On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about creating a craft magazine with my guest Meghan Fernandes, a co-founder of the independent knitting magazine Pom Pom.
Meghan Fernandes is a knitting designer and instructor, as well as creative director at Pom Pom. After 10 years in London, she is now based in Austin, Texas, where she lives with her husband and young daughters. She revels in the challenge of making and enjoying knitwear for a hot climate.
This episode is sponsored by Craftsy.
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A magazine cover.
In this conversation, we talk about how Meghan came to co-found an independent knitting magazine with Lydia Gluck, a friend she met while working at Loop, a yarn store in London. They launched the magazine in 2012. Meghan explains the vision for Pom Pom to be a timeless, collectible publication for people who truly value handmade. The magazine is also available digitally.
An inside spread. Meghan talks in this interview about the Pom Pom photo shoots.
Meghan learned to knit as a teenager from the mother of her high school boyfriend. She went to college at Northeastern and it was then that she spent time studying abroad in London. Meghan wrote her master’s thesis about knitting in historical women’s literature.
Mini Pom is a new book from Pom Pom devoted to children’s patterns.
We discuss the decision to have advertising in Pom Pom and the unique pricing model that allows both small and larger businesses to pay an appropriate amount. We also discuss printing, warehousing and distribution, and ecommerce. Meghan talks about the company’s book division, including a new title, Mini Pom, devoted to patterns for children and their classic learn to knit book, Knit How. Finally, we discuss what it takes to have a healthy business partnership and why it’s valuable. We also talk about the team Pom Pom has built to handle the business’ operation.
And, of course, I ask Meghan to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Meghan recommends:
- Isa Segalovich’s Instagram account
- The Bear on Hulu
- project bags and needlecases from Black Purl Magic
Keep up with Pom Pom on their website and on Instagram for updates.