mer_stevens_lus

Mer’s Lus pattern was recently published in Pom Pom Quarterly. © Ana Mercedes

At our March meeting, Mer Stevens shared her experiences as a budding knitting pattern designer. Her talk covered many topics, from formulating a business plan, staying true to your own style, and how much a good tech editor can improve your patterns. One of her pithiest pieces of advice to new designers was, “Swatch like a fiend.”

Mer uses Excel to speed the process of creating her patterns–as she said, “Imagine what Elizabeth Zimmerman could have done with Excel!” She also uses Envisio knit charting software but feels it has limitations, so she plans to try the Stitch Mastery program soon.

A few of Mer’s printed patterns were available to purchase at the meeting: Matryoshka mittens, Width socks, and Nibbling child’s sweater (all sold on Ravelry as downloads, as well). I purchased her Good Grades cardigan pattern, which enables the knitter to choose different measurements for the hip and bust, something most sweater patterns do not.

mer_stevens_nibling2

Nibling sweater © Mer Stevens

mer_stevens_speaks

mer_stevens_matryoshka_mittens

Matryoshka Mitten © Mer Stevens

mer_stevens_good_grades

Good Grades Cardigan © Mer Stevens

 

Post Navigation