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What’s the worst part?
Long hours and a certain level of stress in constant decision making, and being responsible for my employees, and my customers’ satisfaction. It is much more involved than simply sitting down with needles in hand and coming up with great designs. I go home at night, always loaded up with yarn, and my mind never takes a break. It’s not all bad. I can’t imagine ever being able to stop that mental process. Creating is a part of who I am.
What’s new for the company?
My other love is writing. Working as an author and editor in the past has always filled this other creative need in me. So that is why I’ve launched this site, whoknits.com, as a way to further express myself, and at the same time, give an opportunity for the knitting community to meet some of its stars and significant contributors.
Also, we believe in building relationships directly with knitters. And since we don’t own a store (we have a big warehouse but we don’t invite folks to visit ;-), we started a Yahoo group called KNITS and are hosting knitalongs. Our first KAL, the Plaid Soxx, uses Soxx Appeal, our newest sock yarn. We’re gearing up to begin our Painted Diamonds Bag KAL using Paint Box. It’s never too late to join us as everyone knits at their own speed, and projects are always ongoing.
Do you still design?
Every day. The vast majority of designs we sell come from my little head. I see inspiration in everything. When we order a new yarn, I already have ideas for patterns I’ll create with it, either inspired by the colors we’ve selected, by the texture and fiber content, or all of those combined.
I estimate I’ve designed over 1000 projects over the years. I’ve been asked if I ever run out of ideas. Fortunately, not yet! When I get a “dry spell” I start looking at books, magazines, online. Colors and textures of all types can spark an idea and recharge my design battery. The possibilities are infinite.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Knitting will always be in my life. My friends and family think there is something wrong if I’m not knitting. I hope for the company to continue maintaining the same level of success as it does now. With every season, I become more focused in the types of yarn and designs that best represent me. I also hope to write a novel. Ideas are brewing, and may involve characters who love to knit…
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The brain behind this site, she can't stop herself. She MUST create!
Name: Helene Rush
Age: 49
Location: Windham, ME
Real Job:Yarn company owner, knitwear designer
Website Address: www.knitonecrochettoo.com
How long knitting: 41 years
You’ve been around this industry for a while, how did you get started?
I started designing in high school when I really fell in love with knitting, and before I learned how to read, or write, a pattern. So I made up garments, shaping each component to look like sleeves, front, etc. My mother was a seamstress and I was raised surrounded by sewing patterns. Of course, I did a lot of ripping out back then.
One day, I visited a yarn shop where the owner had posted a small newspaper article on the wall about how she was selling her designs to magazines. I thought, “I can do that,” and that’s when I started hounding editors with my submissions. That was back in 1979, and that same year I sold 2 designs to Woman’s Circle magazine (no longer in print). I was hooked and that launched my career as a knitwear designer.
You wrote your first book, Maine Woods Woolies, back in 1985. What inspired you to become a book author?
My three children were little back then and I wasn’t interested in knitting sweaters for them on small needles. I saw that there was a need for quick-to-knit patterns for kids. I did some research to find a publisher (that was before the internet days) and got a contract from Down East Books. Maine Woods Woolies came to be their best-selling book for many years (it sold over 30,000 copies). I wrote three more books with Down East, and one with Interweave Press. They were all published in the ‘80s and are now out of print.
Were you able to work full-time as a designer?
I’ve been lucky to make knitting a full-time career. Along with writing books, over the years I’ve designed for many magazines, including Vogue Knitting, Knitters and Interweave Press, and several yarn companies. I’ve also designed extensively for McCall’s Needlework & Crafts magazine, and that led me to become the editor of that publication in 1991.
You are now the owner of Knit One, Crochet Too. How did that happen?
K1C2 was founded by Susan Levin and Gloria Tracy, in 1996. I knew Gloria from my years as editor at the magazine. In 2002, they decided to sell the yarn division of the company, named Knit One, Crochet Too, and they asked me if I was interested. Being the type of person to jump in first and ask questions later, I said “Why not, it sounds like fun.”
What’s the best part of owning a yarn company?
The idea of being able to design from the ground up, starting from the kind of fiber in a yarn, to its specific colors, then on up into the shape of a garment, is extremely appealing. I’m the one deciding which yarn will make it into the line, what design will get published, which kit will be fun to put together. Of course, to be successful, one must balance whims and practical business decisions. I’ve learned not to buy a shipload of a yarn because I thought it’d be fun to play with it. It needs to have enough appeal for knitters to love it, too. |
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