My First Custom Order!

37 Replies

First, here is are the pictures of that adorable baby hat I whipped up for my Dad’s friend.

Secondly, here is a the finished product of my Baby Sophisticate Sweater. I am super proud of this little guy – I cannot wait to gift it!

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Progress…

Finished!

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

You’ve heard it here first friends and neighbors, I have received my first custom order! Best part, it is not a “custom order” for ruffles! I have been presented with the opportunity to make five hats and two scarves in whatever fashion I want! It has been so exciting so far, I’ve been in every stitch dictionary and design book that I own – or my local library can provide.

There is never a downside to an order, but there is a way to self-sabatage your business. I quoted the lowest price that I could think of (thinking that they would say no! you are far to talented!). Seriously, what goes through my head, I’ll never know! Either way, this is the first opportunity to really knit my heart out and show off what I can do.

The hats are for three children: ages six, three and 5 months. The hat and scarves combinations are for two adult females. This is what I’ve done so far. I created a hat for a three year old from a circular needle stitch pattern book complete with the easiest hat closure possible.

By the way...it's actually purple.

By the way…it’s actually purple.

By the way…it’s actually purple.

I am thinking of putting the pattern on my Ravelry page, but it just seems like that pattern would be a little to obvious. So I will see what you think! Here is the pattern:

** FREE PATTERN **

→ For worsted-weight yarn – going down to baby weight you will need to find the correct gauge (for me it was increasing by 32 stitches and going down a needle size).

→ CO 88 stitches (any multiple of 8 will work) on size 6US (4mm) needles – 16″ Circular
→ K1, P1 across for 8 rounds.
→ Switch to size 7US (4.5mm) 16″ circular needles.

Repeat the following 12 rounds three (3) times. (this was how long it took me to get my height)

  1. Knit
  2. Knit
  3. Knit
  4. Knit
  5. *4st. Left Cable, 4st. Right Cable* rep. till end of round. (front to back cable pattern)
  6. Knit
  7. Knit
  8. Knit
  9. Knit
  10. Knit
  11. *4st Right Cable, 4st. Left Cable* rep. till end of round. (back to front cable pattern)
  12. Knit
  • 4st. Left Cable – 2sts on cable needle, hold front, knit two stitches from left needle, knit 2sts off cable needle.
  • 4st. Right Cable – 2sts on cable needle, hold back, knit two stitches from left needle, knit 2sts off cable needle.

→ Switch to DPNs when needed.

  1. *K2, K2tog* rep. till end of round.
  2. Knit
  3. *K1, K2tog* rep. till end of round.
  4. Knit
  5. *K2tog* rep. till end of round.
  6. Cut 12″ tail and sew up remaining stitches tightly to avoid a hole.

Simple! Too simple to put on my page though? I dunno – child sizes with worsted weight yarn is almost always between 82-92 stitches and the cable is just following a book. Well, I am very pleased with how it turned out.

So along with the KAL, I have a custom order and tons of ruffles. I’ve gotta say, I am really in my happy place right now! What about you friends and neighbors? What gets you into your happy place?

37 thoughts on “My First Custom Order!”

  4. kirkykoo79

    Lots of lovely FOs! I’d definitely say publish the hat pattern – I think there are many relatively new knitters (like me) who are less experienced with circular knitting and having a good pattern to follow really helps. I wouldn’t attempt a hat without one! (Also, I’d like to have go and it’d be nice to be able to link to the pattern on Ravelry.)

    Reply ↓
  8. sourdoughkaty

    I’m always a bit disappointed with the lack of simple patterns on Ravelry. I wanted to try top down knitting last month, but couldn’t find a pattern for a simple stockinette raglan pullover with a shaped (i.e. not boatneck) neck. So I had to design my own. Turned out fine, but was a bit of a pain. Now I think I need to write it up so I can add it…

    I could write my own pattern for a honeycomb hat, but I wouldn’t necessarily think to do so. Variety of ideas is just as important as complexity, when it comes to patterns. So your lovely hat should be shared! Uh, you, know, if you’re up for it… 😉

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    1. allnightknits Post author

      Thank you – I think for sure I am going to publish it!

      I would live to see what you came up with with your sweater. I’m doing my first now do any help I can find – anywhere – is amazing!

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  9. lottieknits

    Well done!

    You should definitely put the pattern on Ravelry. I doesn’t matter that some people will see it as ‘obvious’ as there are plenty of people who will want to knit it who wouldn’t know where to start in working out a pattern. Just put your blog as the pattern source.

    If you want plenty of projects, make a PDF of the pattern and upload it directly to Ravelry as well as giving a link to your blog. Alternatively, if you want Ravelry to direct traffic to your blog, you could make a PDF that you can only download from your blog, just be aware that more people will want to download directly from Ravelry, so this could limit your total audience for the pattern.

    It all depends what your priorities are for the pattern and your blog.

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      That is a ton if information to process Lottie!

      I was thinking about putting a link back to the blog (for questions) and just writing the pattern in the note section. I do PDFs for work all the time but I wonder if it would be worth it. It’s not like I would ever sell the pattern – I just wanted to get it out there.

      Reply ↓
      1. lottieknits

        Sorry – it’s more complicated the more you think about it! I wouldn’t write it in the notes section myself, as this is something that Ravelry says not to do when you create a pattern page, but if you don’t want to do a PDF just link back to the post. I use MS Word or MS Publisher to make PDFs and it’s not really much hassle. Even a free Ravelry download will get you more blog traffic 😊. Good luck!

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          1. lottieknits

            28 ruffle scarves?! 😳 You must have the patience of a saint!

            Hmm…. Not a big fan of knitting machines myself, I’ve only tried a very basic one (a Bond knitting machine that my Mum had) and although it was quick it only really did stocking st, if you wanted to do rib or cables or lace you had to unravel the sts where you wanted the cable to be and redo them with a crochet hook. It was also really noisy and there was no way of changing the tension/gauge you were working to. Needless to say it ended up in a charity bag. There are much better machines out there though with computer-y things and punch cards so they might be good, but I just didn’t enjoy knitting with a machine as it wasn’t that relaxing.

            Good luck with the pattern! 😊

            Reply ↓
            1. allnightknits Post author

              Thank you, the pattern is slowly coming along.
              I was thinking of the knitting machine to just do my charity blankets. I used to do two every month (bereavement size) every month. Since I opened the store it’s just not happening. SO I bought the ultimate knitting machine and I can’t get the bloody (Britishisms!) to work. I’m taking it as a sign.
              As for the ruffles, with a little help from the lovelies in my life it’s getting easier. I will say that I REALLY miss knitting. These ruffles are just so boring!! They sell so well though – but I want to work with double knitting/lace/beads. Aka fun stuff 😉

              Reply ↓
  12. salpal1

    never hesitate to put your work on Ravelry, and your patterns, because eventually, you will be making such fabulous ones that you can charge for them, and people will already be in love with your patterns, and will know they are good, so will pay you for the new ones. Got it? 🙂

    And never assume anyone will try to pay you MORE than you ask. People just don’t think that way! And if you get a referral from this customer, don’t worry about “now I have to match that low price or they will get mad” Just charge a fair price and stand by it.

    Done lecturing.

    I love both those hats. 🙂 And the sweater. Great job!

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    1. allnightknits Post author

      Thank you!

      I know it was silly to underprice the items, but now there is the stress-free attitude to to try all sorts of things with no parameters, just specific color instructions. I’ve learned my lesson:)

      As for designing, I guess that is the same worry as charging too much – what if people don’t like it? But hey, you’re right and I needed the lecture!
      Now to just try to keep moving forward!

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  14. Hannah Rose

    Oh my god, that baby sweater! You are amazingly talented, and I’m so glad to hear you’re getting orders! Pricing can be difficult, I know this so well. But never under estimate your talent and abilities! Can’t wait to see your designs.

    Reply ↓
    1. allnightknits Post author

      Thank you Hannah! The baby sweater was really easy – after I asked a million questions 😉 If you ever get the urge to make it I can always help talk you through it!

      As for designs, and pricing, I guess it’s all just a great big learning curve.

      Reply ↓

  17. Pingback: Custom Order Progress Update! Three Very Ambitious Hats! | All Night Knits

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