Inspired By: Bohoknits!

To kick off June--and the subsequent beginning of the summer months--I thought it was about time to reintroduce my Inspired By feature! I've been lucky enough to get to interview and showcase some pretty incredible crafty ladies in the past, and this time around should be no different!

I'm diving in today with the incredible Kelly McClure of Bohoknits! I'm absolutely in love with all her hats, and equally in love with whatever artwork or wallpaper she always seems to have in the background of her photos... You may recognize her signature artsy-casual knits already, but if not I am thrilled to be introducing her to you!

Let's get started!

Faye: Since you do both, I have to start by asking... If you had to choose, would you pick knit or crochet, and why?

Kelly: Starting with the really hard questions, eh? I actually get asked this a lot...I used to spend my time pretty much equally divided between the two, but I think in the last few years I have gravitated more towards knitting. I simply love stockinette fabric and there is so much you can do with knitting. The amount of techniques and skills to learn within the universe of knitting is unlimited. However, there is something about a lacy crochet project that can't be replaced...Naturally, some of my favourite projects include both crafts.

F: Where do you pull inspiration from, and what inspired you to start creating your own designs in the first place?

K: I began designing out of a desire to have specific items that I couldn't find patterns for. When I learned to knit at age six, I didn't use patterns. It was a challenge for me later in life to figure out how to read one! The first pattern I followed was a pair of mittens that I made in high school.

Since then I have been ferociously deconstructing other designer's patterns and redesigning them so I could achieve something specific. It's very rare that I follow a pattern to the letter, but either way I always learn something in the process. I still draw a lot of inspiration from other knitters and Ravelry is obviously amazing for inspiration - maybe too amazing. Sometimes I find I've wasted a few hours just pouring over photos and ideas. Often, too, I will see something in fabric (from a magazine, a movie, or on a stranger in the grocery store) and think it would look great as a knitted object. I have tons of scraps of paper with sketches and ideas for designs jotted down. I'm also a book junkie so I will spend a lot of time leafing through stitch dictionaries and researching a stitch before I begin.

F: Do you see yourself as having an overall 'aesthetic' or theme behind your designs, or do you just make whatever comes to mind individually?

K: The bulk of my designs are items that I made for myself for a specific purpose (usually, staying warm) and after "testing" it out for awhile, I tend to figure out what I get a lot of use out of and what other knitters might be interested in. Because of that, a lot of the designs reflect my personal style. I'm not sure how I would define that except I can be a bit of a hippie and I prefer casual clothing to dress-up. I like to be warm and comfortable! For me, fashion is all about practicality. And if it also looks pretty, that's an added bonus.

F: What part of the process do you struggle with or have to work at the most? And what's your go-to fix when you're feeling discouraged?

K: A big challenge for me is in the details. I can be pretty anal and I like my patterns to be complete and consistent. However, sometimes I feel like I could spend all day updating, revising, retesting and rewriting. Every individual (and every country) has their own way of doing things. Sometimes the editing feels never-ending, but I think it's worth it in the end to have a quality pattern that people can easily follow.

Whenever knitting makes me feel sad, I start a new project! You can see where this logic breaks down...my house is full of half-finished items and swatches.

F: More and more designers on Ravelry, even beginning designers, are choosing to offer paid rather than free patterns, and the average price of those patterns just keeps increasing. However, some designers, including yourself, have chosen to continue offering free pdf downloads of some of their patterns. What would you say the advantages and disadvantages of having free downloads are?

K: I like to offer a lot of free patterns because I simply love to share knitting with others and I like to encourage new knitters as much as possible. Knitting and crocheting are expensive hobbies and the cost of tools and yarn really adds up. When you tack on the price of a pattern, it sometimes makes a big difference in the total cost of the project. For me, it's always worth it to purchase a pattern and I love to support other designers, but I also like to give something back to the knitting community (especially one that has provided me with many free patterns over the years!).

On the other hand, I also know how much time is put into a pattern from start to finish and so I understand why designers charge money. I also think there should be a sense of ownership of that design and that knitters should remember how valuable their time is - charging a few dollars for an idea that they nurtured and spent a lot of time on is more than fair in my books. Whenever I do charge, I try to keep my prices low. Usually the price depends on how many hours were put into the design and the complexity of it.

F: If you could pick any one independent designer to do a collaboration with, who would you pick?

K: I just adore Stephanie of tiny owl knits. I'm not usually a girly girl, but there is something about her designs that brings out the princess in me. Looking at her stuff makes me want to roll around in ribbons with kittens. Her imagination is boundless and her ideas are very unique. She really stands out for me among other designers and her service is impeccable. She is very talented in other arts as well...

F: Do you have any plans to try a venue for your designs other than self-publication? What have the best and worst parts about self-publishing been?

K: Right now I'm pretty happy to be supporting myself independently. I do work full-time, so I design and run Bohoknits in my spare time. I have way more ideas than I have time, but I am lucky to work in a fantastic yarn shop for most of the week where I can write and talk about yarn and knitting all day. I think the only downside to self-publishing is that I don't really make any money at it! Hopefully this year I will find some time to market to other yarn shops to carry my patterns, perhaps send some in to magazines (print and online), and maybe even do up an e-Book.

F: Where do you see knitting taking you in the future?

K: My family always laughs that I seem to have become a professional knitter! It's a very unassuming and unexpected career. I am fortunate that I am able to devote myself to something that I love so much. There are many ways I would like to develop, personally and professionally. Personally, I love the idea of creating an item from scratch. Now that I know how to dye, I will have to learn how to spin. And once I master that I will have to have my own alpaca to shear. Also a merino, goat and camel, of course. Professionally, I would like to see where dyeing yarn takes me, because it's something I enjoy (almost) as much as knitting and designing. I would also love to get some sweater patterns out there. I have so many ideas, but it is very time-consuming to test and get all the sizes and math just right. One thing I know for sure is that knitting and yarn will be a lifelong passion...I may get stars in my eyes when I learn a new craft, but I always go back to knitting. It is the one constant in my life.

F: Now that the seasons are changing and it's getting warm out, what are you really craving to knit during the summer months? Any styles you're particularly excited about?

K: I love knitting with all weights of yarn and I used to be stubborn about knitting with bulky wool in the summer months. I know some people give knitting up altogether while it's hot outside, but I can be kinda snotty and have this whole "mother nature isn't going to dictate my life" attitude, so my crafting habits generally don't change in the summer (plus, I live in one of the coldest towns in Canada). However, I'm really excited about sock yarn this year because I've been spending all my time with it in my dye studio. There are a lot of cute cardigans made with fingering weight yarn and I love ones with cap sleeves. Also anything with pockets. I'm also loving all the vests I'm seeing everywhere...

F: And last but not least, what's on your needles right now?

K: I have a chronic addiction to starting new projects and not finishing them...I call it Knitter's ADD. I technically have probably upwards of 40 projects that are patiently waiting for me to finish them up. The one that I am most excited about at the moment is "Still Light" by Veera Valimaki, a dress with pockets and 3/4 sleeves. I'm doing it with Soxy by Diamond Yarn in a really nice, deep teal.

Many, many thanks to Kelly for the lovely interview! You can find more Bohoknits on Ravelry, Etsy, and at her fab blog! ♥ Until next time, everyone!

Inspired By: Ann Weaver

This Inspired By actually features the lovely lady that I FIRST got in touch with to see if she'd like to be featured! I didn't intend this whole thing to be so on-going, and it's completely gotten away from me. (That's what happens when you contact a bunch of people expecting only two of them to be interested and then all of them are!) Anyway, she was completely stellar throughout the whole process, and so fun to talk so--her life is crazy interesting! Ready for this? Meet...

Ann Weaver of Weaverknits!


She was first published in the Fall 2007 issue of Knitty, which is where I first discovered her work, and since then has been published in Interweave Knits, Knitscene, and the book Brave New Knits. Ann also self-publishes her own patterns, and I always know when a pattern posted on Ravelry is hers even before seeing her name under it! She's got such a fabulously unique, accessible style, and it's way past time that you all got to read this interview with her! ♥

Faye: I suppose I should start off by saying that you just recently published your first book/e-book, Craft Work Knit. All the designs are gorgeous, and I can definitely see the progression from your previous work. What was it like to take what you do to a whole new level, both in the publishing and the design sense?

Ann: One word: Crazy. It was crazy. I knit the samples and wrote the patterns between March and July 2010, and worked on the layout and photography with my sister, who’s a graphic designer, in August to have the book ready by the end of September. While it was SO EXCITING to do a collection of patterns completely on my own terms, the amount of work required to make something independently from soup to nuts was staggering. And I worked full time, first as a commercial baker and then as an editor/proofreader, the entire time.

F: Now that you’ve finished that project, what’s next on the needles? What yarns, textures, or colors are you particularly craving as the seasons change?

A: I have a few designs I’m doing for magazines and yarn companies right now, including a texture-rich design for the Sanguine Gryphon’s winter collection, which is worked in Free Range, an organic wool yarn that is fabulous for cables. I’m also making a few accessories in bulky textured yarns – I love using these when the weather gets cooler.

Looking into the future, I’m planning a group of designs for my next book, which will use only yarn from independent dyers and farms, so there’s a lot of wooliness coming up, and a lot of blues and greens, too.

F: All of your designs have such a distinctive edge of them, and the androgynous element is so classy and versatile. Have you always loved that sort of style, or is it something that comes out only in your knitwear designs?

A: Oh no, this is absolutely how I dress on a daily basis. Accepting my own body type (thin and androgynous) led me to dress in a way that’s flattering for me. And once I left the world of office work, I’ve been able to embrace my love of first-wave punk style, work clothes, handmade knitwear, unexpected color combinations, and unisex boots. Okay, so I’m working an office job again, but no one cares if I show up in Dickies, thrifted boys’ dress shirts, and hoodies or handknit cardigans. It’s fabulous. I wear all my designs, and would wear them even more if I didn’t have to keep them in decent shape so I can show off the samples!

F: Out of everything you’ve made and designed, what are you most proud of when you look back today?

A: Three things: The Neiman sweater from knitty, which was my first published design and the garment that gave me the confidence to write down and size the garments I’d been designing for years; the Transverse Cardigan, because it was accepted into Interweave Knits, a magazine that is definitely not my usual aesthetic and to which I’ve always submitted with the anticipation of rejection (when it comes to sweaters, at least… I’ve had more success with accessories); and, honestly, my new book… the entire collection… the fact that it’s lovely, on heavy, high-quality paper, the design, the fact that I pulled it off.

F: What keeps you inspired when you’re knitting & designing, especially in the dead of winter? Are there any particular artists, knitters, or musicians you turn to to lift your spirits?

A: The painter Josef Albers was one of the main inspirations for my book, and continues to inspire my designs and color choices (there will be at least two more Albers-based designs coming out in the next year). But my sources of inspiration are like a random laundry list… first-wave punk music and fashion, Bauhaus artwork and style, work clothes and uniforms, whatever my favorite colors are at the time (current: lots of murky blues, bright orange, and, of course, grellow), and, of course, friends and family. A lot of the things I design are made for someone I know, and I know some stylish, interesting people.

F: What, or who, makes you excited about knitting even on the days when everything refuses to cooperate?

A: I get excited about swatching new yarns. When I’m particularly uninspired, I knit plain garter and Stockinette swatches. Sometimes I just keep knitting, and end up with a scarf or a hat. One of my latest designs, Big Top, [this will be published as an individual pdf in the next few weeks] is the result of knitting some lovely yarn (Fly Designs Pashmina) into a big long stripey strip. I was so burnt out after finishing the book that this was all I could think to do, and I just love the result.

F: We all know it: The world is changing. What are the pros and cons of being a knitblogger/designer in the new age of media, and what do you think the greatest advantage to self-publishing is?

A: For me, the greatest advantage is the control I have over EVERYTHING in the design process. I’ve self-published designs that probably wouldn’t be accepted – or weren’t accepted – to major publications. I can knit these designs in the yarns and colors I like, I can style them the way I like (no aprons, fields, farms, or mittens being worn in indoor situations… I like to show my designs in the situations in which people would actually WEAR them), I can use my own models (none of whom are under 30, and I’m going to make an effort to use my mom as a model more often, she’s a superstar)… so yeah, those are the advantages of total control.

However, I don’t want to put down traditional publishing, and will continue to work with books and magazines as long as I’m designing. Every book or magazine in which I’m included exposes more people to my work, audiences that might not ever find me on the Internet. And, as much as I like doing everything on my own terms, I also realize that making some compromises to work with publications broadens my appeal. Plus, it’s SO COOL to be part of a book with an interesting premise and a great mix of designs. I’m particularly fond of Brave New Knits and a recently released book from House of White Birches called Simple Hip Knit Scarves, in which I have two designs [these designs aren’t up on Ravelry yet, but will be by the time you publish this interview]. 

F: When did you first say to yourself, “Okay, this is it--now I am a knitwear designer”?

A: When I was fired from a horrible office job in February 2009, I had a lot of time to knit. I took on three big projects for books (two for the book Circular Knitting Redefined and one for Brave New Knits). I think this was the moment; I took on a lot of work and completed all of it on time and up to my high standards. That was the first realization… the second was when I got the proof copy of my book. Yikes! That cemented it.  

F: You’ve held several very different jobs during different times in your life, and the spectrum really intrigues me. It takes a fair amount of moxie to make those transitions and delve into new things. How does one go from being an Assyriologist to a bread baker to a copy editor, anyway? And for those of us who (unlike me) don’t immediately Google it, what IS an Assyriologist?

A: An Assyriologist is someone who studies ancient Mesopotamia, that is, present-day Iraq, during (approximately) the period from 4000 to 300 BCE. My focus was on the literature of the Neo-Assyrian period, that is, from about 1000 to 600 BCE. Cuneiform language is the cornerstone of Assyriology, Akkadian and Sumerian. These languages are not alphabetic, but are, rather, written with wedged symbols that represented either entire words (which was primarily the case with Sumerian), elements of grammar, or syllables (as was the case with Akkadian). So that is what I studied for nearly 6 years at Harvard. My last job there was as first-year Akkadian instructor, it was fabulous.

In any case, that’s not exactly a field with a lot of job opportunities, so I left without writing a dissertation to become, well, lots of different things. Yes, it takes courage to leave a job for something completely different, but to quote Joe Strummer, I just walk into the future like I own it. And it works. 

F: In addition to being a knitter, I’m also a bit of a foodie, so I have to ask--what’s your favorite cold weather comfort food?

A: Homemade macaroni and cheese, mulled wine, and dark beers. Yummmmm. For me, it’s the simple foods done really well. And hot toddies! Wow, that’s more drinks than food, but there you have it.

F: To wrap it all up, what’s ahead for Weaverknits in the near future?

A: Well, I have a few designs to finish in the very near future (DEADLINES!) and several trips planned to promote Craft Work Knit (I’ve actually been traveling constantly for it since the end of September) but after these are complete I’m going to start work on my second self-published book. I don’t want to give too much away, but it will be a smaller collection, probably five patterns: three sweaters, one hat, and one shawl. Each project will use yarn from a different independent dyer, which is really exciting. I see what I do as a partnership with yarn companies and yarn stores, and I want to support both as much as I can. From this point on I want to use yarns from indie companies exclusively in my self-published work, and future books, just like Craft Work Knit, will not be available through discount Web sites like amazon.com, which takes business away from local yarn stores. 

So the future will bring more of what I’ve been doing, with a greater focus on indie companies and indie stores and publication in some new venues, I hope. For anyone reading this, I’m always up for interesting collaborations, so feel free to contact me!

You can keep up with Ann at her blog, where she talks about knitting, life, and lots of yarny goodness! You can also find her patterns on Ravelry, or grab her book Craft Work Knit here!

Thanks so much for your time and insights, Ann!

Love until next time...

Inspired By: Heather Dixon

Heather Dixon is visiting for this week's Inspired By!

She's been featured in more than one of Debbie Stoller's popular books, Vogue Knitting, the book Not Your Momma's Knitting, knitty.com, and in 2010 she began publishing her own collections of stunningly chic knit designs online! Whew. Professional, busy, and super fun! 

It's a real treat for me to get to talk with Heather this week here at Cravings--enjoy the interview, everyone!

Faye: After successfully being published so many times, what made you want to go back to self-publishing by relaunching Army of Knitters? 

Heather: It has been a dream of mine for many years to design my own collection. I didn’t see any other way I could do this, whilst maintaining complete control over the whole aesthetic.

F: All your patterns are beautiful, but your Army of Knitters collections have a completely new vibe--a lot younger, deliciously sexier, and very on-trend. What was the inspiration behind your new designs, and how would you describe the style you’re going for? 

H: Before I launched Army of Knitters in April 2010 I had been designing for other companies. As a designer you have to be very flexible and offer your client exactly what they need. With Army of Knitters I’m finally designing for me, albeit the younger, slimmer version of me that exists in my head. The Army of Knitters women follows fashion but is unafraid to show off her individuality and loves her curves.

F: Are you a fashion maven in life outside of knitting? What winter runway or store trends have you seen that you’re excited to embody in your knitting as the weather gets colder? 

H: In the fashion industry we work at least a year ahead. I’m a little behind at the moment and am still working on Summer 2011. For Fall 2011 I shall be using some undyed yarns, including thick & thin and chunky fur looks. I also want to design at least one Menswear piece. I can’t stay away from colour for long though, Winter 2011 will include bright colours and lots of mixed patterning.

F: Speaking of colder weather, what’s your favorite thing to eat and drink around this time of year to warm up your insides? 

H: My kettle seems to be constantly on the boil for pots and pots of Betty’s tea but if I could have anything then it would be Cadbury’s Hot Chocolate and homemade shortbread. Fresh baked bread, still warm from the oven, lathered in butter, accompanied by my fella’s Butternut Squash Soup - Yum!

F:What’s on your needles right now? Is there anything in particular you always look forward to being able to make and wear in such knitter-friendly weather? 

H:As I mentioned earlier, I’m still working on warmer weather designs. I don’t get time to knit anything except what I’m working on for AoK! I am thinking about knitting another Malachite though, it’s so very versatile. 

F: Making ethical choices in choosing what kind of products we buy has gotten so much attention lately--both in the media and on a grassroots level. Are there any yarn companies who you think have done especially well in being responsible producers? 

H: I do want to be more earth friendly and am doing some research in that area. I would like to work with more local spinners and natural dyers. I’d love to hear from these types of companies in the Hudson Valley area.

F: You’ve worked with Debbie Stoller several times through her S&B career--including helping her launch the designs for her Stitch Nation line of yarn. What has that experience been like? 

H: Debbie Stoller is a very easy to get along with. She knows exactly what she wants which makes working with her a pleasure. I agreed to work with her on the launch of Stitch Nation, even though I was swamped at the time, as I have a great deal of respect for her and think that she has done wonderful things to promote knitting and crochet.

F: Who else would you really love to do something collaborative with? Do you have any idols in the knitting world? 

H: I have an enormous amount of respect for designers who are not afraid to do their own thing. It’s a very tough and competitive business where only the strong and thoroughly determined can survive. Amongst my favorites are: Walter Van Beirendonck, Mark Fast, Vivienne Westwood and Sandra Backlund.

F: What can we expect from the next Army of Knitters collection? 

H: My Spring 2011 collection will be a colourful froth of lace and ruffles inspired by Flamenco.

If you're craving more from Heather Dixon and her faabulous Army of Knitters collections, be sure to check her out on Ravelry, her website, and Twitter--and don't forget to show her some love when you do! ♥

Thanks for the lovely interview, Heather!

More Inspired By next week...

Inspired By: TinyOwlKnits

I know it's a little late this time (so sorry!), but I'm still super-excited for this particular edition of Inspired By! Today I get to feature one of the loveliest Ravelry designers I know--Stephanie Dosen of TinyOwlKnits! She's a musician, a blogger, and a designer with a wonderful sense of style. Her distinctive touch is evident in all her lovely creations, and I'm thrilled to share this interview with you all!

Faye: Stephanie, your love of fairies and their world is quite evident in all of your designs--their woodsy, elfish quality is one of my favorite things about your work! Where did that enthusiasm come from? And is there a favorite fairy tale that's really stuck with you through the years?

Stephanie: I just can't help being attracted to the fairies! I grew up with them and they are still a constant inspiration. They always provide magic, always. Just think of them for a minute, and you instantly have a bit more wonder. It's also deeply a Snow White thing. Snow White was my first movie theater experience when it was re-released in the 70's. (Before cable TV and VCR, etc, so it was a really big deal!) I had the book and I wore the record down to a thread. It had such an impact on me and I wanted to be just like her. I really thought we were supposed to grow up to be that. Singing to the animals and running through the forest. Which I'll admit is totally weird! I put a little Snow White into everything I design without even meaning to.

F: Your creativity goes beyond knitting--you're also a singer/songwriter in the UK! Are those two worlds totally separate for you, or do they feed into each other? Did you start knitting as something to do backstage or while traveling on tour? 

S: I started working at a yarn shop in Nashville, TN when I was trying to get signed as a recording artist. I didn't know how to knit when I got the job and on my first day I had to help someone put together a sweater! The learning curve was steep but I saw hundreds of knitting questions a day and it quickly became a huge part of my life. We had a massive shop and I loved it, but I still thought that if I got signed, I would leave the needles behind. When I got my record deal and moved to London I gave up knitting for about 2 weeks before my mind was ticking to the patterns again. It is a part of me I couldn't ever really let go of now. I'm happiest when I'm making things. Whether it is music or patterns it's the exact same process. I do look at them like siblings though. When I pay more attention to one, the other starts to get a little crabby.

F: Now, you do go on tour and perform with other musicians when working to promote your music fairly regularly. Have you managed to get any of them hooked on knitting?

S: My violin player Fiona has surprised me the most. She didn't really understand why I was spending so much time knitting at first, and now she knits like a little magician! She is on tour with Placebo now knitting all the way and I'm so proud of her.

F: When did you figure out that being creative through your music was something you wanted to do seriously? How has following that passion affected the rest of your life?

S: I was writing my thesis for my Master's degree in choral music when I actually started writing real songs. I figured it was my last chance before entering the real world to give my own music a chance. I quit my job, sold my stuff, surfed my friends' couches, went into debt and didn't give up, even when I thought I should. It has changed my life in an enormous way. Now I live in London and have been lucky enough to work with amazing musicians like Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, Midlake, and Simon Raymonde. I've also been able to meet some of my musical heroes like the Indigo Girls, Bjork, Siouxie Sioux, and Paul McCartney.

F: Another thing that really stands out about you are the beautiful, ethereal pictures you take of yourself modelling your designs. Taking consistently good photos is such an important part of being successful in knitwear design, especially since they're the first thing we see on Ravelry! What goes into making your shots look so gorgeous?

S: First of all, thank you so much! Simon takes the pictures and then I add some screaming, some crying, and some clothes being thrown all over the house. Then I usually say, "These are HORRIBLE! I look HORRIBLE! I can't post these!" and then I give up. Then the next day I pick a few out that I think I can deal with and post them. I hope I haven't ruined the mystique! :D The house we live in has the most amazing garden. I think the garden does all the work and I just try not to let my nose look too big.

F: Are there any designers you're always particularly drawn to whenever they publish a new pattern? If so, are they typically feminine, whimsical knits like your own, or something a little different?

S: I marvel at the amazing designs on Ravelry all the time. I love that everyone has a voice. There is a lot of color work going on and I feel myself drawn to it like a magnet. I always struggle putting colors together so I'm fascinated by people who do it with ease.

F: According to your blog, you've recently acquired a lovely spinning wheel! How's that going? Are you planning to add any designs for handspun yarns to your repertoire?

S: I am thoroughly addicted to spinning now. The wheel came with a drum carder and I haven't even begun to work with that yet. I'm trying to hold back on that rabbit hole a little bit yet simply because I really want to get out a few more big patterns that I've got waiting in the wings. Plus, my next record has been crying in the high chair and needs to be fed, taught to walk, and then probably changed.

F: There's so much snowy magic around this time of year--what's your favorite part of it all? Do you feel particularly inspired by winter's wonderland, or do you prefer the brighter seasons?

S: I LOVE snow. I grew up in Wisconsin so I remember winters where we couldn't actually open the door because of the snow in front of it. We had to jump out the upstairs windows to clear the snow away to get out. I miss it so much. Here in London we get some, but not enough for me! I always buy a new album when I see the first snowflake. I'll run to iTunes no matter what I'm doing and get a new song to go along with the first flakes. That way the snowfall is tied to something that can last.

F: And what do you crave when you're not doing something knitting or music related?

S: Video games, campfires, antique hunting, painting, sewing, going deep into the forest, Paris, and English premier league soccer. I support Tottenham Hotspur and I never miss a single game. I'm also desperate to get started on the second draft of my first novel. It's a bit of a mystery and I'm so excited to get it finished for my friends and family to read.

F: You've mentioned on Ravelry that you have new stuff in the works--could you give us some little hints on what to expect?

S: Ooh the animals have stopped by, and we're all going to be nice and cozy in December! Plus I've got a few little goodies coming out in Yarn Forward magazine #35. They did a designer feature on me and are including two of my patterns. I'm really looking forward to my first official appearance in a knitting publication!  I also hope to get the design for my knitting book on the way at some point in the New Year.

Thanks so much to Stephanie for stopping by and answering those questions so beautifully! Learning more about you has been such a pleasure!

If you're craving more TinyOwlKnits, please be sure to check out her awesome ravelry group, her Etsy store, and her blog! There's always lots going on in her world that you won't want to miss out on...

♥ ♥ ♥

Inspired By: Kate Sonnick

This week, Inspired By is all about Kate Sonnick of Knitscene magazine's Stylespotting column--knitter, blogger, fashionista, and creative chica extraordinaire! She was so much fun to talk to and get to know a little better! ♥

Faye: Most of us probably know you best from your Stylespotting column in Knitscene magazine, or from your knitting & fashion blog, Knitlit. I had to hunt a little to figure out what else it is you do with your creative self! Why don't you start by giving us an overview?

Kate: I worked in ad agencies for a long time as a creative director and copywriter. In 2003, I left to start my freelance gig, Kate Sonnick Creative. I started Knitlit in 2004. The best part about having a blog is I get to write whatever I want about two topics I love: knitting and fashion.

F: How did you get started with Knitscene? What's been most rewarding about being a part of that project?

K: It turned out that the editor, Lisa Shroyer, was a big fan of my blog. She contacted me out of the blue and asked if I'd be interested in developing a style column, which became Stylespotting. The best part about Stylespotting is that I get to be involved in every aspect of the piece from selecting the featured knits, selecting and styling the models (real people, not professional models, btw), directing the photoshoot, and writing the story. It's everything I love to do, all rolled into one assignment.

F: How do you get dressed in the morning? Do you throw on whatever's closest to you and hope it works, or do you put thought into making it stylish?

K: I work out of a studio in my home, so I can wear whatever I want, including my flannel jammies. But I hardly ever do that. I honestly love deciding what to wear, even if I don't see anyone all day besides my dog. Some of my favorite looks come from throwing on one piece and forcing myself to build a look around it. For example, this morning I really wanted to wear these really cool vintage necklaces with orange beads. The beads informed the rest of my outfit, which I kept completely neutral and streamlined. 

F: What was it like to launch Kate Sonnick Creative, and what went into making your website look so gorgeous?

K: It helps to have a great graphic designer! My good friend and creative collaborator Chrissy Ortiz designed my site. It was supposed to be my "interim site" until we both had time to put together a "real" website. That was seven years ago!

F: Are there any established fashion designers that you'd really love to see publish some knitting patterns?

K: A girl can dream, can't she? Stella McCartney always has the coolest knitwear, as you'd expect from a proper British girl. And who wouldn't want to see the 411 on Sandra Backlund's otherworldly knit-as-sculpture designs? But it's also fun to look at runway designs and let them inspire you to try new techniques on your own. My Fake-A-Gamo bag was the result of my obsession with a Ferragamo knit bag that cost thousands. I couldn't find a single stitch resource that had anything close to the counterpane stitch on that bag. It led me to a whole community of like-minded knitters who were also interested in decoding the stitch. We eventually did, resulting in a great handbag design inspired by the Ferragamo... and a whole lot of new knitting friends. 

F: What fall & winter trends this year make you most proud to be a knitter? Is there any style in particular that is simply begging to be knit?

K: I'm all about slouchy... slouchy snoods, slouchy berets. People are always so impressed when I tell them I made it myself. And they never believe me when I tell them how easy it was. I was also blown away by a fair isle design in Marc Jacobs' fall collection. I'm currently collaborating with jeffsilverman.com on a boot design that features a similar fair-isle knitted panel. 

F: You've dabbled in knitwear design yourself, and have a few published patterns on Ravelry. Are you planning to continue pursuing that in the future, and is there anything you'd especially like to design?

K: I've been knitting since I was a kid, but nothing taught me more about the craft than learning to design. My favorite part is the creative process... sketching, dreaming about yarn, swatching, thinking about silhouettes, color, all the touchy-feely stuff. The technical aspects of design remind me what a horrible math student I was. So, no, I won't be quitting my day job any time soon! On the blog front, in addition to Knitlit, my friends and I are launching a regional style blog called Lilacs & Lipgloss. This will be my first outside hobby-blogging into the world of professional blogging... so, wish me luck!

F: What's your number one winter craving this year?

K: A perfect vintage camel coat.

F: And, to wrap it all up, what's currently on your needles?

K: Purlbee's "Simple Pleasures", which is (surprise surprise) another slouchy beret!

You can find more about Kate and all her endeavors on Twitter, at her blog, and on her lovely website! And, of course, watch for her column in future issues of Knitscene magazine! 

Many, many thanks to Kate for being so sweet about all the questions!

Inspired By: Lee Meredith

Now that it's December, I'm already feeling the pressure of the holidays looming. Even at Muggswigz we're already feeling the extra stress. When December arrives, it's always best to find little ways to lighten the load, and I'm so excited to announce one of my plans for this season! It's been in the works for a while, and it's been so hard to sit on it and keep quiet about it throughout the past month here on Cravings.

For the rest of December and then into January, each week on Thursday or Friday I'll be sharing interviews I did with some of my absolute favorite crafty people--wonderful, smart ladies that I didn't really expect to e-mail me back, but who did anyway with incredible graciousness! This whole thing has been so much fun to put together, and getting to share it with you guys is just awesome! I think it's the perfect way to keep inspired and cheerful despite all the busyness, and I couldn't be happier with the group of people I get to feature here.

So, to kick it all off, it's...

Lee Meredith!

Lee is the creative force behind Leethal, where she blogs, designs knitting patterns, sells upcycled goodies and kits, and does just about everything else you can imagine! She's also a talented photographer and crafter, making her one of the most interesting and diversely gifted fresh faces in the knitting world.
It was such a blast to talk to her about what that's like!

Faye: You're one of those creative people who made the jump into being self-employed through your work. Tell us about that. What intially planted the seeds for you being able to make the transition into doing that? To what extent did it scare you, and why?

Lee: I had been planning on dropping down to part-time at my retail day job for awhile, so when I was offered some pretty sweet freelance crafty teaching jobs running throughout the summer of 2008, which happened mostly on weekends, I talked to my boss about needing all those Saturdays off and wanting to move down to part-time.  He said, nope, you can't have Saturdays off.  No way.  So I said, well, then, I guess I'll have to quit.  Totally unplanned.  I stayed on for about a month after that day, figuring out how I might make it work; those teaching gigs really helped me stay on my feet after leaving the job.  I had thought there was a really good chance I'd end up getting a part-time job at a yarn store or something like that a few months after leaving the day job, because I really didn't think I'd be able to make it work after such a drastic transition, but somehow it's been 2 1/2 years now with no day job, and I'm still doing it!  Thanks to my partner's help, and the low cost of living here in Portland.  It was pretty terrifying at the time, and continues to be, since I never know what I'll be making from month to month.  Everything about working for myself is amazing and perfect and the best thing ever, except for the unknown money part, which will never stop being scary/stressful, I'm sure.

F: In what ways do you measure your success so far, and what's been really rewarding about what you do?

L: I feel pretty successful at what I'm doing when I see myself/my work mentioned by strangers, or when I get a huge response to something I put out into the world.  If people are talking about my work, then I must be doing something right!  Really, I feel successful just because I'm able to live on designing/crafting alone, and if I can continue doing that, I'm happy, success-wise. The most rewarding part is seeing my creations/ideas/work inspiring others - reading comments about knitters who tried a technique for the first time in one of my patterns that they loved, or figured out a new concept, or whatever it might be. And just bringing happiness to people through tutorials and stuff - crafting is fun, and I love to read when someone really enjoyed a project I put out there!

F: You work a lot with recycled items, both in your knitting and in your other crafty endeavors. Is there an environmental passion behind the way you choose your materials, or does it simply stimulate your creativity--or both? What tips do you have for people who want to think conservationally about the way they craft?

L: I've always hated waste, and I've also always been frugal, so using whatever reclaimed materials I have around, or that I can find cheaply at thrift stores or reuse shops just makes sense to me.  I hate the idea of using something newly manufactured when I could be using something that's been around awhile and give it a new life.  It also helps make creative and business decisions easier sometimes - like the packaging, for example.  If I didn't try to limit myself to recycled materials in my packaging, then I'd have to do tons of research and shopping around to try to find the best packaging options for each of my products; by sticking to only things I can find at my local reuse store, I just get what works and that's that!  Tips... Just think about what you're using, or about the project you're planning - are there recycled options for any of your materials? Probably.  Go to your local thrift store - look at everything through the eyes of a crafter, seeing clothing as potential fabric or yarn, books as potential paper crafting materials, etc.  Chances are, you'll spend less money, and your project will transform into something you couldn't have envisioned without letting the recycled materials come into play!


F: If you had more time to focus on one particular type of project, what would it be?
L: The one specific project I'd like to be able to focus on is the ebook I've been planning for about 9 months now but haven't been able to actually start yet - on making recycled yarns, and patterns to knit with them.  The type of project for which I'd like more hours in the day is designing in general, actually - I have so many design ideas in my head and in my sketchbook, but have to spend hours a week on other (also fun) things like blogging and my website, keeping up with other internet stuff (like, currently, running my mystery knit-a-long), random freelance jobs doing photography and teaching, and just all the assorted stuff that always needs to be done... not enough time left to design all these ideas!

F: Speaking of your e-books, they're always so well-designed and the photography is stunning! How much time do you put into your photographs on average? What inspires you to choose the vivid colors and unique designs that are your trademark? And do you ever wish you had knitting elves to help you with all those sample projects?
L: Thanks!  A photoshoot for one item doesn't take too long - usually about 20 minutes or so - but the editing can take hours, especially because most of my patterns (full size, not quick knits) have 2-4 different examples that need to be shot and edited.  I've always been a huge fan of color, and ever since I first started knitting, I've always gravitated towards colorful yarns, rarely choosing a neutral.  So, for my designing, I always just choose what I like, hoping there will be enough knitters out there who have similar taste.  As for "unique designs" - I just design what comes into my head, and am interested in playing with construction/shape kind of stuff more than designing a stitch pattern (cable pattern/lace pattern/colorwork/whatever) into a common shape... that just doesn't excite me so much.  As for knitting elves... because I only design accessories and other small items, I usually welcome knitting onto my to-do list, to break up computer work and other tasks - knitting means I get to sit on the couch and watch movies and still be working at the same time!


F: It's been quite a year for you! What were a few of the highlights?
L: It has!  Personal highlights included buying a house with my partner, and getting married!  Professional highlights included releasing lots of knitting patterns and really moving towards knit design being my main thing (less crafting items to sell, and less freelancing), teaching at Summit of Awesome was, well, awesome; I've just finished the huge project of making printed versions of most of my patterns so that I can start wholesaling them to yarn shops, which feels like a really big deal, and I'm also really excited about my first trunk show, happening at Twisted here in Portland this week!


F: What's the first thing you start craving once the seasons change for the chillier?
L: My thrifted cashmere sweaters, all my wooly knit accessories, a different hat every day!  My newest favorite things to bundle up in are my thrifted Pendleton wool robe (worn constantly at home) and my newest knit accessory, which is currently being mystery knit-a-long so I can't say what it is!  Also, hot winter drinks!


F: Aside from next month's Quick Knits club, what's next for Leethal?
L: Well, there are those design ideas that will someday become patterns, and that ebook mentioned above, which will hopefully be released sometime in 2011.  I am really having tons of fun with the mystery knit-a-long, so I'm planning more of those in the future!  In spring '11 a book will come out that I contributed to, which I'm super excited about, because it is a seriously awesome book! Other than those things, I don't know, I'll just see what opportunities arise and go where they take me!



Many, many thanks to Lee Meredith for her participation in this project! If you're new to what she does, click on the links and go check it all out--it's so worthwhile. And be sure to check back next week for the next installment of Inspired By--this whole month is going to be such a good time!
♥
Happy holidays, everybody!