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
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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!
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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.
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Episode highlights:
The 10 common mistakes, how you can avoid them if you follow these steps:
- Tell a story - share the vision behind your design and sell the editor on it!
- Clearly illustrate your idea through sketch or photo
- State the design skill level
- DON'T list yarn as "generic" - be specific!
- Know your yarn! What's hot and new? Do your research!
- Provide multiple swatches - especially for special shaping: armholes, necklines, bust shaping
- Follow the designer guidelines and style before submitting to a publisher/yarn company
- Deliver what you promise - if you suggest a garment then be ready to write your pattern in multiple sizes
- DON'T send your proposal in the body of an email with photo attachments
- DO create a 1-2 page pdf containing all the components in one document
Click here to get the free checklist!
Click here to learn more about the benefits and rewards when you become a patron of Power Purls Podcast!
Knitting often dictates life, and life often dictates knitting.
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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
- Become a member. Support the podcast.
- www.Patreon.com/PowerPurlsPodcast
