My mother taught me to knit at the age of 14. My first project (sweater) I designed myself. I went to college for Fashion, but took the road to merchandising. After years in retail, I continued to design my own sweaters, sold kits at craft shows and eventually got up the courage to submit my designs to yarn companies and magazines. Since then, I have been lucky enough to have sold many designs to large yarn companies (Paton's and Classic Elite) and magazines such as Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Knitting, Interweave Knits, Self, Jo-Ann Etc, Better Homes & Gardens Knit It, and Knitter's Digest.

Baa Baa Knits & Needleworks was a company I created to sell kits at consumer show and over the web. I now only sell patterns on my website and it is called www.joanneyordanou.com. I continue to freelance design for yarn companies and magazines and I have worked as a consultant and designer, on a book titled "Maran Illustrated Knitting & Crochet" by Maran Graphics. Not only fantastic for beginners, this book will also explain step-by-step, with clear photos, how to cable, seam, short row, etc. Those familiar with some of Maran's "Teach Yourself Visually's" many titles, will know and enjoy the accurate, informative and visual approach to this book (now in stores). I am currently writing my own book and hope many more will follow.

The thing I love to do most is design and play with stitches and colours. I love to find a stitch that hasn't been seen a lot and has wonderful texture. Designing is like wearing your heart out on your sleeve, but also extremely rewarding when someone likes what you have created. It is also a warm, caring community that inspires and helps fellow knitters.

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