Today we’ve got an interview for you in two
parts to celebrate Lee Wittenstein’s release of a new pattern – Walk the Dog. One part is here, the other part is at TheYarn Spot’s blog. I can claim both on
behalf of myself and The Yarn Spot that we’re so proud of Lee, and are looking
forward to seeing more of her patterns published by herself and others in the
future.
parts to celebrate Lee Wittenstein’s release of a new pattern – Walk the Dog. One part is here, the other part is at TheYarn Spot’s blog. I can claim both on
behalf of myself and The Yarn Spot that we’re so proud of Lee, and are looking
forward to seeing more of her patterns published by herself and others in the
future.
A little bit about Lee: I first met Lee at The Yarn Spot, where I was
working my normal shift. I had heard
about the talented Lee, but had never met her as our shifts and schedules
rarely overlapped. She came into the
store that day to pick up some yarn, and I remember her big smile, her cheerful
personality and her incredible knowledge about knitting. I told her as she was leaving we would have
to get together more often, as it was already clear that I wanted to get to
know her more. Lee is really a member of
the “fiber tribe” having been taught knitting by her grandmother and being
raised in a “fiber friendly” household.
Her mother co-runs the popular Yarns International, and Lee has been
working at or with yarn stores since 1987.
working my normal shift. I had heard
about the talented Lee, but had never met her as our shifts and schedules
rarely overlapped. She came into the
store that day to pick up some yarn, and I remember her big smile, her cheerful
personality and her incredible knowledge about knitting. I told her as she was leaving we would have
to get together more often, as it was already clear that I wanted to get to
know her more. Lee is really a member of
the “fiber tribe” having been taught knitting by her grandmother and being
raised in a “fiber friendly” household.
Her mother co-runs the popular Yarns International, and Lee has been
working at or with yarn stores since 1987.
So
Lee, tell me a little bit about the Inspiration you had for “Walk the Dog?”
Lee, tell me a little bit about the Inspiration you had for “Walk the Dog?”
Lee: My friend the dog walker wanted a hat
for her “big head.” She is outside all winter long and needed to be
warm. She also wanted it to match her coat and be machine washable.
One of my go-to-yarns for machine-washable is Spud and Chloe Sweater.
There was a great match for her coat and so the first version was born.
Once that was knit I gave it to her, of course, and then set out to make a
second one for my pattern.
for her “big head.” She is outside all winter long and needed to be
warm. She also wanted it to match her coat and be machine washable.
One of my go-to-yarns for machine-washable is Spud and Chloe Sweater.
There was a great match for her coat and so the first version was born.
Once that was knit I gave it to her, of course, and then set out to make a
second one for my pattern.
What
was the Yarn you used for the second one?
was the Yarn you used for the second one?
For the second one I wanted something more
luxurious. Cascade’s Venezia Worsted fit that bill and is available at my
LYS, The Yarn Spot.
luxurious. Cascade’s Venezia Worsted fit that bill and is available at my
LYS, The Yarn Spot.
What
is your design process like? Do you
sketch or swatch?
is your design process like? Do you
sketch or swatch?
I don’t sketch because I can’t draw. In
fact, for a long time I thought that I couldn’t be a creative, artistic type if
I couldn’t draw. Now I know that is so not true but I still can’t
draw. I always swatch. To get a feel for the yarn, to decide what
needle size will give the effect I want, to check gauge. That said, I don’t always
fully block the swatch. (Bad designer) I design on the needles so I use my
finished piece to determine final gauge.
fact, for a long time I thought that I couldn’t be a creative, artistic type if
I couldn’t draw. Now I know that is so not true but I still can’t
draw. I always swatch. To get a feel for the yarn, to decide what
needle size will give the effect I want, to check gauge. That said, I don’t always
fully block the swatch. (Bad designer) I design on the needles so I use my
finished piece to determine final gauge.
What
kind of questions or problems do you try to solve as a designer?
kind of questions or problems do you try to solve as a designer?
I like that question. I think my
best designs have come out of trying to fill a need for someone
specific. Like Walk the Dog. And a secret design
that will be revealed in a few months. (Did I pique your interest?)
Other design inspirations are visual – a pattern I see on a blanket and want to
try to make work on a hat. Or a mosaic tile pattern that would
look great on a cowl. One of the things I love about being a
designer is that everywhere I go there is fodder for my
designing.
best designs have come out of trying to fill a need for someone
specific. Like Walk the Dog. And a secret design
that will be revealed in a few months. (Did I pique your interest?)
Other design inspirations are visual – a pattern I see on a blanket and want to
try to make work on a hat. Or a mosaic tile pattern that would
look great on a cowl. One of the things I love about being a
designer is that everywhere I go there is fodder for my
designing.
I
know I have designers in the industry I look up to – either because of their
business model or because they’re doing something really cool that I wish I had
thought of. Who are your favorite
designers right now – the people you would like to emulate?
know I have designers in the industry I look up to – either because of their
business model or because they’re doing something really cool that I wish I had
thought of. Who are your favorite
designers right now – the people you would like to emulate?
There are a lot of people doing really
interesting things. It is hard to mention only a few. But I
will. I admire people who think outside the box–Norah Gaughan springs to
mind. Ann Weaver‘s use of color and her sources of inspiration are
amazing. Kate Davies is an inspiring designer who has a modern take on
traditional knitting.
interesting things. It is hard to mention only a few. But I
will. I admire people who think outside the box–Norah Gaughan springs to
mind. Ann Weaver‘s use of color and her sources of inspiration are
amazing. Kate Davies is an inspiring designer who has a modern take on
traditional knitting.
How
do you envision your business in the next five years?
do you envision your business in the next five years?
I hope I am still here, still doing designsthat I love and that lots of other people love too. I don’t have a formal
five-year plan or anything like that. The designing business has come out
of my real love for knitting, yarn and the knitting world. I hope to
still be a productive, creative part of it all in five years (or more!)
What
are some of the projects we can look forward to from you in the future?
are some of the projects we can look forward to from you in the future?
I have three projects that are just a wee bit
away from being ready to publish. One is a cowl with easy lace and fun
colors. Another is a mitered squares cowl which would be a good first
pattern for this technique. I’m working up a class with that one.
Finally, a scarf-ette in lace and garter stitch which would be a great holiday
gift. Other things I am playing with are a cabled hat, traveling stitches
mitts and a child’s cardigan.
away from being ready to publish. One is a cowl with easy lace and fun
colors. Another is a mitered squares cowl which would be a good first
pattern for this technique. I’m working up a class with that one.
Finally, a scarf-ette in lace and garter stitch which would be a great holiday
gift. Other things I am playing with are a cabled hat, traveling stitches
mitts and a child’s cardigan.
Lee, thank you very much
for taking the time to answer my questions.
Check out the rest of the interview over at The Yarn Spot, Lee’s website
at http://harperandfigg.com/, and her pattern
at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/walk-the-dog.
for taking the time to answer my questions.
Check out the rest of the interview over at The Yarn Spot, Lee’s website
at http://harperandfigg.com/, and her pattern
at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/walk-the-dog.
