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Pattern Design Circle Podcast

Business & Economics Podcasts

Helping crochet and knitting pattern designers navigate the ins and outs of running a fulfilling business, marketing their designs, and living a life they're passionate about.

Location:

United States

Description:

Helping crochet and knitting pattern designers navigate the ins and outs of running a fulfilling business, marketing their designs, and living a life they're passionate about.

Language:

English


Episodes

How to Use Affiliate Marketing as an Additional Revenue Stream

3/28/2024
Maybe your current impression is a bit like mine was, and it feels a bit slimy and annoying. Or, maybe your ready to dive into it and wanting to know all the details. Or, maybe you're not very familiar with affiliate marketing, and you're looking for the basics of what it is, how it works, and how it could fit into your business. Whichever scenario you find yourself in, this podcast episode is for you. I'm diving into what affiliate marketing is, how it works for both businesses involved (and benefits the end customer), why I love affiliate marketing and want to incorporate more of it in my business, and how you might choose to use affiliate marketing as an additional revenue stream in your business. If you've listened to the episode and have come to the description for the promised links here they are! :) Sign Up to be a Pattern Design Circle Affiliate View My Favorite Knitting, Designing, and Business Products on my Amazon Storefront ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:22:41

Creating Authentic Content for an Overwhelmed Audience (as an Overwhelmed Business Owner) - with Kinsey of Authentic AI for Entrepreneurs

3/21/2024
In a world that feels like it's constantly becoming less and less "real," so much of society - and our customers - are craving what's genuine and authentic. But in a world that demands SO MUCH of business owners, how can we possibly do it all?! Showing up online, marketing, creating our products and services, and serving our audience... it can get exhausting wearing all of the metaphorical business hats. Kinsey of Authentic AI for Entrepreneurs (and Feel Good Social) is obsessed with utilizing AI tools to improve efficiency WHILE maintaining your value as a real human with real emotions, and continuing to share authentic content, even when it is supported by artificial intelligence. In this podcast episode, we dive into the collective overwhelm we are seeing (and experiencing) with technology and the internet, the importance of providing value for your audience, choosing what to share with your audience, changes in content trends, our mixed feelings on storytelling, the 12 essential post strategy, and so much more. You can expect to receive a lot of permission and grace, as well as actionable tips for making content creation simpler and more authentic to you and your brand! Don't forget to check out Kinsey's 12 Essential Post Mini-Course if you're wanting to try that strategy! You can find it here on her page of course offerings. Plus, she's just launched her new course, Content Made Easy with Chat GPT, this week! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:57:18

Inviting Success into Your Business by Being Prepared ("Be Ready so You Don't Have to Get Ready")

3/14/2024
In the previous episode we talked all about who might be watching you, ready to hand you your next great opportunity... but are you ready for it? In this episode of the Pattern Design Circle, let's chat all about how to be ready so you aren't scrambling to get ready when that opportunity arrives! From your social media to your website, from your patterns to your email funnel, let's talk about what it looks like to be ready for success. Is your social media and website properly introducing you, your brand, and your work? Is your work showcasing your expertise and value? What is your customer experience like? Is your business set up to handle success at a volume? Are you making it easy for folks to purchase from you? Is your celebrity crush even going to be able to contact you? Dive into this podcast episode to discuss all of these topics and more! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:25:39

You Never Know Who is Watching: Your Next Great Opportunity May be Just Around the Corner!

3/7/2024
You never know who is watching... and a lot of times this can evoke fear, perhaps even to the point that you choose not to show up. But have you thought of all of the POSITIVE ways people are watching you? In this episode of the Pattern Design Circle Podcast, we aren't just talking about your ideal customer that's watching you (and falling in love with your work) but also the person who's ready to hand you your next greatest opportunity. It might be a collaborator, a sponsor, a host, or even your favorite industry celebrity. There are always folks keeping their eye out for designers like you that have great talent and beautiful values, and you never know when they might stumble across your name, social media, website, or pattern design. Whether you're already waiting for the next opportunity, or you've been feeling discouraged if and when that next opportunity is coming, this podcast is here to inspire and motivate you. It's coming; you just don't know when! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:23:17

Simple Steps to Make Your Patterns and Business More Accessible (and Why It Matters) - with Renee Van Hoy

2/29/2024
Accessibility can feel like a huge scope that encompasses so many things... because it does and it is! But in this podcast episode with Renee Van Hoy, Renee breaks down some simple easy-to-implement methods to start making your designs and business more accessible. Not only that, but she provides insight on who this helps, how it helps them, and what a huge difference it makes in their lives and making. And it impacts every part of your business, from your social media and email marketing to your website design, and of course, your knit or crochet patterns. It can all feel overwhelming if you're not familiar with it, but Renee encourages knit and crochet pattern designers to just start with one or two pieces and build on that. It really is doable! Plus, Renee has tremendous resources available for designers. For just $20, take the Accessible Patterns Course; not only will you learn all about making your patterns accessible, but you'll support the Accessible Patterns Index, and receive a free pattern review from Renee. And any time you publish an accessible pattern, you can let Renee know, and she will add it to the Accessible Patterns Index, an incredible resource for folks who benefit from accessible patterns. ------ Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:50:49

Free Knitting Patterns Aren't Free: Understanding Business Models that Use Free Knitting Patterns

2/26/2024
Maybe you're sick and tired of seeing free knitting and crochet patterns everywhere. Or you're trying to figure out why in the world there are so many free patterns out there. Or maybe you're trying to figure out how to utilize free knitting patterns in your business model. In this podcast episode, we talk all about free crochet and knitting patterns: why (and how) you might choose to incorporate them in your marketing strategy, how businesses are making money off free patterns... and of course my hesitancies and mixed feelings around it. But of course, through it all, I remind you that you are the boss of your business. You get to choose what feels best to you. You get to choose your business model. And you get to choose if (and how) you incorporate free knit and crochet patterns in your business model. Tune in now to get the full run down so you can choose what's best for you. ------ Need more business and design resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:20:53

Make Even the Boring Parts of Business FUN! (The Final Episode of the Planning Series)

2/15/2024
We have reached the final of seven episodes in the planning series! However, this one is a little bit different! Rather than talking about planning and goal-setting specifically, we're talking in this episode all about how to make achieving those goals and plans FUN! Yes, we're talking all about how to make business more fun, even the super boring, frustrating, and overwhelming tasks that you keep avoiding! Sure, it's kind of a mindset thing, but in these episode I share 15 (sometimes silly and ridiculous) different ideas to gamify the boring and overwhelming tasks, so you can breeze through them and they aren't hanging over your head anymore. Plus, it'll bring you closer to actually achieving the beautiful goals and plans you made for your business! And I don't just leave you with 15 ideas, but I also share how to generate more games ideas that you’ll love. ----------- Simplify, organize, and focus with these super simple printable worksheets. Goal-ephant worksheet from Jen Butler Says Want to laminate your sheets? This is the laminator I bought! Join Pattern Design Circle for accountability, coworking, community, and resources.

Duration:00:41:47

Building Knit Communities + BTS of Knit Happy Summit with Jessica of Double the Stitches

2/8/2024
Jessica, the knitting pattern designer behind Double the Stitches, started her business as several of us do, with selling hand knit products. However, she was selling knits to photographers for baby photoshoots! In this episode, she shares a few of the challenges with that and how it lead to a pivot designing knitting patterns, leaving her job at a local yarn shop, and diving deep into community building online. In this episode, we chat about her free group, paid group, in-person events, and the free upcoming virtual summit, Knit Happy! Summit, happening next week: February 15-18, 2024. Be sure to tune in for an inside peek at all the things, including the inspiration behind the name "Double the Stitches" inside this episode! Join the free Knit Happy! Summit Sign up to be an affiliate for the Knit Happy! Summit Join the Double the Stitches Patterns group on Facebook Sign up for 5 Community-Building Tips ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Join Pattern Design Circle for community support, business growth, and networking. Get 1-on-1 support for your knit or crochet pattern design business.

Duration:00:35:23

Get (Back) on Track: Finally Follow Through with Your Plans & Achieve Your Goals

2/2/2024
We're a month into the new year. How are your plans going so far? How are you feeling about the next 11 months, or even the rest of the quarter? Whether you feel like you've already fallen off track when it comes to your goals and plans for 2024, or you're worried about it heading that direction, this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk all about actionable ways to ensure you actually follow through with your plans and achieve your goals. Grab your pen and paper because this one's packed! ----------- Simplify, organize, and focus with these super simple printable worksheets. Want to laminate your sheets? This is the laminator I bought! Join Pattern Design Circle for accountability, coworking, community, and resources.

Duration:01:09:35

From Blogging to Designing, Hosting Knit & Crochet Summits, and Running a Membership - with Hortense of Knitting with Chopsticks

1/25/2024
Hortense, the knit and crochet pattern designer behind Knitting with Chopsticks, unexpectedly started her business in 2018, never anticipating it'd become her full-time job. Five years later, designing is her full-time job, plus she hosted her first crochet summit last year, is hosting her first knitting summit February 1-4, 2024, and runs a membership community for knitters and crocheters! Inside this episode, we talk about hating social media, the beauty of running a business using blogging (and free patterns), what it's like to host a summit (and what a summit is), and information about the upcoming Knit Your Wardrobe Summit. We were so busy talking that I forgot to mention it inside the episode - the class topic that I'm presenting on is Making Garment Adjustments Using Your Actual Gauge! Find Hortense online at knittingwithchopsticks.com. Join the FREE 4-Day Knit Your Wardrobe Summit here. (Check out the All Access Pass and Superpack here.) Sign up to share the summit as an affiliate here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. LIMITED TIME: Get 20% off your first month inside Pattern Design Circle here with coupon code NEWYEAR through January 31, 2024. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:37:49

Everything to Know About Translating Knit and Crochet Patterns into Another Language(s)! with Julie of ACCROchet

1/18/2024
Whether you've been seriously considering translating your knit or crochet patterns or it's never crossed your mind, you are in for an absolute treat in this episode! Not only is Julie an absolute gem, but she shares ALL about the ins and outs of translating your pattern to another language(s). In this episode, you will learn: Visit Julie of ACCROchet on her website for info on her crochet patterns, translating services, tech editing, and more! You can also view a quick list of links for all things ACCROchet here. And last but not least, check out the collective for French speaking business owners here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:37:08

Make This Year Different: A Step by Step Guide to Planning 2024

1/11/2024
Finally! Let's talk about ACTUALLY planning the year. If you've been following along, this is the fifth of a series of podcast episodes all around planning in your business for the new year. In this episode, we are going to talk about how to actually set goals (and a plan to support those goals) that you're going to be excited about and that feel good to you. We'll be tying together all of the pieces from this planning series so you feel confident with the next step. If you struggle to know where to start or what to do to create a goal and a plan, this episode is for you! Need more resources and support? Don't worry; I've got you! Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. LIMITED TIME: Get 20% off your first month inside Pattern Design Circle here with coupon code NEWYEAR through January 31, 2024. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:36:42

Setting Goals that Make Sense as a Passionate Creative

1/4/2024
Confession time: I hate money goals. Actually, that's not 100% true. I love them and I hate them (and I talk about why in this podcast episode). But either way, I'm over them. I'm over them defining my business. I'm over making them the BIG goal in my business. And I know I'm not alone. The truth is, money goals just don't fit everyone. Whether it's your lifestyle, your personality, the mission and goals of your business... or they just don't seem to work for you. Planning and goal-setting primarily around money goals is the traditional way of setting up business goals. But it's not always the best way to plan, and I'm over it! So in this episode, I share what money goals are, how they are traditionally used for planning and goal-setting, and other metrics (and methods of planning) you can use as the focal point of your 2024 business and life planning. This is the fourth of a series of podcast episodes all around planning in your business for the new year. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. LIMITED TIME: Get 20% off your first month inside Pattern Design Circle here with coupon code NEWYEAR through January 31, 2024. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:30:26

Making Time for Yourself While Achieving Your Goals

12/28/2023
Even with the most thrilling job that you absolutely adore, even with the most exciting plans and goals, the human body needs breaks. And chances are, if you're reading this description and listening to this episode, you are living in a human body. What that means is: you need breaks. You need to create time and space for rest. I feel like our society is currently facing a crisis of exhaustion, due to a number of reasons, including our hustle culture to constant keep pushing. To keep driving toward the next goal, keep working until we can't work any more. Our brains are tired. Our bodies our tired. We need rest. If you're suffering from exhaustion and burnout currently, you definitely need to take breaks. And if you're not already suffering from it, you need to take breaks to allow yourself the space so you don't end up there. If you're anything like me, no matter how exhausted you are, you get exhausted about all the new ideas, the possibilities, the things you can achieve.... and suddenly your whole month, quarter, year is crammed full. Starting now, we aren't doing that anymore, ok? Taking time for rest and breaks not only takes care of you - allowing you to feel better and show up better - but it also creates more space for creativity, for excitement, and for all of the amazing emotions you want to feel in your business (rather than dread and frustration and exhaustion). In this podcast episode, I talk all about planning your year in a way that creates space for breaks and for rest. And not only creating space for it, but making it one of the top priorities as you're planning. Feel skeptical about making the time and space in your own life? I totally feel you. Let's dive into the why and the how for your business planning. This is the third of a series of podcast episodes all around planning in your business for the new year. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers. LIMITED TIME: Get 20% off your first month inside Pattern Design Circle here with coupon code NEWYEAR through January 31, 2024. NEED A PERSONAL COACH? Book here.

Duration:00:26:04

How to Create Plans and Goals You'll Love and Achieve

12/21/2023
I'm sick and tired of business owners following the "rules" established by other business owners, designers, influencers, you name it. Whomever it is in your sphere that's saying "you have to do XYZ to be successful" or "a successful design business looks like ABC" or "planning the new year needs to include LMNOP." I'm tired of you feeling less than because you're following someone else's definition of success, someone else's rules, someone else's terms and conditions, someone else's dream business and life. If you're still getting caught up in any "I have to" and "I need to" stuff, or feeling tempted by the shiny thing that Susie Whats-Her-Face has or does (and let's be real, it never goes away 100%,) then this episode is for you. In this episode of the planning series. we're talking about business (and life) planning in a way that is aligned and authentic... as well as what that even means! AND we're talking about how to audit plans you've already made to know if they really are a good fit for you! So buckle up, grab out your pen and paper, and get ready to plan your best year yet... the year that's on YOUR terms according to YOUR dreams. This is the second of a series of podcast episodes all around planning in your business for the new year. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:30:08

Prepare BEFORE Making Any New Year Plans: Reflecting on the Year

12/15/2023
Do you have a habit of setting yourself up for success? I believe many of us are very used to setting ourselves up for failure, or at least make the chances of success more difficult. This is for a variety of reasons: lack of example, lack of clarity and focus, not understanding what our unique definition of success is, and beyond. In this episode I dive into a few ways that we often set ourselves up for failure when planning. How many times have you recycled a goal from a previous year, or a goal that you've seen someone else make - without truly checking in with yourself to see if if felt important or meaningful to you? How many times have you set goals and plans that sound good - but failed to check in with how they really felt and what they really meant? In this episode, we chat about reflecting as a method of preparation for the planning and goal-setting process in order to set ourselves up for success. This allows us to be better in tune with what we truly desire, what works for us, and motivates us, as well as being aware of the historical data of what we can expect and what we can improve on. This is the first of a series of podcast episodes all around planning in your business for the new year. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:35:01

Featured Knitting Pattern Designer: Anna Johanna

12/7/2023
We are each on our own journey, and we love to hear about other's journeys: what inspires them, how they got to where they are, if they have any secrets, and more. Last year I hosted a featured pattern designer every month on my Instagram account to talk about all the details that we don't usually see online. Join us for our twelfth (and final of this series) featured knitting pattern designer, Anna Johanna. In this live chat, we talk all about Johanna's journey to knitwear design (recently moving to full-time designing and away from her work in research in statistics), inspiration, the design process, inspiration, movies, and beyond. (Be sure to keep tuned to learn about her eclectic movie tastes and how she still struggles to think of herself as a creative. We hope you enjoy getting this deeper look behind her design work! You can find her work on Instagram, on her website, and on Ravelry. Join the Pattern Design Circle for community support and help elevating your designs and business.

Duration:01:07:05

Selling Smart Knitting Patterns with Knit It, and a Behind the Scenes Look at Lucy's Business Journey

11/30/2023
In this discussion with Lucy, we talk about what Knit It is, how it started, Lucy's business journey (including her experience with getting funding for her idea that started as a college project), and, of course, much more. Smart Knit It® is the ultimate way to knit. Sit back and relax as your Smart Pattern has everything you need. From interactive row and stitch counts, progress tracking, chart views and in-pattern technique video tutorials, you'll never be stuck again. We've taken the frustration out of patterns and left you with the best part - knitting! Knit It on Instagram | Create a Free Knit It Account | Information for Designers I’m currently only able to share the referral discount by sending an email invite, so if you’d like to join a subscription with a discount, just comment on this post, and I’ll send you an invite 💕 Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:35:13

Navigating Life and Business When It Feels Like Too Much

11/23/2023
Sometimes life (and business) is a lot... and that's ok. It seems to me like designers, entrepreneurs, and society as a whole seem to be collectively overwhelmed and exhausted. So if that feels like you, you are so not alone. In this podcast episode, I share my own experience of life feeling like a lot and how to navigate business during the unexpected, the exhaustion, and the overwhelm. And spoiler: if you aren't feeling overwhelmed or exhausted right now, you're feeling like life is grand, this episode is also for you, because I share tips on what to do when it's going more smoothly to help yourself when everything feels like a lot. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:23:45

Expected & Unexpected Seasonal Trends of Selling Knitting Patterns - with Megan Nodecker of Pip & Pin

11/16/2023
Megan's been designing for 10 years, and I've been designing for nearly 5 years. In this episode we share the seasonal trends that we see in our pattern sales - and the sense we make of it. There's one month in particular that really surprised us as newer designers. We share the highs, the lows, and what you can do to raise the lows... and even discuss leaning into the seasonality of your own body. Tune in to hear us spill the beans, including whether we even pay attention to the seasonal trends in our businesses or not. Find Megan online on Instagram and at www.pipandpin.ca. Check out Pattern Design Circle for resources and community for knitting and crochet pattern designers.

Duration:00:36:49