Knitcircus

Kristin Omdahl Blog Tour Interview!

 Knitcircus Contributing Editor Miss T was able to catch up with crochet and knitting author Kristin Omdahl, for an interview about her new book, A Knitting Wrapsody. As a surprise treat, we also have a generous free pattern download from Kristin and Interweave Press for your enjoyment! Watch for Miss T's review of Kristin's new book in the Summer 2011 Knitcircus, due out May 5th.

 

An Interview with Kristin Omdahl

by Miss T

Kristin Omdahl’s designs are not only striking and innovative, they’re strong reminders that knitting and crochet are joined at the hip.  Each craft has much to offer on its own, but -- as you’ll see when you take a look at Kristin’s latest book, A Knitting Wrapsody -- bringing the two techniques together opens up a whole new territory.

What’s your background?  How did you become interested in design?

I have always loved to create and have been sketching women's clothing since I was a little girl. I took a lot of drafting and shop classes in high school because I loved the design and structure. I think I've had a love affair with math problems my whole life and look for problems to solve (mathematically) in real life. In my late teens I was a waitress, but moonlighted as a cocktail dress designer for the "over 21" girls I worked with in the restaurant. I bought a used sewing machine and took an adult education class for six weeks and loved it. For a few years I enjoyed making dresses and had the great opportunity of making a little extra money for my hobby, too.

In college, I majored in chemistry for a few years thinking I was going to be a doctor, but gave up to finish earlier and focused on a business degree instead. I worked in office management and accounting for several years in my 20's but it was a job, not a passion. I got married and moved overseas, and had the luxury of not working at that time. I became pregnant shortly thereafter and felt compelled to make baby booties. I taught myself to crochet, and a month later taught myself to knit. I think I made a dozen layettes before my son was born. I ventured into shawl design when he no longer needed baby blankets and booties. Because I didn't have access to patterns where I was living, I had to figure out how to create the desired shawl shape from gauge and shaping. I used the Pythagorean Theorem to figure out a triangular shawl shape. The combination of stitching and math was a monumental "aha" moment for me. I have been passionately designing knit and crochet patterns ever since.

Lelani  Flower-Motif Wrap

You are equally well-versed in knitting and crochet, and several of the designs in A Knitting Wrapsody are the result of some very interesting cross-pollination between the two techniques.  Do you see yourself heading further in that direction?

Several of the designs in A Knitting Wrapsody are inspired by either the textures or construction theory of crochet. I also drew inspiration from other crafts as well as other hobbies, like fishing. I wanted to use knitting as the medium but create fabric or texture that was not traditional knitting. It was a lot of fun to explore and I am always asking myself how would it be possible to to create A from B. 

Spirals and circles are more easily done in crochet than in knitting.  You’ve conquered that challenge in the Infinity Cardi-Wrap.  What is it about those motifs that makes you want to translate them into fiber?  How does this design fit into the overall picture of what inspires you?

I love geometric shapes, especially those found in nature. Spirals are at the top of that list. There are so many ways to create a spiral and so many ways of combining them. Seashells have the most beautiful spirals. When I go to the beach, I always look at the different seashells for inspiration.

What would you like knitters and crocheters to learn from your work, and from the way you approach both crafts?

Don't be afraid! Relax, breathe, and try something new. I have fun knitting and crocheting. I want everyone else to do the same. Mistakes are okay - they are what make us human. Extra stitches, missing stitches, dropped stitches, they can all be remedies one way or the other. Just breathe.

To a non-knitter or crocheter, this sounds silly. But I'll never forget my first knitting project. I cast on so tightly that I couldn't physically insert my right hand needle into the space between the stitch and the left hand needle. Couldn't physically do it! I broke a sweat trying, though! I remember being so angry. I set the project down, jumped in an ice cold shower to cool off, took a couple of very deep breaths, and started over. I've been able to knit into the space between stitches and needles every since.

Arcelia Gypsy Wrap Skirt

Living in Florida means that you probably don’t have much use for heavy sweaters.  Do you ever long for cold weather, so you can work with beautiful, bulky wools?

On the contrary! We still have a winter - but it is a winter that doesn't need winter coats. However, bulky wool sweaters are perfect for our winter. I wear sweaters, shawls, scarves and hats in FL winter. And, you'd be surprised, but I wear shawls all summer too. The restaurants and movie theaters really crank the air conditioning, so I usually carry a lace shawl in my purse when I go out in the evening.  And, as a designer I still have to knit for what ever season I am working. Often times, it means I'm knitting with beautiful bulky wool, but in August. That can be challenging. Thank goodness for air conditioning!

What’s your next big challenge?

I am working on two new books right now - one knit and one crochet - and they are both the types of projects where I am exploring some extremes. So, there is a lot of experimental design and exploration. It is incredibly fun! I can't wait to talk to you about them, but that will be 18 months from now!

Thanks so much, Kristin!

The Summit American Yak Wrap is an exclusive excerpt from the book and was demonstrated by Kristin in a recent episode of Knitting Daily TV; it is available for free download.

Next up on the tour, catch Kristin on the Yarn Thing Podcast tomorrow and Lindamade Friday for the big finish!

 

 

 

Corn, Flowers, Love & Shelter

 

We experienced crazy-warm fall weather last weekend, so it was an easy group decision to head out to Eugster's Farm for pumpkins, kittens, goats, fresh caramel apples, the Haunted Silo and the corn maze.

In previous year's we've had cold and muddy Eugster's visits, to this was a welcome change. There was even a farmer handing out warm (free) cider doughnuts!

In knitting news, Hogwarts projects  proceed apace:

House hat for my young Gryffindor, with a badge from the party. We printed the graphic on cardstock, then cut out a matching cardboard backing, punched two holes in it and sandwiched the two together with a safety pin end sticking out each hole for fastening.

In Knitting Guild news, last night the place was packed for Jared Flood's talk. Creative Director Tracy, book reviewer Cindy and I carpooled because we knew it'd be wacky with knitters, and forty-five minutes before the talk, we still parked pretty far away. We had plenty of time to scope out the handknits while we waited and knit. My chosen Guild project was my orange One Scarf, and I knit away on my big needles while we laughed, met Webmaster Cindy and chickened out of having Jared sign our books.

Finally, the big moment arrived and Jared took the stage, after an impressive show-of-hands by Brooklyn Tweed blog readers. He appeared a bit shy in front of the 300+ crowd at first, so dove right into shoing us gorgeous slides of Washington State and NYC; he got more relaxed when talking about starting his blog and then downright confident telling us about his book and launching Shelter, his new yarn line.

He was everything you'd hope Jared Flood would be; intelligent, well-traveled, funny, a little shy, very knitting-knowledgeable and equipped with lush photos of buildings in Italy and many-hued wools.

Afterwards, Tracy and I plucked up our courage and got to have a couple of moments to speak with Jared. A little-known fact is that, when Knitcircus was tiny and still being printed out and handsewn, Jared graciously allowed us to reprint his famous Noro scarf tutorial, complete with original photos. I figured he was probably embarrased about that now, or had forgotten, but he said, "It was hand-bound with yarn! I still have it at home!"

He'd even seen Knitcircus online and congratulated us. Tim Gunn's got nothing on this guy for saying the right thing, I tell you.

Jared confessed that the response to his new yarn line was, "More....passionate than we expected," so I felt relieved and a little bit smug to have ordered mine earler in the week while supplies lasted. He didn't bring yarn with him, but did bring knitted samples. The mittens knitted at a denser gauge definitely had a bit of an old-fashioned wool texture to them, but the scarf felt softer, and the yarn has an airy, springy loft. Of course, the colors looked like they'd melt in your mouth.

This has never happened to me before, but I was just chugging along on my big needles, and while we still had a fair amount of Show and Tell left, my scarf was done! I couldn't believe it. I bound off the last row, and literally found myself in a Guild meeting with nothing to knit!

Let this be a lesson to you knitters out there--always bring two projects, even if your family laughs at you. I didn't know what to do with myself while they picked the door prizes, it was quite disorienting! The second lesson here is, if you want a quick gift knit, the One Scarf fits the bill perfectly.

 This One Scarf still needs One Long Fringe.

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Audiobook Giveaway and Designer Spotlight: Lisa Lackney

 

My infatuation with summer cooking continues. The only thing holding me back from going all crazy about cherries to you right now is that I have another cherry dessert in process and I want to share it all with you all together in one big cherry blast. Let me just say some quick praise of our tiny cherry tree, which continues to produce more fruit than seems likely for a tree of its size.

 

But just as exciting as cherries ripening in the side yard is our interview with designer

Lisa Lackney, whose fun socks always make me itch to cast on right away. And a related audiobook giveaway...

Which design do you have in the current issue of Knitcircus? Please tell us a little about this pattern and what makes it exciting for you as a designer.

   

Lily's Socks

            I designed both the Tachimawari Socks and Lily's Socks.  Usually I design my own patterns when I have a specific item in mind but there is no pattern available. 

            For Lily's Socks, I wanted to make ruffly pink socks for my cousin's baby girl, Lily.  I found the simple but decorative two-sided garter stitch lace pattern in a Barbara Walker stitch dictionary, and then worked garter stitch heels and toes to match.  I am no fan of seaming, so I designed the pattern with only grafting and picking up stitches.

            For the Tachimawari Socks, I had seen a sock with a biasing band in a book of sock patterns and I thought it would work well with the striping Opal yarn - providing interest but not detracting from the yarn.  However, I found that pattern's construction didn't fit my feet well and pulled awkwardly along the biasing band.  Also, there was only one biasing band on each sock.  I changed the pattern to top-down with a heel flap, since that construction fits my feet best and is easy to modify for different feet.  I chose a cast-on number that accommodated two biasing bands and ribbing that naturally flowed into the biasing bands.  In the final pattern I reworked the numbers for a smaller and a larger size.  I think it is important to offer knitters multiple stitch count options for sock patterns to make the pattern adaptable to different sized feet and different weights of sock yarn.

The name Tachimawari came from the old samurai movies I was watching while knitting the socks.  The highlight of the movie is always the climactic sword fight at the end, or tachimawari.  The "mawari" of tachimwari means to turn in circles, like the biasing bands circle the socks.  I highly recommending getting some old Toshiro Mifune and Tatsuya Nakadai films to watch while knitting these socks! (Yojimbo, Sanjuro, Three Outlaw Samurai, and Harakiri are some of my favorites)

 

 

 

I also designed the Moroccan Lace Socks from issue #4.  These were inspired by the color of the yarn and a lace pattern I had found in an online stitch dictionary. (Look for more fun and surprising action from Knitcircus and the Moroccan Lace Socks in the future--Jaala)

 

What’s your favorite part of designing?

 

I love hearing from knitters who made my designs or who commented on Ravelry.  I'm really happy when people enjoy my socks.

 

Least favorite?

 

I hate ripping back when a design element doesn't work, or I've miscalculated the number of stitches.

 

Which kinds of patterns attract you as a knitter and as a designer? Are they different?

 

As a designer, I'm intrigued by patterns that feature innovative construction, like the Hat Heel Socks or Skew socks from Knitty.  As a knitter, I usually do a top-down flap and gusset sock because it fits me the best of all the sock constructions I've tried.

 

Favorite kind(s) of yarn?

 

Sock yarn!  I like Opal for its longevity.  My Opal socks from two years ago are only slightly faded and pilled; I can only tell the difference next to the leftover yarn.  I love the colors and softness of Dream in Color Smooshy.  I am knitting my first pair of Wollmeise socks now - in Eunny Jang's Bayerische pattern, so it's taking some time - and I love the colors.  I can't think of any other dyer who achieves the intensity that Claudia does.

 

Favorite needle sizes or kinds of needles?

 

I like Bamboo double point needles - although I'd love a set of Knitpicks Harmony options because of the pointy tips.  Lately most of my knitting has been on size 5 or smaller.

 

What’s your all-time favorite design you’ve created?

 

The Moroccan Lace Socks was my first design, and first published pattern.  I still love how the picot edge, ribbed cuff, and lace pattern all flow together.

 

Designer(s) who inspire(s) you and why?

 

Cookie A - I admire Cookie A's attention to detail in socks.  She does an amazing job making sure all the elements coordinate and flow into each other.  I've already made Monkeys and Clandestine, and am working on Devon now. (An interview with Cookie A also happens to be featured in Issue #10!--Jaala)

Connie Chang Chinchio - She's been designing a number of sweaters in fine gauge yarn.  The Geodesic cardigan from the spring issue of Knitscene has already seen more wear than any other sweater I've made.

Kristeen Griffin-Grimes - I can't recommend French Girl Knits enough.  The designs are stylish, seamless, and her patterns are beautifully tech-edited.  They might seem complex, but there is almost no errata and the instructions are very clear.

 

What’s next for your designs?

 

I have more socks in mind (of course!) as well as plans for a scarf.  I always want to buy self-striping yarn and then knit something other than plain ribbed socks, so I'm hoping to work on other designs that use biasing panels effectively.  I would also like to design a sweater for sport weight or sock weight yarn that is fashionable and interesting to knit and can be finished in a reasonable time frame.

 

Anything else you’d like us to know?

 

I'm looking forward to seeing more of my designs knit up on Ravelry!

 

Thanks so much, Lisa and thanks for designing for Knitcircus!

If, like me, you're fascinated by designers and fiber artists, what makes them tick, what's inspiring, you'll love our giveaway, an audiobook generously provided by Out Loud Audiobooks. They used to be Knitting Out Loud, but have now expanded to include cooking, so you can imagine how excited I am about that given my cook-happy state right now.

Knit Knit compiles interviews from the art magazine of the same name, a fascinating exploration of true fiber artists, people pushing boundaries with provative and passionate fiber arts.Original copies of Sabrina Gschwandter's publication actually included print techniques and handspun yarn. Read by the author. Highly recommended.

To enter the giveaway, just email me: jaala@knitcircus.com, with a short message about your favorite knitting technique. Is it colorwork, cables, lace, plain ol'stockinette? And why?

You can also enter by leaving a comment on the blog, but I know it can be tricky. Look for the place at the very bottom of the comments where it says "sign in." Or ravmessage me: jaaladay. Any way you get in touch will count! I'll announce the winner next Monday to give people plenty of time.

Good luck and craft on,

Jaala

Designer Spotlight--Diana Troldahl

 

Whew, it's hard to believe it's the last full day of school! Don't believe the face, he woke up this morning and we heard ,"It's Fun Day!" from his bedroom; both kids ready to go with sunscreen, water, hats and everything way before the usual time. It's a beloved tradition, a waterslide down the hills on the front playground, cardboard box maze, dunk tank and all sorts of merrymaking. The kids don't know it, but I have a secret plan to take them to Ella's Deli after their last morning tomorrow to keep the good vibes going. Little Belle's excited, too, and told me solemnly that she plans to wear her Mi Amorita tomorrow to be suitably fancy for the last day.

In knitting news, working on a Secret Project for the fall issue:

 

But enough from me, we have a great interview for you today with Knitcircus designer (and book reviewer!) Diana Troldahl, so let's get to it!

Which design do you have in the current issue? Please tell us a little about this pattern and what makes it exciting for you as a designer.

My Rosie Socks are in the Summer issue of Knitcircus. I love learning new techniques, and also enjoy bringing pattern stitches which have become less well known into a more modern pattern. It is a wonderful challenge to transmute out-of-date language into modern knitting parlance, too. With this specific design, I had a great time incorporating an old fashioned German heel and continuing the triangle design of the trellis to a pyramid-shaped French toe. I also love how the cuff hides the ribbing, like a secret.

  

My Espalier Shawl in the Spring issue was also based on a stitch pattern from the past. I had only seen the Espalier stitch in a Victorian era pattern book until I designed my shawl.

How’d you get started designing?

About six or seven years ago my sister-in-law asked me to vet one of her patterns as a beginning knitter. (She is designer LynnH of Colorjoy). I remember having to look up how to bind off. She found my comments useful, and I often helped her with tech editing after that, learning a lot about pattern layout in the meantime. I eventually wrote a few free patterns for sharing on my blog, then on Ravelry, and had a pattern published in Magknits.

In 2008, I wanted to contribute something to Susan G. Komen in memory of lost friends. I am disabled but receive no government monies, and had no job. What I could do was design a pattern for sale, and contribute part of the proceeds each year for breast cancer research. That was my Cloud On Her Shoulders, still a favorite among my customers.

The feeling of empowerment that gave me, and the warmth I felt when reading stories from knitters about sharing the shawls with their loved ones was incredible, and encouraged me to keep on writing and sharing patterns, this time, as part of the household income.

What’s your favorite part of designing?

There are two aspects that thrill me the most. One is the feeling I get that I can touch peoples’ lives through my work; whether that be the money I can contribute to Kiva or Susan G. Komen, or learning that one of my patterns helped a dyslexic knitter gain enough confidence to try lace, or being able to answer questions of beginning knitters when they PM me on Ravelry about one of my patterns. Another is the thrill of the hunt. I am a very geeky person. I have a degree in Anthropology and a strong interest in history as well. When I spy instructions or an old illustration of a pattern stitch I have not encountered in more modern stitch dictionaries, I am not happy until I have tried it out.

I often am inspired to create a pattern showcasing that stitch, and I enjoy the challenge of describing how exactly to re-create it using modern terms.

Least favorite?

I really feel sick to my stomach if someone comes across an error in one of my patterns that has been published. It has happened, but my working methods have kept it to a minimum, thank goodness. No one is perfect, and of course an error slips through now and then, but I am pleased to say most of my patterns have turned out to be error-free.

Which pattern have you made that surprised you; harder or easier to write than anticipated, more popular than you guessed?

Cloud On Her Shoulders is a fairly basic semi-circular shoulder shawl in garter stitch. The shaped increases make it something that sits securely on your shoulders, but there are no fancy lace stitches, nothing that requires more than knitting, slipping, and a kfb increase here and there. It was fairly easy to design, but it is by far the most popular of my for-sale patterns. That surprised me at first, but I think perhaps, as in my own family, it is workman-like enough to actually be used by the recipient, rather than being put away in a drawer ‘for good’. It is also an incredibly fast knit, and can be finished in a day or two.

It taught me that designing a good pattern is often less about showing off my knitting chops and more about simplicity and usability. Of course I still get a geeky thrill from my more intricate designs :-}

Which kinds of patterns attract you as a knitter and as a designer? Are they different?

Hmm. I haven’t thought about it until now. I think what attracts me to patterns by others is similar to what attracts me to a design I want to create. I want learn something, or explore a new technique. I guess I want a challenge, mostly.

Favorite kind(s) of yarn?

I have a strong preference for natural fibers, and enjoy knitting with sproingy wool the most. That being said, I also love the sheen and sparkle found in some synthetics. There are few yarns I will not knit (with the possible exception of 1970’s era acrylic).

Favorite needle sizes or kinds of needles?

I need to use a variety of needle sizes in the course of a work day. Switching between projects really helps my hands stay limber despite the arthritis.

What’s your all-time favorite design you’ve created?

My favorite is the Dragon Butt Hat. It is one that was inspired only by my imagination, and embodies my weird sense of humor. It is also fun knitting it. And making my adult friends pose with it on their heads LOL..

 

Designer(s) who inspire(s) you and why?

Anne Hanson has a lovely enthusiasm which infuses throughout her patterns. I have learned a lot about good classic design from her. Anna Zilboorg, Elizabeth Zimmerman, the unnamed men and women who wrote all those lovely Victorian patterns. Deb Robson inspires me simply because she is so open and willing to share information about the publication business with whomever asks. Barbara G. Walker, in so many ways (I first knew of her through her non-knitting publications). Of course my sister-in-law LynnH of Colorjoy continues to be an inspiration, and I love every one of her designs. Some of the most inspiring designers I’ve encountered through Ravelry, when they PM  me asking how to get started in this business. Seeing them find the courage to put out their design ‘children’ for the world to see is a real thrill, and their enthusiasm helps keep my own fire stoked.

Where can people find your designs?

Ravelry, Knit Picks, my website, Otterwise, Patternfish will also be carrying some of my pattern collections later this year.

And of course Knitcircus! You can find the Rosie Socks in the Summer 2010 Pattern Collection, and Espalier for purchase here on the Knitcircus e-junkie shop.

 

What’s next for your designs?

I will be putting together a few mini ebooks containing pattern collections this year including at least one containing themed finger puppets. Individual patterns in the works include a few sock patterns, some crochet patterns, more lace shawls, some tank tops with somewhat unique construction, two bolero-style jackets, a few modular shawls, some children’s clothing and accessories, perhaps some toys. I feel I have much to learn about pattern grading, so that is something that I will be addressing this summer, too.

I have a list a few hundred line items long with more ideas that are not as fully fleshed out as those I mention here...

Anything else you’d like us to know?

Becoming a designer happened almost by accident, one step leading to another, but it has been incredibly rewarding on many levels. I still think of one day publishing a novel, but this designing gig fulfills me in ways I could not have imagined.

Thanks so much, Diana, and we look forward to seeing more of your designs as they come to fruition!