Interviews with Knitwear Designers by Leanne Dyck

What is it like to be a knitwear designer? What are the challenges? What are the rewards? How did they begin their career? Who taught them to knit?

photo by ldyck

From 2010 to 2012, for this blog, I interviewed a community of knitwear designers--for this blog. These interviews offer a unique insight into the career of knitwear design. 

Interviews with Knitwear Designers

My advise to knitters is to enjoy the process. You should allow yourself to experience the pleasure of all that yarn running through your fingers, how you feel about your accomplishments, learning new things, and seeing what transpires as you manipulate your yarn and needles. In the end, if you had to knit the same ball of yarn over and over, it could still be a pleasure (well, for a while). We get too focused on the price of the materials we are using and how long it takes and we forget how much we get out of it. Not only do we create things, we entertain ourselves, sooth ourselves, and it helps us get through things we’d just rather not (kid’s sports, waiting rooms, family visits, you name it!)

JillWolcott

Knitwear Designer, Author

Jill Wolcott Knits

Who taught you to knit?

I was taught to knit by my mother when I was five years old. I remember carrying my knitting around the neighbourhood that summer while I was working on my first project—a baby pink scarf. I don’t honestly remember if I ever finished it but I do remember that several of the rows were a dirty grey because I must have been knitting with grubby hands. I also remember counting my stitches at the end of every row and then running home to have my mum fix my dropped stitches.

Holli Yeoh

Knitwear Designer, Author

Where is your favourite place to knit?

Two places: Sitting on the sofa in our basement, the dog snuggled between me and my hubby, watching something good on TV, with a cup of tea at hand. My second favourite place to knit is the streetcar: I have a long commute to one of my regular teaching gigs, and I enjoy very much getting a window seat, listening to music on my headphones, knitting away and enjoying the view as the city goes by. The first is comfier, but the second location has better light!

Kate Atherley

Knitwear Designer, Author

When did you become a knitwear designer?

I’m not sure, I think I always have been. I’ve worked professionally in this business for two years (this interview was conducted in 2012) but I am just now getting to the point where I feel okay to call myself a “Knitwear Designer”. I honestly think people throw the term ‘designer’ around way too much. Designers are those who work tirelessly for their art. It’s like a home baker calling themselves a Chef. There is a big difference!

How did you become a knitwear designer?

WORK!! Lots of work! I average about 100 hours a week. I wake at seven and work until bedtime. That's the only way to make it in this business. You have to be willing to put in the time.

Rohn Strong

Knitwear Designer, Author

Crafting a Handmade Home

How did you become a knitwear designer?

Like many people, I started altering patterns, then I morphed into designing my own patterns just for myself, then decided to start developing patterns for public consumption.

Stephanie Tallent

Knitwear Designer, Author

SunsetCat Designs

I've always created. I majored in crafts (jewellery, ceramics and textiles) in art college and received my degree in Fine Arts. I was working as a jeweller, both teaching and designing, and was feeling uninspired. We wanted to have a baby and I felt that the toxins I was exposed to at the jewellery studio were just too risky. Knitting was my passion though and it was consuming all of my free time. I decided that it was time to apply my design skills to knitting.

It didn't occur to me that I had no instruction or experience in knitwear design. My art college education gave me a good grounding in design in a general sense and I applied that and my common sense to figuring out how to design knitting patterns. There were few resources at the time although now there are many books on designing your own knits.

Holli Yeoh

Knitwear Designer, Author

Tell me about your first pattern. Where was it first published?

About ten years ago (2010), I was shopping at the Boulder Handweavers’ Guild annual sale and I saw a marvelous felted bag that I wanted to buy. It was $75, and quite outside of my budget at the time. I was with my mom at the sale and we decided we would try to figure out how to make the bag ourselves, so we went to the local yarn shop, bought some wool yarn and a book with some information on felting, and I went home and started to play. I ended up with one of my favorite bags of all time—I still use it today—and it also became my published knitting design.

My first published design was in Family Circle Easy Knitting. I always loved that magazine and was sad to see it go away!

Donna Druchunas

Knitwear Designer, Author

Sheep to Shawl

What is the most rewarding aspect about being a knitwear designer? What’s the most challenging?

Creating something that people love to knit is a fabulous feeling! I think self doubt is the most challenging. Every time a design goes out, it’s a part of me, and I’m hoping that I wasn’t fooling myself into thinking it looks good!

Rosemary Hill

Knitwear Designer, Author

Designs by Romi

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a knitwear designer? 

It's exciting to see knitters' reactions to my designs to see if they understand what I'm trying to communicate with them. Being able to spend my days immersed in the knitting—both the physical knitting and the planning and making it work part—are immensely rewarding.

Challenging?

Marketing and paperwork are definitely challenging for me. I would love to be able to just create and have someone else swoop in and spread the word for me and do my books.

Holli Yeoh

Knitwear Designer, Author

Did you know...

Famous Dyslexic Authors...

Jeff Kinney

Next Sunday...

Knitwear Designers by Leanne Dyck

In 2011 I interviewed six knitwear designers. These brave women create--out of pure inspiration--new directions in knitting. Is it any wonder that knitters love them.

I'd like to thank them for their generosity as we admire their creativity.

Stephannie Tallent's beautiful cables (www.sunsetcat.com)

Donna Druchunas author of many knitting books (http://sheeptoshawl.com)

Rosemary Hill's breathtaking lace (http://www.designsbyromi.com)

Holli Yoeh's adorable children's knitwear (http://holliyeoh.com)

Janel Laidman's must knit socks (http://beebonnet.typepad.com)

Sara Barbour's stylish designs (http://www.ropeknits.com)

Please visit their sites and tell them I sent you. : )

Happy 2012!
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Next post:  Blog plans for 2012

Guest Post: Author, Knitwear Designer Donna Druchunas (interview)

Donna Druchunas is the author of numerous books, including Successful Lace Knitting: Celebrating the Work of Dorothy Reade, Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland, and Artic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters. She spent four months this year traveling in Europe to teach knitting workshops and do research for her next book, which will be about knitting in Lithuania. During her two-month stay in Lithuania, she studied with local knitters, visited fiber arts galleries and museums, and enjoyed being in her home. You can learn more about Donna by visiting her website Sheep to Shawl 

Who taught you to knit?

My grandmother. I don't even remember learning!

What method of knitting do you use--Continental or English?

I use a form of Continental knitting with the yarn carried in my left hand. But I pick the purl stitches in the opposite direction of most American and Western European knitters. The way I knit is more common in Russia and it is sometimes called the "Eastern Uncrossed" or "Combination" method.

What is your favourite stitch pattern?

For simple patterns, I love moss stitch. But I have become addicted to knitting lace. I'm partial to simple lace patterns as well, those I can memorize in just a few repeats. Because I enjoy working simple patterns in gorgeous yarns, and even lace with handdyed yarns, I am especially fond of feather and fan and simple leaf patterns.

Why did you become a knitwear designer?

Because I go overboard on everything I do, and I decided to start knitting again in my mid-30s after a break since I was teenager. My family's motto is "nothing in moderation!"

Tell me about your first pattern.

About ten years ago, I was shopping at the Boulder Handweavers' Guild annual sale and I saw a marvelous felted bag that I wanted badly. It was $75, and quite outside of my budget at the time. I was with my mom at the sale and we decided we would try to figure out how to make the bag ourselves, so we went to the local yarn shop, bought some wool yarn and a book with some information on felting, and I went home and started to play. I ended up with one of my favorite bags of all time--I still use it today--and it also became my first published knitting design.

Where did it appear--your website, ezine, magazine?

My first published design was in Family Circle Easy Knitting. I always loved that magazine and was sad to see it go away!

Are you a member of a knitwear designer association? Why? Why not?

No. I was a TNNA member but my membership lapped. I'm thinking of signing up again so I can work with their intership program and maybe teach and do booksignings when my next book comes out.

Do you attend fibre festivals? Why? Why not?

I love fiber festivals and I do attend for personal pleasure. Sometimes I teach at them too, but they don't have the best pay and I can't afford to travel and teach if my travel and lodging expenses are not covered, so I mostly teach at nearby fiber festivals or at ones I plan to attend anyway just for the pleasure of the experience!

Does your local yarn shop support you? In what way?

Yes, I work with several local knitting shops. I teach and hold book signings at local shops, and they also help me find test knitters when I need help with deadline knitting.

Have you taught knitting classes? Where? When?

I teach all the time and have taught all over the United States and in several European countries. Next year I will be teaching more than usual, with workshops almost every month at home in Colorado and a tour of New England and possibly Eastern Canada in the fall. So if anyone reading this lives in those areas and wants to invite me to teach, let me know soon! I've never taught in that area before and I'm very excited about it. I've also taught on cruises and my next cruise is in New England and Canada next autumn also. You can find out more here: http://tinyurl.com/29wxzkz

What inspires you?

Mostly traditional clothing and nature, but I also love contemporary fashion. Although I'm not a fashionista and I usually can be found wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I adore seeing the new fashions that come out every season. I had a fantastic time window shopping at the designer shops in Rome near the Piazza Spagna this summer. It was amazing to see how much knitwear was on display.

I know that you're an author as well as a designer. In fact, your knitting book series Ethnic Knitting is mentioned in The Sweater Curse. Please tell me about your books.

There's too much to tell in such a short space! I have two books about knitting (Artic Lace and Successful Lace Knitting), two books about designing sweaters (Ethnic Knitting Discovery and Exploration), a book of designs for cat lovers (Kitty Knits), and a book that may be out of print, I'm trying to find out, about knitting rugs (The Knitted Rug). If my first book is out of print, I hope to get it put out as an ebook ASAP. The other books are going to be available as ebooks soon as well, and I have an audio edition of Artic Lace in post production right now. I hope it will come out before Christmas, but I'm not sure.

What are you currently working on?

I'm trying to finish my next book about Lithuanian knitting before the end of the year!

What is the most rewarding thing about being a designer? About being a writer? The most challenging?

I love making things and seeing my finished items and books. I also find it very rewarding to hear from knitters and readers who have enjoyed my work. The most challenging part is working as a freelancer and trying to stay organized and meet deadlines, especially when traveling and also holding down a day job! My day job is also location independent, so that helps. But it's still quite a lot to juggle.

Please share knitting/designing/writing advice

In all of these areas, being professional is the most important advice I can give for anyone wanting to get into the business. For those who are doing these things for fun, my advice is take it easy, remember to breathe, and above all else, have fun!

Thank you so much, Donna. It was a pleasure interviewing and corresponding with you--as always.

Book Review: Ethnic Knitting by Donna Druchunas

After reviewing Arctic Lace I couldn't wait to get my hands on Donna Druchunas' latest book. Ethnic Knitting did not disappoint. It serves as both a design primer as well as an exploration of knitting traditions. These diverse topics are skilfully knit together.

In Ethnic Knitting's introduction, Donna clearly states the book's objective: "'With the skills you will learn in the following chapters, you will be able to design and knit beautiful, one-of-a-kind sweaters that fit perfectly."

Chapter 2 serves as a knitting design primer. The lessons include but are not limited to basics about sweater shapes, silhouettes and sizes.

Chapters 3 to 6 serve as an introduction to the knitting traditions of the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and the Andes. Each of these chapters ends with an invitation. Donna invites you to use what you have learnt in chapter 2 to design and knit projects, which adhere to the knitting traditions of each country, you have visited.

Knitwear Designer Donna Druchunas website:  www.sheeptoshawl.com

Book Review: Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas

Arctic Lace is a well-crafted, informative book. Far more than a knitting book it is a book of discovery. In it, we are introduced not only to work in lace but to the rich northern culture.

Traveling "north" is a treat that due to the expenses incurred not all may enjoy. Yet while reading Artic Lace I felt I was there. Donna takes us with her to Alaska--we meet the people, hear their stories, experiences their culture.

One of the stories Donna shares is of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producer's Co-operative. As a rural woman, I know how hard it can be to make a living. The story of the co-op speaks of ingenuity, perseverance, and dedication.

Donna also introduces us to the gentle creatures whose luxurious fibre every knitter longs to knit.

Then in the final chapters, Donna's thoughts turn to lace. A knitter inexperienced with working in lace may be apprehensive. Donna addresses your concerns and puts them to rest. She outlines steps to ensure your experience is rewarding. Her lace-knitting workshop in words and pictures is clear and concise. The patterns included offer hours of knitting enjoyment for knitters of all skill levels.

I highly recommend Artic Lace to both those who dream of arctic travel and to those who like to or long to knit lace.

Knitwear Designer Donna Druchunas website:  www.sheeptoshawl.com