We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Cox recently and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Earning a full-time living from my creative work is a goal I’m actively working towards. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, as well as a lifelong interest in creative arts, and have explored different iterations of having a creative small business. Living with health issues also makes it difficult for me to work a regular job. A career as an artist is the perfect fit for me.

Building a career in knitting came about entirely unexpectedly, with opportunities finding me at just the right moments. Shortly after reevaluating my knitting gigs and turning it into a real business, I found out about an artist-entrepreneur training program. Periscope is a program out of Nashville that has made its way to Chattanooga thanks to the local organization Arts Build. This year (2023) is the inaugural year for Periscope in Chattanooga, and I am delighted to have applied and been accepted.

The program lasts about a year, but has been helpful from the first week. My knitting business has already grown (along with my revenue!) and I’m developing a strategy for continued growth. Now that I have an articulated vision for my knitting business, I feel confident it’s only a matter of time before I’ll be earning a full-tine living from my creative work.

Courtney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

While idly perusing a clearance rack at a big box craft supply store in 2018, I stumbled across a “Teach Yourself to Knit” booklet with a pair of straight needles. Armed with the “why not?” mindset, I picked it up and found a skein of yarn a few aisles over. I went home, learned how to cast on, knitted the rite of passage Ugly Scarf, and that was that. It wasn’t until halfway through 2020 that I began to knit with fervor. The discovery of hand dyed yarns opened a doorway to beautiful soft things I needed to learn to make.

When I first joined my knitting “in a round” to make a hat, the dopamine hit had me immediately hooked on knitting. I couldn’t put my needles down. As soon as I finished a project, I needed to start another. Then, eighteen months after I joined my first round, I came across an ad looking for hand knitters to knit fulfillment for luxury and couture fashion brands. To apply, I had to send photos of my work and tell a little about myself.

They hired me, and with that, my eyes were opened to the world of Professional Knitting.

The job experience was invaluable. Not only did I opt to learn a different style of knitting for speed (Irish Cottage or Lever Knitting for those curious), but I learned about garment construction and the design process. It wasn’t long before I wanted to work on my own designs.

A major international yarn supplier has an Independent Designers Program. They publish monthly calls for patterns written specifically for their yarns and anyone can apply with a one-page pitch. With the first acceptance of my pitch, I began my journey as a Knitwear Designer and Pattern Writer. Now, I work with several premiere yarn companies to develop patterns written for their yarn, in addition to publishing designs that do not include a partnership.

A lot of knitting patterns feel outdated or unfashionable, so I like to make designs that are relevant and interesting. For garments, I prefer a more fitted style and love a crop top. Committed to size inclusivity, all of my garment patterns are available in at least nine sizes, from a 28″/71cm bust to a 62″/152cm bust, using measurements based on real bodies.

Shawls are another favorite item that might have outdated associations, but I believe can be beautiful, useful, and fashionable. Shawls are fun to knit and versatile to wear, with applications ranging from “socially acceptable blanket” to “folded over my lap to prevent miniskirt mishaps.” I make and wear them all the time, and I love to share that joy with my designs.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Investing in artists is the best way to support us. Follow us on social media and interact with our posts. Share our announcements, achievements, and releases. Introduce us to helpful contacts. Being encouraging and offering to help can go a long way! Hiring us for jobs within our field and purchasing our work are also greatly appreciated.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

More than the finished items, I enjoy the process of making them. Exploring and experimenting are my favorite parts about creative output. Trying a new technique for the first time is so inspiring and interesting to me. Knitting is such an ancient craft with endless techniques and unlimited potential – there is always something to learn, something to try, something to discover.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.courtneycoxart.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/courtneycoxart
• Facebook: facebook.com/courtneycoxart
• Other: www.ravelry.com/designers/courtney-m-cox