• Knitting Patterns,  Knitting Projects

    The Alpaca Pullover

    Thanks Ann, for ordering this pattern before it was even written up. You’ve encouraged me to go ahead and pursue the pattern designs. I’m actually getting excited about all of this! This one is a tiny bit more complicated because of the set in sleeves and perhaps a bit unusual where the shoulder buttons up, but it’s still easy to knit by following the instructions and images. I’ve also included line drawings of the shapes for reference. There are no fancy stitches and the pattern is easy to memorize. You can purchase the Knitting Pattern, or The Handspun Yarn, or the Kit, or even the finished Handknit Sweater in 2…

  • Free Knitting Patterns,  Knitting Patterns

    The First Pattern – Stretchy Cast off

    I’ve decided to write up some of my designs and have developed a whole new appreciation for the designers, especial those who self-publish. This is difficult work and requires some serious concentration and math skills as well as the ability to multi task on a whole new level. Free Download on Craftsy or Ravelry (limited time only) My first attempt will be the lovely Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan. It is so simple and fun to knit. The construction is top-down and there is so little shaping and NO sewing together. just put on the button and sew in the ends. What will make my designs stand out? I want them…

  • handspun handknit lace faroese shawl
    Setting Up Business

    Goals

    Today I will set myself some goals to reach before I can begin the promotions because I’m confindent that these promotions will get things moving quickly and I want to be ready. Goal time: September for knitters, November for gifts (Christmas Shopping) 15+ – Finished Handknit Projects online for sale 10+ – Handspun Luxury Natural Fibre Yarns with colour choices 3+ – Original Design Knitting Patterns – Simply Elegant Kits for all of the Knitting Patterns to buy All Projects, Yarns and Patterns Posted on Ravelry, Etsy, Craftsy, Facebook and Web Site.

  • shetland lace handknit blanket
    Setting Up Business

    Knitting Pattern Designs

    I have decided that there will be no problem selling handknits or handspun yarns once I get started. People need to see and feel how special the knitwear and yarns are and know how easy it is to get help from a real person who is the artist and designer. Before I can promote the site I need some handspun yarns and some pattern downloads to be available. My next project will be to spin a variety of handspun luxury fiber yarns and put them up on Etsy and the Web site and to use these yarns to re-knit some of my designs. I’ll take lots of pictures and write…

  • Setting Up Business

    Selling on Etsy tips

    I’ve only been on Etsy for a couple of weeks but here’s a few things that I have discovered so far. I paid for the advertising for a week as an experiment. Although I did not keep accurate data I did discover from the charts of hits and favorites that I got more favorites and visits when I put up new products. That seems to be the best way to get your shop on the front pages… better than the advertising. The week of advertising did not get as many visits as putting up a few new products did. Somehow, listing the items puts you back at the top of…

  • handknit angora baby pullover hoodie
    Setting Up Business

    Reputation and Time

    I am beginning to realize that it will take some time and work to get my designs out there so that people can actually see them, feel them, wear them and talk to each other about them. I have no doubt that once a few people aquire my work my business will be growing quickly by word of mouth. They will recommend me to others and I will have more work than I can keep up with. When this happened to me a few years ago I had orders backed up for more than 6 months and ended up just giving up in frustration. I was afraid to take custom…

  • Setting Up Business

    More Updating

    I’ve been working on putting up some “Share” buttons on the web site and updating some of the Social Sites. I am trying to remember to Tweet about new products as they go up as well as add them to my Facebook page. I now have about 16 Original handknit and handspun projects on Craftsy, Etsy and for sale on the Nancy Elizabeth Designs website. I will be adding these as projects on my Ravelry as soon as I have the patterns written up and ready for sale as I would like to like the project to the pattern if I can.

  • handknit handspun lace merino wool blanket
    Setting Up Business

    Selling Handmade Stuff, working out some answers

    Ok, I just may be a little too “wide” in my product selection. Right now I am planning to offer hand knit articles of clothing and accessories for all ages, socks, blankets, shawls etc. (wide range, right?) PLUS hand spun yarn of any luxury natural fiber and size and my original design knitting patterns for anything I dream up. So, I will probably have to narrow my focus quite a bit. Do I do that now or do I try to put up a selection bit of everything and see how it goes? There really will be several things to consider but mainly it will be what sells and what…

  • Setting Up Business

    Selling Handmade, The Questions

    I have some concerns which I have decided to share here. This should help me think it through and hopefully I can help someone else along the way. How much should I charge for my handknitting and handspinning? Will anyone buy my handspun and handknit designs? How will they know how wonderfully soft they are? How will they be able to really appreciate the details, the expert workmanship with just a few photos? or …. Perhaps what I should be asking is….. Why do I want to do this? Pricing Handknitting, The Questions They have pretty big price tags because I choose the highest quality, softest and most luxurious fibres…

  • Events,  Personal

    Back to Work

    I’m refreshed after a week at Logos Land Resort. We had a very nice Condo and played at the water slide, water trampoline, paddle boats and just swimming off the dock. I took socks for my knitting and got most of one sock finished knitting in the evenings. So It’s back to working on getting this business online and smokin’.