The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

(Yikes. What a title. The (But Fun!) I threw in there doesn’t even really jazz it up. An exclamation point just looked stupid. No one would exclaim after saying that.)

I’m Michigan bound today! My Amtrak (kill me) to Holland leaves at 5:20 and I’ll be rolling in around 9:30pm. My mom called me yesterday to alert me that Edy’s is having a huge sale and to ask what flavors of ice cream she should pick up.

So yes, it’s going to be an awesome stay in the mitt.

I’ve been chatting to you lately about my pretty minimalist lifestyle – my spending less lets you live happily making less philosophy -  so I wanted to break down my pattern sales for those of you who might be curious about it. I know I was before I started trying to sell my patterns!

I went into producing this ebook with no expectations whatsoever. I know The Sweatshop will not make me a millionaire and I don’t want it to. I love it and it’s a bonus that I’m starting to be able to live off my work. This was my first try, my first try of many!, and the more patterns I write the more people I reach the more money I make from doing what I love. At least that is the plan.

So! The Summer Tour of Knitting Patterns Ebook went on pre-sale May 31st to a select group of my long term knitting students and supporters for a discounted rate of $12. Then it went public on June 1st for $18. On July 1st I released the patterns individually and their cost ranged from $2-5.50.

After two months of availability, here are my sales numbers:

Ebook Pre-Sale = 15 copies at $12 = $180

Ebook Sales at Full Price = 11 copies at $18 = $198

Individual Sales = $49.50

Individual Sales includes 6 copies of the Twin Cities Headband, 4 copies of Baby Sweater Buffet, 1 copy of Caitlin’s Cardi, 1 copy of Traverse City Tube Top, and 1 copy of The Loop Entrelac Tank.

I’ve made $437.50 on this project, and counting. I would absolutely call that a success!

Larger successes:

1. There has only been one mistake found and reported back to me and it wasn’t even an error in a pattern portion of the ebook.

2. Knitters that I don’t know are out there knitting what I’ve designed! Reading my words and making things that wouldn’t exist with out me. That blows my mind.

3. I have relationships with knitters now that I would never know if I didn’t write these patterns. They found one of my patterns, they liked it enough to purchase it, they knit it, they shared that process through the magic of the internet, and now we are part of each others lives.

The bottom line is that I had no expectations going in, so sales exceeded my expectations. But more than that is the knitting community’s reception of my patterns exceeded my expectations. I’m addicted to writing patterns that people want to knit. I want to see their pictures and read their thoughts! I love it.

So I’ve got to use this information to help me write better patterns in the future. This was my first try, and I’m going to make each next product better and better, which should lead to more sales and views and interest and, above all, more people knitting my designs.

I’m leaving in a few hours for a 5 week working vacation because of you! You motivate me to be better and better at what I love doing, which is a solid equation if you ask me.

You know I can’t go a whole month without hosting a knitting event! The Sweatshop of Love has been exclusively Chicago based since 2006. Exclusively Chicago based until now, that is!

The Sweatshop of Love NYC Meet Ups:

Knitting in the Bar

Chicago Sweatshoppers have been known to knit in bars, and now that silliness is coming to Floyd NY. Please join me Thursday, August 12th at 7pm at Floyd NY – 131 Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn - with knitting needles in hand!

From experience, bring an easy project. After a couple beers those stitches start looking WEIRD.

Knitting in the Park

Picnic knitting is a blast! Can you think of anything sweeter than sipping lemonade in the sunshine while knitting away? Swing by McCarren Park in Brooklyn Saturday, August 28th at 2pm with a blanket and your latest project for some outdoor knitting and sunbathing. Exact location to come!

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Both of these events will be opportunities for you to come with your knitting questions; with patterns you need help reading, with techniques you can’t figure out, with projects you are stuck on.

Haven’t knit in years? We’ll get you started again! Knitting expert? Come and make some new knitting friends!

Sound like fun? It will be! Email me at allyson [at] thesweatshopoflove [dot] com to get on my mailing list. Forward this to people you think would be interested. Email me if you are planning on coming or if you’ve got any questions.

I can’t wait to knit with you!

I’m inching ever closer to my Chicago Outie 5000 date (FRIDAY! HOLLA!), and somehow I find myself ahead of schedule.

When you give yourself so a nearly impossible amount of work to do, knowing full well that it will be nearly impossible to finish, and then finish it… well. It’s inspiring. It inspires me to stop thinking I can’t do things. It inspires me to just try, because you don’t know if you don’t try. I went into this Renegade To Do List thinking that I would try to do it, and whatever I got done before I left I would bring and it would be fine.

But I did it all. 150+ fabric buttons. 61 kit bags. 40 completely new kits – designing, knitting, stuffing, finishing. 68 total kits completed and ready to go.

Next up? My In-NYC To Do List. Then my Post-NYC To Do List. My ebook to do list. My fall class schedule to do list.

But am I worried? Not in the least. I finished the big one. I’m pretty sure I can do anything.

I wanted to note that I’m closing The Sweatshop of Love’s Etsy Shop Thursday since I won’t be around to mail anyone anything. If you want something get it now! Whatever is left after Renegade will be posted in September.

There is nothing like a pre-trip trip! A week before I take off on my Midwestern/NYC Summer Tour, Rachel, Tara, Katie and I drove up to Milwaukee for the weekend!

Bloody Mary and Chaser at Commet Cafe Milwaukee WI

With Bacon!

You know you did something right when all your pictures are of food. We stopped at Comet Cafe for enormous amounts of delicious food.

Darts at The Swingin' Door

We ate lunch and played darts at The Swingin’ Door, easily the coolest bar in all of Milwaukee.

Brewers Game at Miller Park!

Free Aprons!

Pudge Rodriguez!

We went to Miller Park for a Brewers game and got to say hi to my kitty Pudge Rodriguez‘s namesake, who is now playing for the Nationals.

Cutest Date Ever

Run Chorizo Run!

Thanks, Milwaukee, for being such an amazing host! Weekends like this just cement my undying love of the Midwest. And it was a great way to spend some time with my favorite ladies before I run away for a while. Yay amazing weekend!

Fabric covered buttons are practically a staple here at The Sweatshop of Love. If something needs buttoning I fabric covered button it.

Super Cute Fabric Covered Buttons!

So naturally I want to pimp their greatness at Renegade!

TONS of Buttons

This weekend I made 84 3/4″ buttons and 63 1 1/8″ buttons. They are pretty simple to make but painful and time consuming, which is why you’d much rather have me make them for you than you do it yourself! My fingers are still numb. I had no strength left toward the end and had to get my hammer out to finish the last of them.

Fun Fabric=Fun Buttons!

The 3/4″ buttons will come two in a package for $3 and I made at least 6 buttons with each scrap of fabric. The 1 1/8″ buttons will come individually for $2 and I made at least 4 buttons with each scrap of fabric.

Just like when I was finished sewing my kit project bags, I never want to make another fabric covered button ever again. And just like when I was finished sewing my kit project bags, I wonder how long that will last.

Things are getting checked off the list! T-7 days until my trip starts!

I mentioned yesterday that I had something fun to show you guys! I’ve had this finished for a while but couldn’t handle putting on buttons much less putting it on for a fashion show. It’s hot, y’all!

Two Boyfriends! Yay!

It’s still hot, so please excuse the shiny face, but here is The Two Boyfriend Cardigan!

Half Blue, Half Green, All Hot!

This top down boyfriend style cardigan is double fun because its striping color is split down the middle. The main color is striped through on both sides, but with one of your boyfriend’s favorite colors on the right and your other boyfriend’s favorite color on the left, you are sure to please everyone!

Deep V-Neck, Lots of Buttons

Main color ribs at bottom, sleeves, and button band rows add texture, but the majority of this sweater is just increasing stitches and striping.

Slouchy, Roomy, Comfy

The Two Boyfriends Cardigan is sized big and slouchy for a borrowing-your-boyfriends-cardigan feel. I’m sure that if I were cold this sweater would warm me right up, but I’ll have to wait until fall to confirm that.

Pudgey Approved!

And Pudge Rodriguez certainly likes it!

I used Knit Picks Merino Style in Fedora (MC) Dusk (CC1) and Moss (CC2) and size 6 circular needles. This pattern is going to be part of my next ebook, but before that I’m looking for a test knitter! Please let me know if you are interested and I’ll send the pattern over to you. Sadly I can’t pay you, but you’ll get a copy now and a finished copy of the pattern once it’s ready for publishing. Edit: Test knitter found!

TOO HOT TOO HOT TOO HOT

Now I’m going to put this sweater in a drawer for 3 months!

Pattern: The Two Boyfriends Cardigan – Coming Soon!

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style

Needles: Size 6 circulars

Ravelry Page

I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest sweater design, and with a forecast with temperatures only in the 80s I might even be able to model it! More about that sweater tomorrow.

First we’ve got finished July sweaters galore!

River Tweed Cardigan

Ksana knit this beautiful River Tweed Cardigan (every time I try to type tweed I type tweet. Addicted much?) as a test knit. I love the flattering cables on the sides and the corresponding cables on the collar. So pretty!

Anney

Robin knit this super seasonally appropriate and adorable sweater Anney.  I’m a sucker for ribbon details and cables becoming figures, so when I saw this FO I knew it was for me! So cute!

Miss Dashwood

She also knit this super cute shrug, Miss Dashwood! I love the color choice. Most shrugs are knit with safe neutrals so they are super wearable, but this simple lace shawl is a knockout in the lime green! Way to go out on a limb and rock it hard, Robin!

Corvallis Cardigan

Clara finished this fun cardigan, the Corvallis Cardigan, which is the perfect pattern for Clara because it has sizing for all 3 of her kids! This picture is a work in progress; you can see the ends and it needs some buttons, but you can see it’s going to be super rad! Great job Clara!

And we’ve got another two for one! Rachel finished two sweaters:

Corona Camisol

The Corona Camisol is one of my favorite patterns from this last issue of Interweave. The front detail is cute and the sweater is totally wearable! Summer sweater win for sure.

Emmaline

And this is the second Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge appearance of Emmaline from the summer Knitty. The more I see this pattern the more I like it! Those little sleeves! Another amazing example of a summer knit. Way to rock it out Rachel!

Didn’t think there were so many summer knitting patterns available? Where have you been?! Email me if you have questions about finding a summer sweater pattern or yarn choices. I’m here to help!

Keep the finished sweaters coming ladies!

Originally today was supposed to be the launch day for my new Knit Kits. We decided to push their debut back. Now they are going to debut at Renegade! So you’ll have to wait until September 11th to get in on these next kits.

What are the next knitting projects we are kit-izing?

Nautical Knot Necklace!

One of them might have something to do with what is in this picture. That is all I can say!

Cordia Rocking Her Bow Headband, and Cayo!

Last week Cordia, my student Lori’s daughter, turned 3! Naturally this was a big deal in The Sweatshop of Love and a bunch of us caravan-ed to her birthday party.

A special little girl like Cordia needed a special present.

If there is one thing Cordia knows it’s fashion. She is always dressed in the highest of high fashion. Cute dresses with matching tights and headband.

… did someone say headband?! I can do that!

Cordia always picks yellow and purple yarn for the projects Lori makes her, so she had to have a yellow and purple headband.

This project is great for scraps and little yarn leftovers. The duplicate stitch hearts add sweetness without letting intarsia make you insane.

It’s a tiny bow headband for a special little girl in your life! It should be as painless to knit as possible.

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Cordia’s Bow Headband Pattern

Cordia's Bow Headband!

Finished Measurements Length: 4 1/2”. Width: 2″.

MATERIALS

Yarn A tiny amount sock or sport weight yarn in two colors. I used Knit Picks Shine Sport in Daffodil (MC) and Knit Picks Gloss Sock Yarn in Grape (CC). Both are discontinued colors because they’ve been in my remnant ball pile forever!

Needles Size 5 (3.55 mm): Straight needles. 2 size 3 (3.25 mm): Double pointed needles.

Notions Yarn needle.

GAUGE

Gauge is not important in this project.

Duplicate Stitch Hearts!

DIRECTIONS

Bow
With MC and larger needles, CO 18 sts. Work 2 rows of seed sts.

Row 3: Work 2 sts in seed st, K 14, work 2 sts in seed st.
Row 4: Work 2 sts in seed st, P 14, work 2 sts in seed st. Work in pattern until bow measures 4 1/4”. Work 2 rows in seed st. BO all sts.

Bow’s Loop
With CC and larger needles, CO 4 sts. Work in seed st for 1 1/2”. BO all sts.

Bow’s Band
With CC and DPNs, CO 3 sts. Make a 24” icord. Cut yarn and secure sts.

FINISHING

With CC, duplicate stitch two hearts on each side of bow.

Weave in all ends. Seam ends of Bow’s Loop together around center of Bow and Bow’s Band. Secure all three pieces together at base. Weave in remaining ends.

I hope you enjoy knitting these adorable little bow headbands for every adorable little girl you know!

Ravelry Download!

I’ve been talking about it obnoxiously, but here I go again: I got into the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago this September! I’ll be focusing almost exclusively on selling my knit kits and, since I won’t be in Chicago from July 30th-Sept 6th, I want to get my entire kit inventory finished and ready to go before I leave.

Knit Kit Project Bags

Which means I’ve got to sew my ass off.

I make every drawstring project bag for every kit. I buy hanks of muslin. I dye the muslin yellow in a bucket in my kitchen. I cut all the bags. I sit at my sewing machine and stitch them all up.

Stamp!

I iron them. I stamp them!

LOTS of Stamps

I iron on all the stamps.

It’s quite a process. I want to have a huge inventory for Renegade and I’ve got just over two weeks to get it all finished. Back to the sewing machine!