Knitting for hire

One of the reasons that I've been so quiet on here recently is my recent second-career is a knitter for hire. When I started creating my own knit designs, I would knit up the samples for photos myself and try to come up with creative ways of taking pictures of my own feet (although my husband did an excellent job with my last sock pics). It didn't really occur to me until I saw a posting for somebody needing a sample knitter that designers didn't always knit up their own stuff.

In the last few months, I've become involved in a couple of sample knitting projects - one for an independent publication, and also for a larger yarn company. They send me the yarn and the pattern, I knit it up and send it back. While that sounds ridiculously easy, I've discovered that there's a lot more to it. If you happen across an opportunity to knit for hire, here's a few things to keep in mind.

- You are providing the final image. Generally, when you're working from a pattern you have a photo to give you a general idea of what the item is supposed to look like. My first sample knitting project, I kept on looking for that photo to give me guidelines...and then I'd realize that I was knitting the photo. The whole knitting "blind" thing is a total trip and leads to nerves that you will accidentally create a knitwear Quasimodo of sorts.
- You have to pay a lot of attention to what the designer may have missed or miscalculated. They haven't necessarily knit up the piece, or it may not have been tech edited yet. Sometimes the math doesn't add up, or they forgot to put in a step. If you're not sure, ask! I'd rather stop knitting for a couple hours and wait for confirmation than have to rip back something later. The designer is relying on you to help them release the best pattern possible.
- You're on a deadline. I'm a serious offender when it comes to half knit items hanging around the house in a variety of bags. Sometimes I lose interest, sometimes I forget about it completely. Either way, there is no "I'll get to that later" when it comes to sample knitting. If they need it for a photo shoot on whatever date, you have to get it there on time!
- You don't get to keep it. You may have to put aside personal projects for a while (see aforementioned point, I'm good at that anyway) to get the samples done and no matter how much you love whatever it is you just made, you have to send it away never to be seen again. OK, well I should say that it will be seen again when the pattern is released, and then there will be the pride and excitement that accompanies that.
- You may develop callouses on your pinkie finger. That's just a fact that I had to share seeing as my right hand is currently sporting one.

I realize that doesn't all sound super fun but I have had several knitters say to me since I started doing this "that sounds like a blast" and don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying it. There's always the other side of the coin though and sample knitting is a serious business that does take a good amount of dedication. On the upside, it's a great opportunity to try out and discover new yarns that you may not have come across before! Of the 3 things I've knit up, there's 2 yarns that I would definitely use again (will post more once the patterns are released) and one that I loved in the hank but really didn't enjoy knitting with. If nothing else, I'm getting the aspirations to be a designer that can have others knit up my visions when I grow up!

Free Knit Pattern - Harpa Socks

HARPA SOCKS
by Natalie Jacobs

The Harpa sea shell is a natural beauty, with gentle lines and curves. The shell's ornamental ribbing is suggestive of the strings on a harp, hence it's name. Capture it's essence with these lace ankle socks. These are a cuff down sock pattern incorporating a pretty lace pattern for the instep, with some added ribbing interest on the heel. The yarn for this pattern is from indie yarnie Squoosh Fiberarts, in the "Shell" colorway - a perfect fit for this design.

Yarn: Sublime: Fingering by Squoosh Fiberarts (http://squoosh.etsy.com)
[420 yards (384 m); Superwash Merino Wool]
Other Materials: Set of 5 DPNs (2.5mm/1.5 US), Stitch marker (if desired), Tapestry needle
Gauge: 8 stitches / 10 rows = 1 inch in stockinette

Note: The lace pattern will make the sock seem narrow until it is placed on the foot, which will open up the lace and expand the sock!

Zig Zag Lace (instep):
Row 1 and all odd rows: p2, *k2, p2* repeat
Rows 2, 4, and 6: p2, *yo, k2tog, p2* repeat
Rows 8, 10, and 12: p2, *sl1, k1, psso, yo, p2* repeat

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cuff:
Cast on 60 stitches and divide evenly between 4 needles (15 stitches on each needle). Join in the round being careful not to twist. Place stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round, if desired.

1. Work k2, p2 ribbing for 6 rows

Note: This design is for an ankle sock. If you wish to make a longer sock, do additional rows of ribbing until the cuff is the desired length.

Heel Flap:
Work next 30 stitches all onto one needle for the heel flap in Braided Rib. The remaining 30 stitches are not used and will later become the instep of the sock.

2. With RS facing - Sl1, k1, p2, *skip first stitch, second stitch ktbl keeping stitch on left needle, k skipped stitch, slide both stitches off left needle, p2*, [repeat from * to * 6 times] k2
3. With WS facing - Sl1, p1, k2, *skip first stitch, second stitch p keeping stitch on left needle, then p skipped stitch, slide both stitches off left needle, k2*, [repeat from * to * 6 times] p2
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until heel flap is 20 rows (or is approx 2 inches long), then repeat step 2 once more to end with a RS row

Note: If you wish to accomodate a larger instep, do additional repeats to create a longer heel flap. You will then need to pick up additional stitches for the gusset and add more decrease rounds later.

Turn Heel:
5. With WS facing - Sl1, P16, P2tog, P1 turn
6. Sl1, K5, K2tog, K1 turn
7. Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1 turn
8. Sl1, K7, K2tog, K1 turn
9. Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1 turn
10. Sl1, K9, K2tog, K1 turn
11. Sl1, P10, P2tog, P1 turn
12. Sl1, K11, K2tog, K1 turn
13. Sl1, P12, P2tog, P1 turn
14. Sl1, K13, K2tog, K1 turn
15. Sl1, P14, P2tog, P1 turn
16. Sl1, K15, K2tog, K1

There should be 18 stitches left on the heel needle.

Gusset:
Needles 1, 2, 3 & 4 will now be designated.

17. Needle 1 - Using needle holding the heel stitches, pick up and knit one stitch in each loop along the heel flap, and an extra stitch in the space between the heel flap and the instep (11 stitches picked up total)
18. Needles 2 & 3 - Work across instep (30 stitches) with Row 1 of Zig Zag Lace pattern
19. Needle 4 - Using spare needle, pick up and knit an extra stitch in the space between the heel and the rest of the sock, and one stitch in each loop along the other side of the heel flap (11 stitches total). Knit across first 9 stitches of the heel flap

The center of the heel will now be the beginning of the round. Place stitch marker if desired.

Decreases:
20. Knit to last 3 stitches of Needle 1, K2tog, K1; Needles 2 & 3, continue with Zig Zag Lace pattern stitch across instep; Needle 4, K1, SSK, knit to end (2 stitches decreased)
21. Knit one round with no decreases, continuing with pattern stitch across instep

Repeat steps 20 & 21 until there are 60 stitches total (30 across bottom of sock, 30 across instep).

Body Of Sock:
22. Continue knitting all stitches for the bottom of sock each round (stockinette), but using the Zig Zag Lace stitch for the 30 stitches on the top of the sock until sock is about 2 inches shorter than desired length. End on row 6 or 12 of the pattern stitch

Toe Decreases:
23. Knit to last 3 stitches of Needle 1, K2tog, K1; Needle 2, K1, SSK, work across by knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches to create 2x2 ribbing until the last 3 stitches of Needle 3, K2tog, K1; Needle 4, K1, SSK, knit to end (4 stitches decreased)
24. Knit one round with no decreases maintaining the ribbing across the instep stitches

Repeat steps 23 & 24 until there are 20 stitches remaining. Move the stitches from the top of the sock onto one needle (10 stitches) and from the bottom onto one needle (10 stitches). Weave in with kitchener stitch or other preferred method for finishing sock toe. Weave in all ends.

© 2009 Natalie Jacobs
Pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not make items originating from this pattern for profit without prior consent from the designer. For any questions regarding the terms of use, please contact the designer at organicstills@gmail.com.

Thanks to my test knitters who helped me make sure that the pattern is clear and easy to read!

Jenn (http://woolverine.wordpress.com/)
Christine (Christine07 on Ravelry)
Michele (maprice on Ravelry)

A sneak preview

Since moving from England to California 12 years ago, one thing I have discovered is that I do not like wearing shoes. Apart from anything my feet are a seriously peculiar shape. We're not talking a parallelogram or anything, but they're short, wide and have a high instep. To put it simply, shoe shopping is a nightmare for me and sometimes I think that wearing the shoe BOX might be easier than wearing the shoe that's in it.

Of course, in the last couple of years since knitting regularly, I have discovered the beauty of knitting socks. They're small, fun and perfect as a portable project. The thing is that I really don't feel like I'm getting enough benefit from many of the beautiful sock patterns out there because I just don't wear socks that much and when I do, they're generally ankle socks anyway. This meant I just had to design a sock pattern to fit my Golden State style!

This is only a preliminary photo as these are currently having some yarn dyed up for them by an indie yarnie, and also being test knit to make sure that my pattern makes sense. I'm really excited about this pattern though and based on the response I received on Ravelry, they're already generating some interest! So, meet Harpa...The pattern will be available for free on this blog in 2-3 weeks will hopefully grace the footsies of many ankle-sock-loving knitters among us!

My design mojo is strong right now and although I'm not 100% done with this one, I'm already itching to get started on something new. Any suggestions on what pattern you'd like to see from me next?

I'd totally forgotten about this!

A while back, a certain Vickie Howell (who has hand-held me through much of the process of learning to knit courtesy of Knitty Gritty) was looking for crafters to send her information on themselves and their craft for a new project she was working on. I very randomly thought it sounded like fun and sent along my bio with a little picture of myself. Time went by and I somewhat forgot I'd even submitted my info...until this morning. I went to check out Vickie's new site - Craft Corps - and found someone very familiar staring back at me!Check out the comments of the post below this one and you'll see a little comment from Vickie letting me know that I am being featured. I'm truly excited and honored given that the site only just launched. Anyway, if you haven't already, I encourage you to send your info in to the site so that your story can also be told!

Fridayitis

more animals

Happy (Crafty) New Year!

2009 is finally upon us! While I'm not one for New Year Resolutions (just seems like setting up for failure), I have been formulating a list of fun crafty things that I'd like to try this year. I'm not under any assumption that I will actually manage to do all of these things, but one can wish! =)

- Try dying yarn with Kool-aid (perhaps move on to roving if that works out ok)
- Do the cross stitch pattern that I bought (see picture)
- Figure out if I really do want to buy that darn weaving loom!
- Finish the sweater that I've been working on for a year now that's been hiding...crazy cable patterns lead to long time knitting!
- Sew the curtains for our bedroom
- Learn to sew zippers properly
- Go on a couple of field trips with my camera (definitely need some new portfolio shots)
- Thrift more yarn (I had fun with my first sweater so will try to find more!)
- Attempt to felt something in the washer
- Write down a couple more of my knitting/crochet patterns. I have them in my head but not yet on paper.

In between all of this, my number one priority this year is to get my inventory fully listed on my own website and figure out the details of Zencart! I've been making some progress but definitely want to focus on it more.

If you have crafty things that you're planning this year, please comment below as I'd love to know what you're going to be up to!

What's your preference?

While making myself a handy new needle roll to carry my random assortment of knitting needles, I realized that it's perfect for keeping all the needles and crochet hooks I have in one spot. The problem is that I wouldn't want to carry it around with me all the time when taking my projects on the road. Personally, I tend to take whatever needles I'm using plus the yarn for the project, or alternatively my drop spindle and some roving. Either way, I want it all to fit in a medium sized tote bag.

I've been wanting to put some needle rolls and other similar items in my Etsy store, now that I am friends with my sewing machine, and I was wondering what you all use.

- Which needles do you carry with you?
- Do you carry in a tote bag or a drawstring bag?
- Do you like having a needle roll to carry everything at home and something smaller to carry on the road with you?
- Do you like having separate holders for your straights, DPNs, crochet hooks etc?

Please leave a comment and keep an eye out for the results in my Etsy store!

Sock Wars!!!

I may have to get this going sometime...

A new obsession!

Since learning to knit, and especially since joining Ravelry, I have heard about knitters who love to knit socks. I'd always wondered a little about this - why the sock obsession? Granted, sock yarns are available in completely wonderful colors, but I don't understand that concept of spending $20+ on yarn to make a pair. Perhaps it's because I'm someone who doesn't wear socks all that much anyway.

At the Super Bowl weekend yarn sale at my local yarn store, Unwind, in Burbank, CA, there was some very pretty sock yarn on sale for $2.50/skein so I thought I'd give it a try. All the other knit projects I've been working on recently have been quite labor intensive, so I decided to go for socks as a smaller, quicker project. I made a super cute pair of socks over the course of the next few days and, as if I needed a new thing to obsess over, I now realize what all the fuss is about! They're cute, comfortable and fun to make.

While I still don't think I could shell out a ton of money on sock yarn, no matter how gorgeous it is, I think that being on the hunt for inexpensive but nice sock yarn may be a new mission for me!

My knittiversary!

It's been almost exactly one year since my wonderful co-worker, Kim, taught me how to knit. It's somewhat unbelievable to me that this time last year, I was working on my first garter stitch scarf, which was crooked and somewhat triangular...although I was very proud of it! Today I cast on a cabled v-neck top, which will be my knittiversary sweater.

So, here's a quick thank you to my teacher and knitting mentor, Kim. She's the person that I go to when I'm trying to knit on my lunch break and don't have a stitch marker or cable needle, when I want to share my new yarn purchase (or when I want to see what yummy yarn she just bought), when I'm looking for a new pattern and want to look through her pattern books. She's entirely responsible for creating this little knitting monster and I wouldn't have had it any other way! =)

Getting back to being crafty

Now all the wedding business is mostly done with (still have thank you cards to organize), I can get back to being crafty once again!

Last week on ravelry, I saw a post for someone destashing some vintage Paton's Pebblespun yarn. As I'm always on the look out for yarn for my charity knitting endeavors, I got in touch with her and she sent it to me, with a bonus skein of yummy Manos Del Uraguay yarn. I immediately felt the need to knit it up but wasn't sure what I could do with only 138 yards of yarn.

With ravelry being the wonderful knitting resource that it is I found the Instant Gratification Scarf pattern which, as it turns out, is perfect for a low yardage project and it only took me two hours to do! I think this will probably be a pattern that I use many many times in the future as it's so quick and pretty - perfect for last minute gifts or just a quick project for that partial skein of left over yarn that's been sitting around.


Here's a quick description of how to do a twisted drop stitch:

1) Insert needle into stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
2) Wrap yarn around both needles.
3) Wrap yarn once more around the right needle only.
4) Pull yarn through both loops (the first wrap, and the original stitch).
5) Ta da! One twisted drop stitch.

Accepted to Ravelry!

I should apologize for my absence over the last week or so - I was preparing for the annual craft fair at work. It's hard to man your own store and try to run the place at the same time so sales weren't everything I was hoping for, but I did make a little extra cash to spend over the weekend!

Now that I am back, I have to tell you that I was accepted to Ravelry as a beta testing member. For those of you who knit but haven't heard of this site, I can only suggest getting on the list to join asap (it only took a couple of weeks to get accepted after I signed up for the list)!

The site provides a comprehensive way to keep track of your projects, needles, yarn and patterns that you want to try. It also has a database of yarns, an easy search for projects (including the function to add ones you'd like to try to your queue), and forums to touch base with other yarn fiends. As if I don't have enough website addictions, this one is just another that I love and will spend far too much time messing around on. So, come join me. If you're already on there, my user name is organicstills - look me up. :)

Not quite a scarf

So, I have started seeing a lot of neck-warmers about. They're not quite a scarf, but serve the same function when wearing a jacket, without generating bulk or unwrapping themselves from your neck at inopportune moments.

Seeing as I'm always looking for new things to do with low-yardage skeins of yarn, and had a lovely wool blend to play with, I thought I'd give it a shot and design my own. This one involves alternating stockinette and garter stitches, with complimenting 3 button closure.I'm really happy with how this turned out and seeing as it gives me such an opportunity to play with new stitches and fun yarns, I think I'll probably end up making a whole bunch for my Etsy store and holiday presents of course!