Interview with Amalia Samios

Kookla in Greek means “doll” or “little doll”. My mother-in-law calls my daughter kookla so I thought it was fitting.

Tell us about your goodies? If we went to your etsy shop what would we find?

I sell my own unique knitting patterns. My shop has a wide range of patterns ranging from a biscuit assortment to a squashed rat bookmark. I knit toys only and I try to make them easy enough for the beginner that is ready for the next step after a scarf.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Everywhere but mostly ideas pop into my head while I am in the shower. You can often find me making sketches on the fogged up shower screen.

Where do you make your goodies? What is your work space like?

This is really boring but I knit in front of the television in my lounge room. My foot stool has wools and needles all over it.

If you had to choose one of your products to be your favourite which one would you choose?

I love my squashed rat bookmark. It is a bit quirky and very unique and it is by far my best seller.

When did start knitting?

I can not remember. I have been knitting since childhood. I do remember my mother patiently teaching me but I have no idea how old I was, probably about 8 years old.

Are you totally hooked on knitting or do you make things in other mediums too?

At the moment I am totally addicted to knitting. I do wander to other craft but I always end up back with the knitting.

Any advice you can give anyone reading this who wants to do what you do?

Just do it. Be confident with your patterns. Do not expect too much. I would always set reasonable goals, that way you are never disappointed. I started out aiming for 1 sale every 3 days. As more patterns came online I raised my expectations. Now I am aiming for 3 sales a day. 

I understand you are soon to be punlished! That is so exiting! Tell us about that…

One day I received a message through Etsy asking if I was interested in submitting knitting patterns to Handmade Magazine. I sent her a few samples and now I am a regular contributor. I am trying to send her 2 patterns a month but if I run out of time or a pattern takes longer to develop that I expected I only send her 1. 

Do you have any crafty website you frequently visit?

I try not to look at too many other site that have knitting patterns as I do not want my designs to be influenced by someone else’s work.

Last of all if you could be any type animal which one would you be and why? 🙂

I think I would like to be a giraffe so that I can see what it is like to be tall for a change.

Check out Amalia’s etsy store here.