Ilene Levy

I’m Ileen Levy from Hannibal, Missouri. I am both a hand and machine knitter, but I prefer machine knitting, which I’ve been doing for around 27 years. I started out as a hobbyist and became a custom knitter within 1 year after purchasing my first Brother punchcard machine.This gave me a lot of experience knitting all kinds of projects. I also started attending the different knitting seminars in my area.

A few years after starting Ileen’s Needle Nook with my custom knitting, my husband Mike, wrote a computer charting program to help me save time charting. Thus, Design-A-Pattern Charting Programs first came on the market. About that time, I also became a Brother dealer and added several more lines of yarn to the shop. In August, 2002, I became a distributor for Cotton Spandex yarns. In November of 2002, I became a Silver Reed dealer. As of this year, Ileen’s Needle Nook has been in business for 25 years.

Over the years, our Design-A-Pattern programs have expanded to include 5 different volumes. Originally DAP was in DOS format. We updated to Windows format over 8 years ago. As a matter of fact, we were the first knitting machine program to come out in Windows. In the spring of 2001 we introduced DAP on CD’s, as well as adding a new selection of neckline trims and collars. As of January, 2008 we introduced our latest version of Design-A-Pattern - DAP X-V. With this upgrade we are fully compatible with Vista, plus we have added lots of new design features. We are an international company with customers in the U.S., Canada, England, Europe and Australia. In 1996, Bramwell Yarns & Crafts of England became our importer and distributor for DAP for England and Europe.

One of my favorite aspects of machine knitting is teaching at seminars and workshops. I love working with beginners, and help them to really get to know their machines. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you have helped someone.