Kristen TenDyke - about

about me

 

I am a knit and crochet designer and technical editor from Massachusetts. My designs can be found in various well-known publications such as Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Knit Simple, Classic Elite's pattern collections and more.

I have a BFA in Graphic Design from Massachusetts College of Art and Design which comes in handy to self publish designs and when creating charts and schematics.

  wholesale pattern information

 

Wholesale customers may purchase printed patterns in sets of 3 or in a binder which includes 5 of each available pattern. Please contact me for pricing.

  100 random things about me

 

1. I learned to crochet from my mother when I was around 8 years old.
2. I taught myself to knit after seeing a job listing for a yarn company seeking a graphic designer.
3. I never really *knew* what I wanted to be when I grew up, but what to do next has always come pretty easily to me.
4. Every day I strive to eat as much fruit as possible.
5. I was vegetarian for 2 years and am desparately trying to get back to eating that way.
6. I worked for Classic Elite Yarns as their graphic designer and technical editor for over 5 years.
7. I enjoy math—always have.
8. I try to treat my body to at least one yoga class each week—hot, power prana.
9. I don’t drink enough water.
10. I love cats, and think dogs are mostly annoying and needy.
11. I became self employed in August, 2010.
12. I'm a certified level II Usui Reiki practitioner.
13. I want to own a house in Maine, with enough land to have a few sheep.
14. I wear flip-flops all summer—from when the snow melts until it snows again.
15. I try to drive as little as possible.
16. I prefer knitting with straight metal needles above all else.
17. I try to visit my mom, and my dad once a week each.
18. Meditation is something I’d like to get in the habit of doing.
19. When I was very young, I designed clothes for paper dolls and crocheted for Barbie.
20. The very first things I designed with yarn were crocheted slippers. I was probably about 10, and usually only made 1 because I couldn’t remember what I did to make the second one.
21. I couldn’t read a crochet pattern until I learned to knit.
22. Whenever I don’t go to TNNA, I wish I had.
23. When magazines offer royalties as a payment option for designs, I’ll submit to them first. (Interweave & Twist Collective, to name a few)
24. I was once a CVS 1-hour photo-lab manager.
25. I loved working in a 1-hour lab, and often have dreams that I still do it.
26. My first job was as a *page* at a local library. I shelved books and checked books in and out.
27. I’m a pretty spiritual person.
28. Taoism and Buddhism are the closest *religions* to what I trust.
29. I'm curently studying Patanjali's yoga sutras.
30. I hardly ever finish projects I begin for myself.
31. I’m alright with #30. For me, it’s the process, not the destination.
32. I often get the urge to do a handstand, but have never successfully done one.
33. I don’t drink coffee, soda or anything else containing caffeine.
34. I don’t like, or trust the U.S. medical system.
35. It bothers me that I am required by state law to have health insurance.
36. I’m not sure if I ever want to have kids. Certainly not right now.
37. I love to ski, but don’t have anyone to ski with.
38. My hair was in dreadlocks - from April 19, 2008 to July 31, 2009.
39. I have 1 full sister and 1 half sister (we can all crochet and knit).
40. I generally don’t feel strongly one way or the other.
41. I was a girl scout from first grade until high school.
42. I’m comfortable with my weight.
43. I strive to eat a low-fat, high-raw/vegan diet to feel the best I possibly can, to have energy, and so I can enjoy my yoga practice much more than if I didn’t eat this way.
44. I took French in Jr. High, but I can only speak English fluently.
45. My friends call me Sam.
46. Kristen is my professional/family name.
47. Sam is my fun, earthy, spiritual, yogi name. I write it sAM.
48. I love camping - in a tent.
49. I’m terrified of the dark when I’m camping—it’s something I’m working on…
50. I compulsively check my e-mail. I won’t get an i-phone because of this.
51. With enough time, I tend to get comfortable wherever I am. Then I don’t want to leave.
52. Our television isn’t connected to any sort of TV feed… cable, rabbit ears… nothing.
53. We only watch DVD’s.
54. I’ve seen probably about 90% of all The Simpsons episodes. Many multiple times.
55. I don’t like scary movies.
56. I have a peanut butter addiction.
57. I know how to change my car’s oil.
58. I want to have my own mango tree.
59. I don’t like using forks—I often eat with chopsticks instead.
60. I don’t buy greeting cards.
61. I enjoy crocheting more than knitting, but enjoy writing knit patterns more than crochet patterns.
62. I work best with a tight deadline.
63. I enjoy a challenge.
64. My biggest challenge with designing is designing something simple.
65. I think knitting with size 2 addi-turbos and light cashmere is the best feeling ever.
66. I think air conditioning is very un-natural, and believe my life would be fine without it.
67. I don't have enough cold-weather sweaters.
68. I enjoy being in nature.
69. I love picking fresh fruit—blueberries, strawberries, apples… nom nom nom.
70. I work from a studio space I've set up in my old bedroom at my dad's house.
71. I love tech editing and writing patterns.
72. I think it’s great that there is a medium (knit/crochet) that allows me to create using logic and math.
73. I inherited a love for Jeeps from my father.
74. Pam Allen, Ysolda Teague, Kristin Omdahl, Jared Flood, Cookie A, and Robyn Chachula inspire me.
75. I’ve noticed that when I’m designing a lot, I’m not doing yoga, and when I’m doing yoga a lot, I’m not designing.
76. I’m constantly working at finding and maintaining a link between yoga and knitting.
77. I’m a mac person. Always have been.
78. I save all my scraps of yarn, knot them together into a ball of yarn. This is something that is being made with the yarn scraps.
79. After a design is done and published, I rip out the swatch and add the yarn to the above ball of yarn.
80. I prefer e-mail rather than the phone.
81. I rarely answer my phone. If people leave messages, I’ll call them back. If not, then it probably wasn’t important, and I’m glad I didn’t bother answering.
82. I like making lists.
83. I sometimes wish I could abandon society and go live in the woods… with internet access.
84. I trust my boyfriend to cut my hair.
85. It takes me a long time to get to know and trust people.
86. I enjoy silence.
87. My ideal job would be to work alone in a creative environment and communicate to people via e-mail.
88. I have a niece.
89. I never had any desire to design for babies until she was born.
90. I rarely finish knitting 2 socks, unless I knit them both at the same time.
91. I generally gravitate toward neutral/natural colors, but have recently been trying to add more color into my life.
92. I continuously dyed my hair from seventh grade through my third year in college.
93. I had a range of hair colors: red, blonde, black, green, blue, purple, and some interesting combinations there-of.
94. I won't put any chemicals into my hair anymore.
95. I peel my finger and toe nails. It's something I've done my whole life.
96. I occasionally stop peeling my nails for a few months at a time, then it starts again.
97. I collect rocks, and often carry them around in my pockets.
98. I strive to avoid using plastic bags whenever possible.
99. I buy local and organic whenever possible.
100. I love life.

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