Meet the Maker: Factory Girl Designs

We love it when an indie dyer has roots in pattern design... Because it always means that the yarn and colors are selected with projects in mind and above all - wearability! And when we learned that Crystal priotizes size-inclusivity into her design process, we were sold. Brand new to us and hailing from Minnesota, get to know more about Crystal of Factory Girl Designs below! You can shop the trunk show in the shop and online now through February 21!

How did you get into dyeing? Tell us your story, and where you're located!

I have dreamt of dyeing yarn for about five years now. I have always had a love for color and you find that in my home and with the accessories I wear…especially with my shoes and bags!

But how did I get here? Well, it’s been a bit of a journey…and it will continue to evolve. I’m from Winona, Minnesota – a small town along the Mississippi River in the southeast corner of the state. We are in a part of the state called the Driftless Region – filled with bluffs (mini mountains), rolling hills, rivers and lakes, and amazing rock formations. So much inspiration.

I was born and raised here, left for several years for college and my first job, and made my way back in the early 2000’s. My journey into the world of knitting and crocheting began beside my beloved Grandma, Milly. While I didn't pick up the needles as a child, preferring to soak up her stories instead, Grandma Milly’s passion for fibers sowed a seed that bloomed spectacularly in my life.

Today, I carry that legacy forward through Factory Girl Design, where I create size-inclusive knitwear patterns designed to fit beautifully, feel comfortable, and bring joy to makers of all body types. As a plus-size woman and designer, I believe everyone deserves something beautiful to put on their body, no matter their size. But Factory Girl is more than just patterns.

It’s a cozy, intentional space to celebrate the art of making. There are seasonal Maker’s Experiences and now I’ve fulfilled my dream of dyeing hand-dyed yarn and fiber. Opening the door to continue to explore the world of color and pair that together with my own designs and our other amazing designers in our fiber world.

In the Factory Girl Community, I share things I love most…things that bring comfort, creativity, and happiness into our daily lives. So, whether you're here for the stitches, the stories, or the surprises, you're part of a community that values care, inclusion, and connection.

When the needles are down, I step into my role as a second-generation business owner, overseeing our family’s manufacturing company. And weekends are for adventures with my pup Sophie, exploring uncharted places on my motorcycle or reveling in the warmth of family and friends over great conversations, food and sips!

What is your favorite part of the process?

Developing the colorways…it’s just magic. You have this vision or an inspiration board and to play with your color wheel to develop a tonal or create a variegated colorway and end up with what you envisioned…it’s just so rewarding. Now some can be a bit of trial and error…I had a lot of that over the last couple years while I played and learned; and there have been some happy mistakes I hope to recreate someday too. But the other part which has been a surprising favorite is going back to my chemistry roots and using things I learned in high school and in college I haven’t used in years.

Where do you get your inspiration for colors?

Everywhere! These past couple of weeks we have seen days of below zero temperatures here in Minnesota and let me tell you as a result the morning skies have been magical…the sun has been shining, the cold has been fierce, and the colors have been dreamy. That alone has been inspiring…and same with the drives home from work. I am constantly snapping photos of things that inspire me…whether it be for a color or a shape for a future pattern design.

How do you come up with names for the colors?

This current collection was based on a collection of photos from a series of landscapes in the Desert. I am fortunate to spend a good bit of time throughout the year in Arizona and so I continued to pull back on my time back there to inspire many of the names for each colorway of this first collection. We’ll see where the others come from…

Which color best reflects your personality and why?

My favorite color is purple…so I must be careful that not every color is purple. If you look at my earlier designs, many of them were all shades of purples. Or pink! Or neon! Even though I love to be home, can be a little bit of an introvert, I’m also an extrovert and can be a little loud…so I tend to go bright often…but also a little moody. I guess you could same I’m all over the board.

Tell us about a WIP or a project in your queue that you're really excited about! Which of your yarns would you recommend for this (or these) project(s)?

I have a massive project I’m SUPER excited about, but I can’t talk about it yet…but I do have a fun new tank top that will be dropping soon that will be perfect in the Workshop DK base and I just cast-on my Eckert Street Shawl which would be gorgeous in the Blueprint Fingering. And I’m working on a test knit for my friend Kacey of Kacey Knits using her yarn paired with my Blueprint Fingering…that will be coming out soon too!

Of what you are sending us, what are your favorite colors or color combinations?

I was playing around with color combinations and was so happy to see how many of these play so well together! Some of favorites are Desert Night + Desert Sand + Snowfall Sage + Desert Rose in Workshop DK. Another is Juniper Dust + Desert Mauve in Blueprint Fingering. And for the Worsted I really love seeing the Olive Mist + Cocoa Mauve together or why not add the Sand Dune too. I may be biased but I feel like each color in all the bases play so well together!

What is your best knitting or crocheting tip?

When making a garment, please swatch…I know it can feel like a pain and extra work but trust the process that you’ll find when you make gauge your fit will be better! AND…don’t be afraid to make a pattern your own…they are recipes…so swap in your favorite heel or toe or neckband or finishing technique. When you do that you’ll really love it because you made it perfect for you!!

What are two interesting things about you that aren’t fiber related?

Growing up I raced go-karts and in college I played clarinet in the Notre Dame Marching Band.

If you didn’t dye yarn, what would be your dream job?

If I retired today from dyeing yarn and my manufacturing business, I would go apply to work for an IndyCar or Formula One race team.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

I know I’ve received a lot of good advice over the years from my parents and mentors but one that always comes to mind first when prompted with this question is: Say what you mean. Do what you say. And lead with both.

Share with us one great thing you're either listening to or watching right now (audiobook/podcast/show/etc) - we love recommendations for what to check out while we're knitting!

I just rewatched The Last Thing He Told Me as I saw there is a new season coming soon…and then I discovered Drops of God; which has subtitles so I have to work on a project that doesn’t require much “looking” but the show is SO good!  As for audiobook…listening to The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden