why designing knitwear just doesn't make sense anymore...

or does it? Over the past year I have made some knit pieces ... from scratch. That is to say I have been drafting patterns on graph paper with pencil and eraser, sampling, dabbling, sampling some more. Eventually these thoughts and jots and doodles developed into a small collection of knitted accessories. It's been super-fun to knit up these homegrown pieces, but I have knitting-circle pals and I have a wool shop and I wanted to share my shiny new patterns! Onwards to formatting, adding text, charting, recruiting test knitters and an editor, photography. You get the picture. I started designing knitwear.
Now, for the record I'm the first to dive into the latest Stephen, Jared, Ysolda or Kate design. In fact there are more talented knitwear designers tempting us with gorgeous patterns than ever before. This is why designing your own, starting from scratch, reinventing the wheel just doesn't make sense. Right?
It's true, knitting is in it's heyday and we, as knitters, are spoiled for choice with top notch designers, producers, processors, indie dyers, tools and accessories aplenty. Even the healthy lifestyle set has deemed knitting to be of benefit (thanks for telling us).
And yet, with all this at hand you still have a yen to go it on your own and create something altogether new?
So did I, and here's what I've discovered; the simple pleasure of seeing a design transition "from a thought to a thing" will never get old. Sharing your ideas with other knitters is immensely satisfying. It's what knitters do. Designing your own is allot of work. You'll develop a new appreciation for the work of others. Oh, and you'll still want to knit all the "hot right nows" on Ravelry. No worries there. So when it come's to creating, just do it. If it feels right it makes sense. And if you've checked out my patterns, knit from them, worn them or gifted them, thanks a million. I think I'll make some more!