I had the very great pleasure of meeting Wendy Gilbert through another knitter Marianna-Mel about whom I wrote on the 15th of August. I was invited to join the group Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days. It was there I had a bit of a brainwave brought on by a lovely woman named Andrea. Andrea wanted to knit up a baby bonnet but the pattern she wished to use was not available so I knitted a prototype. I am NOT a pattern writer, I really just don't have the skill. Enter Wendy Gilbert, a knitter of vastly more experience and a woman who loves to write, design, and test knit patterns. Wendy lives in Australia, I live in the Northern Adirondacks of New York state. Wendy's task was to take notes written by me, in US terms, put them together and write the pattern in US and UK terms PLUS test knit the bonnet for me. (test knitting is what good pattern designers do if they want to make sure their patterns do not contain mistakes) It was an adventure and I LOVED every minute of it! Now you know the back story. Let me tell you about my patient collaborator. Wendy Gilbert has been knitting for over 30 years. On her website Wendy gives the background of her knitting career, if you will, http://wendyg-designs.com/. I smiled when I read that she knit doll clothes for her daughters :). I remember buying handmade doll clothes when I was a little girl. It was so much fun. Now Wendy has grandchildren for whom she knits and crochets. What fun! Wendy writes that she started designing 5 years ago. She has told me in my conversations with her that she very much enjoys the process of designing and helping others to put their designs in written form. Thank goodness. I do a little of my own designing but writing patterns, totally not my thing. Wendy's website has some of the most beautiful knitted doll designs I've seen in years! She is scrupulously careful in her pattern writing so any patterns you buy from her shop are meticulously prepared. Just for example two of my favorite patterns can be found here: http://wendyg-designs.com/products-page/baborn/spring-breeze-2/ and http://wendyg-designs.com/products-page/baborn/saint-nick-2/ So CUTE!!!! (Please note that these are the property of Wendy Gilbert if you buy her patterns you cannot then sell them, share the for free, and please make sure you attribute properly) If you do not knit or crochet Wendy takes orders and will also work with you to design something extra special. Here is what she has written "Please note love to knit to order or take requests for things you may see and like but not be able to knit yourself, so please send me a message and I will be only too happy to give you a quote." She really does love her job. She has a passion for creating excellence, I know this from personal experience. If this is your first time designing a special item or you have questions Wendy can be contacted at http://[email protected] She'll be more than happy to help you.
Wendy is great with first time designers. I scribble notes for my own designs on 3x5 cards and stick them in a plastic box. I really do not write patterns. Wendy took my design notes, test knit, made adjustments, wrote the pattern, test knit the pattern again in a very short time frame. It was a labor of love for me and for her as it was a pattern for charity. We had many conversations over my little pattern and she always treated me with great kindness. Wendy is a very gracious person. Working with her was a wonderful experience. I can say with confidence, for those who choose to buy patterns from Wendy, (I hope you will) I know she is very good about answering questions. Wendy has a big presence on the web. You can find her on her own website of course http://wendyg-designs.com/ Where every Sunday Wendy has a different special offered to her visitors. Today I can share the BONUS of a new FREE toy pattern! http://wendyg-designs.com/products-page/free/ Perfect for sharing with a child who might be a bit under the weather or your favorite charity! THANK YOU Wendy! Also find Wendy at these great sites! Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/people/Wendys-Boutique Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/wendygDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu Ebay.au http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/wendyg.designs Craftsy http://www.craftsy.com/user/702081/pattern-store?_ct=fqjjuhd-ijehu&_ctp=123472,702081 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BabyDollsknitandsew Now of course my daughter who collects dolls has seen some of the beautiful work that Wendy has done and I can almost hear her wondering if I could knit clothes for some of her baby dolls that look a little worn. :) The designs are so sweet, how could I refuse???
2 Comments
Anita Holt
8/30/2015 12:51:17 am
I have enjoyed Wendy's knitting and knitting skills for such a long time . Whenever I get stuck she always helps me out .great patterns and great ideas
Reply
Debbie Hayes
8/31/2015 03:18:40 am
Wendy always makes wonderful outfits and in record time too, I have several outfits from Wendy for my reborn dolls
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
January 2022
Categories
All
Author**Opinions expressed on blogs about which I write are the opinion of the blog authors and DO NOT necessarily reflect my own opinion. |