I’ve been knitting for ten years and designing for eight years now, but only really have been a real “entrepreneur” for a year and a half.
In all those years I grew and I learned a lot. Now knitting isn’t a hobby, is a career.
So I’m giving you a glimpse behind the scenes sharing the lessons I learned as a knit designer from releasing my first knitting pattern.
Lessons I’ve learned as a Knit Designer
- Never stop learning
You will always find a need to learn more. It’s part of the process of growing as a designer.
Thankfully, these days we can found a lot of great resources to learn from that made the process of learning much easier.
- Mistakes
I try to write the pattern before I start making the sample. It can take a while but it helps me to avoid making too many mistakes in my sample.
But mistakes are inevitable and part of the process. Embrace and learn from them.
- Test
Always ask test knitters to knit and assess patterns.
Test knitters are amazing people who point out any errors or note any unclear instructions and made sure that the pattern is easy to understand.
Often they became friends of mine. And this is the best part!
- Like
You will release patterns that reflect your taste. Knowing that these patterns are not for everyone, you will avoid the struggle to design something for everyone!
It’s okay if people don’t like your patterns, those who do like it will become your community.
- Pattern confusion
Learning to write knitting patterns comprehensible for everyone is not simple but it isn’t impossible!
My tip here is to write a pattern as someone else who might have less knitting experience than I do.
Always give instructions clearly, and be glad to offer help.
- Time
You can have so many ideas and feeling the urge to get them out into the world.
Don’t force the design process and publish a pattern only when it is ready.
You can map out your design process from start to finish, so you can improve your project management.
- Give
Spend more time giving away value than selling. Why? To develop relationships with your audience. It builds trust, and the rewards grew not just financially, but also emotionally.
- Money
You could earn a living from selling patterns. Knit designers work long hours and are notoriously underpaid.
And yes, you probably have to work part-time alongside your knitting pattern design for many years.
It’s difficult but if it’s your call, you will want to do it.
- All alone?
No, sometimes you need someone to talk to.
Find likeminded people, at different levels, and start to bounce ideas off of and to cheer and motivate each other.
- Patience
For growing sustainable business you need patience. Success doesn’t come overnight, all the knit designers that you admire have been working on their careers for years.
Be consistent, persistent, and patient.
I hope aspiring and beginner knit designers will be able to take to heart when they start their brands!