Meanest Mommy Wearing her “Late for School Cowl”
How can you not be curious about a designer with the name “Meanest Mommy”? Lisa Houchins designs under that name and sells her patterns through her Ravelry Store Meanest Mommy Knits. I recently interviewed Lisa as part of the Ravelry Independent Designer Gift-a-Long (see previous posts).
I just love your Ravelry name! Can you tell us the background of that? How many children do you have, and what are their ages?
Thank you! The username MeanestMommy is a nod to my old blog that I called MeanestMommy.com. One day I found myself saying something ridiculous like “When I’m already carrying a purse, a diaper bag, a cake, a knitting bag, and a 2 year old, I will not also carry your coat.” As a result, I started posting similar parenting rules and observations that I never thought would be necessary before I became a parent. I no longer update the blog, but it’s still out there and is good for a laugh. I use “MeanestMommy” or some variation as my username on Ravelry, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media. My daughter is 14, and my sons are 10 and 7.
Up All Night Socks
I also love how all your design names keep with the parenting theme. As someone who raised four children, I recognize a lot of the situations you have chosen! “Bubble Gum in her Hair Cowl” and “Up All Night Socks” are two of my favorite names – and designs! Are your designs inspired specifically by these events? Which is your current favorite design and why?
Yes, my designs are inspired by universal parenting experiences (School Pick Up Line Socks, Late For School Cowl, etc.). My current favorite is Up All Night Socks which are designed with children in mind. They were designed in honor of the babies you nursed, the toddlers who climbed into your bed, the kids with ear infections, and the teenagers who stayed out past curfew. They look fancy, but the pattern is easy to memorize and is super easy to knit. Best Babysitter Socks are also one of my favorites. Those are designed for my dad who I think is the best babysitter in the world.
How long have you been knitting? How long have you been designing? And how do you find time for it as a busy mom?
I have been knitting for 8 years. I took a knitting class when I was pregnant with my youngest child. I started designing about 3 years ago when a friend asked me to make her a custom pair of legwarmers (Moira’s Legwarmers). As a busy mom and a relatively slow knitter, I actually don’t have a ton of time for designing. I have only released 3 or 4 patterns per year over the last few years. As my children get older, I hope to increase the number of patterns I can release per year.
I noticed from your website that you are also a birth activist. Tell us a bit about that.
Over the past 10 years, I have volunteered quite a bit for the International Cesarean Awareness Network both at the local (Central Iowa) level and the international level. (http://www.ican-online.org/)
Can you give us a bit of a preview of what new design ideas are in the works for 2015?
I have so many ideas, and I’m not sure which ones will turn into actual new designs in 2015. I am easily distracted since I like to knit other designers’ patterns too. Current ideas include a unique cowl and several different sock designs. I also plan to make Late for School Mittens to match the Late for School Hat and Late for School Cowl.
Do you have any coupons or sales going on?
I am having a Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday sale right now. 30% off all patterns by Lisa Beth Houchins and Meanest Mommy Knits with the coupon code MeanestMommy30. The code expires at the end of the day on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.
Moira’s Legwarmers
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