As many of you may have figured out, I am an unrepentant knitting pattern tweaker when it comes to sweaters. I almost have an inability to knit a sweater exactly as written. Not because I think there's anything wrong with the patterns, but because my brain just works that way. I see a pattern as a bunch of little parts, and my mind starts putting together the pieces in its own way, tailoring things to meet my own needs and whims. In large part thanks to running the Briar Rose Vintage Knit-Along, I've really started to think about my relationship with knitting patterns a lot lately.
So let's cut to the chase: I've decided that it's time for me to take the plunge and design a knitting pattern.
I don't mean a knitting pattern for myself (I've already done that) but a self-published knitting pattern. I'll see how the process goes before I decide if I want to throw my hat into the ring another time, or if I'm on the mark enough to even dare to try it again. One step at a time.
I don't want to say much about the design yet, as I'm still in the very wee early stages of the design process. I can tell you that it will be a cardigan in a large range of sizes, and I really hope it will appeal to both vintage and modern knitters alike. It draws inspiration from one of my absolute favorite vintage fashion items ever. It will include instruction for at least one interesting technique and will involve the use of color, though no colorwork skills will be needed or used. And at this point... that's about all I want to say until I iron out more details. :)
Knitting is something I truly love. I enjoy sewing, but it's nothing like knitting is to me. I love everything about knitting. The yarn, the needles, the process, the end result, the history. Sitting with a piece of paper and a calculator and quickly turning one thing into another. The fact that I can knit a sweater with the same basic skills as someone would have used 50 years ago, 100 years ago, or more. I can chose to knit for fun, for whimsy, for fashion or to keep from freezing to death. There is power in knitting. And I now find myself at the point where I'm ready to (attempt to!) channel my exuberance about knitting into something that I hope others might be able to enjoy and get pleasure out of, themselves.
Well, that was actually pretty anti-climactic writing about it! Ha ha. It's not a huge revelation as there are hundreds if not thousands of knitwear designers out there, so declaring I want to design something is hardly revolutionary. But for me, it's a big deal. So I thought I should share this with you while my little seed is starting to germinate. I may post some questions now and again for my knitting readers, to get some general opinions and do some size comparisons, and at some point I'll have to contemplate attempting to find test knitters. But that's down the road. Right now I'm focusing on selecting yarn (I'm waiting for a color card to arrive in the mail) and crunching numbers.
What's the worst that can happen? I design a cardigan that I love, not a single other soul wants to knit it, and life moves on to the next knitting project. Wish me luck! :)
