My Knitting Story

Hi, I’m Vanessa. I’m a knitwear designer, texture enthusiast, spreadsheet nerd, and Pacific Northwesterner through and through. I live in Olympia, Washington, where the weather all but begs you to wrap yourself in wool and stay awhile.

Where It All Started

My knitting journey began in the fall of 2005, when a friend patiently taught me the long-tail cast on and the knit stitch. I didn’t know it then, but that simple act would shape the next two decades of my life. From there, I taught myself everything I could—through books, videos, and more garter stitch scarves than I care to count.

By December 2007, I had joined the growing Ravelry community—a treasure trove of knowledge, encouragement, and inspiration. With the help of fellow knitters, I quickly expanded my skills and began modifying patterns.

I loved taking bottom-up, seamed sweaters and reimagining them as seamless, top-down garments with custom shaping.

From Yarn Shop to Design

In time, I opened an online yarn shop—a way to connect more deeply with the knitting community that had taught me so much. The relationships I built during that time were incredibly special. Many of my customers became friends, and they were the ones who saw me as a designer before I fully did. Their encouragement helped me trust my voice and start sharing my ideas.

In June 2010, I released my first original design—and I’ve been designing ever since. Over the past 15 years, this work has become my creative home and a constant thread through every season of life.

Today, while my days are filled with administrative work in my full-time career, knitwear design remains my passion and creative outlet. Sweaters are still my first love, but you’ll also find shawls, hats, and accessories in my catalog—pieces designed for knitters who want to learn something new while making something they’ll truly enjoy wearing.

Why I Design

Each piece I publish is the result of careful thought and personal investment, shaped by real-life time constraints and a deep respect for the knitter on the other side of the page. And although the pace is slow, it’s steady—and intentional.

I believe good design should teach you something without overwhelming you, and that every knitter deserves patterns that meet them with clarity, kindness, and intention. My goal isn’t just to give you something beautiful to knit—it’s to support your growth and leave you feeling proud of what your hands can do.

A Heartfelt Thank You

If you’ve ever knit one of my patterns, recommended my work to a friend, or simply cheered me on from afar—thank you. Your support has carried this journey farther than I ever imagined when I cast on that very first stitch.