Kate Oates is a crafty knitter and mom of two young boys who designs some absolutely adorable caps, baby bottoms and other gear for babies and little ones! I’m not usually big on babies, but even I can admit how ridiculously cute her hats are on these tots! I chatted with Kate to find out more about how she got started designing her line, TotToppers.
Tell me a little about yourself and your work. My name is Kate and I have two little boys, ages 7 months and 2 years. I have been knitting for upwards of a dozen years but really got into it when I was pregnant with my oldest! In addition to knitting, I am finishing up a PhD in political science from the University of Florida, taking care of the boys of course, and my husband is in law school. I sell primarily knit hats, but have done some other items as well. I’ve just started knitting toys, and I knit other garments and pacifier leashes. I tend to feature BOY stuff because, well, I have two baby boys! I hear a lot from other moms about how there is a lack of options for cute boy stuff. I’m doing my best to change that. Now, I definitely design for girls as well and have a fun time doing it.
How did you get started as a designer? I knew I wanted to sell knit hats. I actually made a big boo boo & started up a blog selling hats that I knitted, but that were someone else’s patterns. This designer was VERY nice to me but let me know that was copyright infringement…sooo…I thought to myself that I was pretty sure I could do my own designs and there it went…
What advice would you give to aspiring designers? Designing isn’t “hard,” its fun! Sometimes my designs happen really fast and they work really well. Other times I really have to do something over and over, and rip out stitches, before getting it right. Also I’d say to not stop with an item until you are really happy with it. I’m actually going back now to some of my earliest designs & freshening them up a little bit, using the experience I now have to make them even better.
What inspires your work? My kids! The seasons…anything I think of as fun.
Who are your favorite designers? Susan B Anderson, Debbie Bliss
What are your fashion & beauty must-haves? A great knit cap with matching pacifier leash 
Where can people find your work?
www.tottoppersshop.com
www.tottoppers.etsy.com
www.maketottoppers.etsy.com (patterns)
