Some cool things....

Well, the last few weeks may have seen me absent from this blog, but the reasons have been mostly good! I went to h+h in Cologne for the first time and took lots of photos and meant to blog about it but I haven't really sat still since! I will share, I promise - loads of really exciting things happened there.

The latest issue of Knitty is live and they've reviewed Circled!

The book got the top slot and you can find what they have to say by clicking here. (thank you team Knitty!)

Whilst I was up in Edinburgh teaching at the yarn festival, Renee of EastLondonKnit asked if I fancied being interviewed for her new video podcast. Why not, thought I? I'm not normally that comfortable chatting in front of the camera yet somehow this was fine. And it was really good fun! (and incredibly early in the morning.)

We had a few technical issues but both agreed it was such a good chat as it was that we didn't want to try and re-do it - the environment, the light, the chat - we couldn't try and match it. And that interview has gone live today!

(I haven't been able to watch it as I'll just cringe and runaway, but I hope you enjoy it :)

Introducing the DS Slouch, and reward plans for subscribers

One thing I'm often trying to do is to find ways to make my newsletter more dynamic and interesting. The other thing I'm always wanting to do is to find more/new/better ways to thank my loyal customers and supporters.

These two things invariably cross over, and after a few chats back and forth, Tom and I thought up a plan that might just work.

First things first though, I've a new pattern! It's the DS Slouch (DS = drop stitch).

The DS Slouch is knitted with Malabrigo Rios, and you could use any worsted weight yarn that comes in at gauge. I like it with the hand-dyed (of course) but you could also give it a go with solids, too.

This isn't any old new pattern, though - it's free to my newsletter subscribers (of which I'm sure most folk reading here are?). This is one way for me to show appreciation for your support. Existing subscribers will get an email with the download info, and new subscribers will get the file once they join up. Northend will remain free to subscribers too.

One of the problems with offering free patterns to subscribers is that folk join up, grab the pattern(s) and then unsubscribe. It happens, it's par for the course. Which is a shame, as I like to try and offer a fair bit through the list, and to my mind those folks are missing out. Some folk also grumble about having to sign up to get their hands on the free pattern - and I get that free with strings attached doesn't always much feel like free. But to me, they're a gift, not an incentive - they're not there to make you sign up, they're there to say thank you for signing up. (at the end of the day, it's my pattern to do as I choose with and if I want to gift it this way, then no-one has a right to complain, no?)

And this is what got us thinking about loyalty schemes. And having spent a fair bit of time researching and rummaging through the Mailchimp archives, we found a way to do it. (we = Tom and I - this is part of his new role; he's gradually helping out more and more with things!)

Each time we hit a new milestone, we'll send out a single use coupon code to each subscriber that allows you to pick one single pattern for free. Sound fair enough? That way then, sign up and everyone benefits. Rather than sharing emails or passing on coupon codes to friends, get them to sign up, too*. The more people sign up, the more everyone benefits. You'll all get the two free patterns and loyalty codes, as well as the exclusive promotions and discounts (if you weren't aware already, subscribers get a deeper discount on every promotion I run, and about 90% of my promotions are exclusive to subscribers anyways)

I mean, I'm not very good at marketing. I'm trying to be because I have to try and make my business more reliable and stable going forward, as we've some tricky life issues and financial hurdles to deal with. And this seemed like a really good way of managing things, a win-win. I am also considering a non-pop-up pop-up - mostly because I think I have to try somehow, but I don't want it to be intrusive, so please bear with me while I work that out (that's something I never thought I'd see myself type or say out loud, but I guess that's what needing to make income more reliable does?)

So - we're not that far away from the next milestone on the mailing list, and between here and 10,000 we'll call each 1,000 mark a milestone? Coupon codes get sent out every new 1,000 subscribers, and from 10,000 perhaps every 2,500? 

Shall we give this a try and see how it works? I'm keen to hear your thoughts on this!

ps/ I did consider a Patreon but the thought of monthly deadlines worries me - I don't want to promise something I might not deliver on. It's something I'll keep in the back of my mind, though. Patreon is a great way to offer exclusive content for (paid) subscribers and supporters. I'm still not sure it's a path I want to take, even without monthly deadlines... at least with a newsletter it's free, and anyone can join regardless. I've always struggled with finding a happy place between earning enough and being accessible to the cash-strapped. It's hard. And so for these reasons, I'm not convinced Patreon is the way to go for me.

* yes, Mailchimp tells me. It tells me how many times an email to knitter@knittersemail.com has been opened and thus shared. It even provides a list of subscribers with the most 'opened and shared'....

and... Circled is published!

We are a few weeks late with the final book but I hope it's been worth the wait. One of the big issues that held us up was the need to rephotograph and rewrite a couple of tutorials, to make things clearer, and also have a good juggle of the content to keep within a reasonable page count for print & wholesale.

After several layers of editing and proofing, it's now live and ready!

I'm especially chuffed with the layout, which I hasten to add, was done by someone with far greater skills than I!

There was a lot of adjusting and learning with this project, mostly because my shoulder wouldn't permit me to do everything as I would usually do, and that meant outsourcing huge chunks. And it's not just finding the right person and sharing ideas - it's also trust and handing over control. And it's not just that, either - it's also adjusting time frames and deadlines to manage the extra layers and back and forth sharing of info - and it's this area I have the most to learn. Things took took much longer because I couldn't just drop stuff and do it myself. At times I felt more like a project manager than an indie designer, and it was a weird Hat to wear.

It was worth it though. I couldn't be happier. There's no way in the world that I could have produced something like this. And considering how much of a fussy customer I am, that's high praise indeed.

Everyone I've worked with has been brilliant, and I'm considering myself very fortunate to have been able to work with such a great team and produce something pretty special.

We'll have the print info ready soon enough and I'll get a wholesale newsletter out to shops next week. In the meantime, I do hope you enjoy the eBook! Next monday it'll revert to it's full price of $16/£10 so if you've not had a chance to grab a copy, now would be a good time while there's still 25% off ;)

I want to talk more about the designs and the project but right now, I'm pretty tired and word-spent, so I'll save that for another day. Thank you to everyone who's been involved and offered help - we did good.

Thoughts on Turnover, Business Perspective & Why We Shouldn't be Comparing Apples and Oranges.

One thing though that I've been thinking of off late is turnover. Turnovers are very different things to different people, to different businesses. This should go without saying, really, just the same as what's successful and what someone needs to live on also differ wildly. And yet somehow it's till used as a measuring tool. At best it's naive to compare each other's businesses based on turnover alone, and at worst it's a huge trap that can lead you towards a messy head.

The image shows the crown of my Lenina pattern. It features the post title “Thoughts on Turnover and Business”

From my perspective, I've never wanted to grow grow my business. I don't want a business for the sake of having a business and I've always tried to keep things simple, streamlined, and not let the business side of things take over. I haven't always managed that, but it is my goal.

And given how we life, one very firm decision I've made is that there will be no tangibles. With good reason. We live in vehicles that have a big risk of condensation and damp. We'll be applying for residency in a country that doesn't have the most reputable postal system. I don't do shows and I'm not in a position to be lugging stock around. But for the most part, we don't have the money to invest in; food on the table comes first.

My business has always been this way - it started online from blogging, and although I have most of my books available through POD and have worked with print distributors for my printed patterns, 95% of my turnover comes from digital sales. That's more than enough to tell me what I need to know. (the other 5% comes from teaching fwiw)

In my almost 12 years of doing this, there have only been 2 years where I didn't see growth. The first was the year when we were fighting eviction and Aran was critically ill; the second was the year after that, when my lack of creativity the previous year became apparent. Otherwise, my business is steady and reliable despite not having what many would consider a high turnover. My growth has been slow and steady rather than rapid, and that makes me feel more confident that I'll be around for a while yet. My biggest costs are people, and that adds to that feeling of sustainability - I'd sooner put money in pockets than in boxes of stuff.

That's the thing with tangibles - they cost money. And naturally any business dealing with tangibles, on whatever level, will see their turnover rise because of them. Even if the average print run for a book costs in the region of £5K, there are extra associated costs with tangibles, and they all have to be recovered through sales. And that in turn will push up the turnover.

And from that basis alone, you can't compare a solely digital business with one that deals with tangibles, even if only in part.

Then there are other aspects to consider. Many designers have grown their businesses in very different ways, outsourcing much of the work quite early on, taking a more formal approach, and that means that they've got to sell that much more to be able to cover those extra costs and still leave themselves room to breathe. And that in turn requires different marketing approaches or different production methods, or both. And as is the nature of growth, it'll keep on going that way.

And while those turnovers are higher because they need to be, it doesn't necessarily mean that those designers are more successful; it simply means they've sold more patterns or books or products. Because they have to. Success is another of those subjective things.

The thing is, what bothers me about all this and what has led to me trying to make sense of it all, is that in the eyes of a few it becomes a popularity contest. I know I'm not alone in feeling inadequate at times when you start comparing numbers. But how on earth we can fairly and squarely compare? And really, why would you want to? 

We are each unique in our styles, our methods, our approaches and our presentation - none of these are comparable. And that is the beauty of what we do.

(how I wish I had confidence! But I wasn't programmed that way, and it takes days like these and words like these to help me come full circle again. I lose a lot of time to depression and anxiety, and that in turn is something else to be factored. And given life as it is, I'm going to give myself a pat on the back and pour a glass of wine.)

eta/ this post was updated on 11th March 2022 with a new post graphic. The image shows the crown of my Lenina pattern.

A Hat to Make a Point

All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. If you'd like to, you can say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.

Description

A Hat To Make A Point is a Hat with a ribbed brim and a stocking stitch body. The decreases swirl around the crown, then come together at the top centre of the Hat. The crown can be worked with a smaller point, so that it is mostly flat. It can also be worked with a longer point for a pixie look.

Availability

My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.

Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!

#WoollyWormhead

#WWAHatToMakeAPoint

---

Yarn
138yd/126m/100g
Heavy Aran/Chunky weight, single ply yarn.

Needles & Notions
Set 5mm/UK6/US8 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Shown in Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica [138yd/126m per 100g; 100% Wool]

Shown in Soft Pixie version with a 1x1 Twisted rib in size 22in/55.75cm on model with 22in/55.75cm circumference head

Gauge
16 sts x 20 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over St.St.
16 sts x 21 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over Twisted Rib
16 sts x 32 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over Garter St.
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Sizes
To fit sizes: 19 [22] in/48.25 [55.75] cm
Finished size: 15 [18] in/38 [45.2] cm

Skills required
Stocking Stitch

Knitting in the round

Increases & decreases

Twisted stitches

Specialist cast-ons

Abbreviations

K: knit

P: purl

rpt: repeat

st(s): stitch(es)

P1tbl: purl stitch through the back of the loop

K1tbl: knit stitch through the back of the loop

SSK: slip next 2 sts knitwise, then knit these 2 sts together through the backs of the loops

k2tog: knit next 2sts together

Note

There are lots of different options to this pattern – different brim types, different crown types, and the choice to work in the round or flat. Consider it a formula, a pick n’mix.

You may wish to try different cast-on methods for the different brim types – I recommend the Alternate Cable Cast-on for 1x1 rib, and the Alternate Cable Cast-on for 2x2 rib. You can of course use any method you like!

I chose the ssk decrease as I like the way it looks – feel free to substitute it with a k2tog.

---

In The Round version

How to

Cast on 60 [72] sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.

Brim option 1

Rnd 1: Purl all sts

Rnd 2: Knit all sts

These two rounds create garter stitch in the round. Starting with Rnd 1, repeat these 2 rounds until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Rnd 1.

Brim option 2

Rnd 1: *K1tbl, P1; rpt from * to end

This round creates twisted 1x1 rib. Repeat this round until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length)

Foundation Rnd: Purl all sts (creates a purl ridge)

Brim option 3

Rnd 1: *K2, P2; rpt from * to end

This round creates 2x2 rib. Repeat this round until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length)

Foundation Rnd: Purl all sts (creates a purl ridge)

Body

Rnd 1: Knit all sts

This round creates stocking stitch. Repeat this round until work measures 4 [5] in/10 [12.75] cm from cast-on edge.

Crown option 1 – the soft pixie version

Prep Rnd: *K 10 [12], place marker; rpt from * to end

Rnd 1: *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to end

Rnd 2: Knit all sts

Repeat these 2 rounds until 6sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.

Crown option 2 – the hardcore pixie version

Prep Rnd: *K 15 [18], place marker; rpt from * to end

Rnd 1: *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to end

Rnd 2: Knit all sts

Repeat these 2 rounds until 4sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 4sts, tighten to close.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. A light blocking is recommended to help the shaping settle. It is best to block this Hat flat, and rotate as necessary to avoid creases.

---

Work Flat version

How to

Cast on 62 [74] sts.

Brim option 1

Row 1: Knit all sts

This row creates garter stitch. Repeat this row until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length).

Brim option 2

Row 1 (RS): K1, *K1tbl, P1; rpt from * to last st, K1

Row 2 (WS): P1,*K1, P1tbl; rpt from * to last st, P1

These 2 rows create twisted 1x1 rib. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Row 1.

Foundation Row (WS): Knit all sts (creates a purl ridge)

Brim option 3

Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2, P2; rpt from * to last st, K1

Row 2 (WS): P1, *K2, P2; rpt from * to last st, P1

These 2 rows create 2x2 rib. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 1.5 [2] in/3.75 [5] cm (or desired length) ending after a Row 1.

Foundation Row (WS): Knit all sts (creates a purl ridge)

Body

Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts

Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts

These 2 rows create stocking stitch. Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 4 [5] in/10 [12.75] cm from cast-on edge ending after a RS row.

Crown option 1 – the soft pixie version

Prep Row: P1, *place marker P 10 [12]; rpt from * to last st, P1

Row 1: K1, *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to last st, K1

Row 2: Purl all sts

Repeat these 2 rounds until 6sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.

Crown option 2 – the hardcore pixie version

Prep Row: P1, *place marker, P 15 [18]; rpt from * to last st, P1

Row 1: K1, *Knit to 2sts before marker, ssk; rpt from * to last st, K1

Row 2: Purl all sts
Repeat these 2 rounds until 4sts remain. Break yarn and draw through remaining 4sts, tighten to close.

Finishing

Using mattress stitch, sew up seam to close (a 1st selvedge on either side of the work has been provided to help seaming). Weave in all ends.

A light blocking is recommended to help the shaping settle. It is best to block this Hat flat, and rotate as necessary to avoid creases.

---

Pointy Hats, 'cos scientists are wizards, no? https://t.co/8Wg2YtuO9Z

— Woolly Wormhead (@WoollyWormhead) February 16, 2017

I happened to be online at the right time when talk of Hats for the #scientistsmarch cropped up. My first reaction was...

... and so A Hat To Make A Point was born.

There were lots of reasons why the Women's March was a success, worldwide. The drive to knit and crochet Hats, the revival of the crafts for many women, the sea of colour, and the acknowledgement of what many of us have known for sometime - that knitting, and crochet, are empowering and valid avenues for activism.

I'm unable to march, and offering up a free pattern is the least I can do to help.

There are 2 sizes included - 19in (12mth through to small adult) and 22in (average adult female).

There are 3 different brim options and 2 different crown options (depending on how much of a point you want to make)

And because I want to be as accessible to as many knitters as possible, I've included instructions for knitting in the round AND knitting flat.

It's a bumper pattern!

I used Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica as it's a great woolly chunky yarn that knits up super quick and provides women in Uruguay with social and economic opportunities through the Manos cooperatives. (I'm a big fan of fairtrade yarn, as you know).

Knit this Hat and be part of the community. And don't let anyone tell you that you should keep politics out of knitting - this is your choice, not theirs. (besides, they may need a lecture in why knitting is a political act in and of itself)