Donna Estin Designs
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Knitting: an outlet for creative thoughts and problem solving. You've reached Donna Estin Designs' blog for an in depth look at knitting techniques, yarn construction, and all things knitting dissected.
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
Marketing is very personal, and your business is unique. Most of us in the knitting industry are working as one-person businesses. We don't have the luxury of having a marketing department to handle this for us. But getting noticed doesn't have to be so time consuming. Marketing Yourself within the Knitting Industry is designed for you.
The Marketing Course materials have been updated for 2022 to reflect the every-changing world of marketing and to provide a more tailored experience to you and what you do, with more flexibility in assignments. Some assignments ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
I've been doing all of the things to minimize pain when I knit so I can keep on knitting! I take breaks, do mini stretches, watch my posture, knit with circular needles so I can rest the weight of my project on my lap, massage my arms to break up the knots that form from muscle overuse, and sometimes use ice (which helps but I don't enjoy the application.) I have also added using Knitter's Relief Balm to my routine, while I knit, which has made a big difference.
I've worked with physical therapists, sports massage therapists, and had many visits to my chiropractor. My ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
When you're blocking a garment that has ribbing (1x1 Rib, 2x2 Rib, etc.), lay the garment flat and re-shape to the proper measurements, but leave the ribbing alone. If you're pinning the pieces or garment in place, pin just above the cuff or waistband ribbing, or just below the neckband ribbing. This lets the ribbing draw in and keep its stretchy quality. If you stretch out ribbing, pin it, and let it dry, it will retain the stretched-out look. Sometimes you might want this, so by all means, go for it! But if you want your ribbing to be stretchy, just let it dry ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
Thank you for supporting me and my business this past year! By being a member of Donna Estin Designs, subscribing to my newsletter, purchasing patterns, or following and interacting with me on social media, you make a big impact! When you're a one-person business, every action and sale means so much.
I am grateful to each of you for your support and as a special thank you, I'm giving away a sweet care package just for knitters.
Tell me YOUR knitting plans for 2022. As I begin to formulate designs for 2022, I'd love to hear from you! What do you plan ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
Each December, designers from all industries look to Pantone for the big announcement….what will be the color of the year?
Pantone has announced the color of the year for 2022 –
Very Peri.
This Periwinkle Blue color is meant to convey the transition that we are going through. Expect to see new designs shown in Very Peri starting in the next few months and continuing throughout 2022. You’ll see this color as dominating, single color knit garments, and also as an accent color in colorwork knitting patterns.
Pantone defines, communicates, and acts as ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
Learn something new with one of my upcoming courses!
Designing and Modifying Necklines, is geared towards intermediate and experienced knitters who wish to understand how to change the neckline of an existing pattern, and knitwear designers who are designing a neckline from the ground up. Class attendees are exposed to a range of necklines. This class covers types of necklines, sizing, shaping, altering necklines, deciding how the neck will be finished, the effect of collars, fit, and variables such as working flat or in the round, bottom up and top down. The class will be ab ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
I'm super excited to be teaching two classes at the Next Level Knitting Conference April 22-24, 2022. This is a 2-day virtual conference dedicated to elevating knitting skills for knitters of all stages, organized by The Knitting Guild Association.
My first class, Designing and Modifying Necklines, is geared towards knitwear designers who are designing a neckline from the ground up, and to experienced knitters who wish to understand how to change the neckline of an existing pattern. Class attendees are exposed to a range of necklines. This class covers types of ne ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
YarnCanada.ca is giving away $4000 worth of yarn for your charitable projects!
So many of us knit for good causes. Wouldn't it be awesome to have yarn donated to your knitting charity or next charitable knitting project?
If you have a story to share about your charitable knitting cause, YarnCanada wants to hear it! They've partnered with Bernat and Patons yarn to give 12 individuals and groups a total of $4000 worth of yarn to use towards their charitable knitting projects. (Open to Canadians and Americans.)
Here's their giveaway:
$1000 o ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
Pairing knitting and crocheting patterns together with sewing patterns, allows creative crafters to make the whole outfit - something that's a new concept and so convenient. I LOVE knitting and while I do have a sewing machine, I'm not that great at it so I don't sew as much. This book has inspired me to dust off my machine and sew too!
I was honored to have two designs in the book, Holle's Spell Top which is a tank top and lace shawl all in one. It is knit it Ancient Arts Merino Silk Fingering in color Fog Warning, and this yarn just glides through your fingers as you knit ..read more
Donna Estin Designs
3y ago
I am one of those unlucky knitters that has pain after knitting. My elbows hurt, my forearms hurt, my triceps hurt, my shoulders hurt, my neck hurts, it's just a mess. I have worked with physical therapists, sports massage therapists, chiropractic, and orthopedic doctors. I've heard many reasons for why I have pain and many remedies, but basically it boils down to two things:
1) poor posture while I knit (slouched on a sofa, watching Netflix, with my head tilted down) and
2) muscle overuse
First, the posture... I can't sit up straight and knit - I like to be comforta ..read more