Julia Trice, Mindofwinter on Ravelry is one of the Giftalong designers, you can see her designs which are on 25% sale until November 21 here at her pattern bundle. Use coupon code: giftalong2014.
I admire her designs, and I appreciate her forum posts too, she’s diplomatic without ever being boring.
You can see more of Julia on Ravelry, or on her website, Mind of Winter Knitting Patterns, and her giftalong designs are at http://www.ravelry.com/bundles/4051
As someone who likes to make things:
What is your usual process on a fiber project, for instance, do you start with a yarn, a cute pattern, a need you’ve noticed, something exciting you saw in a movie you want to copy, or a technique you want to learn – then what do you do next and then what?
Nine times out of ten when I knit or crochet it is to design. My number one inspiration is yarn, followed closely by stitch pattern. I work almost exclusively with indie yarn dyers. I use their yarns as inspiration, and try to make each yarn into the best thing I can imagine for it at the time. Trying a stitch pattern with a yarn is the first step to learning its strengths and limitations. There are times when I want to stretch a bit, though, and then I may be inspired to try a technique that is new to me or that I just have not explored much. I’ve done quite a bit of that this year. In general I am a knit designer and I specialize in cables and lace – often together. This year I have ventured into crochet and slipped stitch colorwork. It’s been great fun to see where that could go.
What aspect of the GAL will make gift crafting more fun for you?
For the first time in a long time I am knitting someone else’s design, and that has been very fun. It is a sample child’s sweater for my friend and fellow indie designer Marnie Maclean. The sample is a Christmas gift for my son Griffin, and the pattern should be out in time for others to add it to their gift lists, too. I also really love seeing the designs that newer designers are producing. Browsing the collages and pinterest boards is very inspiring.
Do you usually finish projects? If not, does it bother you?
Yes. I would say always, but I do have some hangers-on from before I started self-publishing seriously that I haven’t either finished or ripped. As a designer, I am very monogamous (as a knitter, I was decidedly not). It’s the only way I can get anything done, and it is also the best way to stay on task and live up to support-yarn obligations. I work very close to “real time” for releases so that nothing gets stale. Most designs are done in 4-10 weeks from start to finish, though in some cases I may know that I will be knitting half of a sample in the spring and then putting it on the backburner to pick up in late summer while I crank out something else. That is all time management driven, though.
How do you choose a pattern when you are going to make someone else’s design?
I don’t. Usually I would much rather design than knit someone else’s pattern, no matter how wonderful. Marnie’s sweater is a real exception. It is such a perfect gift idea that I wanted her to get it moving, and I also wanted a child’s version for Griffin. It is basically vicarious design. I couldn’t let her not do it due to her own time constraints!
What makes you feel you’ve gotten your money’s worth when you buy someone else’s pattern?
This is a funny one, since I don’t knit patterns. I do buy them, though. I’ve gotten my money’s worth when I get to look into the head of someone who thinks totally differently than I do and brings me a new perspective. So that’s basically every time. 🙂
You as a Giftalong designer:
What have you learned from being part of the GAL?
I’ve learned that people really do appreciate who designs what they are knitting. This means the world to me. We put so much into the things that we design, that it is really nice to see people understand the value of that and like associating designs with people. It’s also just fun to make new internet friends. It’s very easy to do, and yet often very meaningful. It is nice to be reminded of that.
If you participated last year, how does this year feel compared to last year?
Good! Incredibly organized. This year has all the energy and excitement of last year, but the organizers have taken it to a whole new level. The way that you can browse through designs and designers easily is so wonderful – I love seeing all that is out there.
You as a designer questions:
What about designing and producing patterns are you most adept at, what parts are you most fond of, and what parts are challenging?
I am incredibly directionally challenged, so it is a constant struggle for me to get right/left RS/WS directions right. When giving someone directions, I point, as a fail-safe. For patterns, I have a few very talented tech editors who help me stay on track. My strengths are rather boring: I am reliable, punctual, and I always know whether a design will work – in the sense that I know it will turn out as I envision it. These end up being great strengths to have, but they are not incredibly sexy. I guess the thing that I am most proud of is that I am a one-stop shop. I do all my grading, schematics, charts, layout, photography, etc. Jack of all trades, master of none.
What ideas have your tech editors nixed?
This is where it comes in handy to know whether a design will work. My TE’s don’t nix ideas – they do find clearer ways to convey them, though, and they make sure the left side is truly on the left side!
When you look at a publisher’s mood board, what aspect makes you know you can put a submission together in time?
Moodboards are self-selecting for me. Either I want to do something, or I don’t. If I want to submit to a publisher, I always have time, even though it doesn’t always feel like it. In reality, I do very little third-party publishing these days because I enjoy self-publishing so much more. I have published with Twist Collective, and I love their mood boards (and their magazine, and working with them). I really enjoy the boards for Wool People, too. A good mood board is inspiring whether you plan to answer a call or not.
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