About
I’m Andrea Rangel (she/her), a knitting pattern designer living in Victoria, BC. This website is where you can find my indie pattern shop, books blog, yarn reviews, and a bunch of tutorials. Aside from knitting, I'm also super into sewing, getting outside, and photography. I love to share my homemade wardrobe and nature photos.
Mission
My company mission is to foster a joyful, inclusive, and adventurous community where we as makers can explore our creativity and celebrate our uniqueness. I believe that making our own clothes is a powerfully rebellious and self-affirming practice that can teach us about ourselves and bring us together through a common passion. I’m honoured to collaborate with knitters on their creative journeys.
Values
The knitting, yarn, and fibre industry has been a huge part of my life and my livelihood and I’m serious about being a part of making it more inclusive and equitable than it currently is. That means my patterns are graded for lots of sizes so they’re accessible to all kinds of knitters. As much as possible, I feature models with lots of different looks, especially those who have not been traditionally represented like plus size models and people of colour. I’m committed to paying a fair rate to everyone I work with, including technical and copy editors, models, testers, and any other contractors. I seek out and take to heart feedback about my patterns and business practices, and am constantly working to improve. Please take my survey or email me directly to share your thoughts.
Land Acknowledgement
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work, and explore on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people and endeavor to walk softly on these ancestral lands of the Lekwungen, Sc'ianew, T’Sou-ke, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) families of the Coast Salish area. I acknowledge that I’m a settler on Indigenous lands and I’m grateful to the Indigenous communities that have stewarded this land and continue to do so. If you’re curious about land acknowledgements, I found this to be a good introduction and resource. You can also find out about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in this Wikipedia article.
Knowledge Sharing
Having worked as a professional knitwear designer for many years, I am happy to offer free advice to anyone in the fibre industry seeking business guidance. Being an independent designer can be an isolating experience and I recognize that folks who hold marginalized identities can have a particularly difficult time making connections and learning how the industry works due to racism and discrimination. If you have a business question or would like advice about the fibre industry, please email me.
Quality
I strive to create knitting patterns that are meticulous and clear. You can find errata here, helpful tips and tutorials here, and send me an email any time for free pattern support if you have a question about one of my designs.
Elsewhere
Find me on Ravelry, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. If you just want the nature photography, follow my photography account on Instagram: @andrearangeloutside.
More About Me & My Business
I wrote a series of posts to share my personal and business history, how I design patterns, and what I care about as a small business person.
PRESS
Interviews and articles about my work:
Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird: an interview about AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary
AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary Reviews
Tolt Yarn & Wool Blog: Stock Your Sock Drawer Interview
Featured Designer Article & Collection, Knitscene Spring 2016
Tolt Yarn & Wool Blog: Behind the Scenes with Andrea Rangel
Very Shannon: 7 Tips to Improve your Colorwork with Guest Andrea Rangel
Ready, Set, Knit: Podcast interview with Kathy & Steve Elkins of WEBS
Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird: an interview about Rugged Knits
Morning on the Dock: a podcast interview with Elizabeth Duvivier of Squam Art Workshops
Fringe & Friends KAL 2015: FO No. 1, Andrea Rangel
Thread & Ladle Shawl Inspiration Interview
How to Become a Professional Knitter Designer Interview with Robin Hunter
Stash Local Designer Spotlight
A Verb for Keeping Warm Stitch Exchange
Weaverknits interview on Plantago cardigan