CraftSanity Podcast 120: A day in the life of Chris de Longpre, pattern designer, business owner and self-published author

After Chris de Longpre “retired” from a career in information technology she decided to make the most of her free time.

She started knitting – a lot.

And Chris, of Kentwood, Mich., wasn’t content to follow a pattern, so she kick up the degree of difficulty and started writing her own patterns. She kept designing and taking notes.

Within months of her retirement, she launched a pattern business, called Knitting at KNoon Designs featuring eight original. Eight years later de Longpre has amassed a strong following for her pattern collection that features designs ranging from stuffed toys, socks and shawls to knitted garments for babies, children and adults.

Now her designs are stocked by 700 knitting shops across the country as well as in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Tune in to this episode of the podcast to hear the story of how Chris built a successful pattern design business and self-published her book, “Timeless Knits for Kids (Size 4 to 14.).” The book features a collection of 12 classic and practical sweater patterns she designed for her four grandchildren who are the models in the book.

You can read more about Chris in a recent newspaper column I wrote about her. You might also want to check out my podcast interview (#84) with Cat Bordhi, the knitter and designer who Chris credits with helping her get her book project off the ground.

NOTE: This podcast is rated VL for “very long.” So grab a sweater project and settle in for the long haul. : )

Visit our sponsors

LEFTZ
One-eyed plush creations, handmade with upcycled materials from thrift stores and yard sales. With the added charm of vintage trims, vintage buttons, and with their signature stuffing (recycled plastic shopping bags) LEFTZ are born.

These Eco-friendly plush were just featured in Stuffed Magazine!

You may ask yourself, “Why do they only have one eye?” Simple of course. Each plush receives a great big hug from Mary after completion. It’s such a big hug that one of their eyes just pops. Or it could be because she is left handed, She’s also heard it’s because she punches them. Whichever story you choose to believe is up to you o.X

Tortagialla
Check out Linda’s Etsy shop and art blog tortagialla.com. Her shop features handmade leather journals created by hand, all one-of-a kind.

Linda enjoys the process of bookbinding and also the idea of creating a useable item that inspires someone’s creativity – to make a mark – to art journal – to really express themselves creatively.

Knit Collage
Amy is an American living in Hong Kong, where she has a small studio full of spinners that she taught to spin some of her designs.  All the yarn has jazz in it, from angelina sparkely fibers to sequins and tiny crochet flowers.

She also has some free patterns up on her blog that can give people an
idea of what to do with it.  All of the yarn is available at her site at knitcollage.com or on
purlsoho.com.

Support the show!
Sponsor an episode or check out my etsy shop to see my handmade line of wooden peg looms.

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Taking Names
Who do you want to hear from next? Send your comments, guest and show topic suggestions to jennifer@craftsanity.com

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