This annoys me!

I found this posted here . It really annoys me but I think this is a perception about knitting that we are stuck with so I will stop whining now.

What do you think?

How Canadians will spend their golden years

Many call the phase of their lives exciting

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The first group of Canada's boomers will turn 65 next year, but don't expect them to pull out the knitting needles.  A survey shows they are gearing up and not shifting down.
Most Canadian boomers disagree with Paul McCartney's song 'When I'm 64.'  They say they won't be knitting by the fire and taking quiet Sunday drives.  The Investors Group poll found about 61 per cent of boomers are looking at retirement as an exciting new stage in their lives.
While 58 per cent say the lack work means they'll have more time for hobbies and travel.  But about 40 per cent will rely on their spouse for financial support.

An Interview with...Lorna Miser

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 Lorna here and here on Ravelry. You can find her blog here.

  

Where do you find inspiration?

I like to look at what people are actually wearing, not what “Knitters” are wearing. Just because a design can be accomplished doesn’t mean it doesn’t look like an afghan on a body to a non-knitter. I prefer more wearable garments that make non-knitters say “really? You knit that?!”

What is your favourite knitting technique?

I like worsted weight, easy-yet-interesting designs. I am not an engineer, but I do enjoy pretty, wearable garments.

How did you determine your size range?

I knit mainly for women and babies. Oh how I love to knit for babies. Perhaps as my grandchildren grow I’ll also start doing more children’s sizes?

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

I don’t really look at other designers. I just don’t have time to look around when there’s so many ideas bursting out of my own head. LOL.

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

I do much of my work myself. Occasionally I get a lot of deadlines at once and hire some knitting help and always use helpers for books. I like to keep my own fingers on the yarn in case a design or math element comes up that I need to address.

Do you have a mentor?

I did to get started. My angel’s name was Ida Clendenin. She was almost old enough to be my grandmother yet we felt like sisters where age was of no relevance. She taught me to dye yarn, spin, raise fiber animals, live in the country, love myself, think outside the box, relax, be a bit of a rebel, play with color, kiss llamas, take criticism gracefully, grow old kicking and screaming and love life and God. I am a better person for having Ida.

How do you maintain your life/work balance?

My sweetheart works swing shift so I can take mornings slowly, go for a bike ride, do some pattern writing and match, then when he goes to work, I also apply myself to more creative and production work like knitting time. 

How do you deal with criticism?

I handle criticism about my work better than I did when I was younger. I know that my style and books is not for everyone. But I’ve learned to separate the “Business Lorna” from the “Personal Lorna”.  Ironically, Facebook has helped with this as I have a personal account and a business page. It helps me keep things in perspective as to who would want or need to know certain information from me.

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

When I had Lorna’s Laces I made a very nice living, in fact, I supported our family of 5 for over a year when I put my husband through Physician’s Assistant school. Later when my marriage was over my now-ex-husband told me I would need to find a “real job”. I was writing my first book and already supporting myself with full time design work. I continue to do so. I believe in myself more than he did I suppose.

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

A career in knitting? I believe designing or teaching are the places to form a career. Find a niche or specialty and become the expert on it. Teach it, write about it, believe in yourself.

Role Models and your Knitting

Self development guru's often talk about using people who are successful in the way that at you want to be as role models. I think I've done this a lot in my own life by looking at the behavior of others.When I had a job at a large corporation in a huge department of many people performing the same function and all making the same money I was struck by how some struggled from paycheck to paycheck while others seemed to enjoy an apparently different level of abundance in their lives. By asking carefully worded questions I was able to pick up a lot of financial tips (especially the what not to do kind) that I still live by today. 

When I was trying to lose weight I asked two of my thin friends how they kept  their slim figures as it seemed to be so effortless from my perspective. I got great strategies from both of them and found out that it wasn't effortless. Knowing that is part of the key to searching for your own approach in dealing with these dilemmas in life. 

I've also been struck by how less successful types will refuse any advice from people who have already accomplished what they themselves want. A unhappy single friend once told myself and and another married friend that we knew nothing about how to achieve a happy relationships because we both already have great husbands. Duh! That really shut the door on us giving any dating advice and she is still unhappily single today. Another told me that I know nothing about how difficult it is to save money because I have private income from my corporate career. Her income is approximately double what I earn yet I still have a larger retirement savings account and the ability to pursue an independent design career.

Knitting can be a metaphor for life for many of us. Watch your knitting friends and see how they deal with challenges. Do they give up at the first sign of trouble or do they take a course to learn new skills? Do they knit the same garter stitch scarf over and over and complain that they are bored of knitting? Do they explain away the successful projects of others as "well that's easy for you because....or do they ask for advice on how to achieve the same or even better results? Do they keep on trying new methods and refining their skills by practicing? The only way you get better at anything is to challenge yourself on a daily basis and that works for your knitting, your financial management and all other areas of your life.

Who are your knitting/life skills role models and what could you learn from them?