About Me

Hi, I’m Erin!

Welcome to The Stitch Deck Studio — a dream shaped by yarn, creativity, and a lifelong fascination with European culture.

I’m Erin – the founder behind The Stitch Deck Studio, and my journey has been a blend of rigorous project management, deep creative passion, and complete enchantment with France and its 40,000 castles! For more than a decade I’ve managed $20M+ federal grant projects and have been guiding complex initiatives for medical professionals with precision, strategy, and a commitment to excellence. Those same project management principles now form the backbone of The Stitch Deck Studio — ensuring every deck is thoughtfully designed, impeccably organized, and deeply meaningful.

But long before I was managing large-scale grant programs, I was studying the world. In undergrad, I focused on European history and culture, a foundation that sparked my love for France and its rich artistic traditions. Over the years, I’ve continued to nurture that connection — learning to speak four languages semi‑fluently and immersing myself in the rhythms, stories, and textures of European life.

Through it all, fiber arts have been my constant. I’ve been a crocheter for over 30 years and a knitter for nearly a decade, and these crafts have shaped my community, my creativity, my peace, and my sense of home.

The Stitch Deck Studio is where I bring these threads together — the structured expertise of a seasoned project manager, the heart of a lifelong maker, and the cultural curiosity of someone who’s spent a lifetime studying and exploring Europe – with the goal of giving the knitting and crochet community a source of creativity, a measure of beauty, and a collectible library of portable stitch charts that will assist in funding The French Castle Project – a future retreat venue providing a place to rest, a place to learn, a place to dream, and a place to remember there truly is good in this world.

Why a Castle? Why France?

France has the most castles of any country in the world, and the most lovely, laid back, relaxed vibe to life. But more than that, I want to create a retreat experience unlike anything else in the fiber arts world. No rushing from place to place. No constant packing and unpacking. No needing a vacation after the vacation. Instead, imagine this:

  • An ornate, luxury French castle as your home for the week
  • Long, unhurried days filled with knitting, crochet, and creative exploration
  • Workshops led by renowned knitting & crochet pattern designers & leading indie yarn dyers who come to you
  • Meals inspired by the region, shared around a table with new friends
  • Cultural experiences shaped by someone who’s studied Europe deeply and speaks the language
  • Quiet corners for reflection, laughter echoing through historic halls, beautiful views, and the freedom to simply be

These will be retreats designed for rest, inspiration, and connection — a place where creativity can breathe and craft can flourish. Every experience will be highly tailored, intentionally intimate, and rooted in the belief that creativity flourishes when we slow down, feel supported, and immerse ourselves in beauty. At the moment, we’re in Phase I of The French Castle Project so we’re just beginning!

Why Stitch Decks? Why Not Books?

Books are great, but the truly lovely collections of stitch charts or crochet & knit stitches are heftyyyyyy!! You know the ones – that 1 inch thick hard cover beauty that presses book corner creases into your lap? Those aren’t exactly the most portable things in your creative arsenal.

Instead, I wanted something portable. Something that could be slid into a backpack for your trip to the beach or a hike in the forest. Something that would make it easier to find that exact stitch pattern or colorwork chart and something small enough to be kept with the pattern.

I also wanted something beautiful. I love castles, so I’m clearly into beauty, and I think when creating a library there’s almost a prerequisite for the items to be full of color and beauty. The boxes and cards for each Stitch Deck are color-themed, and each line has its own gorgeous damask pattern, but when stacked together they form a lovely rainbow gradient that compliments the entire library collection.

And finally, who doesn’t love a collection? Whether it’s knick knacks, yarn, or books, a set of something is always better in my own opinion, so you can be sure there will be multiple volumes of each Stitch Deck line to collect.

For Makers, Designers, and Dreamers

Whether you’re a maker seeking renewed creativity, a pattern designer craving fresh inspiration, or a local yarn store owner looking for a fun new collection of stitch charts, The Stitch Deck Studio & The French Castle Project are built with you in mind.

A Project With Heart

And this isn’t just a business venture for me — it’s a culmination of everything I love: craft, community, culture, and the magic that happens when people gather with purpose.

I’m honored to welcome you into this dream and can’t wait to share the Stitch Decks, the (future) Castle, the lessons, the laughter, and the unforgettable moments we’ll create together!

Stay Connected

Sign up below to join the newsletter for The Stitch Deck Studio, and follow me on on Instagram @erin.elllllis. You’ll get exclusive updates and early bird notification when we launch our Stitch Decks in October 2026, and when we (eventually) open retreat registration for The French Castle Project.

Thanks for joining me! Together, The Stitch Deck Studio & The French Castle Project will exceed our wildest dreams.

Erin

PS. You can find out more about The French Castle Project here!