winners of the Knit Green comment contest and the Knitting Purls/Knit-a-While Cuff-Down Smack-Down are.

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on Knit Green post. The random number generator has selected a winner. Congratulations to Kathleen Rose! I hope those of you who visited and left a comment will be regular visitors to Knit-a-While–even when we aren’t having a contest.

And now, for the winner of the Cuff-Down Smack-Down.

Drum roll please.

It’s Dani Langham–Ms. Create–and her Silver Bells!

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You can check out her pattern on her blog .

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to Dani.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Cuff-Down Smack-Down, Ms. Create | 2 Comments

Resource Finds and Reminders

By Ida | Published: October 29, 2009

Holiday knitting is getting into full gear for many of us. Some of you have been in full holiday knitting mode for months, but some of us take a little longer to get started.

I’ve recently come across 2 online resources that might help some of us with our holiday gift knitting.

Ysolda Teague has compiled a sizing chart for women’s garments based on CYC sizing standards. Eleven body measurements are provided, so the chart is useful whether knitting a sweater or dress or many things in-between. The size range is extra small to 5X (bust sizes 28 to 62, for example). The chart is available for download in either PDF or Excel formats. To get your chart, click here .

Many knitters make hats for holiday gifts. They’re also a popular choice for charity knitting projects. But what happens if you can’t find the exact pattern you want? Well, you design your own. In her Knitting Pattern Tutorial for Hats , Michelle Miller, Fickle Knitter, shows you it’s not as difficult as it might seem. She even takes the fear out of the math! Now you can give the hat you really want to give (or keep it for yourself!).

REMINDERS

We’re closing in on the completion of a few things, so here’s some handy reminders for your schedule:

The KP/Knit-a-While Cuffdown Smackdown is reaching its deadline, but there’s still time to enter. Click here for information.
For a chance to win a copy of Joanne Seiff’s Knit Green, leave a comment on my blog entry of October 27, 2009 . Only comments left for that post are eligible.
And those of us in the United States on Daylight Savings Time, don’t forget to turn back your clocks–and check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors–Sunday.

Posted in Web Alert | Tagged Fickleknitter, Michelle Miller, Ysolda Teague | 1 Comment

Today’s Word? Green

By Ida | Published: October 27, 2009

I have a finished object (pause for cheers and applause). Things have been rather stressful the past couple of weeks, so I decided to make this past weekend a lazy-type one. So, it was cooking, knitting, and movie-watching for me. (Incidentally, I love horror movies, so this is usually a great time of year for my TV-viewing pleasure. I don’t know about you, but I think the movies being shown are rather lame this year. Sheez.) My knitting accomplishment was the completion of the Dulce Neck Cozy .

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Contrary to how it looks in the photo, the buttons are properly aligned.

This is one of those times when yarn choice was not the best to show off the pattern. I used single stranded Knit Picks Crayon. It’s a DK weight boucle. Now, I knew when I started the project that the pattern would not be as prevalent if I used this yarn. So, why did I? Well I love Crayon, but mostly, it was a simple matter of economics. I bought 6 skeins of Crayon in this colorway for a project. Of course, now I can’t remember what I was going to make. So, since the pattern suggests DK, I decided to use the yarn. I do like how it turned out. It’s very light and soft, and the green is gorgeous.

The pattern states that if the “holes” created by the pattern are large enough, you don’t have to make the buttonholes; simply push the button through the pattern hole. Well, I decided to make the buttonholes, feeling my buttons were too big. Wrong. As a result, I’ve done some sewing around the buttonhole to make it smaller, since I didn’t have larger buttons.

The Dulce Neck Cozy is a quick and easy knit. Once you get past the buttonholes, it’s just a 2-row repeat. It’s perfect for TV knitting.

Knit Green

It seems as though it’s all about being green these days, and knitters are participating as well. At first glance, how to knit green might seem fairly obvious. But, as many who have “gone green” in other aspects of their lives, doing so can be very confusing. Not everything that claims to be green actually is.

Knitters now have a guide to making their projects green. In her book Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability, Joanne Seiff demystifies green knitting. Readers will learn about green fibers, including hemp. They’ll also learn how their fiber selections can help support sustainable farms. Do you prefer to knit with nonmanmade fibers? Check out “Vegan Knitting.” Do words like “organic” and “natural” confuse you? What exactly do they mean when it comes to fiber? Seiff clearly explains these and other terms found on fiber labels. And yes, it can sometimes be expensive to be green, but Seiff shows knitters how they can reuse and recycle fiber.

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Knit Green also provides information on how knitters can help support folk and indigenous traditions. For example, purchase your products from a co-op. If knitting a traditional fair isle pattern, consider buying yarn produced from Shetland sheep. In some cases, money raised through these sales is used for supporting the breed, which until recently, was categorized as “rare.” You’ll also learn about companies and projects that promote fair trade and fair work. Buy from them, and you’ll be supporting individuals in fiber-related businesses all over the world.

Interspersed with the clearly written, interesting, and informative text are patterns for projects such as, neck warmers, mittens, placemats, sweaters, and socks. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. Each project is illustrated with at least one photograph.

The book also includes information about techniques, sources for green fibers, and a comprehensive index.

Knit Green is well designed (with the exception that it does not lie flat), well written, and beautifully photographed. It would be an asset to any knitting library, and it can help us become environmentally responsible knitting citizens of the world.

A GIVEAWAY

Would you like a copy of Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability? Leave a comment on this blog entry by Monday, November 2, 2009. A comment will be selected at random, and the writer will receive a copy of the book. REMEMBER: only comments left on this entry are eligible for the drawing.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Dulce Neck Cozy, knitting green | 42 Comments

More Bang from Our Knitting

By Ida | Published: October 19, 2009

Wouldn’t it be great if we could knit something and actually end up with two items when complete? In a way, it would be like knitting something two at a time. It could double our completion rate. Lynne Barr’s Reversible Knitting: 50 Brand-New, Groundbreaking Stitch Patterns may help do just that. Well, you won’t exactly have two items, but your complete project will be reversible, giving you more wearing (or carrying, in the case of an included bag) options.

51hykNz2x-L._SS500_ The first part of the book is a stitch dictionary of fifty reversible stitch patterns. The first nine stitches are faux crochet. They’re followed by stitch patterns the author has labeled Rows Within Rows, Openwork, Divide and Combine, Picked Up, and Double Knit. In some cases, each side looks different, but in other patterns, they look the same.

Instructions for each stitch pattern are clearly written and easy to follow. Step-by-step illustrations are provided for techniques that might be unfamiliar to many knitters. Each pattern is illustrated by a beautiful color photograph. When the sides are different, a photograph of both is provided.

It isn’t always easy to see how one might incorporate some of these stitch patterns into a project. The author does provide suggestions on how to use some of the stitch patterns in projects such as scarves.

And, of course, there’s the second half of the book: projects using these stitch patterns. Among the designers who have contributed designs for Reversible Knitting are Cat Bordhi (a vest rather than a sock!), Lily Chin, and Norah Gaughan. Knitters will find patterns for hats, jackets, sweaters, and scarves, among other projects. These projects might not be for everyone, but they illustrate how reversible stitch patterns can be used, and knitters can use them as a starting point for their own ideas.

Each design is accompanied by at least one photograph. Unfortunately, not all of them show off the completed project to its optimum. For example, one of my favorites in the book is Norah Gaughan’s Reverse Me (it’s shown on the book’s cover). This is a very versatile cardigan, and I can actually see me wearing it. (We all know this isn’t always the case for us.) Sadly, the photo facing the pattern’s opening page shows a model slouching, making a contemporary design look frumpy.

Some knitters may find some of the patterns daunting at first glance, and some of the instructions are a bit confusing when reading through them. Provided schematics are helpful. Designs using charts do not have corresponding written instructions. Most of the charts are easy to follow, but knitters should consider photocopying and enlarging most for ease of use.

The book also includes a well-written and illustrated section on special techniques. Many of these techniques will be new to knitters, but instructions should make it easy for most knitters to add these skills to their knitting repertoire.

This is a beautifully designed book and offers knitters the opportunity to learn new techniques, and most of us welcome the chance to add something new to our knitting. The book’s strength is as a stitch dictionary, but that’s only part of the book. Knitters should look through a copy before deciding whether to add it to their library. View the book’s patterns at Knit Picks and see if they are ones you’re likely to make. If not–or even if they are–compare the book to others on the subject of reversible knitting. For me, I’m not sure the fifty stitch patterns would justify the purchase of the book. But, all knitters are different and have different needs and wants, and for many, this may be the perfect book.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Cat Bordhi, Lily Chin, patterns, reversible knitting | 1 Comment

On Dreams and Sheep

By Ida | Published: October 9, 2009

I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams lately. Of course, it could have something to do with the fact that I’ve been having some really strange dreams lately. Not sure why, but they have certainly been interfering with getting a good night’s sleep. preview Sometimes I remember my dreams, well, to be more accurate, I remember bits and pieces of them. One of my favorite dreams lately has been the one in which Nathan Fillion declared his undying love and adoration for me. I could live with that. Happily so, I imagine.

My sleep dreams made me think about my awake dreams, too. That and the suggestions I hear from experts in finding a job in a tight job market. According to many, this is a great time to “make” a job for yourself or jump into that career you’ve long been wanting but haven’t had the motivation to enter into–yet. So, I asked myself, “If I could have any career, what would it be?” Well, I obviously want something in the fiber field. I’ve been an editor and author for more than 20 years, so it would make sense that I would like to edit and write books and articles about knitting and other fiber-related subjects. I’d really like to be a tech editor. I’ve been researching how to break into that field, and it appears that it can be a tough thing to do. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

I asked others what their dream fiber-related jobs would be. Someone would like to be a fiber photographer (and can I say how important photos are in the field?). A person who test knits and crochets for free would like to be able to make that a paying position. There were those who wanted to own an LYS, some who wanted to teach, and many who would like to become designers (one is well on her way). Another wants to be the owner of a yarn company, while another wants to be a product manager for a yarn company. Then there’s one who would like to have a combo Victorian tearoom and fiber shop, which made me wonder how to combine my love of food and cooking with my love of all things yarny. Why a knit cafe in a lighthouse, of course.

Who knows how many of us will achieve our dream careers. And, of course, our ideas of what makes up a dream job will change from time to time. But, if we don’t dream, we can’t know what we can achieve.

The Knitter’s Book of Wool

Many of you are big fans of The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. It’s a good reference book for those who want to learn more about the characteristics of the myriad yarns available. This information can aid the designer and knitter in making the best choices for their knitting projects.

In her new book, The Knitter’s Book of Wool, Parkes turns her attention to wool, the most common of knitting fibers. The book begins with an explanation of what makes up wool fiber. Readers will get an introduction to how wool fiber is spun into yarn, including the difference between spinning woolen and spinning worsted. All yarns labeled 100% wool will not bring the same results, and Parkes gives readers hints on how to tell what a finished project might turn out even before winding the yarn.

5161TQcUlsL._SL500_AA240_ One of the most interesting chapters is “Meet the Breeds.” Here, readers are introduced to 37 breeds of sheep. Each entry includes a brief description of the breed and photos of a lock and, for many, spun yarn. Each entry includes a sidebar of breed fiber facts: fineness, staple length, crimp, luster, suitable for, felting qualities, and contact information.

Many knitters prefer to use wool blends, and the next chapter covers the rationale behind the decisions of yarn companies and spinners to blend the wool with another fiber. Readers will learn how other fibers affect wool’s drape, luster, halo, and strength. You’ll also discover what blends to look for if you want to wear woolen handknits during warm weather. (No, you don’t have to swelter when wearing wool!)

As in The Knitter’s Book of Yarn, The Knitter’s Book of Wool also contains patterns. Designers such as Cat Bordhi, Nancy Bush, and Ilga Leja have contributed patterns. There are garment and accessories projects, including a pullover designed for adults and children, a pillow, and a bag. There are also several lovely shawl and wrap patterns.

The Knitter’s Book of Wool concludes with information about washing wool and how to keep moths away. There is a list of resources as well as Abbreviations and Techniques, About the Designers, Author Acknowledgments, and Glossary. The index is complete and a helpful resource.

Overall, the book is well designed. There are places, however, where white type on a dark background is used. Many people find this combination difficult to read. The photographs are beautiful, and I would have preferred to see photographs of the sheep rather than illustrations. As for the patterns, there is a diverse selection, and there is something for every skill level. The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow. Many of the lace patterns can be knit using either the charts provided or the written instructions. Most of the charts are easy to read and follow. The charts for the Falling Waters Shawl pattern, however, are more difficult to read because of the number of stitches. That is easily remedied by copying and enlarging, or by copying and color-coding the stitches. Of course, if you want to avoid the charts, this is one of the patterns that also has written instructions. It would have been more useful to have the Glossary immediately follow the Abbreviations and Techniques. Instead, it follows About the Designers and Author Acknowledgments.

As a resource book, it would have been easy for the writing to be dry and mired in facts. Though Parkes provides readers with important information, she does it in an interesting manner. But then, that’s what we’ve come to expect from her. Is The Knitter’s Book of Wool a must have? Probably not. But, if you’re a spinner, designer, or a knitter who likes to switch out fiber types in their projects, it can be a valuable resource to your knitting library.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Clara Parkes, dreams, LYS, sheep, tech editing, The Knitter's Book of Yarn, The Knitter's Guide to Wool, The Knitter's Guide to Yarn | 2 Comments

Designers and Yarn Shops

By Ida | Published: October 7, 2009

I’ve been “talking” with a lot of designers lately, and many seem to want the same thing: to get their patterns carried in yarn shops. Even though most designers sell their patterns online through Ravelry, Etsy, Artfire, or even their own blog or website, there’s something special about having a pattern available at a yarn shop. Because of this interest, I contacted some LYS owners and designers whose patterns are stocked in some yarn shops.

LYS and Patterns
Let’s be blunt. If you’re a new designer, you’re probably going to have a hard time getting an LYS to carry your patterns. In most cases, it has nothing to do with the quality of your design; it’s all about the bottom line. Most of the LYS owners said they had a lot of money tied up in patterns that they would never be able to recoup. One LYS owner calls them the, “bane of my existence. … I sell less and less of them every day.” Rather than buy a pattern in a yarn shop, many knitters are turning to the Internet to find patterns.

Shops tend to carry patterns that support the yarn lines they carry, and this limits the availability of resources to carry other designs. A few LYS owners have turned to consignment to be able to offer patterns by lesser-known designers, especially if the owner knows them personally and wants to help them out. Under this arrangement, the shop retains a specified percentage of each sale. Although this opens more sales possibilities to designers, it can create a record-keeping nightmare for the LYS owner—or the owner’s accountant.

According to many of the LYS owners and employers I contacted, most designers recognize the importance of making sure they present their patterns professionally. New designs are sometimes sent out via glossy flyers. Others send their designs in brochures with wholesale information. Regardless of how the designs are submitted, most LYS owners need to see something that sets the design apart from others before they’ll consider carrying it in their shop. They’re also unlikely to carry a design that requires a yarn they don’t carry. After all, they have yarn to sell as well.

Well, that was discouraging, but that information shouldn’t make you change your mind about offering your designs to an LYS. Designers: do your marketing research. Start local. Find out what your LYS owner wants. Consider offering the LYS a knitted-up sample of the pattern. Place patterns in plastic sleeves for easy insertion into a knitter’s notebook. Make it easy for them to carry your pattern and difficult for them to tell you, “No, but thank you.”

Designers and Pitching
So, what might help convince an LYS to carry patterns by a new designer? I contacted several designers whose patterns are carried by at least one LYS. All of them began at the beginning: you have to have a good product. Michelle Miller, Fickle Knitter, suggests you begin with an enthusiastic support system of friends and family who are willing to review your pattern and do a test knit. After all, you want the LYS to carry more than one of your patterns. But, if buyers consistently find errors in your patterns or find them difficult to understand and follow, they are not likely to be repeat customers. And if your patterns aren’t selling in the shop, the LYS is unlikely to place another order with you.

If you don’t have a ready local network of testers and reviewers, there’s a whole world of them available to you on the Internet. Ravelry has groups for test knitters, including those who will do it for free. You can also find people who will do tech editing for you as well.

Michelle suggests putting together a portfolio of your best designs. The designs can be placed in plastic sleeves and put in a 3-ring notebook to take to your local shops. She also stresses the importance of forging a positive relationship with your LYS: “Buy yarn from them. Talk with the owner or staff so that they become familiar with you and your patterns. Take in your notebook when you expect the shop to be fairly quiet, so the owner or manager can look through your book.”

All of the designers I contacted mentioned the importance of doing your homework. When pricing your patterns, remember that most shops expect to pay wholesale prices for your design; this can be up to 60% less than what you are charging your retail customers. So, for example, if you’re charging an individual $7 for a pattern, an LYS may expect to pay $2.80 for the same pattern. In setting a price for pattern, be sure to consider all expenses associated with the pattern. This includes the costs of knitting a sample for the shop, whether you do it or the shop does. Many shops are used to a minimum order requirement, so don’t be afraid to ask that they purchase a minimum number of patterns. And ask for your money on the shop’s receipt of the patterns. Some will agree immediately; others may want to negotiate other terms, such as a percentage paid upfront with the rest to follow at some specified point.

If an LYS turns you down, and it’s likely that will happen at one time or another, don’t give up. Don’t take it personally. (All right, that’s one of the most ridiculous clichés regarding rejection, but this time, it may well be true.) Design more patterns, get feedback about your designs from your support system, and try again. And don’t get caught up in the idea that the only way to become a successful designer is by having your patterns in a brick-and-mortar store. There’s a whole knitting world out there thanks to the Internet. And knitters buy a lot of patterns from online-only sources.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged designers, knitting, knitting patterns | Leave a comment

I Could Do That: Reviewing Products on Your Blog

By Ida | Published: October 4, 2009

I’ve received several messages lately from people who would like to review books or products on their blog. I have to admit that being able to do so is one of my favorite things about blogging. Now, I can’t guarantee that if you follow what I’ve done you’ll be deluged with things to review. But, this is how I did it.

First, almost everything I receive is sent with the understanding that it will be reviewed in my ezine Knitting Purls. Unless there is a specific request not to do so, it is understood that the product may also be reviewed here on Knit-a-While. Most are happy to have that added exposure.

When I first decided to review products in Knitting Purls, I started by reviewing things I already owned. New books, yarns, needles, bags, whatever: they all became fodder for my reviews. After a while, I began contacting designers and dyers that I had “met” through Ravelry, Plurk, and other online sources and offered to review their products. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement. I had new products to review, and the designers and dyers received more exposure.

Buoyed by that success, I decided to contact manufacturers and publishers directly and ask to review products. At the time, I was only doing reviews for Knitting Purls, so I explained what it was, circulation, etc. For the most part, the people I contacted were very happy to provide me with products to review. When I began reviewing items here on Knit-a-While, that increased their interest in having me review their products. After all, it’s more exposure.

It has taken time, but I now have publishers and manufacturers seeking me out to review their products. In fact, I recently received an e-mail from one publisher with a list of knitting-related books coming out in the next few months. They wanted to know which I would like to receive to review. Publicists from other publishers also contact me about the books they represent. Would I like to review them?

There are things that you can and should do if you want to review books or products on your blog.

When contacting a publisher or manufacturer, be honest. Don’t tell the company that you have 10,000 hits a week if you don’t. Some contacts have asked about subscribers/hits, but most do not. You don’t have to have a huge following to be a successful reviewer. And don’t tell someone you have a knitting blog if knitting is treated almost as an afterthought. Make sure to give your potential source a link to the blog or website where you’ll post the review.

Be specific about what you are requesting. If there’s a book you want to review, for example, you’re asking for a review copy. Don’t simply ask for review copies of all of the publisher’s books about knitting. If you do, they’re likely to think you’re only out to get freebies and not take you seriously. Take a look at the publisher’s catalog and pick specific books you would like to review. Give the publisher the title and author for each.

Make sure to use correct grammar and spelling in all of your posts. We all make mistakes, but take time to review your posts for errors. I can’t tell you how many times someone has gently pointed out an error in one of mine. As someone who makes a living editing/writing/publishing, this is incredibly embarrassing. I was reading a new-to-me blog the other day, and I was tempted to stop reading in the middle. Why? Because the posts were riddled with basic spelling and grammatical errors. Lots of them. If you’re writing mainly for yourself and a few friends, that’s one thing. But if you’re reviewing products, that’s quite another. Though a review can certainly be done in a chatty, informal style, that doesn’t mean errors in spelling and grammar can be written off as “folksy.” Remember that those whose products you review expect you to be professional.

Let contacts know when reviews are posted. I have two contacts who specifically request that I let them know when I’ve posted or published a review of their products. I have found, however, that the others also appreciate that information as well, so I send them a link when a review of their product appears on Knit-a-While. For those reviewed in Knitting Purls, I attach a copy of the ezine to an e-mail announcing the review.

I won’t lie to you: I love receiving items to review. I’ve been able to get my hands on many items that I might never have been able to if I didn’t publish reviews. But, there is responsibility involved. These companies and individuals expect you to consider their products carefully and give them an honest review. You can’t give a book a perfunctory look, for example, and then write a review. Those who do that may find their sources of items to review unlikely to send them other products. Personally, I find it helpful to think of reviewing as a job. Granted, it is a fun one!

Another for Charity

These are mittens (I have a flair for the obvious).

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I’ve made these for charity. I hope you are finding time to do some knitting to benefit a charity. There are so many who would be grateful for a handknit item.