Do you think you make money at selling your creations, or is it Just for the love of it?
I’ve been knitting/crocheting since I was 10 yrs old so over the years it was “just for the love of it”, and as an adult for “gifting” to family and friends but a few years ago I started to sell some items and then decided to start my own business as a maker. I do make a small income from selling the items I make. I currently have a full-time job but once I retire I hope to devote more time to my little side hustle.
Are you a trend follower, or a trend setter?
Currently more of a trend follower. I like to research what is trending and add it to my offering.
Do you find it difficult to follow written patterns?
No, I don’t find it difficult at all to follow written patterns.
Do you create your own patterns and do you sell them, or are you more likely to just give them away?
I have not yet begun to create my own patterns although I have ideas floating around in my head for patterns. With a full-time job I just haven’t taken the time necessary to devote to pattern writing. I generally purchase patterns from designers who grant permission to sell items made from their pattern.
Have you ever been the author of a Follow along or Make along video or written project?
I have not.
Do you crochet? And if so which do you prefer?
Oh, yes, I’ve crocheted for years but have not done so for the past few years. My first love is knitting, and making mittens from thrifted, upcycled wool sweaters, although I’ve been getting the itch lately to pick up a crochet hook again.
What’s your favourite weight of yarn?
Fingering (sock) weight. Second fave is super chunky. Talk about from one extreme to the other!
Do you prefer Bamboo, plastic or Metal, needles?
I prefer metal needles with wood a very close second.
Can you knit both left handed and right handed?
I can only knit right-handed, although I have made a few colour-stranded projects knitting with both.
Have you even been stumped by a pattern and just given up and walked away from it? Did you ever go back and finish it?
I don’t recall so much as being stumped by a pattern, rather that I’ve purchased patterns before and ended up walking away from it because I didn’t like it, or it wasn’t written very well.
What’s your favourite type of yarn ie Wool, synthetic yarn, mohair?
WOOL is my FAV!
Are you obsessed with yarns and do you buy them for specific projects or do you get the inspiration after the fact?
Ummm, ok, yes, I can be somewhat obsessed with yarn but am good at not hoarding yarn (maybe just a wee bit). I generally purchase yarn for specific projects. For example, I may see a beautiful indie-dyed fingering weight yarn that I’ll purchase knowing that I’ll use it to knit a shawl even if I know it will be a bit down the road before I get around to making it.
Do you prefer circular needles or double pointed sets?
I use both .. but prefer circular needles. I’ve used DPNs for years and years but taught myself magic loop a few years ago. (thank-you YouTube)
What’s the one project that you are most proud of and why?
The one project I am most proud of is a shawl that I made, pattern is the Find Your Fade Shawl by Andrea Mowry (dreareneeknits). It’s huge and took 7 skeins of fingering weight yarn that I purchased from Lichen and Lace. I’m proud of it because it was a big project that took a lot of time to make, it’s very pretty, and mostly because I finished it. I do not like having WIPs … no more than one.
You can find Charlene on her website http://www.seascapeknits.com/.
