Save 25% on Knit designs by Knits Yours, Knot Mine

Coupon code/discount for DIY Fashion readers?

ABOUTKNITS saves 25% on $10+, on all handknit items! (In the 'handknit items' category.) Valid until Dec. 31, 2012.

URL address of your shop

www.zibbet.com/KnitsYoursKnotMine

Name of your Handmade business

About My Shop:

I've been an avid crafter for most of my life, but I've always been drawn to knitting & crochet. I learned both by the time I was 10, and have since not put yarn down.

One thing I learned early on was to always start with quality materials whenever making anything. Using the wrong yarns for a nice design is like using the wrong flour when baking a cake, so starting with quality materials is key. Natural fibers go into clothing, acrylic yarns are ideal for accessories and toys.

I've been selling online for a few years now, and I teach knitting & crochet whenever I can. Quality is key, and colour is abundant.

Behind the Scenes at the Shop:

I'm constantly on the lookout for fun, quality yarns. I've an office full of wools, cottons, and natural fiber/acrylic blends ready to knit. My husband jokes that I have as many knitting needles & crochet hooks as he does tools in the garage, which is probably true. I'm constantly in the middle of one fiber project or other, and if I'm not knitting or crocheting, I enjoy spinning yarn as well. I love learning new techniques, and I've an avid collection of both modern and vintage patterns, both of which constantly inspire me.

That's largely why I love having a shop online, as well as teaching. Both enable me to engage in new projects, whether it be for custom orders or a request to teach how to make a specific garment. The online community on zibbet is so positive, and we're constantly learning from and inspiring each other. I've even had a few custom orders over the last few years (both on and off line) that have introduced me to new techniques in knitting and crochet that I would've never dreamed to explore on my own, and these new techniques are constantly being implemented in my new designs.

I've had a few designs published in recent years, which have encouraged me further into exploring this craft. A ball of yarn is not just a ball of yarn to me, it's the beginning of a journey into a whole new idea.

Tips and Tricks

• Never be afraid of trying something new. Start with an easy project and work your way up. One cannot have too many dishcloths, they're a great way to get things going. A basic stitch and a fun colour will get the ball rolling!

Rain Blanken, DIY Fashion Guide, says:

Show off your handmade shop. You could be featured on the DIY Fashion blog, in our newsletter and all the social media in between. I love to get the word out about great handmade work. Upload photos...