Knitch Magazine

Meet Carol A. Anderson, the force behind Cottage Creations

This is the first in a series of interviews that will introduce our readers to fabulously creative and entrepreneurial independent knitting designers who self-publish their work.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Carol, the last time we checked Ravelry, there were 27 Cottage Creations projects listed, and not one had less than 4 stars. An eye-popping 2049 projects for the Wonderful Wallaby were listed – and that’s just the people who take the time to post on Ravelry! Why do you think your patterns are so enduringly popular with knitters everywhere?

Carol: Wow− that is impressive! I hope the reason my patterns are so popular is the fact that I’ve done my homework before publishing. I’ve always used test knitters to knit each pattern and give me feedback before going to print and by so doing am able to offer a pattern that is hopefully mistake-free. I think knitting should be totally a joy and when someone tells me they’ve knit more than one of my patterns, I feel complimented.

The Wallaby is really nothing but a hooded sweatshirt, a design that has been around forever. Kids like it because it’s easy to put on and they find the pouch perfect for little treasures or cold hands. Knitters like it because there is minimal finishing to be done once the knitting is complete. Long before the pattern was copyrighted in 1984, I was knitting the sweater for my kids. I have a photo of my now 48-year-old son wearing a Wallaby at age 13.(Knitch Note: at right is Kyler’s Cardigan, a 2009 top-down cardigan adaptation of the Wonderful Wallaby, sized for the entire family.)

KNITCH MAGAZINE: What prompted you to found your company and self-publish your patterns as Cottage Creations?

Carol: After the first time I went to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Camp −now daughter Meg Swansen’s, of course − I learned to approach knitting from a different perspective, to think more creatively, to utilize newly learned techniques to create a whole, rather than pieces of knitting that needed to be seamed. Experimenting, I knit a doll with a patterned sweater, knickers, socks and boots with double point needles — totally seamless, requiring almost no finishing.

Kristi Williams, a knitting student in my vocational education class admired my little “Sven” doll and suggested that together we could publish the pattern. We employed the talents of my daughter Kari, who has a degree in commercial art, to illustrate and draw diagrams, then borrowed $500 each from our family savings accounts and went to work. Kristi’s degree in home economics journalism enabled her to manage the business end while I taught special education by day and worked on pattern development evenings and weekends.

The name “Cottage Creations?” We both lived in Cottage Grove, WI. “Creations” came quite naturally.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Your pattern booklets are filled with personal stories, sage advice and even recipes. When did you start doing this? Did you invent this formula that is now commonly used by serial fiction and mystery writers, or was it your storytelling ability that emboldened you to stray from straight pattern writing?

Carol: Kristi gets the credit for venturing beyond writing strictly pattern direction. While working together on our first pattern, “Sven Scandinavian, a Knitted Friend,” I remember saying something that wasn’t really relevant to the pattern, then correcting myself by saying “but of course we can’t include that.” She replied, “Oh, yes we can. This is our pattern.” Our style became established!

KNITCH MAGAZINE: You have even published your memoir, "Musings, Memories, Matrimony and More..." From this we learn that you were primarily a self-taught knitter. What fueled your passion for knitting?

Carol: I cut my knitting teeth on argyle socks as a junior in high school. Four years later, after he was gifted his 14^th pair of socks, Paul Anderson proposed. Today, 55 years later, he’s still around and knitting remains my passion.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: You describe reading Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac and being inspired to attend her early camps in Shell Lake, WI. What appealed to you about Elizabeth? In what ways is she still influencing your design and knitting work? What stories about Elizabeth can you share with those of us who never had the privilege of meeting her?

Carol: I remember reading Knitting Without Tears in bed, laughing aloud and my husband asking what was so funny. When I explained, he remarked he’d never heard me laugh when reading a knitting book before. EZ’s approach set her apart and attending her workshop truly changed my approach to knitting. Essentially, she implored knitters to think for themselves as they knit. She encouraged individuality as opposed to knitting a garment to look “just like the picture.”

And she was such a lady. I recall one incident when a fellow knitter shared a rather garish, in most of our eyes, garment. EZ perhaps agreed, but her exquisite response was to clasp her hands and express, ever so sweetly, “Oh, my!” The knitter accepted her comments as a compliment, the uncomfortable moment was over, and I think all of us received a lesson in good manners.

Another tidbit: After I’d knit Bridget and Paddy − Irish Knitted Friends − and brought them to camp as my Show and Tell, an enduring camp requirement, EZ grabbed Paddy, gave him a hug and exclaimed, “He looks like my Arnold.” Though I most certainly didn’t have her husband in mind when designing Paddy I had to agree and then gifted her with him. As I was leaving at the end of camp, Elizabeth asked if I’d like to stop at her home and meet Arnold. Of course I did and that hour-long visit at their little brick schoolhouse remains a high point of my knitting life. Arnold served us Bailey’s Irish Crème. It has never tasted the same since! (Knitch Note: at left is Lillie’s Little Sweater, in Doll-size to 36 months. Knit top-down.)

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Who/what else has influenced your design and business career?

Carol: Business-wise, I feel very fortunate in having a home-based business where I can combine a household with work. In 1993, upon our retirements from teaching in Madison, WI, Paul and I moved to our Iowa farmstead. I purchased Kristi’s half of Cottage Creations. Suddenly I had much to learn on the business end. The computer, point-of-sale machine, daily UPS pickup, phone, fax, and runs to the post office six miles away keep me well occupied. We spent six years remodeling this old farmhouse, and later another year and a half remodeling an attic room for a studio, but somehow I managed to continue with Cottage Creations during that crazy period.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Your patterns are characterized by smart application of knitting techniques and timeless designs. Did you have art training, or do you think your Swedish heritage explains your esthetic sense? Your sense of color? Did you consciously work on these skills or are they “second nature” for you?

Carol: My designs are conservative. No doubt because throughout the years, I’ve always had to stretch my yarn dollar. As tempting as the trendy yarns are, I usually avoid them. I’d like to think the sweaters I design are classic and could be passed down to siblings, cousins, or such. I’m glad I’ve almost never specified a particular yarn, but rather a certain weight yarn. Had I specified a particular brand of yarn, one that would no doubt be unavailable to day, to knit a Wonderful Wallaby 26 years ago, would that pattern still be as popular?

And no, I haven’t had art training, but I’m fortunate in having a daughter, Kari, who is a respected Door County, WI watercolorist. Our home is filled with her originals. They serve as inspiration and a lesson in color choices each time one views them. With her guidance I have achieved a comfort level using a color wheel.

I’ve always found Scandinavian color schemes pleasing, whether it is rosemaling, sweaters, weavings, shops or museums. I’ve been to Norway twice and absorbed some of the wonderful color use. Just this spring Paul and I assembled and installed new kitchen cabinets from IKEA. After seven trips to the Twin Cities, how can one help but appreciate the use of colors the Swedish use in their decorating schemes?

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Are you teaching classes anywhere? If so, how can we find out about them?

Carol: I am not teaching nearly as much as I once did, even though I love teaching. Locally I’ve developed a group of serious knitters who get together on a monthly basis. I’ve limited myself to workshops within driving distance, mostly because air travel isn’t fun anymore. And realistically, I find these retirement years quite precious. I know how fortunate we are to be in good health and able to manage a large home and acreage where our children and families often visit.

However, I can’t give everything up. I’ll teach again at Sievers Fiber Arts School, on Washington Island, WI in late September.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Tell us about your next project.

Carol: “Caps for the Gals” will be ready October 2010. The caps will range from one for Celia (Celia is my 18-month old great-granddaughter); granddaughters Rialey (7 years old) and Anja; my daughters and daughter-in-law, Lori, Kari, and Anna; and me. There will be something for every age and style.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Do you lead any knit-alongs, Yahoo groups, or other online discussion groups?

Carol: No, I don’t get involved in many social networking activities. Quite honestly, I don’t have the interest to spend that much time in front of the computer. Probably if I had a better connection, my attitude would improve.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: You never seem to meet a design challenge or life challenge that you don’t figure out a way to solve. What do you think drives your amazing creativity?

Carol: I think you are assuming too much. I’m married to “Mr. Perseverance”—he will not give up until he’s found the answer to a problem. A portion of that attitude rubs off on a spouse I suppose, and you need to know that I rip a lot! However, a good night’s sleep, then facing a challenge in the morning is often my best solution.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: You have seen many trends in knitting. How do you think the ready availability of information online, through Ravlery, Yahoo, Facebook and Twitter influences knitting today? Do you think knitters who use these tools advance more quickly in their skills than was possible when there were only a few independent voices with smaller audiences?

Carol: I think those online programs are wonderful and most definitely result in a more knowledgeable, sophisticated knitter. But I also think we need to remember that not every knitter is technology savvy, either by choice or economics. We are blessed in that, by and large, knitting lends itself to conversation, unlike weaving or sitting in front of a sewing machine. Therefore, I am content to follow the old-fashioned, time-tested ways. I think this reflects the thoughts of many people who wish they could turn back the clock once in a while. Knitting allows us to do that.

KNITCH MAGAZINE:We know this is like asking you which child is your favorite, but do you have a favorite Cottage Creation pattern?

Carol: How could I not say it is the Wonderful Wallaby? I’m blown away to think one of my oldest patterns is still my best seller. But then there is Sven, “my firstborn.” I knit 65 Sven’s and Solveig’s, almost acquiring an addiction—I had to stop!

KNITCH MAGAZINE: How about yarn; do you have a favorite or do you have any recommendations to knitters about how to select yarn for their projects?

Carol: My favorite yarn is any of the Norwegian yarns. Why? The colors, always colorfast, the twist (the yarn never pills), and the overall evenness of the yarns.

I find new knitters want bargain yarns, but after a project or two, they are ready to buy quality yarn. They need to experience the difference, realize the time they’ve spent knitting a garment warrants good yarn, and develop a confident “can-do” attitude.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Your family is clearly the focus of your life and work, and you all seem to thrive. We know that takes work and dedication, in addition to a lot of lovingly knitted clothing! If you were Dear Abby or Dr. Phil, what would be your signature advice on building a strong, loving family?

Carol: My mother set a good example for me as a young mother--babies and young children thrive on a schedule. For example, a regular routine for mealtimes, naps and bedtime establishes a rhythm to the day for young children. And together Paul and I agreed that we needed to always be consistent—no playing one parent against the other!

We have made a fast rule for our adult children, too. We support each of them and seldom, if ever, share personal concerns of one child with their siblings. WE feel that respecting confidentiality helps to maintain an open relationship with each of them. And we’ve tried to lead by the example of hard work, honesty, respect for others, and to live within one’s means while promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: You preside over several generations in your family. Do you see knitting being as important to future knitters as it is to knitters today? Why?

Carol: Knitting has gained great stature, even though it still takes its licks. For example, within the last month I read a quote from Cokie Roberts, who was interviewed on her upcoming sixth book, a look at women through the mid-19^th Century. She noted some examples of prominent women, and then explained, “They weren’t all just sitting around knitting.” I saw red, knowing that women to the 19^th Century had to knit to provide their families with mittens, socks, caps and sweaters. Well, no longer do we “have to knit” but rather we can “choose to knit” to express our love or empathy for others or for our own satisfaction. Knitting can be a creative expression as much as any art form and I hope the current interest in this wonderful craft will continue. And we have such good company: Eleanor Roosevelt, Madeline Albright, Queen Elizabeth, Julia Roberts, Deborah Norville, Tyne Daly, Whoopi Goldberg and many other women of note!

KNITCH MAGAZINE: What is your workspace like? Do you stash yarns? Books? What is your favorite knitting book/author?

Carol: My workspace is a converted bedroom located adjacent to our kitchen. I have one wall lined with open bookcases where patterns reside. A large closet has been converted to a mail center. My husband has a large workshop where I store boxes of my books in an upper loft. I never go up there at night because there are bats up there – on the other hand, we have no mosquitoes.

I now have a wonderful studio all my own. It’s in a converted attic room above the kitchen. Paul designed built-in closets with a window seat for me. He paneled the entire room in naturally finished bead board. This room is mine alone, and it’s the place where I store models and yarn. I have five 3-drawer chests lining one wall. They have translucent plastic fronts so I can see the contents. My goal, not necessarily met, is to have no more stash than those 15 drawers can hold. I have a wonderful library that is housed in two bookcases in the studio. My most treasured book is my well-worn soft cover Knitting Workshop, autographed by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

KNITCH MAGAZINE: Do you follow a regular daily routine that includes time for knitting?

Carol: My morning begins nearly every day with coffee and knitting for an hour or so in my favorite old rocking chair in a corner of our dining room. By 8:00 a.m., Paul gets back from the gym or coffee with the guys, and our day begins. I always knit in the car or if we’re watching television in the evening. I’ve been known to announce if a blizzard begins that I’m going to knit all day—the storms don’t happen often enough!

The rest of the morning is divided into household duties, my favorite tasks being laundry and baking bread, and my least favorite is dusting. I don’t play bridge—heck, I can’t even shuffle cards—or golf, but I have a respectable perennial garden and good friends to have a cup of coffee or tea with.

I spend most weekday afternoons in my office filling orders and doing bookwork. Unless I’m behind or working on a project, like getting a new pattern in order, I seldom work on weekends. I must say, being one’s own boss is a great way to work.

You can find information about Sievers School in Door County, WI at www.sieversschool.com. Carol will teach 2 different classes September 24 – 29, 2010.

Where can we purchase your pattern books? Are they all still in print?

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and phone: 641-324-1280.