Become a Certified Professional Knitwear Designer!  The course prepares new designers for a career in knitwear design.  It provides a well-rounded foundation of inspiration, technical skills, proper techniques, and business management to enable designers to professionally design truly unique garments, décor, and accessories. With a wide range of knowledge, it’s our belief that budding designers will not replicate what is already designed, but design from their heart and mind. With the knowledge and resources provided in the course, you will acquire the skills needed to remove any barriers from your knitwear design process. There is no limit to what you can achieve.

Instructor

This course is taught by Donna Estin, Certified Master Knitter, professional knitwear designer, and Vice President of Public Relations for TKGA.

Who should take this course?

This comprehensive course is designed for aspiring knitwear designers within the hand-knit industry who wish to design professionally for publications and to self-publish. Graduates of the MHK program who intend to design professionally will find this course as a logical next step.

Course Structure

The focus of this course is on design. It is expected that the designer knows how to knit and finish properly. The course has three modules. Each module includes questions, exercises and design opportunities. Work at your own pace, tap into your own creativity, and submit required materials at the end of each module via email for Modules One and Two, and via email and mail for Module Three.

Module One: Formulating an Idea begins with your creative inspiration, and covers the selection process of stitch patterns, yarn, color, graphics, sketching, creating schematics, finding design calls, and preparing submissions. All materials are emailed at the end of the module including: a book review, fiber report, questions/answers, and a design submission based on a provided design call. Samples do not need to be knit.

Module Two: Building a Design tackles the nitty gritty details of design like gauge, grading, calculating yardage, laying out the design, spreadsheets, shaping, allowances, formulas, set-sleeves, charting, writing patterns for publishers, and more. All materials are emailed at the end of the module including: exercises, questions/answers and two designs; one for an accessory or home décor item and one for an adult sweater. Designs are based on set design parameters and a style sheet is provided, similar to what you would find in a commissioned design. You will email the pattern including charts, schematic, and sketch with the rest of your materials. Samples do not need to be knit.

Module Three: The Business of Design turns your design abilities into a proper business including organizing yourself, yarn support, working with tech editors, running test knits, third-party sellers, pattern layout, pricing, working with publishers, resubmissions, setting up a business, business licenses, registering a domain, accounting, sales tax, VAT, money, credit card processing, contracts, rights, design fees, terms, royalties, when rights revert back to you, customer relations, policies, copyright, what to do when things go wrong, preparing for your next design, and more. Questions/answers, exercises and a ready-to-publish accessory pattern are emailed at the end of the module. A professional knitwear designer must demonstrate a proficiency in knitting and you will knit the sample that accompanies the pattern and mail it in for review.

Timeframe

Work for each module must be submitted within one year of the module’s purchase. If the deadline is missed, the course must be repurchased. The next module must be ordered within 6 months of completing the previous module. An important part of this program is time management.

Course Fee

The cost for each module of this course is $150. There is an additional $20 shipping fee in Module Three for international enrollments, to cover the higher cost of returning the submission.

What course graduates are saying about TKGA’s Professional Knitwear Designer Certification

 

“Ever since I finished the Master Hand Knitting program, I’ve had the design bug. I submitted several designs to Cast On that were accepted but I always thought that there was so much more to learn. When I saw the Professional Knitwear Designer course I knew that it would fill in the missing piece. Donna is a great teacher and the things I’ve learned will be invaluable. I’ve had designs accepted by other publications and I now have the confidence to go big!”

—Betsy Hoenes from South Jordan, Utah

 

“I’ve always enjoyed learning and intellectual puzzles, so completing a course like this scratched a unique itch and equipped me to execute my more abstract ideas as well as understand the business side of knitwear design. Before I completed this course, I thought only well-established knitwear designers could design for major publications. Now, I feel much more confident to jump in on design calls and equipped to excited to explore new things!”

— Elizabeth Hammond from Lynchburg, Virginia

“As I began designing and sharing my patterns on Ravelry, I realized how important it was to ensure they were written properly so knitters could truly enjoy working with them.  The Professional Knitwear Designer course with TKGA equipped me with a strong understanding of industry standards for pattern writing and an overall professional approach.  It clarified publisher expectations for design proposals, taught effective ways to organize my work, simplify the pattern-writing process, and addressed key considerations for setting up a design business.  The course also provided opportunities to practice designing and submitting a proposal, and the instructor’s feedback was detailed and extremely helpful.  With ample time allotted to complete each task, the course truly serves as a one-stop resource for anyone looking to set themselves up for success in knitwear design.”

— Polina Konstantynopolska from Cumming, Georgia

 

“The Professional Knitwear Designer Certification program gave me the knowledge and confidence I needed to take the leap into knitwear design. Within five months of graduating, I went from hobbyist knitter to published knitwear designer.”

— Tracy B. from Austin, Texas

 

“The Certification for Knitwear Designers shines a guiding light on the complete process so you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. I had self-published a few designs before I started the certification program but I learned so many things that I didn’t know about designing during the course and was able to refine and organize my personal design process. I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in either self-publishing or working with publications or yarn companies.”

— Tonia Lyons from Quebec, Canada

 

“When encouraged to submit one of my designs to a knitwear magazine, I thought – I haven’t a clue how to proceed. Turning to TKGA, I discovered the Professional Knitwear Designer Certification program. The course is comprehensive, challenging and quite fun.  I have since submitted 5 designs for publication.”

— Mary Z. from Stillwater, Minnesota

 

“The Professional Knitwear Designer Certification program is an excellent way to transition from Master Hand Knitter to Master Designer. A well-designed curriculum teaches valuable new skills and includes a wealth of insider tips. Whether or not you plan to start a design business, this program will help you learn how to bring to life all the design ideas swirling about in your head.”

— Lisa M. from Bethesda, Maryland

 

Certified Professional Knitwear Designers

 

Tracy Boehm – Austin, Texas   |   Website: Chez Me Knits   |   Ravelry: Tracy Boehm

Fatima deHaan – Lisbon, Portugal   |   Ravelry: FatimadeHaan

Elizabeth Hammond – Lynchburg, Virginia   |   Ravelry:  Elizabeth Hammond

Mici Harangozó – Budapest, Hungary   |   Website:  Gynka Knitwear   |   Ravelry: Gynka Knitwear

Betsy Hoenes – South Jordan, Utah  |  Ravelry: Betsy Hoenes

Polina Konstantynopolska – Cumming, Georgia   |  Ravelry:  LaceHugs

Annie Lussier – Montreal, Quebec, Canada   |   Website:  Ateleier Lussa   |   Ravelry:  Atelia Lussa Designs

Tonia Lyons – Gatineau, Quebec, Canada   |   Website:  Tonia Knits   |   Ravelry: Tonia Lyons

Lisa Murray – Bethesda, Maryland   |   Website:  LAM Designs   |   Ravelry: LAM Designs

Belinda Rewucki – Calgary, Alberta, Canada    |   Website:  BMakingJoy   |   Ravelry:  BMakingJoy

Debbie West – Forsyth, Georgia   |   Ravelry: Debbie West

Mary Zweber – Stillwater, Minnesota   |   Ravelry: MaryBeataZweber