Designing a brand new pattern can be so much fun but ensuring you have all the information jotted down to actually write up the pattern can feel daunting. In today's episode, we break down the list of everything you need to include in your pattern to make it great! Evidently there's the basics information such as materials, tools, gauge, etc. but there's also a whole slew of extras that are fun to add and oh so useful for anyone using your pattern, no matter their skill level. 

As promised, here's the link to Dani's Maker Pattern Template: https://cjdsgn.com/collections/templates/products/the-makers-pattern-template

The design process can look very different from one person to the next, prime example: we do things in very different ways but both succeed in our own form. Though there is no one size fits all recipe to follow, in this episode we talk about where we find inspiration, how we select yarn (and whether we pick it before finding an idea or not) and explain how we go about writing the pattern up. Dani tells us about the amazing template she's created (link will be added as soon as it's available for purchase) to help you jot down all the important information you'll want to remember later and we explain the difference between grading, tech editing and pattern testing. 

In today's episode, we talk about all the things we wish we knew before we started knitting and or crocheting, from how much money you'll spend (willingly) to how much storage you'll need both for your yarn stash and your market stock, from how to read a pattern to what exactly is drape? We even asked our followers for their input and talk about some of their responses such as how clothing isn't actually that much harder to make than simpler projects!

With every new year comes all the talk about temperature blankets, but what are they exactly? How so you start one and maybe more importantly, how do you find the dedication and motivation to finish it? What type of yarn to buy and how much to get? What temperature should you use? How to adapt your color chart to your climat? What if you forget to record a day's temperature? In today's episode we answer all these questions and more to give you all the information you need to make your own. 

Temperature Blanket Pattern: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1149950585/temperature-blanket-crochet-pattern?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=temperature+blanket&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&pop=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

Temperature Blanket Planner: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1336641753/yearly-temperature-project-printable?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=temperature+blanket&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&bes=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

In today's episode, we will be doing a little recap of 2022, looking back at what we did and the things we have accomplished. We are also setting goals for 2023, dreaming and thinking about everything that we would like to accomplish this new year.

Do you want to start knitting and/or crocheting but are unsure where to start? In this episode, we give you our best advice for how to get started. We talk about what kind of project you should start with and which should come soon after, we give you our recommendation on the essential supplies you'll want to grab down to what type of yarn colour we recommend starting with, and we discuss the benefits of video tutorials versus in-person classes based on your learning style and how a buddy can be helpful and maybe even essential to your success in this new endeavor.

The label of every skein of yarn is chock-full of information that can help ensure the yarn you pick is just right for your project. In this episode, we go over the various figures you can find on a yarn label and help you understand how each of them can affect what you will create. Below, we've added the list of items we covered and their time stamps to make it easier for you to refer to while standing in the yarn aisle:

Mentioned websites: 

It's usually around this time of year, with the holidays coming up, that makers start getting requests from family and friends for handmade presents, but should we say yes? 

Knitting for family and friends can be a controversial topic. Saying no to projects that are too time consuming, not your style or that you simply don't feel like making can be though. Charging a fair amount for your work can be even harder. In this third episode, we talk about setting boundaries for ourselves and managing the expectations of family and friends. We explain how the approach to the ask is one of the most crucial factor in our decision and explore the various levels of making gifts for family and friends ie. making for free vs. charging for materials, charging full price vs. giving away stock items, making something without being asked vs. saying a flat out no, etc. 

Curious to find out more about what exactly is a knit night or sip and stitch? In our first episode we brushed on the subject when we explained that we met at a knit night so in this episode, we talk about our experiences, and delve a little deeper into the who, what, when, where and how. 

We'll answer the basics such as: What exactly is a knit night and most importantly, what do you do there? When and where are they held? Who can join? How to find one near you or even start one yourself. As a bonus we'll also tell you the story of how our knit nights evolved over time and explain how we got "kicked out" of a local café (and what to do so it doesn't happen to you)! 

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Drop A Stitch Podcast with Dani and Nathalie. In this first episode, we are introducing ourselves and sharing the story of how we met. You can expect lots of girl talk, crochet and knitting-related content and lots of learning.  We will be chatting and sharing a lot of valuable information with all of you!  I hope you like it!