Designing Cables

I often get asked about my “design process,” and I feel sheepish and inadequate and usually make up some kind of nonsense about being inspired by the colors of the turning leaves or the way the light hits the brick of a New York building. . . but since it’s just us, I thought I’d give you a peek into how my days really go, and my real design process (and hi-tech tools!)

I’m a knitter, and I’m a knitting teacher, and I also design sweaters. I think more like a knitter than a great artist, so mostly my designs are wearable sweaters that I would want to knit for myself.

In design I do use a lot of fancy schmancy computer tools like Excel for pattern grading, charting software, and Illustrator for schematics . . . but since I didn’t go to fashion school, I approach my designs with several other highly professional tools (like twist ties, old t-shirts, scissors, paper, and scotch tape).

I thought it would be fun from time to time to peek under the hood and look at some of my silly tools . . . today’s exploration:

Designing Cables

When I design a new cable sweater, I like to be able to see it by creating it somehow in 3D before charting it.

For the Bateau-Neck Pullover for Fall Vogue 2014 I used one of my Knitter’s Blocks blocking boards, some T pins and chunky yarn to design the center cable

And that little exercise in arts and crafts resulted in this:

Sometimes you use what you have on hand. I was in a hotel during a teaching trip when I was working on Serena’s Song design for Cascade’s Vest Bets. All I had on hand was a few twist ties from the snacks I packed, but they were handy.

As this, became this

So the moral of the story in my design world . . . use any and all tools on hand (even the twist tie from a snack bag) to help you see your designs become a reality.

For more cable fun, check out my Craftsy class Explorations in Cables

Click HERE for a $20 off link.