Drop a stitch podcast

After going two weeks without an episode (unplanned), we felt like we needed a catch up episode! So today we update you on what we've been up to, why there weren't episodes these past two weeks, what the plan is going forward, what we're working on and what we bought. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Most of us have looked at other makers and wondered how in the world they can crochet/knit so fast whether based on the number of things they produce or on the sheer speed at which they work. For today's episode, we pulled together our favorite tips and tricks to finish your increase your crochet/knit speed.

If like us, you knit and crochet, you've most likely been asked which of the two you prefer. While this is an impossible question to answer, with certain parameters we can pick one or the other. In today's episode, we compare both crafts and share about the pros and cons of each. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Have you ever heard of yarn bombing? While we both have, neither of us have tried it but we want to! In today's episode we explain what yarn bombing is and share all our thoughts on this yarn-y street art. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

In a world where everything is getting more expensive by the day, finding ways to save money is becoming crucial, especially when it comes to hobbies like knitting or crochet. In today's episode we share our favorite ways to save some money (which also equals to bigger profits if you're a maker). Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

I think it's safe to say most of us are constantly looking for new shows to watch in general but finding a good show to watch while knitting or crocheting is even harder! In today's episode, we share the current shows we are watching while working on projects, our tried-and-true go-to and even what we're currently reading.

When thinking of knitting or crocheting most people picture things like fall, winter and everything cozy but heavy, bulky and warm projects aren't exactly fun to make in the spring or summer… so what seasonally appropriate things can you make when the weather warms up? Listen to find out what we lean towards!

Have you ever wondered how your favourite accounts made it big on social media? How an account created around the same time as yours went from 1,000 followers to 10,000 seemingly overnight? In today's episode Dani spills her secrets to growing your Instagram account quickly and organically.

You've probably heard a lot about the perks of selling patterns online but has anyone ever talked to you about the flip side of it? We're not talking about the cost of the various selling platforms here but the time you'll have to spend answering customers and how reviews can impact your business. In today's episode we share some concret examples of what we've had to deal through!

Have you ever wondered if you could bring your knitting or crochet project on a plane? Do you needles/hooks need to be plastic or is metal allowed? What about scissors? In today's episode we chat about our experiences while travelling, as well as what type of project we normally bring with us. 

We're back from our family vacation from Chile! We had so much fun together on this 2.5 weeks long trip. In this episode we recap all that we did; the activities, the food, the drinks and of course the yarn-y goodness. Though our focus wasn't on knitting or crocheting, we still finished some projects, crocheted some granny squares for charity and visited a yarn store.

We're back with the second part of the crochet trends for 2024 as predicted by Pinterest. Today we finish going through the list and explaining each one, giving our opinions as to whether it will or will not become a trend (and if we actually like it or not). Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Every year, lists of predicted trends pop up for all categories of life. In today's episode we go over the crochet trends for 2024 as predicted by Pinterest. As we go through the list and explain each one, we also give our opinions as to whether it will or will not become a trend aka is that something we like or not. Sweetheart Lovey free pattern link: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3SzGwntGyC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Last week we shared how Dani prepared for the biggest handmade market in North America, the One Of A Kind show in Toronto, in Today's episode, we share about her experience at the actual show, everything from the set up to the tear down, including how much she made. Listen for her experience and to find out if she would do it again. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Dani was a vendor at the biggest handmade market in North America; the One Of A Kind show in Toronto last year. In this first of two parts, we chat about what it took for her to get there, everything from the application process to building the booth, making inventory and much more. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

At the beginning of last year, we recorded a podcast episode recapping 2022 and setting out some goals for ourselves for 2023. Now that we've made it to 2024, it's time to find out if we achieved last year's goals and set out new ones for the year ahead. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Happy 2024! We are so happy to be back for season two of the Drop a Stitch Podcast! In this first episode of the season, we catch up on all the things that have happened since our last episode, babies, markets, moves, travels, Christmas sweaters and more. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Today marks the last episode in our Market 101 Series: the Q & A portion. A few weeks ago, we asked you what questions (if any) you still had following this series, and today we give your our answers. We got some really good questions such as: What if shoplifting is an issue in your area? What do you do to pass time at a slower market? Do you really have to make items in all the sizes? and so much more! Plus, this is our last episode for this season (we'll be back next year, don't worry)! Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Did you know market hangovers are a real thing? In between the frenzy of making stock and prepping for your market then setting up, spending the day serving customers, re-arranging your table and doing all the things before taking everything back down again and putting it away safely once you're back home, it's normal you're exhausted. As much fun as markets are, they are work, you're essentially setting up a store and taking it down at the end of the day, that's no small feat. In today's episode, we talk about some of the very important things you should be doing either right after your market or shortly thereafter to save you a lot of work and possible headaches in the future. These things may not be imperative, but they are sure to make your life easier next time and we can promise your future self will thank you. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

You've survived your first market and hopefully sold a bunch, congrats! But now that you're back at home and you have all your market items with you, how exactly should you store them? You may have all the space in your home for your products, or you may need to resort to more creative spaces for storage, either way, in today's episode, we share exactly how we store our knits to ensure they stay safe, dry and are ready to be used whenever is needed still looking freshly made. We'll also give you advice on what to do with your market setup items. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

As you do more and more markets, you'll start to notice certain types of customers who frequent your booth. Though some may annoy you with their ways and you may love some other, we thought it'd be fun to walk through the typical "types" of customers we've noticed over the years. From the ladies who shoves both her hand in every hat stretching it as much as possible and making a "this is too small, it won't fit" face to the random customer who beelines it into your booth, picks up a single items we can only assume they spotted from far away and instantly buys it before scurrying away. There are those who will ask you ALL the questions, those who will try on every single item leaving your table a mess as they do so, those who will praise you on your work but walk away empty ended and those who will buy much more than you'd ever expect. A big part of the fun of markets is connecting with customers but being aware of typical types can help ease the frustration of the not-so-ideal customers. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

You've made it to what may be your first market day, congratulations! But now what? In today's episode, we give you advice on how a tiny bit of extra planning can really make this day so much easier on yourself. Connecting with people is a big part of why many of us do markets, but we've found three ways to do that on various levels and explain how these connexions can impact you and your business in all the positive ways! Here's a quick breakdown as a reminder: - Give yourself plenty of time to travel + setup; - Have help if possible; - Bring snacks or buy them before the market starts; - Have an "essentials bag" with things you could possibly need (gum, tape, zip tie, glue, water, lip chap, scissors, etc...); - Connect with your customers but don't overdo it; - Take pictures + post them on social media; - Connect with other makers. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Now that we've covered the basics of what you'll need to get in order to display your items at a market, there are still a few things to think through as far as having everything on hand to be able to sell your makes; think was is needed for a store to sell items to you. Here's a list for reference: - Make sure to have all forms of payments and all your devices charged; - Make a checklist of everything you need for your setup (crates, lights, tablecloths, signs, chairs, money box, etc...); - Get a foldable dolly; - Use storage bins or bags depending on the amount of space you'll have at the market and most importantly in your car; - Get paper bags/plastic bags for your customers; - Make sure you have business cards for people to follow you and place after-the-fact orders; - Load the car the night before the market if possible. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Now that you've got the basics needed for a market setup, it's time to talk about how to actually put everything together and how to display your items. Establishing your brand/style/look is important for customer recognition but through our experience, we've learned a few tricks that may be even more important. In today's episode, we explain each of these tricks in detail and explain how they've helped us in the past. If you're looking for a quick reference list, here it is: - Put your items at eye level; - Don't have too many items; - Use price tags on each item instead of more general price signs; - Display what you want to sell most (or your lower point prices) at customers' first sight; - Organize your makes (colour theme or categories); - Have one general style that is yours. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Happy Wednesday! In this fifth episode of the Market Series 101, we talk about your market setup, what do you need? From the very basics like a table and chairs to the fun details that make your booth stand out, we have a list of must-haves (see below)! Of course, in the episode, we explain the reason behind each item and give you advice on what to think through with each item. For instance, a tablecloth may just be a tablecloth but long enough, it provides you with storage space for extra stock. If you're looking for the shortlist, here's what you need: - Find out how much space you have; - Basics: Table, table cloth, chair, tent + tent weights; - Choose your display: Crates, shelves; - Use baskets, clothing racks, and small shelving units (be creative, you can even build small displays); - Have mirrors, two or more; - You NEED a sign with the name of your business; - If you sell hats, you NEED a mannequin head (it doesn't have to be expensive); - Price tags and/or pricing signage is a MUST; - Business cards + business card holders are also super important if you're looking to make extra after-the-market sales; - You should have a sign indicating what forms of payment you take and the means to actually accept those payments; - Anything extra to make your space cute/on brand such as battery-operated light strings, helium balloons, etc. Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

In this fourth episode of the Market 101 Series, we dive into the controversial world of pricing your makes. While there are many different methods you can find online, both of us use the same method which we explain in detail in today's episode. We've also been known to compare pricing with friends/other makers to ensure we are all on the same page and have found that it often helps a lot with having the confidence to price yours makes properly. Knowing your worth and remembering who your target customer is are extremely important in this exercise. If you need a refresher or just want to skip to the good part, here's the formula we use to price our handmade items: Costs of materials + (hourly rate x hours spent to make item) + profit = $$ What you should charge Do you want to support our Podcast? Buy us a coffee

Welcome to the MARKET 101 Series, in today's episode, we talk about what being a maker is all about making! Now that you've found some markets in your area and are prepared for the application process, it's time to work on creating stock! When should you start preparing, what should you make and how much of it are all important questions and while we may not have a specific answer to give you, we have a lot of advice to share on the subject. Now is also the time to start thinking about ordering and stocking up on items you'll need to sell your makes and most importantly to start taking advantage of sales on anything you may need. Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

In this second episode of the MARKETS 101 Series, we talk all about the dreaded application process. Most "good" markets will have some form of application process and if you haven't done any markets before they can be quite daunting to fill up but fear not, there are many things you can do ahead of time to prepare for these applications. Product photography, booth setup pictures and/or sketches, item and price lists, links to socials, and business and/or maker bios are all things you can work on and have ready for when these all-important applications open up! Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

Welcome to the MARKETS 101 Series! In this first of many episodes, we start with the beginning : how to find a good market? If you're just thinking of joining markets, you may be shocked to find out, not every market is the right market for you. The other makers present, the price point of the items being sold, the publicity done for the event and the customer base are all things that will highly impact your experience and success. Luckily, there are signs to look out for as indicators of whether this is a good or not so good market for you, we discuss these signs along with the best places to find markets. Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

It's no surprise that pictures are an important part of showcasing your work on various platforms. In today's episode, we share our best advice to up your picture game! We'll explain the dos and don'ts of natural light, backgrounds, props, editing and filters while also sharing what each of us does for our own pictures. Spoiler, you don't need a big fancy camera to get great pictures! Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

Let's talk about yarn baby! As makers, there's nothing we love more than yarn, so why not talk about it. What yarn have we been using the most lately? Which yarns do we love? Which do we hate? Which one grew on us? If you're curious to know out take, this is the episode for you! Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

We've all heard the classic "knitting is for old ladies" but once you discover the craft and the online community, you quickly realize that it's a popular hobby for anyone at any age and that it's in fact quite trendy with the 20-30's crowd. In today's episode, we explain how we got started, how you can adapt it easily to any age/skill level by picking a simpler project or easier skill level project. Heck Nathalie has even sat down to knit with her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. We are curious to know, at what age did you start knitting/crocheting? Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

It's no secret that everyone is different and that we have different attention spans. When it comes to knitting and crocheting, both of us, are squirrels and work on multiple projects at once. Dani's is more "work" focused based on the various deadlines she has on at the moment while I have a strategy that allows me to work on a project no matter my mood. I even spill the beans on my trick to constantly be doing market prep throughout the year without even thinking about it - hint: every minute counts! Finally, in this more "girl's talk" episode we share some of the abandoned projects we have pilled up, some we plan on finishing, and others, we can barely remember. So tell us, how many projects are you working on? Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

This week's episode is light and breezy, we catch up on what's going on in each of our lives outside of the knitting/crochet world before diving back in with today's topic of joining methods! If you've ever researched joining methods you're likely to have found multiple options ranging from very easy to quite complex. Would you believe that in Dani's 22 years and my 11 years practicing the craft, we've used a total of 3 methods? We firmly believe that's really all you need! Depending on the project we always end up using either the magic knot, felting the ends or simply leaving the ends to be woven in at the end. In today's episode, we, of course, explain each method and in which situation they are best used! Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

If you're looking to make money from your hobby, it's likely you've considered selling your makes (finished items) but did you know that there are many costs to take into consideration? No matter what, you have to factor in the price of actually making your item (think materials, tools, time, etc.). Then comes the decision of whether to sell online or in person (or both) but which is best for you? In this episode, we break down the cost of making your items and the costs associated with each of the two selling methods. We even discuss some of the pros and cons that you may not have considered! Have questions, stories, or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

Most of us have thought, at one point or another, wouldn't it be amazing if my hobby could make me money? For some people, like Dani it can even become their full time job! But how do they do it? If you've tried selling your makes you've most likely noticed it isn't all that easy so how can people make a living off of knitting and crocheting? In today's episode, we break up many of the possible income streams in the field. From selling your makes online or in person, to blogging and YouTubing. From selling patterns to working with companies through collaborations and sponsorships, the options are endless! Have questions, stories or comments to share? Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

In this episode, we start off by reading an email that we got from one of our listeners and discussing how we'd respond with this dilemma which is the perfect segway into today's topic: ways to give back as crafters aka knitting and crocheting for charity. We discuss the various ways we've partaken and give a few examples of the most popular charities. Have you done it? Would you do it? Link to mentioned charities: Hat not hate: https://hatnothate.org Knitted knockers: https://www.knittedknockers.org Do you have a fun story? Knitting and crochet related. Have you had a crazy client? A friend that is always asking for things? Someone stole your pattern!? Would you like us to discuss it in future episodes? Email us! We would love to hear your story. Email us at: dropastitchpodcast@gmail.com Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

This episode is a very special one for us as we finally get to share some BIG NEWS that we've kept secret for months, have a listen! We also discuss was to make time for your small business with small children around. Dani breaks down how she's able to fit in work while raising two kids under 3 (who are home all the time - no daycare). She explains how she prioritizes certain things at certain times of the day to make the most of what little time she has and the challenges/sacrifices that come with it while also reminding us that the baby/toddler years go by in the blink of an eye and it's important to take the time to enjoy them, even if it means slowing down your small business for a period of time. Connect with us on Instagram: Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/ Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/

Whether you've been crocheting and/or knitting for a while or you've only just considered learning these skills, you've most likely heard some comments about the craft that are actually just unpopular opinions. We've all heard the typical "you're too young to knit/crochet" or it's similar "knitting/crochet is for grandmas/old people" but there are many more unpopular opinions we hear often in the community. In this episodes, we share the most popular ones we've heard along with some options submitted by our listeners and discuss wether we agree or not! Connect with us on Instagram: Dani: https://www.instagram.com/cj.dsgn/ Nathalie: https://www.instagram.com/knitalieco/

We've all heard of big box stores copying small designers, and if you're in the crochet/knit community, you've most likely also seen some drama play out on social media where one person accuses another of having copied their design. Having your idea stolen, copied and profited upon is a sad reality that many makers have had to deal with. In this episode, we talk about different ways to know whether your idea is yours or not, we give you advice to make sure you're not infringing on someone else's work and talk about some of our personal experiences with this side of things.

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: Yarn brands 5:30 Yarn weight 12:15 Fiber content 23:00 Yardage/weight of the skein 34:20 Lot number 40:00 Gauge + recommended needle size 44:00 Mentioned websites: https://yarnsub.com http://www.randomstripes.com

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!