I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my business, with some things coinciding and pushing me to get more organized and really figure out what I should be focusing on. Doing creative things for a living is damn hard sometimes, and I’ve felt a little lost for the last few days.
I want to just do what I love, design things I’m passionate about, blog tons of free tutorials and other fun stuff, and not worry about money at all, but alas… rent does need to be paid, we are searching for a house, and though I’m in no financial state to even think about contributing to the down payment, my monthly half will likely go above what it is for this supercheap apartment where we currently live.
I have absolutely no plans to change what I do, change this blog or my website in any drastic kind of way, and I will continue to design and make things I’m into, even though I know they’re not the kinds of things that will appeal to the bulk of mainstream knitters or buyers… sigh, that’s just how I roll.
But, I am trying to figure out just what I should be putting at the top of my priority list, that kind of thing. I’m currently working on 4 different concrete knit designs (1 free, by the way), plus several more ideas floating around in my head, and I have big plans for a freaking awesome ebook, which I want to get started on as soon as possible! And then there’s the connect-the-dots stitch sets, which I absolutely love designing, but are not exactly booming with sales, so, sadly, it’s not practical for me to devote tons of time there. I know if I did some kind of big makeover to the packaging/branding/etc, they might attract a wider audience, but hey, I like using recycled envelopes, and I like them having a handmade feel, because, you know, they are handmade!
That’s the problem for so many of us creative professionals… the conflict of staying true to who we are, continuing to do what we love and love what we’re doing, with that damn need to pay the bills messing it all up. I learned all about business planning, and also about google docs, the other night at Trillium, from super awesome superPhoebe, which is part of where all this business analysis came from…
So, I’ve created a survey with google docs to try to help me get a better grasp of who you are, my dear readers, what you like, what you want, and how I might want to steer what I do in that direction. It’s a short survey, and it’s totally anonymous and every question is optional – I really so much appreciate any feedback you can give! ThankYouThankYouThankYou!
Now another thing… some topics discussed at that same meeting, and also reading Ysolda’s latest post, about sharing design process, got me thinking… if I’m designing something to self-publish, there’s no reason to keep it a secret, so why not show you a first version prototype of a design that I’m working on? So this is one of the designs I’m currently knitting up – while knitting this one pictured, I changed some design details as I knit, since it was just to test out the shape, and then I frogged it. I’m working up another similarly sized one now, and I’m planning on making it an any-gauge pattern, so I’ve spun up a skein of self-striping specifically to make it into another one of these bad boys!
It’s kinda bonkers, but I love it! It’s super transformable – can be worn a bunch of different ways – and by adding more buttons it could be even more so! I had been thinking about trying to release it next week, like in a few days, but it would probably be Fridayish at the soonest, and now I’m wondering whether I should move my to-do list around and put this design off till later. So, part of the reason I’m showing you here it to ask, whaddya think? Do you want the pattern asap, while there’s still a little winter weather left?
Lee Does Stuff 
Not even started on the twisted legwarmers and I'm already excited about that cowl/hood thingy! I'm inspired by every new pattern you come out with. Mainstream or not, I love what you do and will continue to be a supporter of leethal knits. Frankly, you're better than the more popular designers out there in that you're naturally daring, and that's hard to find.
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I'm just starting out along a similar vein myself and have been thinking a lot about this subject. At the moment, I've got nothing but maybe soon. Good luck figuring all this stuff out.Your designs are a bit of the beaten track. That why I like it and continue to follow your work. I find it inspiring and full of a fun, creative spark. I save your posts for reading last because I want to savor and enjoy them.As for the pattern, I'm really curious and it's definitely something I want to get at. There's not much winter left at my house but I'd knit it in the middle of summer. So, whatever works best for you.
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Agree totally with Stephanie. I love what you do. Your designs are always unique! And that hooded cowl thing is beautiful.
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i totally agree with you on the designing front. i even put new designs up on rav while in test knitting. keep on doing what you're doing… there's got to be a couple of us crazies out there 🙂 being true to what you feel is an integral part of who you are is so important! good luck figuring it out… i'm still in the same boat.
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Heh – I had a similar epiphany while standing in a horrid mainstream Barnes & Noble over the weekend. I was looking at book after book, each one more derivative than the last, and I finally thought, “I would rather eat mac & cheese for the rest of my life than participate in this boringness!”What you do is so unique, and you're so innovative all the time, you may not even fully appreciate how amazing your ideas are. The mainstream is only perceived as a lucrative place – for most, it's just producing less-than-stellar work for less-than-stellar wages. Just stay with your own thing, and the money will come. It always takes way freaking longer than any of us want it to, but I still believe that the universe rewards sincere originality….And luckily, mac & cheese is really good. 🙂
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I love it, want to do it now!^^
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This looks like a fun garment to wear.
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I would love if you released the pattern. I love the buttons!!Getting organized and setting priorities is hard no matter what field you're in. I find that having a mission statement has helped me a lot, whenever I stray I look back at it and find my way back.
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The cowl looks great and I would wear it all year round…I'm from Ireland and even summer evenings are cold here. Imagine it knit in a lovely cotton blend for spring/summer and a great cosy wool for Winter. You are innovative and are pushing the boundaries of what is knit-able and I salute you! 🙂 Keep up the fantastic work and continue to inspire…
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Sorry typo…that should say Little Fire, not Little Frre
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It is so refreshing to see mention of (and heavily contemplation of) the business side of crafting. I think it is something many people struggle with, but few like to talk about. The balance of creation and paying bills is definitely tough…. but your designs are fantastic, and I love your packaging and over-all aesthetic. If anyone can figure out how to make what you love and pay some bills while doing it, I think you can. I'm constantly amazed at your productivity!
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Oh! swoon please please please post the pattern! She is beauticul and would be so much fun to knit! You have such wonderful ideas, thank you for sharing!
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Thanks so much for the encouragement! I have absolutely no plans to go mainstream or stop doing things how I do them… but it's so hard sometimes, when I see what I think to be really boring knitting patterns selling thousands of copies, and mine sitting there with 5 or 10 sales…I completely agree with you – I had the same feeling searching for some supply at Jo-Ann recently and seeing books/patterns/kits there… Though, no matter how much money I ever make, I'll still eat mac & cheese!!
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Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you like my patterns, and that there are knitters out there like you who support more daring designers so I can keep on doing what I'm doing!
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I've really enjoyed getting responses to my in-progress pattern, it's making me more excited to release it! I'll definitely keep on doing that from now on.Thanks for the encouragement 🙂 And good luck to you as well!
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Good point! Part of what sparked this whole analysis was a business planning meeting, where we talked a bit about mission statements – I don't have one, but will definitely be writing one soon. Thanks, and glad you like the design!
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Thanks!! You're totally right about a cotton version for the warmer months, that would be excellent – now I want to make one for myself! Working on a handspun wool version for the sample, but will probably make a spring/summer version in the future.
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