We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa Ross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I was little, I learned to crochet from my mom. I loved the craft and I knew that knitting was a related fiber art. It baffled me, though, how you could possibly create stitches using straight needles without a hook. Every year for Christmas, I put a ‘learn to knit’ kit on my wishlist and when I was pregnant with my fourth son, that was what I got. I sat down on January 2nd and watched all the YouTube videos I could find demonstrating how to knit. When I saw a video that showed someone holding the yarn the way I did for crochet. That was the method I decided to use. I now know that it is referred to as ‘continental style’ knitting.

As I sat there learning, I wanted to try ALL the things that I couldn’t do with crochet: garter stitch, stockinette, ribbing, and cables were all swatched quickly and with fervor. By day 3 I had designed a simple pair of cabled mitts. My maiden name is ‘Stricker,’ which is German for ‘knitter.’ Learning to knit felt like I was unlocking something inside myself and that this is what I was meant to do.

A month later I had already knit baby socks, sweaters, hats, and more, and was working on my first pair of intricate adult socks. I went to a mom’s craft night and met another mom who told me that she designed knitting patterns. I was so intrigued! We met at the library with our little ones the next day and she told me everything she knew (which was rather limited at that time). I walked away knowing that THIS is what I was meant to do, and I have spent countless hours everyday since then to create this business. I checked out dozens of books from the local library, studying pattern writing and style. I watched endless videos on techniques and the ‘best’ way to work certain stitches. I read articles and talked to local knitters, trying to improve my speed and my knowledge as quickly as possible. All of this was done in between raising 3 young boys and giving birth to a fourth. I was knitting my first adult-sized sweater while in labor and finished a week after he was born. My first design was a simple striped sweater vest for my boys and I created one in each of their sizes to be sure the fit was correct! I learned about testing and tech editing to make my patterns as perfect as possible before putting them out into the world.

I don’t think I could have learned at a faster rate. I’ve always been a multitasker, so learning (reading, watching technique videos, etc.) while nursing a newborn made me feel like I was able to do it all. Some might see having children as obstacles, but I saw them as the reason for creating this business. Occasionally I wish that I had learned to knit earlier in life, but in hindsight it seems like it came at just the right time. I approached it from a more mature and academic perspective, which led to being a better pattern writer.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! I’m Lisa, though you may know me better as Paper Daisy, and I create knitting patterns. To me, knitting is not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle. Knitting is a magical adventure in which two pointy sticks can turn lengths of fiber into clothing. There are countless techniques that, when combined with the perfect yarn, can create something incredible. My mission is to find these combinations and share them with the world. I want to guide knitters as they decide what next to put on their needles. I strive to write patterns that are clear and concise and can help you learn new skills along the way. I write easy-to-follow patterns that have been tested and tech edited to provide the best knitting experience possible. I offer tutorials and pattern support and guide knitters as they take their skills to the next level. I also travel to share my knowledge and teach these skills in person.

I especially love the artistic beauty of hand-dyed yarn. I collaborate with independent (indie) dyers so I can show off the beauty of their skeins through my designs. I have a particular love of color and highlight it in nearly every design I create. Knitters from all over the world have come together through Ravelry and Instagram to join my knitalongs and mystery knitalongs I run throughout the year. Learning to knit was a skill that transformed my life. Becoming a knitwear designer has fulfilled a dream I never knew I had. I am grateful every day that I get to live out this dream with knitters from around the globe.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to connect with knitters all over the globe. This is an ancient art that we can now share with one another through the digital age. I write my patterns with the belief that ANYONE can knit them if they want to do so. I make them as clear and concise as possible, linking resources and creating video tutorials that can be new or challenging. I want everyone to have access to my designs, so I frequently offer ‘free for a day’ or deeply discounted designs to be sure that every knitter has access to high-quality patterns.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As I said, I am a mother of four boys and I created this business while all of them were young. I was both a stay-at-home-mom and a budding entrepreneur, and time was always a precious commodity. When my youngest was 4, the opportunity arose for him to switch from part-time preschool to full-day preschool. I felt guilty that none of my other boys had been at school all day at that age, but I also knew that my attention was sometimes split in the afternoons that we spent together. He could now be spending that time with friends and teachers in a nurturing and learning environment. I made the decision to start full-day preschool.

A few months later, a mom in Pennsylvania reached out to tell me about the #lotsofsocks initiative to support families with Down syndrome. I knew that I had a large following of sock knitters. If my Instagram is filled with socks, how did I not know about this?! I knew that this was an opportunity for me to not only spread the word, but to make a difference in the lives of others. With all four boys in school during the day, I now had the time to do something about this. I created a knitalong that would both spread the word and raise funds. Over two years, we raised more than $30,000 for Down Syndrome International. It is the initiative that I am the most proud of, and I am forever grateful that I made a decision that was difficult as a mother, but impacted the lives of others all over the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paperdaisycreations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperdaisycreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaperDaisyCreations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/paperdaisycreations
• Other: Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lisa-k-ross