Knitting For Profit

Posts Tagged ‘knitting jobs’

Knitting Jobs Through The Ages

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Here, for your fun and useless trivial information anecdote of the day, you will find lots of pointless facts about the history of knitting and the people who have been doing those lovely knitting jobs throughout the ages.

Throughout history, knitting jobs have been for both the super-poor and the super-rich. During some periods of history, knitting was associated with royalty and in some locations, knitting is a tradition going back literally tens of thousands of years since the prehistoric days.

While it is difficult to know exactly where it began, knitting jobs throughout the ages all have one thing in common.People who knit seem to share an intrinsic love for making beautiful creations. The people who do those knitting jobs have been from all different areas of the world and society but they all seem to take great pride in their knitted fashions and other knitted items.

Knitting In Spain
In Spain, knitting is relatively new historically speaking. The knitting jobs in Spain mostly go back to somewhere during the middle ages around the 1100s and 1200s when the Merino sheep was introduced by Muslim Traders. The Merino sheep, largely due to the fine quality of wool and knitting yarn produced from them, were primarily owned by the Royal Families and the Church. For quite some time, if a commoner were found with the sheep, the wool or the yarn, it would very likely end with a death sentence. Now I know we all take our knitting jobs seriously but that does seem to be just a little bit extreme.

Knitting In Scotland
In Scotland, evidence shows that both knitting and weaving has been around since history has been recorded and probably further back then that. In the lowlands of Scotland, much of the wool was woven into linen or light fabrics to accommodate the higher temperatures. In the highlands however, spinning the wool into yarn and then using the yarn for knitting jobs to make kilts, shawls and wraps that were more durable and capable of fending off the colder temperatures.

In fact, one of the most common forms of knitting today is the Fair Isle method which is a derivative of the methods used in both the Scottish highlands and in the Coastal Regions where protection from the weather was much more than a matter of comfort. In many cases, it was literally a matter of survival though being more comfortable certainly did not hurt.

Knitting In Ireland
Not to be outdone, the Irish have also made many contributions to knitting. Jobs including lace embellishments and fancier knitting designs were common in Ireland and many of these techniques are still used today.

Knitting In France
Knitting jobs did not become commercial enterprises until the middle of the 1500s in France. Since that time, most commercial knitting is done on knitting machines. Hand-knitting has piqued and ebbed in popularity since those days but it remains an excellent hobby, craft and just an excuse to get together and pass some yarns back and forth.

Knitting jobs through the ages may have undergone some changes but the love for creating something beautiful seems to be one of the things that draws knitters, young and old, experienced and new, into a common bond.
 

Tags: fair isle, fair isle method, history of knitting, knitting, knitting history, knitting jobs
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Knitting Jobs for Groups

Friday, April 16th, 2010

While these knitting jobs are certainly the exception and not the rule, they can still be a great excuse for getting together and spinning some yarn(s). But what kinds of knitting jobs are really available that are large enough for an entire group of people to work on? Certainly there are very few traditional or even conventional knitting patterns that are large enough to require more than one person but this is not really conventional knitting work we are talking about. These are the kinds of knitting jobs that are done to create an interest in knitting and more often than not, also to help worthy causes.

Knitting graffiti has become commonplace in many locations around the world. There may be a downside to these types of knitting jobs though, since some local law enforcement agencies have made this action comparable to standard graffiti even though it is usually very easy to remove. While there is no readily available record of anybody being prosecuted for this, it may be a good idea to use a modicum of caution and common sense if you do wish to try it.

Still, there are other ways of accomplishing much the same thing. If some guy can draw crowds and fill his coffers by hanging pink plastic all over the place, why would it not be possible to do something equally as grandiose with a group knitting job? Who is to say that the Statue of Liberty would not like a nice warm scarf or perhaps a loin cloth for Michelangelo’s David? If you approach it from a strictly artistic point of view, add in a healthy dose of charitable contributions and conclude with the fact that it would be a great way to get rid of that extra yarn where the dye just did not match quite well enough or that half a skein you had left over, knitting jobs like these sound a lot less crazy.

If you want to go with something a little more traditional and still get some good press for your knitting organizations, why not try some group charity knitting? These knitting jobs are diverse and would create some really positive PR. Groups around the world regularly knit supplies and materials for our soldiers such as socks and even helmet liners. Cancer research has also been a great beneficiary of knitting jobs that were taken up for charity.

One group commits as much time as it can to knitting teddy bears that will be given out free of charge to the children in the local hospitals. Now granted, it may take a slow news day to get you on the evening news but that does not make it impossible. How many worthy causes can you think of? How many of them could benefit by knitting jobs that your entire social circle could take up? The rewards for these types of knitting jobs go far beyond the satisfaction of a job well done. These types of knitting jobs warm the hearts and maybe even the bodies of some of the people who really do need it the most. 

Tags: charity knitting, knitting graffiti, knitting jobs, knitting teddy bears, knitting work, Make Money Knitting
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Different Knitting Needles for Different Knitting Jobs

Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Different knitting needles are needed for different knitting jobs. It is not like some needlecrafts where you can cheat and use the same needles for different threads or knitting yarns. When it comes to knitting jobs, about the only time you want to change the needle size from the recommended size is when you are felting something but that is an altogether different knitting job in and of itself. The knitting needles you need for your knitting jobs vary depending on the job but so do the measurements and sometimes that can be confusing.

Knitting needles are generally based on their gauge or metric measurements. The size needle you need for a knitting job will depend on the size and type of yarn that the knitting pattern calls for. Most knitting yarns are marked with what size needles work best but sometimes, the pattern for a particular knitting job may call for something slightly different … especially if there are complexities of any kind in the knitting pattern that have to be incorporated into the finished product.

The knitting jobs and patterns are pretty much the same wherever you go in the world but the knitting needle measurements will be different in different markets. For that reason, we have included a list of knitting needles, measurements and uses so that no matter what type of knitting jobs you want to do, you can get the correct knitting needles no matter where you are.

Now knitting needles also come made out of many different materials. Plastic, Bamboo and metal knitting needles are the most common but unlike the size, your knitting jobs will not require a certain type of knitting needle so much as your personal preference will. Some people are more comfortable with the natural feel of the bamboo knitting needles. I remember my Grandmother was especially fond of the metal knitting needles though. I think she just liked it because we could all hear her when she was working on her knitting jobs there at the house. Whatever the reasons you have for selecting any particular make of knitting needles, that will not matter nearly as much as the size.

Tags: knitting job, knitting jobs, knitting needle measurements, knitting needle sizes, knitting needles, knitting yarns, needlecrafts
Posted in Knitting Bits and Bobs, Knitting Resources | 1 Comment »

Machine Knitting Success Story From Linda

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Linda's story is another great example of finding a niche and creating a successful knitting business that has grown and developed over her lifetime. In this interview, she gives some valuable tips and advice about knitting jobs and how to make your knitting and crochet business a success.

How long have you been knitting and crocheting?

I have been knitting and crocheting for over 40 years now. I started designing about 20 years ago but didn’t get serious until about 5 years ago and created a loom knitting pattern book. “Looney for Looms”

Can you give a brief description of your knitting business?

I have recently retired from my knitting business as far as producing products, but they included everything from slippers to afghans. Mostly though I made personalized knitwear for both individuals and schools and such. The meat and potatoes of the business were personalized knitted ski caps. These were made to order so it wasn’t something you could make up ahead of time and keep in stock. Now I am more into helping others learn the ropes so to speak. (Linda's website is www.knitting-n-crochet.com)

When did you decide to start your knitting business and what gave you the idea?

I have always enjoyed making and creating knitted items and sales is just a natural outlet. In my early 20s I first saw an ad for a knitting machine and couldn’t get it out of my head – I just had to have one! Before that everything was done by hand and very limited to how much I could produce. The knitting machine opened up a whole new world for me.

I also learned a lot from a neighbor, who had had a successful knitting business. She knitted all sorts of things including hats, sweaters and dog sweaters that she sold all over the world. They were beautiful items and were made in no time flat. There was no Internet back then so she sold through ads in magazines and a sales rep.

I had always dreamed of my own home based business but thought it was only for the rich. Then here was my neighbour running a successful knitting business, and she was an a stay-home-Mom, just like me.

She sold me her old Brother 260, she encouraged me and shared her knitting patterns. She was the one who showed me how to make a personalized ski cap. When she moved away I taught myself with books and a mad desire to open my own knitting business.

Since 1986 I have learned machine knitting, loom knitting and hand knitting along with the crocheting I already knew. You can make money and work at home with these crafts. It takes persistence, determination, a little imagination and a bit of guidance, but you can do it!

Did you have any business experience when you started?

My mother was always selling something by party plan when I was growing up, but other than that I had to learn everything on my own. Books became your best friend back than but now you have the internet and so many more opportunities available.

Were there any challenges when you started out?

There were many challenges from finding supplies, to finding customers to finding time and lets not forget finding start up money. Yes you will have many bumps in the road, but if you are willing to do the research and put in the time, you can make it.

Is there anything you have learned that you wish you had known from the start?

Yes, I wish I had not tried every get rich scheme that came down the pike. I should have chosen my niche and learned all there was about it and stuck with it.

What are your hours like? Do you work from home?

When I first started I spent many more hours working than if I had a traditional job, but this is just what you do to get started. Than I gradually would work during the day when the kids were in school. With the internet it is even better because you can work a couple of hours here or there when ever you want. You can create knitwear and ship 24 hours a day now.

Do you still enjoy knitting now that it is your business as well as your hobby, and whats the best part of knitting for a living?

Yes I still enjoy it and always will. I love working with the yarns, patterns and colors. It is fun just to see it all come together into a beautiful article. The best part of knitting for a living is I can choose my own hours, it doesn’t matter if I am working at 12:00 noon or 12:00 midnight. My family was always first for me and this made it so much easier to have both family and income.

What's the hardest part?

I know this sounds contradictory but it is that you have times and seasons when the orders flood you and you HAVE to work long into the night. Especially with my product the holidays were extremely busy and the phone rang non-stop with more orders. When I choose to work at midnight I didn’t mind, but I hated to disappoint people and say “Sorry I just can’t get that done in the time you want it”

Do you have any tips for someone who is just starting out?

First you have to have a product people like and want – if you don’t have that than you need to find one. Than you have to get it out in the public’s eye, you need the product and you need the customers to buy it. And you need to take your knitting business seriously – give it 150% if you want to succeed. With all the sales avenues available now, you have a better chance of success today than I did 20 some years ago – you have the Internet and that is a tremendous advantage alone. If you want your own business and are willing to work at it, you can do it.

Read more about Linda and her knitting business on her website at www.knitting-n-crochet.com, where you'll also find her books, patterns and some great information about starting a machine knitting business.

Tags: knit ski cap, knitting and crochet, knitting business, knitting for a living, knitting jobs, knitting machine, loom knitting, machine knitting, Make Money Knitting
Posted in Success Stories & Interviews, machine knitting | No Comments »