Welcome to Design Lab
Turn Your Awesome Idea into a Published Pattern
Design Lab is Open for Enrollment
Exciting Things are Happening
This round of Design Lab will be broken up into three week intensives:
- September 30 – October 27: Drop Shoulder
- November 4 – December 1: Raglan
- December 9 – January 5: Circular Yoke
During each session, students will be able to join live office hours once a week.
- Sundays at 2pm ET
Publishing a winning pattern starts with having an awesome idea, and I’m sure you have notebooks full of them! But a great idea is just the beginning.
You need technical skills to back up that creativity. And a proven system to help you avoid getting stuck along the way.
I created Design Lab to give you all that and more.
How does this sound?
- 4 weeks of expert guidance on your unique project.
- A flexible, step-by-step framework to help you stay focused.
- Easy to follow templates to put your project on the fast track to completion.
- Strategies to deepen your creative practice and create exciting new designs makers will love.
Sweater Design Demystified
While I was preparing this course, I laid out every step I take to bring my ideas from thought into reality and I counted over 20 individual actions!
So if you’ve ever attempted designing on your own and felt overwhelmed, don’t feel down.
Designing your first garment is thrilling but it can be a daunting process, especially your first time through.
Now, imagine what it would be like having input from a pro to help you take your ideas from being thoughts into real, wearable garments.
No Nonsense Knitwear Design
Do you want to…
- Publish your work with your favorite magazine?
- Learn how to translate what’s in your head onto paper, even if you’re “bad” at drawing.
- See examples of great design submissions.
- Cut down time from idea to release day.
- The only thing that should slow you down is your needles.
- Cut out the indecision.
- Improve your technical skills and push your creativity to the next level.
- Demystify the design development process.
- Learn how to test your ideas so what’s in your head and on the page comes out right.
- Gain confidence in your unique creative outlook.
I can show you how!
What is included?
- 4 weeks of pre recorded classes, available immediately after enrollment
- Live office hours every week, held Sundays at 2:00 pm ET to answer your questions
- Access to a private Slack group for support between classes
- Detailed design demos for your choice of drop shoulder, raglan, or circular yoke
- My personal size chart
- Downloadable worksheets and resources to help you streamline the design process
- Personalized feedback on your project(s)
- Bonus: Spreadsheet Basics cheat sheet and videos
Build Your Own Design Course
Until now, Design Lab has been an all-or-nothing deal.
It was a roughly 12-week commitment covering all design types. With these focused intensives, you can now
- Customize your learning to your needs
- Surround yourself with peers working towards a similar goal
- Become an expert on your chosen design construction
Up for a challenge?
Designing one sweater is impressive.
Designing two or three? That’s next level!
Do you have what it takes to conquer all 4 of the classic construction types?
Join in all three intensives and receive a special bonus lesson: Set-in sleeves.
How do I know I’m ready to start designing?
I’ll answer your questions with a few more: Have you knit a sweater? Altered an existing design for yourself or others? Tested a pattern for another designer? If so, then you’re in a great spot to attempt your first sweater design.
I really need help with pattern grading, is that covered in this course too?
Yes, this course includes a pattern grading module with everything you need to get started grading in an inclusive range. But it doesn’t go nearly as deep as Pattern Grading Bootcamp. The focus of Design Lab is just that: Design. You’re often making design decisions while you grade and grading decisions while you design. Such is the cyclical nature of design development.
What if I’m not good at drawing?
That’s ok, some of the most talented designers I know are bad at drawing. I’m being totally serious! Plus, there are plenty of other ways to get your vision across, drawing is just one of them.
Module Topics Include:
- Generating Creative Ideas Your Audience Will Love
- Planning Your Sweater Design
- Selecting Materials + Swatching
- Analysis of Sweater Construction Methods
- Pattern Grading
- Pattern Writing + Formatting
- Technical Editing + Testing
- Pitching Your Work
By the end of the course, you will have
- A pitch sheet that is ready to be sent to yarn companies and magazines.
- A written pattern that will be ready for technical editing and testing.
- The confidence and technical knowledge to take on your next sweater design.
On-going support:
Stay in touch with your peers on our private slack channel.
It’s the perfect place to connect with your fellow designers and technical editors.
Let’s start your sweater now.
FAQ
Will recordings of the live sessions be available?
Yes, all live sessions will be recorded and made available to students for repeat viewings.
How long will I have access to the course materials?
At least one year, but likely more. Technology changes, so I can’t promise forever. The only reason you would lose access is if I move the course hosting, and I don’t have plans to do that.
When will you be running this class again?
Design Lab will return in Spring 2025.
Do you cover pattern grading?
Yes! This course includes a pattern grading module that will teach you how to grade for an inclusive size range.
I’ve found that many designers who are beginning their journey designing garments think it’s only grading that is holding them back. But what they don’t realize is how many unanswered design questions they still have.
Having a strong grasp of the technical elements of garment design, and a clear creative vision is what makes grading easier.
You’re often making design decisions while you grade and grading decisions while you design. Such is the cyclical nature of design development.
Design Lab was created to fill in these knowledge gaps.
Will you cover accessory design too, or just garments?
At this time I’m not planning on including lessons on accessory construction. But I wouldn’t rule it out for future versions of Design Lab.
Can crochet designers Take Design Lab?
Yes! The fundamentals of designing a garment are applicable to any craft.
I want to design for myself. Is that ok?
Yes, I’m happy to have you!
