If you follow us on Facebook, we shared a special announcement over the weekend about a collaboration with Stitch Sprouts. The fabulous people at Stitch Sprouts have released three pattern booklets that focus on three of our most popular lines. Click the photo collages below (that I totally swiped from Heather's blog post about the project) to head directly to the Ravelry page for each booklet.

For Better or Worsted patterns by Angela Tong, Ruth Garcia-Alcantud, Katherine Vaughan, and Corrina Ferguson.

Cricket patterns by Mindy Wilkes, Sivia Harding, Ruth Garcia-Alcantud, Faina Goberstein, and Barbara Benson.

Squishy patterns by Angela Tong, Heather Zoppetti, Katherine Vaughan, Corrina Ferguson, and Barbara Benson.

Later in the month, we'll share interviews with some of the designers who worked on the project, many of whom already have amazing patterns available in our yarns! Today we want to share a little about the founder of Stitch Sprouts, Heather Zoppetti! I'll let her tell you a little more about Stitch Sprouts and about this project.

What inspired you to start Stitch Sprouts?

From the beginning Stitch Sprouts was about helping the industry grow. First we started helping designers with things related to designing. We offered services such as technical editing, charting, and schematics. From there, pattern distribution was a natural step. We help designers sell their work to yarn shops around the country, and even internationally. Our goal is to help yarn store owners sell yarn by providing excellent pattern support.

What characteristics are shared by the designers you work with?

We only accept those designers who demonstrate the highest quality work and professionalism. To that end, all the designers we distribute are making beautiful patterns. We feel that each person we carry has a style or look that will appeal to the yarn shop owners and customers.

Tell us about the Anzula booklet project, in a nutshell!

Everyone knows, patterns sell yarn. Many of our designers have worked or are working with Anzula to make fantastic patterns. So, we thought why not start a collaborative project and make some pamphlets. Anzula keeps a busy schedule of trunk shows across the country, many in shops that don’t yet carry our patterns. By publishing these pattern booklets we help both Anzula and the yarn shop sell yarn while getting more exposure for us and our designers.

The For Better or Worsted, Cricket, and Squishy booklets are available right now on Ravelry, and will be in your LYS soon!

You can find out more about Stitch Sprouts on their website, blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Read more about Heather in part two of our interview, which will be posted soon. She talks about the most overlooked aspect of knitwear design and how to encourage new knitters!