Category Archives: Independent Designer Partnership

Finishing fool

I've been finishing up a lot of stash busting projects! I finished my Pretty Polly by Erica Jackofsky.  I was pretty proud of this one, especially since it's the first sweater I've finished on such a small gauge (size 3 needles!).  

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Lots of eBooks!

  Have you noticed our eBook selection recently?  We're so excited how popular it's been and we've been adding titles every week. I'm finding it really convient to have all my files with me when I'm traveling - so I don't have to lug around books or pieces of paper that, in my case anyway, will inevitably get lost Many are from our IDP designers - so many great titles!  I already own Erica Jackofsky's Sweet Treat Collection - I blogged about my cute little yoga socks & Blue Ice Beret that I made from there. It's one of my favorite knitting collections ever.  

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TNNA – the designers!

  One of the best things about TNNA for me was meeting all the wonderful designers I work with all the time - both in the IDP program as well as on other projects.  I tried not to be all fangirly with designers I've loved even before I started working here but it was hard not to be starstruck. First up (once I remembered to start taking pictures) was one of the original IDP designers - David Castillo.    

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TNNA: Interview with Doris Chan

One of the best parts of TNNA was being around so many crafty people and sharing in this amazing community of smart, talented knitters and crochets. While we were there, we were able enough to meet so many of the designers involved with the Independant Design Program. And lucky for us, we got the opportunity to meet Doris Chan, author of Crochet Lace Innovations! Not only is Doris a talented crochet designer, but she is also one of the contributors to the pattern, Pam's Comfort Cables, which is available through the IDP program.  

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And we have a winner!

Thanks for all the great comments about Vonnie and the IDP program!  We're all very excited! We had 1221 comments at the end of the contest and our favorite random number generarator came up with: #789 - Amanda (whose comment read: Looks like a pattern that would fit me well.)  

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The dish on Dishie

So, as in most operations where secrecy is paramount, we use 'code names' for our yarns and patterns before they're released. That way, we can say things in 'code' to each other and avoid tipping off the... oh, wait. Actually we just use working titles, because that's easier than thinking of 'formal' names right off the bat. Usually, these working titles are scrapped and something more descriptive takes their place. (For instance, I'm sure a lot more people would want to make the 'Shift Tote' than the 'Intarsia bag'.) Sometimes, though, the working title sticks and you get things like Dishie!

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Celebrating 1000 IDP patterns with a contest!

  Wow wow wow!  We just hit 1000 patterns in the IDP program!  It's so hard to believe - I'm so excited about how popular this program is with designers and customers alike - it really makes me so very happy. And who is lucky number 1000?  Why it's Vonnie, a gorgeous shell by the lovely Kendra Nitta (who says "My last name really is Nitta -- but the first syllable is pronounced "neet" not "knit"!")    

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Look at me! I’m crocheting!

Not long after I started knitting, my mom decided to show me how to crochet as well.  My grandmother is an amazing crocheter - she has made her grandchildren & great-grandchildren so many crochet afghans and I'm lucky to have several in my possession to keep me warm.  And my mom did crochet more than knitting for a long period of time, so she thought she should teach me that too!  Unfortunately, while I picked up knitting fairly easily, it wasn't the same story with crochet.  I just couldn't get it & got so frustrated.  So I abandoned the hooks & turned deaf ears to everyone who told me "It's fun and so much easier than knitting!". But I've been becoming more interested in crochet in the past few months, especially with the addition of crochet patterns to the IDP program.   There are so many that I love, but most of all is Lauren Osborne's Adva Scarf

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Interview with IDP designer Lee Gant

Lee Gant is an amazing designer & knitter - she has 12 patterns already in the IDP program and always has more in the works!  Her patterns cover a wide range of styles, from beautiful spring & summer tops to lovely cold weather sweaters, both for children & adults.  She's one of our favorite designers to work with & we wanted to know a bit more about her...So here it is in her own words!

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Interview with Allison Harding

If you've joined our Crochet Along group (you haven't?  Why not?), you may have seen Allison Harding posting some great hints & cheering all of us newbies on.  Allison is one of our Independent Designers and we are so happy to have her help out with the CAL - she is a wonderful and innovative designer, both for us and her own website.  I recently did an interview with her so we can all get to know her!

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