This is what a designer does

This is what a designer does:

How does a person design a knitting pattern? There are steps.

The idea

First, you need an idea. For this project, I started with some friends.

These are good, dear people visiting a cold climate (my neck of the woods), and I want to keep them warm. With only a short time, the inevitable conclusion was: make them wristwarmers!

The process

My usual process:

• Start with a general idea;
• Sketch;
• Swatch;
• Measure gauge;
• Do all calculations;
• Write out a preliminary pattern without images and print it;
• Knit from the pattern, making changes when necessary.

This time, was slightly different. I thought about each individual's personality, found stitch patterns that I thought would suit them, and made a sketch with measurements and pencilled charts, making all notes and row-counting tick marks are on that original page.

Once all the wristwarmers were washed and blocked, it was photo time. Enter the handy models:

The alpacas wanted in on the action, too:

Add the photos to the pattern, make it a PDF, and enjoy the end result: Circle of Friends, a nice, neat ebook containing all 6 patterns.

So now that you know what goes into making a design, are you ready to give it a try?

Circle of Friends ebook- $9.95
buy now | add to cart | show cart

Picture This

So today I finally had a photoshoot for a design-in-waiting. No, you can't see it - yet. It has to be secret until it's released. Sorry about that. All I can tell you is that it's an Egyptian-inspired accessory. Various photos show it styled with reproduction Egyptian earrings and necklace, a Scottish brooch, and a Japanese teacup and saucer. They all harmonize surprisingly well.

Modeling my own designs is the weirdest part of being a designer. Some days I love it, other days I hate it. But like any skill, it becomes easier with a little research and practice. Have you ever felt like you're not photogenic? Haven't we all? Then have a look at these links. You'll see that being photogenic is less about the body and features you were born with and more about how you pose them. Maybe you'll soon be clamoring to have your picture taken.

How to Be Photogenic Infographic from Google+
Yes, You Are Photogenic from Studio 5
20 Things I Wish I Knew About Photography Posing from Photography Awesomesauce

One thing the lists don't tell you is to take *lots* of pictures. The more you take, the better chance you have of getting final photos you're really pleased with. The marathon of photos may be tiring, but it will be worth it. At one point, I was ready to fall asleep.

"Modeling is *so tiring*," says my photographer. "Yes, it is," I respond, with no hint of sarcasm. "Not always," he answers. "I've modeled for you." It's true, he has - hats and vests and the occasional scarf. But it's not the same, is it? He wasn't up at midnight last night ransacking two closets for the velvet skirt which was to be an essential part of the outfit and not finding it. He doesn't have to wear the dress and stockings and makeup and fret about whether he's gained a pound or twelve. But I guess it's good to have a real 3-D person model for a garment or accessory that real 3-D people will be wearing.

By the end, the camera battery was almost empty. "Oh, good!" I said. "No, I mean, oh dear, I'm so disappointed." It meant no more photoshoots today, despite the stack of samples waiting.

In the end, the photos - at least a large percentage - turned out very well. Some incentive for next time!