Stripes~n~Polka Dots

I am the founder of and designer behind Stripes-N-Polka Dots, Inc. I began knitting as a way to de-stress. Experienced at crochet, I thought knitting seemed far more intriguing and invited the challenge. When I moved to a new city, I took a beginning knitting class at a local recreation center as a way to make friends. The instant camaraderie and friendships that I formed with fellow knitters made me realize that this is definitely the hobby for me!

I discovered felting with the help of my mother in-law, Leslie. On a trip to my local yarn store, Leslie (a veteran knitter) helped me select yarn colors to begin a simple purse. I haven’t stopped felting since! I keep that first purse hidden in my closet to remain humble. It wasn’t pretty. It’s a wonder I made a second attempt. But I did and decided that I wanted to try to design a bag line of my own. After testing many a purse and wasting yards of yarn later, I’m launching my company and revealing my designs with the hope of making others as passionate about felting.

The first line of bags introduced by Stripes-N-Polka Dots, Inc were inspired by special women in my life. Each purse is appropriately named after and designed with each lady’s personality traits in mind. My first two designs, the Sophia Cate and Marley Jane purses, were named after my daughter and my friend’s daughter. Pregnant at the same time as my friend, I decorated my daughter’s room with stripes and my friend decorated her daughter’s room in polka dots. Hence the name of the company.

My purse designs have been showcased in a small boutique in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and featured in MagKnits. That, coupled with encouragement from friends, family, and fellow knitters, has led me to take the chance on creating a company which will allow me to share my patterns with other knitters who covet all thing felt.

All of my designs incorporate yarn from Brown Sheep Company so I really need to give credit to them for their wonderful product and fabulous colors. I hope to inspire you to think differently about felted designs. Knitting is NOT your grandma’s hobby. My desire is that you’ll apply my patterns to fashion a creation that reflects your own distinctive personality—and tell me about it. I want to know! There are endless embellishments and options available that can make your purse funky, fun, and fashionable.

This venture wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of my family. A proud wife and mother of two, my family remains patient with me when the washing machine is broken and clogged with wool. My husband doesn’t complain when all of my attention is focused on a new design and my head is bent and knitting for endless hours. My daughter has spent so much time at our local yarn store that she’s even called it “our home with the chickens outside.”