It’s the dead of winter: dreary days, sometimes sunny, and always fucking cold. Finding new ways to adorn our vulnerable heads and necks with protective gear is definitely on our radar. I’ve always adored Laura Irwin’s knits, and wondered why more local designers aren’t banking on these necessary accessories.
Seeing as Irwin’s been relatively quiet in the past year, I found it imperative to connect to make her answer my burning (freezing?) questions.
- Laura Irwin
Your accessory knits have had a presence in Portland for years. With so many people needing warm hats and scarves in this region, why do you think it’s still such an untapped avenue for other local designers?
LAURA IRWIN-FLORES: I think there was a time (about 13 years ago) when there were very few hand knits available in Portland. I just happened to be a regular customer at Seaplane and at the same time learning to knit. Timing and location were key for me. Today there are plenty of hand knitters out there making and selling their work, but as soon as you want to make it a profitable business you realize it is even more difficult than being a profitable seamstress. The amount of time it takes to knit something by hand and the cost of the yarn (especially if you use all natural fibers) makes it pretty obvious to most that it’s not the business to go into. Until you get your hands on a knitting machine—that’s a game changer, but not as accessible and versatile as hand knitting, just much much faster.
- Brittney McChristy
It does seem like many people know how to, and like to, knit, and you sell your patterns in both PDF and book form. Have you had better success with that, or do people more often inquire about having you make pieces for them?
I started writing patterns a year or so after I started knitting. I got a job at a yarn store and quickly discovered that most knitters weren’t writing their own patterns, and wanted to make what the young girls in the yarn store were making. It was a dream job as a new “designer.” Writing patterns was just another way to support my design work. I have always sold my finished work and written patterns, and will continue to do both because I have found it is a smart business practice to cover as much ground as possible. It wasn’t until a few years after my book, Boutique Knits, came out that I stopped doing tons of one-of-a-kind pieces and simplified by offering patterns for each new piece I put out that year. I do have faithful customers who come back year after year to ask me for something custom, but it’s definitely rare.
You’re also a mother now. How has that affected your priorities?
I have been raising my two-year-old full time, and have been helping my husband grow his business (the Original Nomad). My focus has been on being an awesome parent and making adventure the priority. I have taken a small step back from my business, but I’m always very grateful to be asked back into local shops and holiday sales when the cold and rain returns.
Irwin has items on shelves at Demimonde, Haunt and North of West. Her Etsy shop features an array of PDF patterns, and she’s a fruitful member of the online knit and crochet community Ravelry.
These are nice, but this girl is a Portland pro: http://www.leethalknits.com/