Candace Melville Ledbetter
Candace Melville Ledbetter was the guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. If that names sounds to formal, you may recognize that she is Caddy Melville. (Pronounce that like the Cadillac “Caddy”.)
Caddy and her mom, Sally Melville, have told the story many times, that Sally tried to teach Caddy to knit MANY times. It wasn’t until Sally was teaching Caddy’s boyfriend that Caddy realized she could do this, too, as an adult. (He’s still around, Caddy says she taught him again when she was prepping for her new Craftsy Class.) She says because of their history, Sally didn’t POUNCE on teaching Caddy this time, but they took it slow and without expectations.
Caddy says that once she got into knitting she immediately began trying things her own way, making hats and scarves, getting help from mom for execution tips. Especially when it came to 
the book that they did together. Random House approached Sally who somewhere mentioned Caddy was knitting now, which got really exciting for them because the Publisher had wanted to do a Mother/Daughter book but could not find a team. That became Mother-Daughter Knits: 30 Designs to Flatter & Fit, Caddy also contributed to Warm Knits, Cool Gifts.
Caddy had been doing some designing before that, and before she had her first daughter had been teaching around Ottawa, which slowed down and then REALLY slowed down with the birth of her second daughter. Filming the Craftsy Class is really her focus until her daughters are in school full-time. Perhaps because learning to knit was such a challenge for her, she has been VERY thoughtful about to help a student feel progress and not feel overwhelmed.
Watching Caddy, we are looking forward to her teaching more and the patterns she will create. She wants to make things no one has made before, not complicated.
Which is what we all want.
Please find Caddy’s new Craftsy Class using Marly’s Link. She can also be found in Facebook.
I enjoyed listening to Candace talk about learning to knit from her mom. I appreciate her designing so that everyone can make her projects. I love baseball also, Go Jays Go!
This episode never dropped into my iTunes feed but I didn’t want to miss it so I listened through the archives. So great to hear from Caddy!
It’s a bit late for me to say Go Jays Go, but I will say thank you to our beloved Blue Jays (yes, I’m from Toronto!) for giving us such a great time the last little while. We love you guys!
So great to hear About Caddy. This is a little to say “Go Jay, Go!
Because the Kc Royals won.Hey Royals! My hometown team. I really could use Caddy,s class as Im new to knitting.
It was so fun to listen about how Caddy got into knitting and her relationshp with her mom. I live in Oakland, so I go to A’s games, but I’ll say “Go Jays Go!” for you.
I enjoyed listening to Caddy today. I learned to knit from my Mom too – this episode brought back such great memories of that special time. I’m not a baseball fan, but Go Jays Go!!
I had trouble getting this episode to sync to any of my podcast apps (including iTunes) so I finally listened to it last night when I had time to stream it from the archives. Sadly, it’s it’s a little late for “Go Jays, go!” I was hoping they would meet my hometown NY Mets tonight but alas, ’twas not to be.
I really enjoyed the podcast. I’m a crocheter who’s learning to knit right now. I bought a month long unlimited Craftsy pass and of all the classes I watched Caddy’s was my favorite! I’m definitely buying the class when my pass expires at the end of the month. She explained everything clearly and and was very engaging on camera. I think she ought to have her own tv show! Great job Caddy and thank you Marly for having her on the show.
So cool to hear from Caddy! I remember looking through the Mother-Daughter Knits book with my mom when it came out. With a craft that so often seems to be handed down from generation to generation, it’s fun to hear about one family where the professional aspect got handed down, too!
My cheering won’t be of much help this year, but here’s a “Go, Jays, go!” for next year 🙂
I’m not a baseball fan. But I am a fan of this podcast and all the guests! Go Jay’s go!
This was a great interview. I have always loved reading Caddy’s Mom’s books and actually began knitting by sitting up late at night reading them. Now that Caddy is designing she is with a winning team of the Go Jays Go phenomena. Thank you again!
As a huge Yankee fan, it pains me to say “Go Jays, go!” But I’m so anxious to n a prize. Once again, I enjoyed the podcast.
Thanks for another great show Marly. I am glad that you told us about this class. I need to get this one. It is always great to have the foundation information about the things you are passionate about. Go Jays Go!
Marly, what would we all do without you!!Thanks for your guest and Go Jays Go, not a baseball fan but love college basketball. Go Syracuse Go!!/lol…
I’m not a sports nut, but am happy to support Caddy’s team. Go Jays Go! Glad Caddy is doing what she loves.
Another great podcast. My 3 year old will sometimes ask to crochet so I keep a large hook and scrap ball of yarn in my bag for him to work with. He will actually sit for a while and let me help him move the hook and hold the yarn. It’s like he is memorized by the movement. We will see if its still fun in 10 years. LOL
And for Caddy: Go Jays Go!
“Go Jays Go!” What’s a Jay and where are they going? Is Kay going along. Ok enough of that nonsense. Really nice interview. Really enjoy hearing about mothers and daughters that can share a passion.
I have recently discovered Sally’s books through a friend’s recommendation. So now I am so excited to discover her daughter too!! Great show!! Go Jays go!!
Great podcast! Listening to Caddy describe her teaching style makes me want to take a class with her. She seems to really get it. I come from multiple generations of Red Sox fans, but I was sorry to see them knocked out during the playoffs. So, for next season I’ll say Go Jays Go!!
Oops – I meant I was sorry to see Toronto knocked out of the playoffs 😉
I wish all of the Go, Jays, Go cheers had been more helpful for Candace’s team. I enjoyed this interview so much. Candace has knitting in her genes and she is doing a great job shining in her role as teacher and designer.
I missed the live podcast but listened from the archives. Enjoyed the interview with Caddy, and am saying, “Go, Jays, Go!” although the KC Royals already won. But the show was great, Marly!
The series is over but there’s always next year! Go Jays Go! Thanks for another fascinating podcast!
Go Jays Go!!! Better luck next year. I was really pulling for the Blue Jays.
Loved your interview with Caddy. Can’t wait to check out her class. Thanks Marly.