Meet the Designer Series: Shanalines Design

Today I’m visiting with Shana of Shanalines Designs. I had the pleasure of collaborating on a project with Shana for her new pattern release - the Duplex scarf. She used several of our colorways on our Ember base (80% SW Merino/20% Nylon). I chatted with Shana about her design process when it comes to pattern writing and this is what she had to say:

Can you share a little about your design process?

I love using design to solve a problem. Sometimes the problem is creating a piece to meet a specific need, other times the problem is showing off a particular yarn. I work on sketches on paper, swatch samples with yarn, and occasionally make mock-ups of pieces using paper or fleece fabric, depending on what I am working on. I often try out a design for a while before deciding that it works and I should continue with the piece, which can result in a long process!

Do you swatch motifs or patterns before making the whole garment?

I work on design details, thinking about the order of operations. I try to think through the steps from start to finish and make sure my detailing choices can be executed. Recently I worked on a final detail for a piece about 6 times before committing to the method and developing the rest of the design.

Is there a lot of frogging?

Yes, and also notebooks full of sketches AND a drawer full of design samples that never became full designs. I have many instances of working through a piece a few times and even if I finish it, I decide it doesn't need to become a pattern. The act of solving the problem for myself becomes the finished thing.

Which comes first the writing or the knitting/crocheting?

I usually sketch and write some shorthand notes for myself first, then dig into working on the piece. Very few times have I written a full pattern before putting yarn to needles.

How do test knitters/crocheters help you?

I work with a tech editor as well as test knitters, and they serve different purposes. My tech editor checks my math and makes sure my formatting all makes sense. My test knitters help me to make sure that the pattern is legible to execute. Sometimes it is as simple as adding a line break or changing placement of a photo to help with clarity of a design. I often leave notes for my test knitters to offer thoughts on specific parts, and I highlight these notes in yellow. Any changes made during the test period are highlighted in cyan,as my editor does a final pass after the test knit to make sure any of the cyan changes still make sense. I also ask my test knitters to fill out a small feedback survey.

How can people find you and your patterns?

I sell my patterns on Raverly and Payhip, and I have a website with a gallery of finished objects on my website.  

https://www.shanalines.com/