Okay, now for the 2014 knitting & designing plans!

This is the year I get grounded, in a good way. I don’t know if that’s my word of the year.  I don’t know if I want to pick a word of the year, or a phrase, or even a theme.  But getting grounded, to me, includes getting caught up, being able to prioritize (and being able to say no), and reassessing what I want to do as a designer.

First step in getting caught up is finishing up the next collection. Last year my plan was for Fall 2013, and I obviously missed that.

Folks, I sourced yarn for a lot of this at the last Sock Summit (2011). Yes, CRK wasn’t yet published at that time, and I was still working on that, so that took up 2012, and then Hitch took over for 2013, but now, this collection is getting DONE.

The majority of the patterns are done and tech edited. All but one of the big projects (a cabled vest, which is currently in the works) are done. I’m planning on doing the photoshoot in two sessions. I’m working with an awesome graphic designer (same as did my logo!) on layout.

I noted last year that this collection is very similar in some ways to CRK: a variety of projects (garments, hats, mitts, stoles, shawls, cowls & socks) and techniques (cables, lace, stranding, intarsia, beading), with yarn sourced from indie dyers and small yarn companies.

Based on feedback for CRK, I’m going to be releasing this collection as a series of five eBooks, grouped by technique (Lace 1, Cables, Stranded, Lace 2, and Texture), each with 4-6 patterns.  I’m planning on releasing them roughly one per month beginning in February or March.

I’m still debating the option of printed booklets.  Do you prefer print? or eBooks?  I know that while I still like some things in hard copy (stitch dictionaries) I prefer to work patterns off of PDFs on my iPad.  If you like print, do you like books, or booklets?

I’ll be following up with a big post about it in the next week or two!

Other designing stuff, mainly for after this collection gets out:

I’m going to do a couple yarn club patterns, a single yarn company small collection, and a Malabrigo quickie.  I love doing this sort of thing — I get to work with friends, with gorgeous yarn.  I’ve not been able to do it as much as I would’ve liked, recently, because of all the big projects (Hitch, next collection, etc).  This year I will.

I’m also redoing a few patterns for the Knit Picks IDP.

I also love designing collections around a theme.  I’m leaning towards the idea of designing two smaller (say 5-7 patterns each) collections per year: Early Fall and Late Winter, most likely.

Shows

I’m going to have a half booth at TNNA in San Diego through Deep South. I’ll have a ton of samples, including some from the upcoming collection.

Every TNNA I’ve gone to I’ve been letting people know I’m not really looking for yarn, because I had all the yarn I needed for the next collection.  This time I’ll be able to touch base with folks about actually setting up yarn support, which will be fun.

I’m teaching mini classes at Madrona this year (I think they’ll be posted soon! I’ll post here when they are).

Right after Madrona, I’ll be at Stitches West, mostly in the Bijou Basin booth and the Dragonfly Fiber booth.

I’m planning on doing a booth at the Torrance show in the fall again — that was fun!