Tag Archives: Knitting

Have you heard the terms sample knitter, and test knitter, and wondered what the difference is?

Some folks may define those two terms a bit differently, but here’s how I look at it.

A sample knitter:

• Knits the pattern precisely as written
• Uses the yarn supplied
• Returns the sample to the designer/yarn company/ etc — whoever contracted them to do the work; they do not get the sample back
• Work to a specific deadline
• Paid, usually at an amount per yard

A test knitter:

• Knits the pattern precisely as written* (see my comments below!)
• Either uses their own yarn or supplied yarn
• Keeps their sample
• Work to a deadline (that can often be a bit more flexible)
• Usually not paid, but can be

I use both sample knitters and test knitters, but for very different reasons.

I hire sample knitters to make, um, my samples, when I don’t have time to make them myself. My sample knitters are awesome: not only do they make beautiful samples in a timely manner, they give me feedback on the pattern and take great pictures before returning the sample to me. I use that sample for my photography, and often loan it to the yarn company who supplied yarn support for their use in trunk shows etc.

I know a lot of designers use test knitters instead of tech editors. I rely on a tech editor to catch problems in the pattern (and have started having patterns edited by two different tech editors: no one is perfect! as a tech editor myself, I know this).  My testers are fabulous in finding errors, but that’s not why I have testers!

I use test knitters primarily to have multiple finished projects visible on Ravelry, to show customers what the pattern looks like in different yarns, etc. I also hope it gives something back to my fans: they get a chance to knit the pattern before anyone else. I am also flexible in modifications: I figure if one of my testers is interested in modifying a pattern, customers may be, and it’s nice for them to be able to see that. I give testers their choice of any of my other Ravelry patterns as a thank you. I have a set of policies regarding testing here, which I made in response to questions from test knitters.

2017 will likely not be as prolific as 2016 — 26 new designs is a hard number to beat, and much of what I’ll be working on won’t be published til spring 2018.

Having said that, I am working on a collaboration with another designer, and that should go live in fall 2017!  I’ll let you know more as things progress. I’m already testing some of the patterns (there will be five from me altogether) in my Ravelry group. That sweater-in-progress pic, above, is one of them. It’s now finished and will be up for testing soon!

I’ve had a couple patterns accepted by a third party…when those come out I’ll let you know. I’ll keep notes and in progress pics so I can show you the design process on those after they’re published. 

For self publishing, I have some lovely Anzula Ava. Expect to see a hat and a cowl in that. I also reviewed what yarn I do have in my design stash. Some gorgeous stuff! Expect to see some accessories and shawls with yarn from companies like Bijou Basin, Dream in Color, Koigu, and more.

The updated Wrought Cardi should be available in a few months. That’s being redone in Dragonfly Fibers Valkyrie; same gauge as the discontinued BFL, but I’ve updated the charts to eliminate the wrong side cable crosses. If you already have the Wrought Cardi as a single pattern in your Ravelry library, or the PDF of California Revival Knits in your Ravelry library, you’ll be getting the updated pattern as well. (The original pattern, in the print edition is still a great pattern, lol!)

Holy cow. 26 patterns saw the light of day in 2016. Many of those had been written and prepped in 2015, but still!

I published two sweaters: Fluvial (in Fibre Company Knightsbridge) and the Santa Cruz Cami (in in Anzula Breeze and Vera).

Knit Picks accepted proposals for the Flidais stole, Deco Hat, Isabeau shawl, Leanan Hat, and Winter Blooms mitts.

The Barley Wine Hat (available on Ravelry as well), in luscious Skeinny Dipping Polwarth DK, was part of a yarn club through Indie Untangled.

I published a bunch of other hats: the Brewery Hats collection, including BBA, Sour, Session, and Hops, all in Anzula For Better or Worsted; Wawona in Stitch Sprouts Crater Lake; and Ahwanhee, in YOTH Little Brother.

Cowls included three for Anzula in Croquet (Celadonite, Micaceous, and Owl Rock) and the Merced Cowl in The Fibre Co Cumbria.

2016 was great for shawls! Isn’t it Romantic, in Lorna’s Laces String Quintet, debuted at the winter TNNA show.  Beneath the Moon, in Mrs Crosby Reticule, is the big sister shawl to that one.

Caridwen, in Cloudborn Fibers Wool Worsted Twist, offered in both stole and shawl versions, is available as a kit on Craftsy as well as the single pattern.

Cayucos, in Anzula For Better or Worsted, Anzula Wash My Lace or Anzula Croquet; and Morro, in The Fibre Co. Meadow or The Fibre Co. Knightsbridge, saw me exploring sideways knit shawls in different yarn weights, with a big emphasis on the lace borders and texture.

Estuarine, in The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering, is a glorious mix of two colored cabled and textures, in a top-down Faroese-style shawl.

Sand Ripples, in Anzula Cloud, is one of my favorite shawls, and features a delicate two colored cable border with a bit of lace.

All individual pattern rights to Hitch were returned to the individual designers, including my own patterns: Thornhill Cowl, Stolen Jewels Mitts, and the Exakta Hat. I still have a handful of hard copies of Hitch available for sale via Amazon; if you’d like it signed, please be sure to message or email me when you place the order.

Craftsy Class

This was a big deal for me! My Craftsy class, Custom Colorwork Techniques: Mitts, debuted in May 2016. Filming was in April.  I loved the experience.

Here’s a link for 50% off my class (or just click on the above photo), if you’ve not yet checked it out. Remember Craftsy has a guarantee, so if you find it’s just not for you, they’ll refund you. (Fine print: Get this Craftsy class from Stephannie Tallent for 50% off. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires March 8, 2017.)

Shows

I attended both Winter and Summer TNNA last year. I didn’t have a booth at either last year; it just doesn’t make economic sense to do so. I did go to Vogue Knitting Live in Pasadena for an hour or two at the Anzula booth.

Indie Design Gift-a-long

2016 saw me participating in the Indie Design GAL again. I was thrilled to offer a series of blog interviews with other designers in November and December 2016 — if you’ve not read the interviews, please do!  

I feel it’s really important to try to highlight great work by other designers, and I also included a series of posts of designs I fell in love with from other designers in the GAL.

• Shawls
• Toys & Home
• Mitts & Slippers
• Hats
• Sweaters

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

 
Jane Richmond publishes fantastic sweater designs as well as fabulous accessories. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Jane: My favourite part of the GAL has to be the enthusiasm from knitters to join in and knit along together! Ravelry is such a vibrant community and I feel the GAL brings us all together in the spirit of giving and the holiday season.

Have you participated before this year?
This is actually my first year participating in the GAL! I’ve really enjoyed being involved in such a high spirited event!

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
Originally I had planned on participating in the GAL as a knitter — I wanted to make a few pairs of the Toba Slippers as gifts, but I completely dropped the ball and wasn’t able to make it happen this year.

I think those slippers would make an awesome gift. Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I think mittens and hats always make really great hand knit gifts! My Autumn hat and Lodge toque are particualrly quick knits, perfect for last minute gifts if you only have a few hours! My Woodstack mitts from our new book Within are super squishy and fun — and everyone loves fingerless mittens like Rathtrevor and Spate!

Those are all awesome. Thank you so much Jane!

Photos © Jane Richmond

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting (and gift-crocheting!) related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Tatsiana Kupryianchyk publishes gorgeous crochet patterns for home objects. Her overlay crochet patterns are unique and stunning.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Tatsiana: This year I am participating in GAL for the first time. What is my favourite part of this event?.. I don’t know… I am amazed by it in general. I love Ravelry very much. It’s a wonderful creative space for crocheters and knitters from the whole world. And GAL brings them altogether: designers and crafters. The GAL gives a great opportunity to feel you are a part of a huge community of creative and inspiring people. People who share their passion for yarn, designing and creating.

How did you get into designing?
I have been crocheting and knitting since I was a child. I was always inventing clothes and accessories on my own. But when I came to designing 3 years ago I felt crochet speaks better to me. Though I am very happy to knit when I have time. I have created two free knitting patterns: Blue Feather Sweater and Forest Spirit baby blanket. They are available on my blog (www.lillabjorncrochet.com) And I hope to design more home decoration in the future.!

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
I mainly design interior accessories and work in overlay crochet technique. My passion is mandala! I find it very relaxing to crochet mandala’s and to “colour” them with different yarns. I think my patterns can be great gifts for those who love to mix colours and textures… Basically I think any of my patterns can become a nice gift as they help to create home decorations (pillows, rugs, potholders and other) in your own custom colour palette which matches your interior in the best way. I also have several toy patterns which can be a perfect gift for kids.

Your crochet designs are amazing! Thank you so much Tatsiana!

Photos © Tatsiana Kupryianchyk

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Tania Richter publishes amazing pictorial double knit shawl, scarf, and stole patterns (as well as other things!). Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Tania: The community that builds from the GAL and seeing how it continues to grow through the years.

Have you participated before this year?
I’ve participated the last two years.

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
While I would absolutely love to participate, this year I got hit by a few deadlines. I’m hoping my schedule is a bit clearer next year!

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
The Epic Fox/Wolf Hat
Cloud Dragon Scarf
Steampunk Gears Scarf and Cowl
Neko Cat Scarf

Those are all fantastic. Thank you so much Tania!

Photos © Tania Richter

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Barbara (aka Browneyedbabs) publishes adorable toy patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Barbara: Seeing all of the other designers’ designs – I always discover new-to-me designers and exciting patterns for my queue.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, I’ve been in the GAL since it began in 2013.

Awesome! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I love joining in with the GAL and normally knit things for myself. This year I’m making a cowl (Adama by Hilary Smith Callis) for myself and I’m going to complete a cardigan I started during last year’s GAL (it won’t be eligible for the competition but I really want it finished!). I’m also planning to knit some baby things since I’m expecting another baby.

Good for you! I’ve found several things I want just for me too lol. Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Kids seem to love my Kitty puppet  and Kangaroo and Joey  puppets; they like the interaction and potential for story telling.
For adults, I’ve also had really positive reactions to the Chameleon which is quite unusual.

Thank you so much Barbara!

Photos © Browneyedbabs

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Kirsten McTeer publishes awesome accessory patterns including socks, mitts, cowls and more. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Kirsten: I love the atmosphere in the KAL/CAL threads. It’s like a big yarn party for six weeks! It’s also a great way to “meet” other independent designers and see their work.

Have you participated before this year?
Yes, this is my third GAL as both knitter and designer. I wasn’t too sure what it was all about the first time but I enjoyed it so I came back again last year and really had a fantastic time. I’m hoping this year will be the GAL’s best year yet!

Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
I am! I’m planning on knitting Badlands Hat by Kathryn Folkerth, Fathom Five Shipwreck Cowl by Raven Knits Design, Fiddleback hat and cowl by Heather Storta, and On Cloud 9 by Jo Torr.

 Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
No Your Other Left and Fossilised Ferns mitts seem to be popular mitts.

For people who like hats, Snow Over Leiden is a colourwork beret or Focalise is a ribbed beanie sized from baby right up to large adult.

Alternatively, for the scarf and shawl knitters, Yarnshine shawlette is a quick knit for a last-minute gift, and Armona would make a beautiful gift for a knitter to make for herself!

Thank you so much Kirsten!

Photos © Kirsten McTeer

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!

One of the things I love most about the Indie GAL (Gift-A-Long) is the chance to discover and/or promote other designers’ work. Over the course of the GAL I’ll be publishing gift-knitting related interviews with designers whose work I admire.

Clare Lakewood publishes lovely home and accessory patterns. Check out her Ravelry page here.

Steph: What’s your favorite part of the GAL?
Clare: I love finding new-to-me designers! There’s some incredible patterns out there by some incredibly talented people, and the GAL makes it easy to explore some of the best people have to offer.

Have you participated before this year?
I did! I participated last year, and enjoyed it so much that it was an easy decision to jump in again this year.

Awesome that you’re back! Are you participating as a knitter? if yes, what are you planning on knitting? if no, what would you, had you the time?
Unfortunately, some other things on my plate mean I’m probably not going to be working on a GAL pattern during the GAL. I’m still planning to use the sale to pick up a few favored patterns, though! I think Charby’s Tights are super-cute for all the babies my friends seem to be having!
Nancy Whitman’s Mind Over Miter is clever and graphic and I’d love to make one for me.
And I happen to love twisted-stitch socks, so Hunter Hammersen’s Enchase are right up my alley.

Which of your patterns do you think make the best gifts?
Like lots of people, I’m super-busy. For me, if I’m being honest, round this time of year it has to be a quick knit. The Zippertooth mitts are great because because they work up so quickly, and you can really play around with color to suit the recipient. Pika is a great choice for babies, for the same reason!

And for those that don’t have a cold-weather Xmas (this Australian is acutely aware of that), Pomelo is a great choice. It is a slightly bigger project, but super-great for taking to the beach.

Thank you so much Clare!

Photos © Clare Lakewood

Don’t forget to check out the Indie Design Gift-A-Long group on Ravelry to join in the fun!