My first ever published knitting pattern hit the bookstores today-- just wanted to share the excitement! I haven't received my copy of the book yet, nor have I ventured into the local shops to check it out, but I'm looking forward to seeing it in print (it's in a book with 20-some other patterns by various designers). I'd love to post a link to the book, but won't because of internet safety reasons (my name, occupation, and location are listed in my bio, as well as a mention of the fact that I dance, so it'll be fairly easy to identify me). I'll send links by PM if anyone is interested.

I would love a link. My mother knits everything. Really...she would knit a house if she had directions.

I'd love to buy her your book.

Congratulations!

Keep On Dancing*

That is awesome - well done!

I don't knit, but I'd be interested in checking out the book and the pattern regardless, if you'd like th share the link.

Cool! I'm working (off and on) on a few designs myself. I'd love to see my work in print sometime soon!

^ I got this designing "gig" kind of by fluke. The daughter-in-law of one of the authors of the book is a dancer, and I've been taking class with her for many years. I had recently "friended" her on Facebook at the time, where I had an album of my knitted creations which she saw and liked. So she recommended me to her mother-in-law, who was in the beginning stages of planning the book and looking for new designers. I never thought I'd get a knitting connection through a dance connection, via Facebook!

Just wanted to add that I don't receive any royalties from the sale of the book (unfortunately), so this post is purely out of excitement and not financial incentive. I thank everyone for their interest and comments here.

What kind of a pattern is it? Clothing, lace, etc?

I've been crocheting for years, but lately I've been knitting full force because my department is knitting toques for charity. I don't think I have the patience for a project any larger than a small hat.

Another interested knitter here! I have so many projects on going right now.....but I'm interested in your pattern!

moara reminded me that I didn't describe the pattern!

It's a women's sweater in wool-bamboo yarn. The bodice and sleeves have a lace pattern on the lower half, followed by a band of ribbing (kind of creating an empire/ baby-doll waist line, but the band is a bit wider and lower than it would be for true baby-doll style). The top portion of the sleeves and bodice are stockinette stitch, and the neckline is square.

I'll send links to those who have requested them.

Also want to add that the yarn I was asked to use is kind of pricey-- I think it cost somewhere between $80-100 (US) to make the small size sweater. This wasn't a problem for me, since the yarn was paid for by the authors. However, I don't think I'd spend that much on yarn for a sweater (I usually try to keep it to half of that).

If any of you end up wanting to make the sweater, I'll be happy to work with you on finding a more reasonably-priced yarn substitute. The original version of the sweater was made in a cotton yarn (which I actually don't recommend for this pattern, as the ribbing doesn't pull tightly enough); but I think a variety of wool or wool blends would work well. I actually feel bad that it was made with such pricey yarn, as it makes the pattern accessible to only the more affluent knitters. But the authors had a "quota" of yarn types and even colors that they wanted to represent in the book, and as long as the yarn worked in a technical sense, I didn't have much say in what was used.

Mendel wrote:

I actually feel bad that it was made with such pricey yarn, as it makes the pattern accessible to only the more affluent knitters. But the authors had a "quota" of yarn types and even colors that they wanted to represent in the book, and as long as the yarn worked in a technical sense, I didn't have much say in what was used.

Well, that's silly. Part of knitting is taking a pattern and making it your own. Some people don't have the yarn budget to use the recommendation, and sometimes a particular yarn isn't available. But knowing the fiber, weight, and guage goes a long way to finding something else that will make a fabric with a similar drape is all you need to create your own version of the pattern.

I'd be interested in checking out the book as well. Congrats!