The purpose of a lot of my secret knitting….
I’m writing a book. Or to be more correct, I’m writing a pattern booklet. After TNNA when I got to spend some time with Ysolda (who was on a grand tour of the US, doing signings and a trunk show of Whimsical Little Knits 1*), I talked to her about the process of self-publishing a small booklet, about what was working best, and some ideas that I had been mulling around started to congeal into a collection of patterns.
So the collection of patterns will be geared toward making the most out of a limited quantity of yarn, whether it be handspun, hand-dyed, or just something you can’t get anymore. I’m including patterns that can be bound off when you run out, or worked until you have half the yarn left, then worked in the other direction… designs specifically written to use up as much of a given yarn as possible, with small pattern motifs, and small repeats so that you can easily change the pattern based on the quantity of yarn you want to use.
I’m going to be self publishing the booklet, and I’ve got an awesome support team of people who have experience in the knitting, spinning and publishing world that I’m using as a sounding board for ideas and projects. I’m very excited about the result so far, and with every project I complete my excitement grows :)
Transverse will be included in this collection, as will the Thrums Shawl I showed you before. Plus a bunch of new pieces including these:
I’m still not far enough along with the whole process to give you availability dates, but I’ll keep you posted. Some other questions I anticipate being asked:
1. Will the pattern be available separately?
Yes, the patterns will be available as downloads separately at the same time the book is published.
2. Can I get the whole book as a digital download?
Possibly. The answer to this question will be determined by whether or not Cleite is included in the collection. If Cleite is not included, then yes. Digital Download of the whole book will be available. If Cleite IS included, I might offer digital download of everything BUT Cleite. Still working it out.
Any other questions? Feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll respond in the comments.
*Whimsical Little Knits 2 will be released in the print version in a few months, but you can start getting the patterns from it now as downloads, go check it out!
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Comments
Oh hurray! This sounds fabulous! I can’t wait!
Posted by: caro | August 23rd, 2009 08:14
Beautiful knitting and Congratulations. That is really exciting. Can’t wait to see the booklet!
Posted by: Michelle | August 23rd, 2009 08:21
Congratulations! I’m sure it will be a great collection. BTW, WLK 2 was actually released a couple of weeks ago.
Posted by: Jocelyn Grayson | August 23rd, 2009 08:22
Thanks, I did mean the complete print version, which is not yet available. I’ve updated it to be more specific.
Posted by: Mim | August 23rd, 2009 08:31
So glad to see other designers do what Ysolda is doing. I love my little books, and I can’t wait to have one of yours too. And I love the Motte Shawl!
Posted by: Hazel | August 23rd, 2009 08:36
Oh, awesome! The patterns so far are gorgeous – I’d love it if the book were available as a download.
Posted by: adrienne | August 23rd, 2009 08:43
Sounds so cool! Can’t wait to see the progress on this!
Posted by: Mandy | August 23rd, 2009 09:04
Sounds fantastic! Really looking forard to it.
Posted by: ute | August 23rd, 2009 09:08
Congratulations! I love the idea of designing for small/limited quantities.
Posted by: Maia | August 23rd, 2009 09:22
Yay! If you ever need another ear on the publishing end of things, let me know, I got a lot of experience in design for printing and working with printers/presses.
Posted by: TheBon | August 23rd, 2009 10:06
This is fantastic, Mim! Let me know if I can help in any way!
Posted by: Carole | August 23rd, 2009 10:37
“I’ve got an awesome support team of people who have experience in the knitting, spinning and publishing world” – you could just type “Margene”; it’d be quicker.
Good luck with it, Mim – I know it’s gonna rock da house. :D
Posted by: Anne | August 23rd, 2009 11:32
What a great idea – keep coming out with the new designs!
Posted by: Deidre | August 23rd, 2009 13:01
I like your approach to your topic. That is a useful niche to fill, and I already know your designs are top-notch, so I’m looking forward to it. I think I already flagged that scarf as a favorite on Ravelry.
Posted by: Katherine | August 23rd, 2009 22:48
Your designs are lovely, and what a terrific concept for a pattern booklet! Best of luck!
Posted by: Camille | August 24th, 2009 03:26
Wow! I will look forward to this little book. Lots of work, but very rewarding.
Posted by: Sue N | August 24th, 2009 04:41
YAY! Sending you healthy thoughts too….
Posted by: penny | August 24th, 2009 14:29
yay! i’m so excited for you, and also for all of us who will enjoy knitting from it! :)
Posted by: melissa | August 24th, 2009 15:00
Yay, that’s so exciting! Congrats!
Posted by: Nonnahs | August 26th, 2009 00:56
MIM —-great idea
- need something knit up –would love to help
CHEERS —– PAT
Posted by: pat j | August 26th, 2009 18:35
Mim,
It sounds like you are well on your way to a really great book. Congratulations!! If you are not aware of it, you might check out Cat Bordhi’s Visionary Retreat- Self-Publishing for Knit Designers. The 2010 retreat is scheduled for the first week of February.
It’s most of the way down her events page http://www.catbordhi.com/calendar.html
All of Cat’s books are self published. Crissy Gardner is the only person I am aware of who has attended the retreat; Her first book Toe Up was released in time for Sock Summit earlier this month.
Posted by: Mary Kay Bender | August 27th, 2009 02:03
Yup, I’m aware. I’m already applying :)
Posted by: Mim | August 27th, 2009 06:27
what a wonderful plan! i’ve loved what ysolda has done with her pattern booklets and look forward to yours as well!
Posted by: disentangled | August 28th, 2009 09:01
Congrats on the plan. It’s a good one. Your patterns are so much fun, and I think a bunch of small (like one skein) items would be perfect. Stay well and have fun with the designing!
Posted by: Kathy Sue | November 20th, 2009 10:58