knitwear – Page 6 – Cowtown Knits

Design Process Series, First Installment – Idea to Sketch

June 22, 2013Leave a comment

A box full of yummy yarn landed on my doorstep the other day, as if by magic. Well, not magic really, by the nice people of Knit Picks. I’ve had another design accepted for their Independent Designer Partnership program, and I’m oh so excited about it! I’m hoping to do a series of blog posts about the designing process, covering this particular design’s journey from idea to pattern. Here goes installment 1…

I’m not sure where this idea came from actually. It was so long ago now I can’t really pinpoint it’s origins, but usually they come to me in the shower. Once I had mulled it around in my head I made a quick sketch. This helped me figure out rough proportions and the basic shape I wanted. The next step was to draw a modeled sketch (not sure the proper terminology here). I’m absolutely horrendous at drawing so I downloaded and printed a fashion croqui from Designers Nexus Inc, to trace for the outline of the figure. This allowed me to show the skirt as it would look on an actual person.

And here you have it, the Helen Pencil Skirt as a fashion sketch.

Next up, the submission process.

Why’d You Lie, Swatch?

May 26, 2013Leave a comment

I’ve read about other designers experiencing swatches that lie, but had not yet had the pleasure myself… until now. I just finished up the new sample of my next pattern using the Stroll Sport yarn Knit Picks had sent me. I had already finished another sample using another yarn and everything came out fine. The pattern had already been written, edited and tested so it should have been really straight forward. I should have known something was wrong, and stopped what I was doing immediately, when I blocked the piece and was unable to get the garment to comply to the schematic measurements. But I pressed on and even sewed on all 15 buttons. Then I decided that it might be a good idea to re-check my gauge. I measured it in 6 different places and then averaged it out… and the result was not pretty. The row gauge is actually 7 stitches per inch rather than the 8 stitches per inch that I used for all my calculations.

Do you know what this means? If I was just knitting this piece for myself then I could just say, “Meh, close enough, it’ll still fit.” But since this is my design it really needs to be right. So, the only solution I can see is to redo the math, change the numbers in the pattern, and… wait for it… rip the sample back to the end of the yoke and start again.

I’ve heard the advice to check the gauge after you begin knitting, but it hadn’t quite sunken in until just now. Off I go to rip and rewrite!

Well, Poop

May 24, 20133 Comments

I have officially received my first rejection letter from a submission call. I had submitted two design ideas for the Knit Now Fall 2013 call but they didn’t make the cut unfortunately. I was disappointed, but surprised that I wasn’t more upset. I’m still feeling my way around this industry and trying to figure out where I fit in. I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world to take these ideas in a different direction and go the independent publication route that I’ve taken thus far. It can be much more lucrative if the pattern catches on. I think it’s time to make a business plan and start getting myself organized! And, hey, I still have a couple of other ideas submitted to another publication to hear back from. Fingers are still crossed.

Booties Again!

March 10, 20132 Comments

I know, I’ve done a lot of these booties. But people keep having babies, and these continue to be the cutest booties and most well-received gift. So here is my fifth pair of Spring Breath Baby Booties, designed by Julia Noskova.

This is also a bit of a sneak preview for my next design as both projects use the same yarn, Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in grey and pink. The yarn is so soft and very suitable for baby knits. My new design is currently knit up (and gifted) but I need to put the finishing touches on the pattern, have it edited and tested. I’m also planning on submitting it to a yarn company for possible publication so please keep your fingers crossed for me! I’ve been very timid about submitting my ideas for publication by magazines, etc. but I think it’s time I put myself out there.

The James Cowl

February 25, 20131 Comment

I know it’s been quiet around here lately, but that’s because I’ve been a busy beaver. I have just released my newest pattern, the James Cowl.

The James Cowl is a cozy neck warmer featuring stranded colourwork, knit in the round. It is suitable for boys and girls, men or women, young or old. While this is a great project for first time steekers, instructions are also given for an unsteeked version that is simply knit in the round.

This cowl was originally designed to keep small kids’ necks warm while avoiding the risk of them being strangled accidentally. The magnetic closures are strong enough to keep the cowl closed for normal use, but will open if for some reason it gets caught on something. The construction of the button band ensures that the magnetic snaps are safe and secure while also concealing their backings.

Thanks yet again to Ryan Barr for the photography. Every time we do these photo shoots I get great pictures and a chance to hang out with an old friend!

I also couldn’t do this without the great tech editing from Eleanor Dixon.