An Interview with... Cassie Miller

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world.



You can find Cassie at

http://www.azaleaandrosebudknits.blogspot.com/



and on http://www.patternfish.com/



Where do you find inspiration?



I love vintage fashion, so I look to my vintage knitting magazines and history of costume books when I need inspiration for a new design. I work in the fashion industry for my 'day job', so I end up reading a lot of fashion magazines and keeping up with current trends. Sometimes I see new trends that are really great to be translated into hand knits. I am also inspired by the unusual knitting techniques, like entrelac and mosaic knitting. There aren't tons of patterns that employ these techniques so I am inspired to create a pattern so that other people will want to learn these techniques too.



What is your favourite knitting technique?



I think it is a tie between entrelac and cables. Entrelac is so addicting, all those little rectangles that look so strange while being knit. I love creating my own cable patterns, so far they all seem to involve hearts. I think I enjoy creating the cable charts as much as I enjoy knitting the cables.



How did you determine your size range?



Knitters come in all different sizes, so I try to create a range from 30" to 54" bust.



Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?



Yes, I love to see what other designers create. There is so much I haven't learned yet, I like to see creative new ideas and hopefully come up with some of my own.



How do you feel about the so called controversy of "dumbing down" patterns for knitters?



I don't think patterns should have to be dumbed down at all. I usually ignore the difficulty rating of a pattern, if I am really determined I will be able to figure it out. I don't think knitters should be too intimidated by a complicated looking pattern. If we didn't dare to step out of the box, it would be hard to become a better knitter.



How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?



I do all the sample knitting. On Ravelry, I usually ask a few knitters to test knit my patterns if I am self-publishing them.



Did you do a formal business plan? No



Do you have a mentor? Not really. I learned to knit on my own from a knitting kit my mother gave me, and currently I usually do all my knitting by myself. I am inspired by Elizabeth Zimmermann, I think her style of knitting patterns that challenge knitters to think for themselves are really great.



Do you have a business model that you have emulated?



No.



What impact has the Internet had on your business?



Almost all of my business is conducted through the Internet, so it is of course very important to me. I only sell my self-published patterns online and have had patterns featured in the online knitting magazines Knotions and Popknits. The Internet has brought a way for knitters all around the world to connect, and I think it has really changed the way knitters interact. Sometimes I get receipts for my knitting patterns and find that the purchaser is from the UK or some country far from me, and it just thrills me to think that my pattern has made it halfway around the world.



Do you use a Tech Editor?



No.



How do you maintain your life/work balance?



It is hard, I usually end up knitting in favor of other household duties that should really be done first.



How do you deal with criticism?



It can be difficult to grow a thick skin, because after such hard work you would hope that the pattern is a crowd pleaser. But everyone has different tastes, so there will never be one pattern that everyone loves.



How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?



Designing knitting patterns is still a very part time job for me, but I love it wouldn't want to give it up any time soon. I hope in the future to make it my full time job.



What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?



If you are passionate about knitting and designing, then just knit as much as you can and read as many knitting books as you can. There is so much out there to learn. Also write down all your ideas and sketches. Eventually some of those doodles will evolve into a great pattern.

Three Needle Bind Off on Two Needles

Do you avoid this technique due to the awkwardness of trying to hang on to the 3 needles all at once?

Would you like to use this technique but you need an easier way?

First please review the normal version http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/FEATfall06TT.html

Now for the make it easier trick.....take a smaller size DPN or circular needle and transfer all of the stitches one at time alternating between the front and the back needle on to the new needle. Maintain the stitch orientation by slipping purlwise. Now do the bind off knitting into two stitches at a time from the left hand needle. Less fuss, same result.

An Interview With....Jane Thornley

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world. You can find Jane's site at http://www.janethornley.com/blog/index.php/site/index/








Where do you find inspiration?



Inspiration finds me on my travels or is gleaned from the natural world. A trip to Italy gave birth to an entire book of patterns (Knitaly) while Morocco inspired the Berber Jacket design. I also enjoy leafing through magazines, primarily fashion-orientated glossies, indulging in colors and shapes. Sometimes designs just seem to manifest from nowhere but, of course, they usually an on-going composite of ideas and impressions.

What is your favourite knitting technique?

Mixing simple stitches with glorious yarns.



How did you determine your size range?

Many of my designs fit all sizes, like wraps, but, since many of my fans are women of substance, I try to offer designs for all shapes.



Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?



I love looking at other designers work but my approach is usually so different I couldn't begin to duplicate them, even if I tried (which I don't). I'm very non yarnogamous and can no longer stick with a single yarn for a whole project.

How do you feel about the so called controversy of "dumbing down" patterns for knitters?



I don't like the term. As an educator of many years, I know that many people have difficulty reading standard patterns for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with intelligence or ability. People learn and process information differently.When my allergies act up, for instance, there's no way standard knit code makes sense to me. I prefer to offer lots of narrative and visuals along with the knit code to hopefully reach the widest number of people interest in trying my approach.



How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?



I do it all myself, as test knitters don't fit with what I do. I encourage tangents and explorations so there is no one right way of doing things.



Did you do a formal business plan?



No, I evolved from an administrative position to a creative awakening. Along the way, my skills played a role in how my business evolved and I'm sure it was intuitively strategic but nothing consciously planned.



Do you have a mentor?



Yes, many for all kinds of things but, over all, supportive friends have helped me unfold.


Do you have a business model that you have emulated?

No.

What impact has the Internet had on your business?

Huge! The Internet made my business.

Do you use a Tech Editor?

No, see response above. I'm an anomaly.

How do you maintain your life/work balance?

My life and my work are now one. After many years jumping hoops and conforming to standards, I have reinvented myself and encourage others to do the same. Acknowledge the rules and then do what feels best is my mantra. I keep a balance between home and travel with both an external and internal life. This works best for me.

How do you deal with criticism?

It surprises me sometimes how competitive the knit design business really is. When I first began, I'd receive the occasional lecture on what did or did not make a 'proper' knitting designer. I recognized the tone as something I'd come across in my other careers where degrees and diplomas and hoops jumped determined career trajectory but I've always believed that many roads exist to an end. I've chosen to follow my own.

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?

Knitting design supports my lifestyle of travel and love of yarn and teaching about both but I can't say I make a living from it. The business has evolved over four years.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?

Determine what works for you and don't accept the speed bumps thrown in your path by naysayers. These days, the Internet provides the tools for you to emerge on your own terms.