Indie Designer Gift-along 2016: Nancy Whitman Interview

NANCY WHITMAN

Welcome to this year's set of interviews for the Indie Designer Giftalong over on Ravelry. I will be interviewing designers in the giftalong, as I have done in previous years, so you can get to know some more designers. I really enjoy doing interviews, and this year is no exception.


Hey there! How would you describe yourself, and your designs to someone who might know who you are?
Overall I would describe my designs as having a strong graphic element, be it with color or stitch patterns. I tend to favor geometric patterns, but am inspired by pattern period.

How did you start knitting?
When I was 7 or 8 years old, I described a scarf that I wanted to my paternal grandmother. She knew that it could be done via crochet. While she made the scarf for me, I sat with her and she taught me to knit and crochet. That was the start of it.

Rushmore Hat

What made you want to be a designer?
I have always been a designer, but never actually thought of wanting to be one. I would knit or crochet clothes for my friend’s dolls or stuffed animals. I just never thought of it as designing. Perhaps it was because my grandmother made clothing and other necessities, plus a meager living, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. Growing up, I knew people who were very talented in these areas, but none thought of themselves as designers. Starting in my 20s, I rarely followed a commercial pattern, and when I did, I always changed it. Still, I didn’t think of myself as a designer. This was a time when knitting and crochet magazines were known by name, but not the designers. It wasn’t until quite recently that I had the idea to publish my own designs. There was no conscious idea to become a designer, it just evolved.

Piet on Point

Your shawls are very unusual constructions, how do you come up with a design in your mind that is that complex?
It’s funny, but the modular garter stitch shawls come fairly easily to me. It’s the other ones that are more of a challenge. Eden Prairie, Piet on Point, A New Slant, and High Street Shawl were pretty straight forward. I can see them in my mind and then dive right into the knitting or pattern writing. Garter stitch’s 2:1 ratio of rows to stitches certainly helps with the designing. Sometimes, these patterns can pose more of a challenge when set on a diagonal or if there is short row shaping. Mind Over Miter was one that was not fully conceived in my mind. I found an online image for a stripe pattern that appealed to me. I copied it into an image manipulation program and started to play around. In a program like that, you can create multiple layers of the same design. After rotating some 45 degrees, I was moving one layer over another when the U-shaped mitered stripes jumped out at me. At that point, I had the overall shawl design.

Mind Over Miter

Do you have a favorite design you have designed?
Yes, Mind Over Miter. It was a challenge to come up with the best construction order and to get the pattern on paper in a coherent way. Completing it was an accomplishment.
 
Who is your favorite knitting role model?
It would have to be my grandmother. I’ve told this story before, but it couldn’t be more true. My grandmother was an immigrant and barely spoke English. We didn’t spend a lot of time together and when we did, it was difficult to communicate. She passed away when I was in my early 20s. At the time she taught me to knit and crochet, I lacked the perspective to know the potential impact of what she was giving me. More than 50 years later, I have lived a life of knitting. It’s the one creative endeavor that I always come back to, it has brought me close to people I would otherwise not know - closer in fact than I was to my grandmother, it has allowed me to spread joy knitting for others, and to now represent myself as a designer. Knitting has allowed me to have a mail order yarn business before the internet ( yes, I am that old), and now to have an online yarn shop, Whitknits.com. It has been such a defining and treasured gift, one that I was fortunate to receive and for which I am eternally grateful.
 
If you had one yarn to knit with for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
It’s tough to pick just one! At this moment in time, it would have to be madelinetosh tosh merino light. I have used it quite a lot and love the yarn. I always prefer a soft wool yarn, but if you gave me a second choice, perhaps a blend of wool with a bit of cashmere, yummy!

Gardener's Shawl

 What is an essential knitting tool you constantly use, and can’t imagine your knitting without?
Nowadays it’s my computer. I can knit all I want without one, but not if my knitting needs to be reproduced by other knitters. I had to become disciplined and knit at the computer and record my progress. I can’t write patterns any other way.

Bocce

 What advice would you give to newer designers or people who are considering designing?
I have three pieces of advice that I learned the hard way:

1. There is no accounting for taste. There are knitters who appreciate all kinds of designs so don’t get discouraged if you don’t love everything you design. My most beloved designs are by far not my most popular, and some that I thought were just okay, have done better than I could imagine. Part of designing is a numbers game and developing a following. So hang in there and keep designing!
2.  Use test knitters, tech editors, photographers, sample knitters, and anything else available to you to publish quality patterns. It costs money to put out a good product. Don’t be reluctant to spend it. Even if you do all that, you will have to make corrections and send out revisions, but they will be few and far between. You don’t want to get a reputation for a shoddy pattern. Just imagine a knitter’s frustration with your mistakes. Also, investing in your patterns will help you with the next piece of advice. 
3.  Don’t undervalue your work. I see designers who charge $1 - $2 for patterns. I would think twice before buying a pattern from a designer who either didn’t have the confidence in his or her work product to regularly ask for a fair price, or who didn’t do what is required to make sure the pattern is clear, concise, error free and professional looking. Most folks don’t mind paying $6 or more for a quality product.

Tappan Zee

What do you have upcoming as far as designing?
Later this month, I will be releasing a pattern for a one week mystery knit for a 3-hour cowl. Actually, the testers knit it in 2 hours and 45 minutes. It will be a quick project for any last minute gifts. Also, I am working on a design for Brooklyn Tweed that will come out in 2017. I can’t say more about it than that right now, but I’m really excited about it. Once that is done, I will be doing more with cables and stitch patterns. I have some ideas that have been rattling around in my head and now it’s time to let them out!

Thank you so much for letting me interview you! How can people follow you and your designs?
I should be thanking you for this interview. I was thrilled when you asked. For those who want to follow me, I am including some links below. Happy Knitting and Happy GAL, Nancy
Ravelry patterns: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/nancy-whitman
Ravelry Goup: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/whitknits-what-knots
Whitknits.com: http://www.whitknits.com/index.php?main_page=
Newsletter: http://whitknits.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2783ffe3...

For a chance to win your choice of a pattern from Nancy Whitman, please leave a comment on this post, telling me what design by Nancy is your favorite, and you will be entered to win. The drawing will take place on December 13th, so make sure you get your entry in!

Giveaway Results: Alex Tinsley

It is time to giveaway a pattern from Alex Tinsley!

Post number 2, normallyabnormalknits. Congratulations! You have won the pattern from Alex Tinsley! I will contact you on ravelry. 

Giftalong 2014 Series: Interview with Corley Groves

As you know, I am all about this Indie Designer Giftalong. This year I will be doing interviews, hopefully more than last year, starting of with a bang.

I have met a new-to-me designer, and have really enjoyed hosting this interview with her for you. I am not going to say much in the beginning, so you can hear all about her. Enjoy this special interview!

Corley Groves (cagroves91)

How did you start designing?
I've always loved the idea of designing my own patterns. But never thought I'd be able to do it. Then one day I decided that I just go ahead and try it! If it didn't work then oh well! But if it did work, I'd feel so accomplished. So I started with something that wasn't too complicated - my Lattice Baby Hat. I had so much fun during the whole design process that I knew I wanted to stick with it!

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
The most unexpected places. I never know what's going to inspire me until it happens. My closet, stitch patterns, fabric, scrapbook paper... Pretty much anything!

How did you find out about the Giftalong?
I was browsing through the Designer's group on Ravelry when I saw a post about the giftalong. I had never heard of it but as I read what it was all about I knew I wanted to be part of it! Such a wonderful community of knitters and crocheters.

What do you want to accomplish while in the Giftalong?
Hopefully I'll be able to knock out my gift knitting! I also hope to knit a few gifts for myself along the way. And if I sell a pattern or two along the way that's a bonus.

You are a designer in the Giftalong, but are you going to be a knitter?
I will definitely be a knitter! I think it's a great way to take a break from my designs and see what patterns others are putting out there. It's a great way to find inspiration and reflect on myself as a designer. And with so many lovely patterns to choose from I'm very excited to knit a few of them.

Photo Courtesy of Corley Groves

(Diamonds and Cables Cardigan by Corley Groves)

Do you spend money more locally or on the internet while buying yarn?
The internet. The closest LYS is 45 minutes from me so my options are chain craft stores or online. And I find the quality of yarn I can get online better than the chain stores. Usually I shop Knit Picks yarn. Great prices and great quality.

What other crafts do you do other than knitting?
Everything! Well not really, but I try! I crochet, sew, embroider, scrapbook, other paper crafts... I can also cross stitch and latch hook but rarely ever do them. Basically if it's a craft, it's my goal to learn it! Next up: learn to spin!

English or Continental?
English. One day I will learn continental. Knowing both will make color stranding much easier and quicker.

 

Photo Courtesy of Corley Groves

(Ruffle Butt Diaper Cover by Corley Groves)

When did you learn to knit?
When I was in eighth grade. I picked up a kit on how to knit at a school book fair and took it to my Gammi's (Grandma) house. She used to knit so she spent the afternoon teaching me. I learned to cast on, knit, and purl. I practiced all the time! Then when I wanted to learn more, I got on the computer and looked up how to do it. Gammi hadn't knit for years so she was a bit rusty.

Who is your best knitting/designing role-model?
There are so many designers who have inspired me in some way. Whether it's their style or their types of patterns. But one that I am most inspired by (and knit more of her patterns than anyone else) is Boknits. I've tested about 5 of her patterns. I'm so impressed by how quickly she can turn out designs. She always has a few on her needles and a few in the testing process. And she has a distinct style and sticks to it. I think it's very important to stay true to who you are and your style as a designer.

As you have heard from Corley, I have had a great time with this interview. I love how she doesn't just do knitting but she does crochet too, and there are a lack of crochet designers in the Giftalong.

How to contact Corley Groves:
Ravelry: cagroves91
Designer Page: Designs by Corley Groves

Please join in the fun over in the Indie Designer Giftalong Group if you haven't already. Very awesome patterns and there are plenty of chatters over there (me included).

As always, you can contact me:
Ravelry: Punkin97

It is best for you just to send me a PM (by clicking on the 'send a message' button).

Indie Designer Gift Along 2014 Has Started!!!

Yesterday was the start to this 2nd Annual Indie Designer Giftalong. If you are new to this event and don't know what it is about, or  you were in it last year, but you don't remember about it, I will tell you all you need to know.

First thing is first, it is hosted primarily on Ravelry. It has it's own group: Indie Design Gift-along.

Next, this is an event in which you knit presents for the holidays and such, but you can knit yourself something as a "gift" to you. There are a bunch of designers this year, almost twice the amount of last years. They discount select designer's patterns off the list for one week only. This year it is from November 13, 2014 to November 21, 2014. The designers are listed in the page on their group, right here. Or if you don't want to look at them all like that, there is a thread here that the designers have posted a collage of their discounted patterns.

There are also some Pinterest Boards for the patterns. These are new this year, and they are really awesome idea. I am so happy that these are here actually.

When you are ready to check out and buy the patterns, on the purchase page it will have a place to put the coupon code and this year the coupon code is: giftalong2014 and you will get 25% off.

Now let's talk about my projects, shall we?

First of all (and that is already casted on):

Copyright Megan Williams

(OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams)

I will be knitting it with this yarn:

Photo Courtesy of mereoshop

(Patons Kroy Socks Stripes in colorway "Mulberry Stripes")

Second of my projects will be:

Photo Courtesy of Larissa Brown

(Curvaceous by Larissa Brown)

And my yarn I am going to use:

Photo Courtesy of gailcastle

I don't have a photo of the other one, but it is Quaere Fibers sock yarn in an undyed color, just white. 

Then hopefully I will have time for a third project:

Photo Courtesy of KnittingSarahS

(Sorrento Cowl by Sarah Sundermeyer)

I don't know what yarn I will use since this is knit in super bulky yarn, and I don't have any in my stash, so I will probably just hold worsted double. 

So, as you see, I have already purchased pattern, and started on project, I am so excited to be doing this again! 

I will hopefully be hosting interviews again this year. If you are interested, you can see my interviews from last year right here.