Untangling Knots

Something to aspire to

Today’s topic is a skill that I’d like to work on this year. It isn’t exactly one skill, but I’d like to be a better designer.

I’d like to be a better pattern writer. I’d like to be more concise. I’ve been trying to work on the pattern for Agatha and it’s 12 pages including the front page and schematics. That just seems too long to me.

ag15

I’d also like to get published. I really like self publishing because I like talking about what I’m working on and I like not having a deadline, but I’m going to have to start applying for jobs next spring. I need something to stick on my resume and having a pattern in a book or magazine just seems a lot more impressive than self publishing to non knitters.

The other thing I’d like to do is design a crocheted sweater. I keep thinking about this. There is no reason why I can’t apply all the information I’ve learned from sweater design books (that are targeted at knitters) to crochet.

To see more posts on this topic Google 2kcbwday6 or click here.

P.S. In case you were wondering, I’m not going to publish the pattern for Agatha until around September. It still needs a lot of editing, I need to work with a tech editor, and I’d like to get it test knit. This stuff is a lot easier for me to do in the summer when I don’t have essays and exams to worry about and I can devote my entire day to e-mailing people back and forth.

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Andi

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Comments

  1. Heidi

    Andi, I think you are already a great designer…Agatha looks fabulous, i’d love to knit one for my daughter 🙂

    Reply
  2. hannah

    That sweater is so gorgeous! Once you get to testing, I’d love to volunteer! (I’ll have some free time by then too!)

    Reply
  3. Cory Ellen

    Your self-published patterns look professional and beautiful – striving for better is always good, but your work so far is impressive in its own right. It’s cool to keep an eye on your designs and blog, since you’re also a student – I’ve been tossing around the idea of designing and self-publishing for a year or so now, and you’re definitely one of my inspirations for doing so!

    Also, I love Agatha and would be happy to test knit if/when you need it! I’m graduating in May, so my schedule is about to free up immensely. 🙂

    Reply
  4. sillylittlelady

    The Agatha cardi will be awesome and I can’t wait till its published!

    And as far as getting published by a company, I totally understand where you’re coming from. That is something I aspire too as well, I’d love to make knitting my full-time job but with classes, I just don’t have the time to dedicate to it right now :/

    Good luck! I know you can do it 😀

    Reply
  5. Mags

    Did someone say test-knit?

    I actually kind of like the “longer” patterns. Being concise isn’t always better. Better is what’s better (no sh*t, Sherlock). Publishers have their own styles, so when (yes WHEN!) you’re published you’d have to conform to them. I’m not a designer by a long shot, but I think I’d prefer self-publishing.

    Reply
  6. Kara

    This is such an awesome goal. Not only does it benefit you as you get to work on developing skills, but it also benefits us, since we get a fab new pattern.

    Reply
  7. Tecrin

    I am curious to see what a crocheted sweater designed by you would look like. I like your knits, but I think crochet doesn’t lend itself well for sweaters. But I love to be proven wrong in thinking this!

    Reply
  8. yoel

    You know one of the things I like most about designer-published patterns is that they are long and contain more details/instructions than patterns from magazines/pamphlets. It’s always better to have more details and explanations!

    Reply
  9. Kristen

    That is a great goal, and you’ll definitely make it! Can’t wait for the Agatha!

    Reply
  10. rachel

    An excellent goal! Getting published seems like the holy grail of knitwear designers, and considering the designs already under your belt, I suspect it’ll be happening in the near future.

    Reply
  11. Jessica

    Test knitting…yes! I would so love to do it for you.

    Reply
  12. Jacey

    I love the picture of you on the pattern draft. Gorgeous! I’ll be looking forward to this in the fall, and hopefully, will be devoting more of my time to knitting by then.

    Reply

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