In this episode, Kara chats with special guests, Chelsea Fitch of Knit Fitch, Francoise Danoy of Aroha Knits and Claire Probst of We Love Knitting to share details about FiberBoss College LIVE. If your wish is to profit from your passion, then this is a must-listen to episode!
Power Purls Podcast is now a live weekly video show! Join Kara Gott Warner on the Power Purls Facebook Page each week to watch live and interact with the week's featured guest. Click here to follow Power Purls on Facebook, and get a reminder when Kara goes live every week!
In this episode, Kara chats with Julie Crawford, founder of the lifestyle blog, KnittedBliss.com. Julie is smitten with the written word, cozy knits, international travel and domestic pleasures. On the knitted bliss blog, Julie helps knitters and crafters get inspired by sharing projects, recipes and reflections on the crafting life!
[Tweet "I'm listening to Knitted Bliss Blogger, Julie Crawford on #PowerPurlsPodcast #knittingpodcast"]
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today I'm answering a common question among budding knitwear designers: "Should I design for magazines?" We'll go over the main items you should consider before submitting a design proposal to a magazine, as well as my top tips for success in this area. If you've been wanting to grow your knitwear design biz, give this episode a listen!
[Tweet "Should you design for magazines? Weigh the pros and cons with this week's episode of the #PowerPurlsPodcast #knitweardesign"]
Trisha Malcolm's episodes - Episode 1 and Episode 72
If you need help with planning out your path to magazine publication, or you'd like someone to review your design proposals, book a FREE consulting session with me and we'll go over it together! Click here for all the details.
Support the show on Patreon and get:
Click the button to join our community!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara's Project Manager, Jess Cook, is here to talk about her work as a Virtual Assistant and Project Manager in the Fiber Arts industry. Jess works for a variety of creative business owners, most of whom are in the fiber arts industry. She creates email newsletters, blog posts, website copy, and educational content for her clients so that they can focus on the most important work of running their businesses and growing their empires.
"Be open to the conversations that come up in your daily life where you can find an opening to offer your services."
-Jess Cook
[Tweet "Learning about the world of Virtual Assisting from @JessCookOnline on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Her website - Jess Cook Online
Instagram: @JessCookOnline
Facebook: Facebook.com/JessCookOnline
Twitter: @JessCookOnline
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara welcomes Tara Swiger back to the show! Tara first appeared in episode 61, and now she's back to talk about the ways her business has changed since she was last here - including an increased focus on the practice of mindfulness. Tara has worked with makers and artists for seven years, helping them learn to explore their own enthusiasm and build businesses they love. Now she has a new branch of her business, helping people who want to build a business that doesn't include handmade products. In today's special episode, which premieres here and on Tara's own podcast, Tara and Kara discuss their thoughts on mindfulness and share tips for how you can build a mindfulness practice of your own.
“Mindfulness is just paying attention - to where you are and how you feel. From there, you can make better decisions."
-Tara Swiger
[Tweet "Building a #mindfulness practice with @TaraSwiger and @KaraKnits on the #PowerPurlsPodcast"]
Tara first appeared in Episode 61 - listen here
Website: TaraSwiger.com and EssentialEnthusiasm.com
Instagram: @TaraSwiger and @EssentialEnthusiasm
Her podcasts: Explore Your Enthusiasm and Essential Enthusiasm
Facebook: Facebook.com/TaraSwigerPage
Twitter: @TaraSwiger
YouTube channel: TaraSwiger.com/youtube
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/Tara_Swiger
Take an educational journey all about short row shawls! This challenge, sponsored by the lovely folks at Berrocco, will help you master this shawl shape and empower you on your intuitive shawl-making exploration. Click here to sign up!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Today Kara talks to the Editorial Director and Vice President of Vogue Knitting, Trisha Malcolm. Trisha was the very first guest on this podcast, so we're so glad to have her back again today! Trisha is a magazine publisher with a focus on fashion-forward designs that adapt to the needs of today's knitters. Listen in as we talk about the special 35th anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine!
“It's a creative job because every issue is different, and every time something new happens, it's exciting!”
-Trisha Malcolm
[Tweet "Behind the scenes of @VogueKnitting - listen in on the #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Trisha's first episode on the podcast
The 31st anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting magazine
Deborah Newton's cover design for the issue - her "best design ever" - and you can win a kit to make it!
The Vogue Knitting trip giveaway
Stitchucation shawls challenge
Tracey Purtscher's new book - featured in the anniversary issue
The free collection of 35th anniversary patterns
Website: VogueKnitting.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/VogueKnittingMag
Twitter: Twitter.com/VogueKnitting
Pinterest: Vogue Knitting
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode I actually got to host a live interview during the Podcast Movement conference with Katie Krimitsos, the founder of Biz Women Rock!. Katie specializes in group and 1:1 coaching to help female entrepreneurs build businesses that will enable them to have the freedom to design their own lifestyles. She is the voice behind the Biz Women Rock! podcast and the Facebook group of the same name.
“I fell in love with the idea that any individual could create this thing called a business that could really be the ticket to the freedom to design the life we really want.”
- Katie Krimitsos
My 3-day challenge to help you use your stash and WIN!
The Podcast Movement Conference
Voxer voice messaging app
Zoom video conferencing
Website: BizWomenRock.com
The Academy: BizWomenRock.com/Academy
The Podcast: Biz WomenRock.com/category/podcast
Facebook group: BizWomenRock.com/Group
Instagram: Instagram.com/BizWomenRock
Twitter: Twitter.com/Biz_WomenRock
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode Kara talks to knitwear designer and regular coaching client, Francoise Danoy. Francoise is a self-proclaimed Yarn Alchemist: she transforms yarn into knitwear designs for her tribe of Fibre Muses to enjoy, and also teaches others how to become Yarn Alchemists themselves. Her mission is to evolve and grow, and right now the way she does that is by helping her Fibre Muses dive deep into themselves to find their creativity and magic. As a result of working with Francoise, a knitter can transform her yarn into a piece of fiber art, as well as discover and benefit from the magical properties of knitting, in order to create a more meaningful experience.
“Knitting is a quiet kind of magic that not only allows us to take a skein of yarn and transform in into something new, but connects us to our past, helps us stay grounded in the present and shapes our future.”
- Francoise Danoy
[Tweet "Inspiration abounds when designer @ArohaKnits talks business on the #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
8 steps to creating a killer design (Kara I can't find a landing page for this only a direct download?)
Francoise's Tokerau Shawl pattern
Fiber Muse Alchemy kits – yarn club subscription from Francoise
The One Thing by Gary Keller
Website: arohaknits.com
Facebook group: The Fibre Muse Circle
Instagram: instagram.com/arohaknits
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode Kara is joined by Leanne Pressly, the CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Principal owner and multi-hat wearing fearless CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Leanne holds an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in English and has 20+ years of experience in sales and marketing. Prior to starting the agency, she owned a website design and hosting business for 10 years. She’s been a knitter since she was 18 and loves to spin yarn, make her own clothes and quilt. She lives in Colorado with her husband, teenage daughter and a menagerie of pets.
“The rapid pace of change means you're NEVER going to be in front of your social channels all the time. Half the battle is just having a solid social media plan and following through on the work. Let the rest go.”
-Leanne Pressly
[Tweet "Soaking up TONS of #marketing advice from Leanne of @Stitchcraftmktg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Deborah Robson's book: The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook
Stitchcraft Marketing - Leanne's company
Leanne's podcast, Business of Craft
Episode 2: Leanne's interview with Staci Perry of VeryPinkKnits
Smart Passive Income - Pat Flynn's podcast
Website: stitchcraftmarketing.com
Business of Craft Podcast: stitchcraftmarketing.com/podcast
Facebook: facebook.com/stitchcraftmarketing
Instagram: instagram.com/stitchcraftmarketing/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company-beta/10152753/
Pinterest: pinterest.com/stitchcraftm/
Twitter: twitter.com/stitchcraftmktg
In this episode, Kara welcomes Abby Glassenberg, sewing pattern designer, craft book author, teacher, and writer. On her blog, WhileSheNaps.com, she writes about the sewing industry, running a creative business, and the online culture of craft. Abby has been blogging since 2005 and shares the value of a blogging, and how hers is at the heart of her crafting business. She's also the co-founder of the Craft Industry Alliance, a trade association for crafting professionals.
Abby has an undergraduate degree in history from Johns Hopkins and a master’s degree in education from Harvard. She taught middle school social studies in Mississippi through Teach For America, and 6th grade in the Newton Public Schools before becoming a textile artist. She’s the author of three sewing books. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her husband and three daughters.
“Pursue your interests as though it was your job - every day, on a regular schedule, thoroughly and professionally. That’s how you build a job doing what you love.”
-Abby Glassenberg
[Tweet "I'm listening to maker, #podcaster & sewing designer @AbbyGlassenberg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Craft Industry Alliance - CraftIndustryAlliance.org
The National NeedleArts Association - TNNA.org
Association for Creative Industries (formerly Craft Hobby Association) - CraftAndHobby.org
Website: whileshenaps.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/AbbyGlassenbergDesign
Instagram: Instagram.com/AbbyGlassenberg
In this episode, Kara talks about how to develop you knitting super powers - and WHY that means you need to go out on that ledge and take some creative chances! This episode was inspired by Melanie, who is part of the Power Purls Community and she participated in the Stitchucation Shawls Workshop. She recently completed her shawl and it opened a world of possibilities for her. Here's what she posted ...
I loved going out on a ledge and trying a yarn I wouldn't have tried. I loved having so much choice, as in what to do next (which of course gives me 101 ideas for the next shawl and the one after that!) I have learned that by the time I am annoyed by the row length, I'm almost ready to bind off! And NOW, I cannot tear my eyes away from this beautiful shawl!
Even the wisest scholar can’t give you wisdom. They can point the way, but you must develop wisdom through your own experiences.
Taking that chance, means you're willing to trust yourself! This helps you gain confidence and it's a step in the direction to begin your designing journey. What I encouraged in the Stitchucation Shawls Workshop was to take an "intuitive journey" through shawl-making and fall in love with swatching, take chances, and go out on a "ledge" as Melanie says. This willingness builds your wisdom muscle, which is your SUPERPOWER!
You can catch Power Purls Podcast LIVE with Kara Gott Warner, host of the podcast, designer, illustrator, editor and your ultimate cheerleader on your yarn crafting path every Friday on the Power purls Facebook Page to join in during the live video!
In this episode, we're talking all things weaving with special guest, Liz Gipson, known as Yarnworker in the yarn universe! We go beyond knitting and crochet and explore the influence that weaving has had in the yarn crafting world over the past several years. Liz shares her experiences, passion and knowledge as an expert weaver, editor, author and teacher. Liz writes a popular weaving for knitters column for Knitty and regularly contributes to blogs and fiber-related publications.She's the author of A Weaver's Guide to Swatching and has had numerous appearances on PBS, DIY and HGTV networks, where she introduced weaving and spinning to the yarn crafting world. Visit her Patreon Community and help Liz build her online weaving school!
"Developing a strong responsible relationship with your readers and asking them to support you takes guts, but it's worth it. Authentic reader relationships pay off in so many unexpected ways and are infinitely satisfying—I firmly believe that community-funded content is the new black."
-Liz Gipson
[Tweet "Hey, I'm listening to @Yarnworker talking all things weaving with #yarn on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights:
- Liz shares how she launched a series of popular weave-alongs after she lost teaching samples
- How the weave-alongs spurred Liz into a new direction, launching her Patreon Campaign to create an online weaving school
- Liz expresses her gratitude that her weaving life allows for so many opportunities for reinvention
- She started her career as an occupational therapist, but then felt despondent and stumbled upon an opportunity to travel to New Zealand to learn about sheep and fiber production
- Liz studied wool science for a year in New Zealand which began her love affair with the yarn
- How she began career in the early days of craft digital publishing
- Learn how Liz created a bridge to from weaving to the knitting and crochet world with the introduction of small looms
Learn more about Liz:
Website: Yarnworker.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/Yarnworker
Instagram: Instagram.com/yarnworker
Patreon: www.patreon.com/LizGipson
MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ!
Click here to sign up for a free 60-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode, Kara puts on her editor's hat to talk about the top 10 mistakes new designers make so you can avoid them! In her experience as editor of Creative Knitting magazine, there are several of common proposal issues she would encounter. As you'll learn, some are very simple and easy to implement, but ... often easy to forget!
The world doesn't need another boxy sweater pattern. Tell the unique story behind your design. You are your own best marketing machine, and the design proposal is your best first impression.
[Tweet "I'm listening to how to avoid the 10 common mistakes new #knit designers make on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
The 10 common mistakes, how you can avoid them if you follow these steps:
Knitting often dictates life, and life often dictates knitting.
[Tweet "I'm listening to how to de-stress with #knitting on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Episode highlights
- Creating rituals surrounding our knitting
- How knitting can serve our anchor when we feel the ground fall from beneath us
- Knitting as a morning routine
- Why does knitting make us feel so good?
- What is knitting intuition and how can we trust in it?
- How spontaneously picking up your needles can be a form of therapy
- Bridging the gap between the technical and the divine
- Kara's journey to podcasting and her quirky approach
- Why Kara started Power Purls Podcast and where it's going
- Trusting the process when we're knitting even if we're not sure what comes next
- Kara shares her two parallel paths - creativity and heath and wellness and how she has "knit them together"
- Kara shares how her quest for wellness became passion to help others
- How a knitting journal can be a mix of technical and creativity and doodles. Find your intuitive quirky approach
- In the Power Purls Patreon Community, Kara shares "minisodes" that marry these two worlds
- How joining the Power Purls Community helps move the needle on your yarn crafting life
- PowerPurlsPodcast.com/Community to learn about workshops, challenges, unreleased recordings and group coaching
In this Q&A-style episode, Kara welcomes returning guest and "sidekick in crime," Tabetha Hedrick for another edition of Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything! Kara and Tabetha answer questions from live video audience during the live version of Power Purls Podcast, airing every Friday on the Power Purls Facebook page. Click here to watch the video and chime in with your own questions, or leave them in the comments below.
"How you put it all together thorough your own style, voice, and construction is what makes a design unique."
Episode highlights
- Judy asks: "How does one go about becoming a stitcher?"
- Tabetha answers: It's all about reaching out and testing patterns.
- Kara answers: just get in there-- don't wait for all the ducks to be in a row!
- Fiber Boss Collective is a great resource for designers, knitters, with lots of activity about sample knitting and indie dyer resources.
- Why become a person of value by helping others in fiber groups will help you grow relationships.
- Why Ravelry is a good resource if you want to get into test knitting.
- Robin asks: "I am a combination knitter and I would like to know which stitches I need to do differently in order to follow a pattern and/or have my knitting turn out looking correct."
- Kara answers: If you are a combination knitter, purling English and knitting in Continental is a good idea because purling Continental can sometimes cause stitches to slant while working in Stockinette Stitch.
- Lousetta asks: "What makes a design unique and/or how many differences in a pattern makes it new? When can a designer claim it as a new submission?
- Tabetha answers: How you put it together thorough your own style, voice and construction is what makes a design unique.
- One of the biggest questions most new designers have is knowing if it's allowable to use stitch patterns from stitch dictionaries to integrate into a new design.
- Jennifer asks: "How did you get started in the knitting/yarn industry? and how long did it take you to gain a following? I just designed & published my first pattern (working on my second one now) and I have a 2x a week vlog but I am so new that I do not have a large following. Help!"
- Kara answers: focus on building community and the big "P" word -- PATIENCE and why this is essential in the beginning. It's about creating a community and growing this overtime. It doesn't take a huge following to make a sustainable living.
- Tabetha answers: keep on designing, and give personalized attention with yarn companies. Don't give up!
- Kara shares why it's beneficial to look outside of the fiber world and gather ideas from mainstream online business people.
Resources
Fiber Boss Collective - A thriving community, founded by Chelsea Fitch for knitters, crocheters, indie dyers and designers.
1000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly (very long, but worth reading!)
Gabby Bernstein - self-proclaimed spirit junkie and encourager.
Marie Forleo - life coach and founder of BSchool
[Tweet "Do you have a BURNING knitting question? Join the conversation on the Power Purls Facebook page and Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything!"]
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
In this episode, I share how to become an intuitive knitter in 7 steps. As a former knitting magazine editor, it's all about the pattern, but sometimes relying only on a pattern can become like a crutch because we can get caught up in focusing upon what the pattern says instead of trusting our own wisdom.
Do you like the way most knitting patterns or written, or do you feel that it's time to reimagine how we navigate a pattern that includes a more open-ended intuitive approach?
Join the conversation on the Power Purls Facebook page and leave your answer to the question above here.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Meet Tara Swiger, marketing expert, author and host of Explore Your Enthusiasm podcast. Tara works with makers and artists to create a sustainable, lovable businesses. She does this through her books, the weekly podcast, online classes, and her in-person workshops. She leads adventures for makers who want to explore your own definition of success!
In this episode, Tara shares tips and strategies from her new book, Map Your Business a workbook of exercises designed to help you create your own personal blueprint to reach goals that are important to you, and how you can use it to define success, set goals and make a plan that you can stick with! In this book, Tara takes an integrative approach, encouraging you to align your life and business, and she invites you to take a look at your progress each quarter to make sure you’re on track.
Website: TaraSwiger.com
Podcast: Explore Your Enthusiasm
Facebook: Facebook.com/Tara.Swiger
Instagram: @TaraSwiger
Twitter: @TaraSwiger
Business and marketing books:
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future, by Chris Gillebeau
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk (the book that Tara was mentioned in and one of Kara's faves!)
Podcasts:
Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn, check out episode SPI237 with Lauren from Girly Knits
The Ask Pat Podcast - Get your online business questions answered, 5 days a week.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Opening music credit: The Ether Life by Macroform
Community on the web: VickieHowell.com
The Knit Show on Kickstarter
Facebook: Facebook.com/vickiehowell
Instagram: @VickieHowell
Click Here to Join the Stitchucation Workshop 5-Week Workshop, Beginning May 1. Join Kara for 5 full weeks of intuitive shawl-making!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this episode are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase and there is no additional cost for you to do so. When I make a recommendation, it is because I have personal experience with these products and have used them myself. I only recommend products I believe in and suggest them because I know they will be helpful, not because of the small commission I make if you decide to make a purchase. The commission I earn helps offset the production expenses that I incur to produce Power Purls, and by purchasing products through these links, also helps you to become a supporter of this podcast and for that, I am truly grateful.
Opening music credit: The Ether Life by Macroform
In this episode, Kara chit chats with Tabetha Hedrick, Design Director of Sweet Georgia Yarns, and Contributing Editor of Creative Knitting Magazine. Tabetha is also Kara's sidekick in crime co-host of the Ask Kara & Tabetha Anything series. In this episode, we share details about the upcoming Stitchucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge and Workshop starting April 10, 2017, sponsored by Sweet Georgia Yarns.
In the extended, patron only version, you're in for a treat because Tabetha closes the convo with the 5 top things to master when submitting designs to yarn companies and craft publishers. This is valuable advice that you can use in any of your professional endeavors.
Check out the benefits of membership here.
Sweet Georgia Yarns: SweetGeorgiaYarns.com
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Productivity apps: Asana and Evernote
Inkwell Press Planners: Inkwellpress.com
Stitcucation Shawls 5-Day Challenge. Sign up here!
Challenge special: enter Stitch10 at checkout to get 10% off Sweet Georgia Yarns
Che Lam is the creator behind the knitting blog, Handy Kitty. She was once the in-house knitwear designer at Drops Design in Norway. Today, she she works as a freelance designer, with her designs gracing the pages of popular knitting magazines, including Knit Scene, Creative Knitting, and Pompom.She is also the author of Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares. Che is a contributor to the Annie's Signature Designs Spring Breeze Collection of knit and crochet pattern designs.
Originally from Hong Kong, Che currently resides in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fashion and design has always been a passion of hers, although she graduated as a civil engineer. She followed her heart to pursue the dream of being a knitwear designer.
"I love to create simple and aesthetically pleasing things. As a designer, to see my ideas taking form from sketches to finished knitting, and finally as inspiration for others, is the best feeling ever!"
- Che Lam
[Tweet "5 BIG questions to ask yourself before designing knitting patterns with Che Lam on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"]
Website: www.HandyKitty.com
Che's Lookbook: www.handykitty.com/look-book
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/designers/handy-kitty
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/handykitty
Annie's Signature Designs: www.AnniesSignatureDesigns.com
Grading resource: The Craft Yarn Council
Support Power Purls on Patreon! Check out the details here to learn how to become a patron of the show... there are some pretty sweet rewards for getting in on this ground-floor level!
If you're a designer and you'd love to go to The National Needle Arts Trade Show, but you aren't sure what to expect, listen in to today's show, with Kara's guest, Meghan Jones, to get her take on what happens there and to get some great advice and tips for newbies on how you can make your visit to the show really worthwhile.
Meghan, who lives in Spokane, Washington, with her husband, three kids, two dogs, one cat and six chickens, works full time as a knitwear designer and also nurtures obsessions with sharks, gardening, cooking, and chickens- though not necessarily in that order. She is a prolific designer, with a BFA in fiber and textiles. Meghan got on the cover of Creative Knitting Magazine in 2011 and she's still with them today, creating designs and tutorials and she was recently named the Creative Knitting Newsletter Editor. Listen in today and find out what first brought her to the two pointy sticks and also all about her recent experience at The National Needle Arts Trade Show, in San Jose California.
Today, Meghan talks to Kara about:
Links:
Meghan's website: www.littlenutmegproductions.com
Meghan on Pinterest: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Twitter: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Instagram: @meghanjoneslnmp
Meghan on Facebook: Little Nutmeg Productions: Knitwear Design By Meghan Jones
Recommended book: The Dip by Seth Godin
Chelsea Fitch was drawn to yarn as a child - the colors just sucked her in and mesmerized her from her youth. Fast forward years later, when Chelsea was living in Japan and she learned how to knit. She started with continental knitting and she could not get enough of it. She quickly consumed everything she could about knitting and learned all she could. Something told her to start making videos of her knitting and that was the catalyst for what has turned into Chelsea’s knitting empire. Although she’s only been knitting for 3 years, she’s taken action on her ideas along the way and she’s made herself and integral part of the knitting industry. She’s currently pouring all her efforts into KnitFitch.com and she also has courses available at FiberBoss.com. Chelsea's not done yet, because she also might revive her podcast as some point. I can’t wait for you to hear the story of her foray into the knitting world and I hope that it will inspire you to jump in and be a part of the knitting industry!
Chelsea’s Courses are available at the Fiber Boss Campus at fiberboss.com
Instagram @knitfitch
FiberBoss.com
Have you ever thought about creating a physical product? The task seems a bit overwhelming to most of us. Today’s guest took the overwhelming tasks of product creation to a whole new level. Not only did she hone in on her target customer, but she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to validate her idea! Simply brilliant!
Today, we are talking with Mariah Clark. She’s been designing bags for more than 6 years and prior to that, she has spent more than 25 years working with yarn. She has a degree in Apparel Design from Virginia Tech and she even spent time in Paris, studying couture sewing! She is the owner of Stitch Amour, a brick and mortar yarn shop in Waynesboro, VA. Her new venture is Laurie Laine knitting bags. She’s here today to talk about the design process, the Kickstarter campaign and the popular Duo bag!
Listen to the episode as Kara and Mariah discuss:
You can pre-order the Duo bag at www.laurielaine.com.
Do you love working with beautiful yarns? And have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a yarn manufacturing company? Then join Kara Gott-Warner as she goes one on one with her guest for today, Amy Gunderson. The topic of today’s discussion is the yarn industry and Amy has a few insider tips for you!
Amy, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the creative director for Universal Yarn. When she's not at her day job, she spends her time doing freelance design work for a number of publications, as well as doing tech editing for indie, knit and crochet designers. She's also a freelance graphic designer, focusing mostly on crochet charts. She is the author of two books and has been published in most major knit and crochet magazines, including Creative Knitting and Crochet. She's also done some teaching and article writing for magazines. On today's show, Kara asks Amy for her perspective on the yarn industry.
Join Kara and Amy as they discuss:
Links:
Amy on Ravelry: Amy Gunderson
Free giveaways from Universal Yarn: www.powerpurlspodcast.com/universalyarn
Amy's blog: www.universalyarn.com – go to the Blog option.