Cashmere People Knit Along

Have you listened to Podcast Episode 8? If you have, then you’ll know what special yarns Cashmere People Yarns makes. And if you haven’t, go listen to it now…

After talking with Casey about her journey with Cashmere People, I was totally inspired. Of course, I love knitting and making things by hand. But when there is a special connection to the materials I am using, it just elevates my experience that much more. Using Cashmere People Yarns means that I’m supporting and connected to women who live across an ocean. I’m helping them by supporting their business. They’re helping me by creating a beautiful product - and - if you listened to Casey’s interview, reminding me that I have SO MUCH in my life.

I’m so moved by the mission of Cashmere People Yarns, I decided to run a Knit Along! Here are the details:

• The only requirement is to use Cashmere People Yarns! (Find Cashgora HERE and Cashmere HERE.)

• Knit any pattern.

• Chat & share your projects in my Ravelry Group HERE

• Share on Instagram using the hashtag #cashmerepeoplekal

• Finish your project by Feb. 13th. All projects posted in the Ravelry thread will be eligible for prizes!

Just in case you need some pattern ideas, I’ve put together a Pinterest Board HERE!

You can also search for patterns that use Cashmere People on Ravelry. Here are some Cashgora fingering weight finished objects and some Cashgora sport weight finished objects to get those juices flowing!

Are you ready? I can’t wait to get started! I’ll be knitting a cowl and Casey will be knitting a Poet. What will you be making?

The cost of a knitting pattern

Oh the excitement at starting a new knitting project!  Sifting through Ravelry to find JUST the right project, purchase it, start gathering needles and yarn.  And cast on!  If you’re a knitter you probably get that same excited energy about casting on something new.  Hopefully, you’ve been inspired by something amazing that you can’t wait to make.  Perhaps you have a favorite designer whose designs always light up your creative energy and work just so.

In this process of starting a new project, and downloading that pdf pattern in an instant- have you ever wondered what went into creating it?

Recently there seems to be a lot of talk about the cost of knitting patterns.  Many designers and companies have started to charge just a little bit more for that pdf that’s jump starting your project.  For transparency’s sake, and so that knitters are armed with knowledge about the product they’re using, I thought it would be nice to dig deeper into why these pdf’s are starting to cost more.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

For this post, I asked four other designers about the time it takes for them to complete each of the tasks involved with creating a pdf knitting pattern.  The following answers are based on the average answer from myself and these four designers, unless otherwise noted.

For the purposes of this conversation, this is solely based on DIGITAL independently produced knitting patterns.  Print patterns and books are a whole different ball game.  They cost a lot more to produce than a digital pattern and the profit margins are wildly different (smaller).  Likewise, the profit a designer makes from knitting magazines, books and collections by big companies look wildly different.  This looks different from company to company and while some companies pay fairly, some underpay.  It can be quite confusing to someone purchasing a pattern on Ravelry who they are purchasing it from, and this is important to note.  For instance, just because you are buying MY design on Ravelry does not mean you are buying it FROM me, and thus, I may have no ownership or profit over it.  But back to the question at hand…

Steps in creating a pdf knitting pattern:

·       Knit the sample

·       Write and grade the pattern

·       Edit the pattern

·       Test the pattern

·       Photograph the sample

·       Layout

·       Final proof

·       Pattern support

Garment

Knitting the sample for a garment could take anywhere from 42-86 hours and beyond.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 20 hours, and the greatest was 120 hours.  Last summer, while working on my Sumi Collection, I knitted both the sweaters in the collection twice.  It’s likely that a designer will do a fair amount of ripping back and reknitting, and the complexity of the garment will greatly affect the number of hours it takes to complete.  It’s true that some designers hire this part of the process out, but that means that instead of time they’re spending lots of money to have something knit, which cuts into profit.  (And there are other issues at play, such as fair pay for sample knitters.)  For the most part, most designers I know knit most of their samples themselves. 

Writing and grading the pattern can take anywhere from 4.2-11.6 hours.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 1 hour, and the greatest was 20 hours.  This is a lot of computer time, and I find it needs to be done when I mentally at my sharpest.  (Ie., not after my kids go to bed, which is when so much of my work gets done!)

Editing the pattern is usually hired out by a tech editor, but even so, in my experience still takes some time on my part as well.  It can take anywhere between 1.25-7.25 hours to edit a pattern.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 1 hour, and the greatest was 10 hours.

Testing the pattern can take anywhere between 1.8 and 3.2.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 0 hour (since not all designers test), and the greatest was 6 hours.  When a designer does test a pattern, it takes regular check ins with testers to make sure no issues or questions have arisen and to answer them when they have. 

Photographing the sample can take 1.75 to 3.3 hours.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 0.5 hour, and the greatest was 6 hours.  This is is so different from designer to designer.  Does the designer use an auto timer and a white wall in their house?  Do they do a photo shoot with a model?  Do they hire a photographer or do it themselves?  How do they edit photos?  

Layout can be simple or complicated, taking between 1.4-2.6 hours.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 1 hour, and the greatest was 3 hours.

Final proof & uploading can take between 0.95 and 1.15 hours.  The least amount of time a designer reported for this part of the process was 0.25 hour, and the greatest was 3 hours.  All those details don’t land in the Ravelry database themselves – it takes time!

Pattern support is a total wild card!  In this day and age, most people expect you to not only create the pdf pattern, but also to help them with their project as needed.  (At all times and places, I’ve found.)   I fully want customers to approach me when they find errors or just feel that something is unclear.  That said, the majority of questions I get are not those, but; people who either don’t know or understand how to do a particular technique, or have made a mistake themselves but have trouble seeing their error and think the problem is with the pattern.  While I was putting together this blog post, one of the designers I questioned said that she’d just spent an hour combing over a pattern looking for an error, when[3]  in fact, the knitter had made a mistake and the pattern was correct.  There could be an entirely second blog post on this topic!  For now, I’ll leave it at the fact that it could take anywhere from 0-endless hours and it is very hard to calculate this time spent. 

Final tally: It can take anywhere from 53.1-113.65 hours and beyond to produce a quality sweater knitting pattern.

BOOM. 

Does that seem like a lot to anyone else? (Because it makes me want to cry into my cuppa tea.)  That’s a lot of time.  Let’s say we knitwear designers would love to get paid the lovely liveable wage of $25/hr.  (Which I think is quite modest compared to what I’d actually love to get paid.  I have bills to pay, a house to fix, and geez- I haven’t been on vacation in 7 years!  The Caribbean is calling me.) 

That means we would ideally be paid from $1327.5 and $2841.25 to produce a knitting pattern.  If the average garment pattern is $7.50 then the knitwear designer (me!) needs to sell 177 -379 patterns to make it worth their (MY!) while.

BUT WAIT!  That doesn’t include expenses!  While I can do many things for my business and pattern creation from the comfort of home, there ARE expenses, and those come AFTER I’ve made my (ahem) 379 pattern sales.  They include:

·       Yarn (if I haven’t received yarn support)

·       Knitting needles

·       Tools and accessories like buttons

·       Charges for my website hosting

·       Charges for my eletter service

·       Membership to Adobe, which I use for layout and photo editing

·       Fees paid to Ravelry and Paypal every time I make a sale (and these can add up to A LOT)

·       My camera, to take all those pretty pictures with (or paying a photographer)

·       Modeling fees, if I’m using a model

·       Tech Editing Fees

·       Fees to pay folks who might be creating my graphics, like schematics and charts

·       The computer that I’m writing this blog post on

·       Paying a sample knitter if I’ve used one

·       And on and on…

Since I just did my taxes I happen to know that currently, whatever I bring in for cash flow, I spend about 50% of for my business expenses.  This will certainly look differently for everyone, and probably if I sold more patterns my percentage of profit/loss would change.  But for this blog post, we’ll go with 50%.  This means that actually, to make a liveable wage making knitting patterns, I need to sell double the amount of patterns as the number stated above, so between 354 -758 patterns. 

That’s a lot of patterns.

In this world of digital and social media, looks can be deceiving.  Someone who appears to be doing amazingly on social media may not be actually making the kinds of sales that make knitwear design a profitable business.  Sure there are a few designers out there who seem to be KILLING IT, and I commend them.  Hopefully, they’re making a liveable wage.  Or perhaps not, because, as I said, social media doesn’t really tell us anything.  But by far and large, many designers do not sell this many of every single pattern they produce.

Knitting pattern design is a hard business to be in.  (I think about this a lot.)  For starters, there is a low price point for something that takes quite a lot of time to create.  The only way to pay yourself a liveable wage is to sell a LOT of every individual patterns.  The catch 22 is that in order to use your product, the customer has to first of all have the prerequisite skills to be able to knit it.  Then they have to be willing to spend tens and tens of hours producing it themselves!  They have to be willing to wear it or gift it to someone they know, which is to say, it also has to be in line with their personal style.  It’s a much harder sell then say, a candle or a handbag.

All this is not to whine or complain, but rather, to make us think twice about patterns and how we support independent designers. 

I’ve had people say to me before, “I’d only pay $2 for that.”  Or ask me to give discounts to themselves or their customers just because they’re giving my pattern a shout-out on social media.  And often, customers wait until I have a sale to buy the pattern they’ve been lusting over.  But here’s the problem with that- if we are only ever willing to pay designers less than a fair price for their work, then it won’t be a sustainable job for anyone.  And all those amazing knitting patterns that inspired your knitting project in the first place… poof!

Because I know how much work and effort goes into a knitting pattern, I happily support other designers.  When I get the rare moment for personal knitting, I gladly hand over my money to someone who has put such a beautiful idea into the world.  It’s what gives them the ability to do that creative work and continue to inspire all of us!  And I’m always grateful when someone supports my work.

This isn’t a particularly profitable business to be in.  The independent knitwear designers I know do this out of passion and not because they’re getting rich.  So the next time you buy a knitting pattern, remember that your money isn’t just disappearing into cyber space – it’s allowing creativity to flourish.  And equally importantly, it’s probably putting food on someone’s dinner table, paying for their kid’s glasses, or maybe putting a new roof on their house.

(And maybe someday it might even send them to the Caribbean.)

That’s money I can feel good about spending.

AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary: an Interview with Andrea Rangel

 Last year I had the pleasure of meeting my long-term online friend Andrea Rangel.  It's a funny old world when you can have a pal that you've never met in person, isn't it?  Needless to say, I was super excited to meet Andrea, finally, in the flesh.  I was even more excited to see and hear more about the project she was working on at the time.  Andrea's knitting at the time of her visit consisted of swatches for her recently released book, AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary.  It was so nice to hear the story of Andrea's book (it's a good one).  And now that I've seen the stitch dictionary, I can so empathize with how much work went into knitting each swatch - there is quite a range and some of them are both quite beautiful, and quite complex.  Today I'm sharing the story of AlterKnit with you, via a blog interview with Andrea herself.

Me: Andrea, I so loved hearing about the collaboration between you and your husband Sean (?).  Would you tell us a little bit about how the idea for this book came about, and the role that Sean played in it's creation?

Sean has helped me with colorwork designs for years. He has a background in fine art and has always been interested in my projects. It was actually his idea to create a stitch dictionary that was just colorwork motifs. He helped me develop the concept for the book, and once it was approved by the publisher, he designed all two hundred of the motifs and helped me decide on colors. The whole project was definitely a  collaboration! 

Me: Since this book is a collaboration with your husband, maybe you could tell us the story of how you met?

We met on a school bus in Tucson, Arizona when we were in high school. We were going on a drama field trip and ended up sitting next to each other. It turned out that he was friends with a lot of my friends, including being the drummer in my friends’ band. For some reason, I found a sudden desire to learn to play the drums, and after a few lessons, we started dating. We’ve been together ever since!  

Me: Do you envision any future collaborations?

I often ask for help when I’m working on colorwork designs, so yes! I’m not sure if we’ll do another huge project like this, but I’m not ruling it out.

Me: Quince & Co. is a favorite yarn company of mine, so of course I love that you used it for the book.  Can you tell us a little bit more about how you chose the yarn and palette for the book?  I love how thoughtfully curated all the colors are!

After experimenting with a few different yarns for swatches, I realized I wanted a yarn that would have a smooth, sharp character to it. I wanted the colorwork to be as clear as possible, so even though more classic options like Shetland woolen spun yarns are more forgiving in colorwork since they tend to bloom and obscure tension inconsistencies, I chose to go with a smooth worsted spun to get that clarity. Quince and Co. Finch is a balanced  worsted spun fingering weight American wool that comes in a great palette of saturated colors. I chose which ones to use by cutting up my color card and swapping out different colors until I had a palette that was basically just full of my favorite colors. 

Me: Do you have a favorite motif in the book?

They’re all so different that it’s really hard to name one that’s my favorite! But Hippos comes to mind as one that just makes me happy.

Me: Do you think it's possible to estimate how many hours it took you to do all these swatches?  I would love if you shared more about the process of knitting so many different swatches!

I did all the math for this when I was prepping to create the swatches, but I can’t remember what my calculations were! Each swatch took me between three and six hours, and I was knitting at least two a day for about six months. Each swatch is the same number of stitches and rows with garter edges and some steek stitches for cutting (they’re all worked in the round.) I had a spreadsheet with all the colors planned out, so each day I would check my list and make whatever was next. I knit far more than two hundred swatches because we eliminated a bunch that didn’t work or that we didn’t both love. I was very relieved when I sent the last batch off to Interweave

Me: Tell us a little bit about the patterns!  I love that the Bikey Beanie and Skull & Bones Pullover can be adapted by switching out a different motif from the book!  What do you envision knitters doing with these?

The book patterns are there to give just a few practical examples of how colorwork can be used in knitting patterns, and I hope that knitters do just knit the patterns as they find them. But like you said, I also encourage folks to swap out motifs and explore their own ideas! There’s a section on how to do that, including a bit of math, so knitters don’t have to guess how it’s done. I envision the patterns as a bit of scaffolding for knitters’ creativity. I hope that they’re inspired by just flipping through the book and that they just start adding colorwork to everything! 

Me: When I saw you last summer, I think you mentioned hopes for the book - that it would inspire other designers.  I can tell you that my mind started spinning immediately when I got the book and started flipping through the pages.  What would your dream for the book be?

We’d love to see a whole lot of new colorwork patterns and projects in the world!  Our dream is that designers get inspired to make things with colorwork - that they use the charts in the book in their own patterns, and that they’re inspired to modify, adapt, and create their own! And I hope that knitters are encouraged to take on challenges and get excited to expand their knitting skills. My goal is that the book gives an extra confidence boost and a bit of enthusiasm to knitters and designers to use colorwork in their knitting.

Me: Do you have any plans for classes or events where folks can see the swatches and samples in person?

I’ll be teaching at Vogue Knitting Live Chicago March 9-11, 2018, and at Beehive Wool Shop in Victoria March 24 and March 31, 2018. You can learn more about upcoming events on my website and stay in the loop by subscribing to my newsletter.

Thank you Andrea!

A Year in Review

It's cold outside.  (Really, really cold.)  I'm sitting in my new studio with a fresh cup of tea and swathed in layers of wool.  On three sides I have a beautiful view of woods, snow, trees.  It's a lovely place to wonder at winter's beauty without stepping into the sub zero temperatures that we've had for the last several days.  It's a good time and place for contemplation.  But I find that the days before and after the solstice often are.

It's hard not to sound trite when I say this, but what a year it's been. 

For years my husband and I have been daydreaming about moving from the city to a would-be homestead in the country.  We've been dreaming for so long, I began to think it was the sort of dream that would never come into fruition.  But here I am, sitting in my new studio in the country.  We've not even been here three weeks yet.  Haven't even been here long enough for our routines to be automatic or to have unpacked the box with (name that thing here) in it.  But as my son said the first day we were here, "It's already starting to feel like home."  

Our bed now sits under two big windows.  Instead of seeing into our neighbor's apartment, when we go to sleep we look at the stars.  And when we wake up we can see the sun just starting to peek over the horizon.  I can just imagine how glorious it will be in the summer, when our garden is in full bloom.  When we began this year, I had no idea this is where we'd end it.

I came barreling into the new year in the midst of releasing my first book.  February and March finally found said book into the hands of readers and I was a little bit burnt out.  I took the following months slowly and spent some time on selfish knits and lots of sewing.  I spent a lot of time thinking about the book I'd made and the process.  The thing I new from the moment I sent it to the printer (even as I was saying the words "Don't ever let me do this again,") was that I was hooked.

I loved making a book.  It felt like all the stars had suddenly aligned and all my miscellaneous skills came artfully together to make something I am immensely proud of.  It was certainly a learning experience, and I know what I would and wouldn't do differently next time.  But I've spent every minute since dreaming and scheming about my next book.  (And how to fit that into my life.)

This year was also the first full year that I returned to work (outside the home) since my daughter was born.  Working part time has been a gift.  We all benefit from the school community we're now a part of - me as a teacher and my children as students.  Though I'm really enjoying working, it has become more and more of a challenge to find time to fit my design work in.  (And what about that next book?)

Over the last few years I've worked hard, and often wondered if designing had a future for me.  In all transparency, this is the first year where I've thought that this could be something that is not only a creative outlet, but that could also help pay some of our bills.  I'm proud of what I've done. 

And I'm grateful.  I have so very much to be grateful for.  There will be moments in the days ahead to set goals and think about where this business is going, how I'm going to find time to work on another book, when I'm going to fit in home renovations, etc., etc.  For now I'm going to ignore that.  Instead I'm going to sip my tea, look at the snow covered trees and feel the deep gratitude I feel for all that this year has given me.  

I'm so grateful to be here friends.  Thank you for continuing on the journey with me.

What are your would be hopes and dreams for Thread & Ladle?  I'd love to know!

Lopapeysa Knit Along

IT'S TIME.

Whether you've never knit a Lopapeysa, or if you're a baller Icelandic knitter, it's Lopapeysa time.  In celebration of releasing my Lopapeysa inspired pattern, Studies in Ice, I'm kicking off a Lopapeysa Knit Along.  Here's the details:

The pattern, Studies in Ice: Skaftafell was first published in amirisu Winter 2015. I knew I wanted to redesign this sweater to be knit in an Icelandic yarn. I realized that, as it has no colorwork on the arms or lower body, it would be simple to add more chart options to the original. Studies in Ice includes four colorwork yoke options, including the original Skaftafell from amirisu. The pattern is sized for women, but includes modifications for men as well.  And that's not all!  There's a DRESS VERSION!  The pattern will be released on August 17th, which is the kickoff to the KAL.

The Knit Along: You don't need to knit Studies in Ice to participate!  Any Lopapeysa, or Lopapesya inspired sweater will do!  I love Icelandic yarn, but if you prefer something else, that's fine too! 

Dates: August 17th, 2017 through October 15, 2017.  (Though I'm sure none of us would blame you if you get started early!)

Prizes: You'll just have to wait and see what they are, but there will be a mid-way work in progress prize, and a finale prize.  Tag your knits on Instagram, #LopapesyaKAL to be eligible for prizes!  Be sure to post your finished Lopapeysa by October 15th!

In the weeks leading up to the KAL kickoff, share your plan with us!  On Instagram using the hashtag above, or in my Ravelry group HERE.

Let's Go!

Notes from the studio {June 2017}

Trying to make a business out of handwork is sort of an oxymoron.  Handwork is meant to be slow, meditative.  It takes time, as we knitters and sewists know well.  When you make work out of it, turn it into a business, there is suddenly a heavy pressure to speed it up and knit/sew/design/write patterns oh so quickly.  I've had designs accepted before by yarn companies or magazines only to have a completed sample (or two!) and pattern due six weeks later.  Crazy.

I've been striking a balance and trying to find the slow in this work.  It's been lovely, so, so lovely.  But I also realize that finding a balance in fact hasn't meant finding something that was already there, so much as letting go of some projects and saying no to others.  In other words, I haven't found a balance so much as I've been doing less.  And I've been falling back in love with my craft. 

This year I've knit twice from other people's patterns.  I knit Leila Raabe's Deschain and Stephen West's Smooth Move.  I was reminded of how fun knitting can be!  So fun!  I've been missing that joy as my hobby has turned into my work.  I've been turning over and over in my mind how best to maintain that while making this sustainable for me in terms of time, life/work balance, parenting, and still finding joy in what I do. 

At the moment I'm working on an independent collection, one which I'm very excited about.  Part of making it sustainable and joyful for me is knitting the samples in my own size.  Generally I like to be taking the pictures, so this is a leap for me, but one that I think will help me find more joy in my work.  Instead of finding garments in someone else's size to style my knitwear with, I'm making the garments I'd already want to wear.  I'm using the collection as a way to build a small capsule wardrobe of things I want to wear over and over again.  Which means there has been a lot of sewing of late!  Which is just one more way I've been finding joy and balance in my work. 

This is a funny old industry I'm working in, and I'm still trying to figure out what makes the most sense personally, business wise and creatively.  I know there is an answer in there somewhere, but giving myself the mental time and space to find it is important.  I hope you carve some of that out for yourself, whatever your personal needs are!

In the May Garden {2017}

May is like a sleepy yawn in the garden; things are just beginning to wake up, breathing slowly as they creep into remembering upward growth.  Most things are only just peeking through the soil except for a few early risers like this beautiful rose bush.  There were two of these beautiful bushes in our yard when we moved in and I've been trying to kill one ever since because its 1/2 inch thorns were dangerously toddler-face height.  It's still coming back strong every year.  My flowers are a hodge podge and I spent the morning uprooting Irises so that we can plant a fairy flower garden- all while my children played in the mud.  June is the star month of my flower garden, but I'm determined to make sure we have more of a flower showing in the summer months! 

Within: A Book Review

I've been so excited to add my book to the list of knitwear designers who have independently published beautiful books.  Among such names as Kate Davies and Carrie Bostick Hoge, I find the work of Shannon Cook and Jane Richmond inspiring.  Recently, Within: Knitting Patterns to Warm the Soul arrived in my mailbox.

From the moment you open the cover, to beautiful photos of candles and piles of gorgeous knitwear, the book does what it set out to do.  Besides being full of very wearable designs from both designers, they hit the nail on the head with the concept.  The photography, styling, layout, all elicit the feeling you get when the leaves start to turn and all you want to do is curl up by the fire with a pile of yarn.  Their artistic vision for the book calls to me (as I imagine it does for most knitters) and they executed it incredibly well.  The result is a book you'll want to crawl into. 

Besides having created a beautiful collection and a beautiful book, Shannon and Jane know what knitters need.  Every book contains an individual download code so that when you're schlepping your knitting around your beautiful book need not get dinged up.  Just print your pattern pages out and keep that book in gorgeous condition.  They know us!

Truly, I can't say enough good things about this book.  My only complaint?  I want more!  I can't wait to see what's up next for Shannon and Jane! 

MAINE knits: A Knit Along!

MAINE knits is finally winging its way toward your hands!  And I don't know about you, but I've got a checklist of patterns from MAINE knits that I want to knit for myself!  (It might be all of them.)  So let's Knit Along!  Here are the details:

• Knit any pattern from MAINE knits! 
• Cast on anytime- as soon as you get your book!
• Post your UFO's and FO's in the Thread & Ladle Ravelry Group, or in Instagram
• Use the hashtag #MAINEknitsKAL on Instagram
• Post your FO's by March 31st to be eligible for the prize.
• Two prizes will be chosen from posted FO's: one from the Ravelry group and one from the hashtag on Instagram.
• HAVE FUN! 

Some other news...

For those of you waiting to purchase the book, it is now available in my SHOP.

ALSO, in exciting news, the limited yarn used for the Broadturn Hap is available from Maine Twist.  I can't say enough good things about this yarn!  It's a really lovely blend of Maine raised Alpaca, Romeldale and Silk, spun in Maine!  Go grab it up before it disappears!

It takes a long time to make a book.  The best part is just beginning though; seeing what you all create from it!  Can't wait to see what you all make...

Notes From the Studio {Jan. 2017}

It seemed an impossible task.  There was the imagining, a whisper in my imagination, never shared out loud.  Then there was the tentative sharing, the floating of an idea.  And then action, trying to make the whisper into a living idea.  I had set myself the seemingly impossible task of making a book.  Having come a full year from the transference of thought into action, I have been forgetting what a monumental task I set myself; to self publish a book.  So flooded in the details of printing, shipping, answering emails to customers, that I have not had a moment to reflect on this at all.

I made a book.  That needs some time to settle, to percolate.  Time to be proud of myself, and reflect on the lessons learned.  And time to let the dust settle before I venture fourth again on another big project.  A challenge for me.

I'm thrilled to have done this thing, and thrilled to see it live out in the world.  But I'm tired.  My work takes place in the darkness, after the sun has gone down, after my children are asleep and when I should be too.  Or in the rare daytime moments when they are busy or off playing, and really what I should be doing is cleaning, folding, eating, exercising, or napping (because I was up late working, you see.)

This seems to be a common scenario for my creative friends with children.  It's not unusual for work at home parents or parents with small businesses.  All the work and life just gets smushed up together messily and stressfully.  Sometimes that is the reality, necessity with small children in tow.

But I feel myself suffering from this imbalance.  And my small children are growing so fast.  And so in this first month in this new year I'm setting myself some goals.  (Just under the wire, too.)

To take care of myself.  Not last.  But first.  Or at least second.

To take on less projects.  Only things that fill me up.  And to everything else I practice saying "NO."

To use this time wisely for self care.  Which is so badly needed right now.  I've been downright negligent.

To find more joy and breath in my creative tasks.  To write more.  To take photographs more.  To sew and cook and garden and knit for fun (and not just for work.)

I think that last task means an overall shift in my creative work and business.  I hope to be here more, on the blog, writing and sharing just for joy.  And to keep myself accountable. 

So, on the last day of January, off we go.  To balance and self care.  And you?

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Chelone Wrap

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Chelone Wrap

Pattern spotlight: Chelone Wrap by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (me) from MAINE knits

For me, simple does.  Nothing gets me like a beautiful all over stitch pattern in a gorgeous yarn.  This one is in one of my most favorite yarns, Quince and Co. Piper.  This piece is light, lacy and simple.  It's the kind of knit I want to wear everyday when the weather starts to warm.  It would be a very lovely wedding companion, beach companion.. the knit you'll probably wear well and often. 

This piece is the last piece I'm sharing with you from MAINE knits!  I'm so excited to get this book into your hands. 

Preorders close tomorrow, Dec. 22 at 10pm EST.  You can preorder HERE. 

FIND THE BOOK ON RAVELRY HERE

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Old Speck Cardigan

Pattern spotlight: Old Speck Cardigan by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (me) from MAINE knits

As I mentioned before, I wanted to be sure there were a few patterns in MAINE knits to meet all your family knitting needs.  I wanted at least one knit I could make for my husband, my son, my daughter... and ME!  Because really this is a style that is a wardrobe staple for me personally.  And while the pattern is sized for men, a few tweaks of sleeve and body length, and yoke depth and voila!  The pattern is sized for children and adults.  The green version (modeled by my husband) is knit in Bartlett Yarns 2 ply, while the gray is in Swan's Island All American.  In short, it will work with most worsted weight yarns.  And if you've never seen buttons from Wooly Moss Roots, you should pop over to their shop now, because their products are fantastic!

FIND THE BOOK ON RAVELRY HERE

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Agamenticus Cowl

Pattern spotlight: Agamenticus Cowl by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (me) from MAINE knits

There were certain boxes I felt had to be checked when compiling a book of knitting patterns.  A few simple, go-to patterns, with options for male/female and child/adult were one of them.  this cowl checks that box.  It is knit with a local yarn, a unique Gotland wool grown here in Maine from The Gray Sheep.  The pattern is written to include both a female and a unisex version, and in both adult and children's sizes.  It's a family staple!

FIND THE BOOK ON RAVELRY HERE

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Bittersweet Cowl

Pattern spotlight: Bittersweet Cowl by Carrie Bostick Hoge from MAINE knits

Knit in Quince & Co. Osprey, this cowl knits up fast, has a delicious texture and is super functional.I was so thrilled with the way this photo shoot came out!  I have had this hat for ages collecting dust, but it's something I won't part with.  I knew immediately I would use it to style this piece when I started thinking about styling.  The t-shirt Alicia is wearing in these photos (thanks again for modeling, Alicia!) is a Scout Tee I made from the Grainline Studio pattern.  It was important to me to style with some handmade items, as that's usually what you can find layered with my own hand knits. 

Here is Carrie to tell us more:

Bea: Where did the inspiration for this design come from?

Carrie: The inspiration for the Bittersweet cowl came from the backyard of my old house. It was wild, climbing over fences, trees, and wires. I know it's an invasive plant so I'm not supposed to like it, but there's something about the way it covers the world with green that I can't help but enjoy. And the tiny pops of color during the Fall are always pretty. 

Bea: What people, places or things in Maine inspire you and your work?

Carrie: One of the best parts of living in Maine is being near the ocean. The smell of the airy, the sound of the gulls, and the beautiful coastal scenes are truly inspiring. Always.

Bea: What is your favorite time of year in Maine?

Carrie: My favorite time in Maine is Fall. The plants turn into gorgeous shades of rusty oranges and reds which are incredible! The Fall festivals begin. The apple orchards are bountiful with fruit. It's a fun time to live here. Summer is beautiful, too, though. A day on the beach is pretty special, especially since the season is so short. Each warm day we have here is something to savor. 

Bea: Describe your perfect Maine day.

Carrie: A perfect Maine day would be going a Fall festivals with my family or apple picking...being outside in nature with my husband and girls is the best.

Thank you Carrie!

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Mountainside Pullover

Pattern spotlight: Mountainside Pullover by Alicia Plummer from MAINE knits

Alicia's style is always wearable, and this pullover is no exception!  Knit in Quince and Co. Lark with some perfect details, set in sleeve and seamless construction for perfect knit-ability too!  I was delighted that Alicia was willing to model for me and I can't wait to share the other pieces from this shoot! 

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Brookdale Vest

Pattern spotlight: Brookdale Vest by Elizabeth Smith from MAINE knits

Knit in Quince & Co. Owl, I knew this had to be in my wardrobe the moment I saw Elizabeth's sketch for it.  It is a simple, wearable wardrobe staple.  In Maine you need layer options for all seasons, and this vest fits the bill.  And to boot, it's knit in one of my favorite yarns!  I photographed this twice, as the first time I did so the light was fading fast.  A lot of photos from that first shoot were just too dark, but the ones I did get I think perfectly captured the farm-folk mood I was hoping for.

Here is Elizabeth to tell us more:

Bea: Where did the inspiration for this design come from?

Elizabeth: I was inspired by the Maine landscape and combining a rustic texture with classic lines. Specifically, there is an old farmhouse in my neck of the woods that has this beautifully textured stone wall out front and the house and barn have such classic, clean lines. It inspired me to create a piece that had that mix of rustic texture along with simple lines. I decided on a vest because I think they are such great versatile pieces and are flattering on many different body types. Plus they work as great layering pieces for our ever-changing northern New England weather!

Bea: What are your favorite Maine fibers, yarns, products, etc.?

Elizabeth: We're so lucky to have a number of great fiber businesses here in Maine. I am especially fond of Quince & Co - I love their philosophy and aesthetic and always enjoy knitting with any of the yarns in their collection, including their wool/alpaca blend "Owl" which is what I used to knit up the Brookdale Vest. And of course I'm a big fan of KnitWit Yarn Shop in Portland (I've been working there since 2012). Suzie, the owner, is a big supporter of Maine fiber companies and carries a good selection of different Maine businesses, such as Quince & Co, Twig + Horn, On the Round, Swan's Island and String Theory. It's always such an inspiring place to be in!

Bea: What people, places or things in Maine inspire you and your work?

Elizabeth: I'm really inspired by Maine's mix of small city and rural living. That combo of modern meets rustic. I'm one of those people who need to live in both a city and a country setting - I'm not one or the other and I enjoy and need aspects of both lifestyles. And it's one of the things I love most about the Portland area and why we've made it our home over the last 12 years. And this combo is something I try to incorporate in all of my designs - modern looks and silhouettes with a natural, simple aesthetic.

Bea: What is your favorite time of year in Maine?

Elizabeth: Fall is definitely my favorite time of year - the landscape turns golden, the temperatures drop and I can start wearing wool socks again! I also like winter quite a bit - it gets a bad rap, but I find the quietness of winter in Maine such a nice contrast to the lively summer months.

Bea: Describe your perfect Maine day.

Elizabeth: Spending the morning taking a walk with my husband and our 2 dogs along the Eastern Promenade Trail in Portland, stopping by Coffee by Design of course. Then enjoying the afternoon at our home in the woods, knitting in my favorite spot.

Thank you Elizabeth!

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Astrantia Pullover

Pattern spotlight: Astrantia Pullover by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (me) from MAINE knits

This is the piece I've been dying to share.  This piece has a very special place in my heart.  It's quite possibly my favorite thing I've ever designed.  After finishing the model size sample I immediately cast one on for myself.  (It was my Rhinebeck sweater.)  As I've worn it around I've thought, "I wish I could love every sweater I knit as much as this one."  It's simple, elegant, knit in a delicious yarn (Quince & Co. Phoebe) and flattering.  And the photo shoot for t came out amazingly.  I hope you love it as much as I do! 

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Sunflower Mittens

Pattern spotlight: Sunflower Mittens by Mary Jane Mucklestone from MAINE knits

A book of Maine knitting patterns wouldn't be much without the grace of Mary Jane Mucklestone!  Her beautiful mittens use a Maine yarn that has an awesome story.  You can't get more local than a yarn raised on a Maine island!  All things came together perfectly to create these mittens...

Here is Mary Jane to tell us more:

Me: Where did the inspiration for this design come from?

Mary Jane: I loved to plant sunflowers outside my back door when I lived in the woods, so they were my initial inspiration. For the actual motif, I riffed on border elements of an embroidered wall hanging my Norwegian great-grandmother made.

Me: What are your favorite Maine fibers, yarns, products, etc.?

Wool. I absolutely love Maine Wool. My favorite yarn is from my friend Jani Estell, of Starcroft Fiber Mill in downeast Maine. The wool comes exclusively from the sheep that live on a small island near her mill. My favorite Maine product is Maple Syrup!!!!!!! The best thing in the world.

Me: What people, places or things in Maine inspire you and your work?

I'm most inspired by the landscape, especially the hills and mountains. I love hiking in Camden Hill State Park and Acacia National Park, both on the coast with spectacular water vistas, and inland Baxter State Park is magical with endless trails.

Me: What is your favorite time of year in Maine?

Hmmm...I love the winter. I love the Fall for the colors. I love the Spring for leaves...finally some green after a long winter! And Summer - blissful, baking in the sun then jumping in the sea. So you can say I'm thankful for each season, and especially thankful to live in a place where each season is so distinct.

Me: Describe your perfect Maine day.

Morning coffee in the sun. A long afternoon hike to a high point with a view. Bringing my knitting along so I can spend some time at the top in the lofty quiet. Maybe jumping in a lake...Back home again, tired and happy, meeting family and friends for good food and a fire by the beach.

Thank you Mary Jane!

MAINE knits Pattern Spotlight: Broadturn Hap

Pattern spotlight: Broadturn Hap by Beatrice Perron Dahlen (me) from MAINE knits

The haps of Shetland offer endless inspiration to me.  Hardworking garments with beautiful details and a touch of lace are what make my heart sing.  When thinking about what my perfect farm chore hap would look like, I knew I wanted to contrast two colors.  I had worked with Maine Twist before and knew it had lovely drape and hand.  Nancy reached out and offered to do a special fingering weight mill of this divine yarn.  I knew it would be perfect for this design.  It's one of the yarns in the book that will be hard to find.  My hope is that folks will find their local yarn makers and support them!  It's what make amazing small batch yarns like this one possible.