* THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY IS PONYBIRD, #27. CONGRATULATIONS! *
Interview
Romi Hill has long been a design idol of mine. Her Waves of Grain wrap, from Knitty 2008, is the first lace project I knit. She is who I want to be when I grow up, as a designer!
So, when I had the opportunity to interview her, on the occasion of the publication of her newest book, I jumped at it.
Interweave/F+W; $24.99
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| courtesy Interweave/F+W |
1. What
led you to publish this book?
I
wanted to spread my love of lace as far and wide as I could, and enable
potential lace knitters! I've done quite a few electronically delivered
patterns, both eBooks and single patterns, and I know that I am missing a huge
group of people who aren't necessarily online as much as I am. Also, there are
still tons of people out there who are online a lot, but still love holding
paper in their hands and putting it on their bookshelves. I'm one of those
people, actually. I have my collection of favorite knitting books, and I wanted
to create something that could sit happily on that special shelf, in hopes that
others would feel the same way. I set out to create a collection of classic
wearable designs, worthy of being kept and knitted season after season.
2. How
would you describe your style?
Hmmmmmm.
I guess I'd say classic, with a twist. I love classic construction and
tailoring, but I also really enjoy mixing up that classic look with my own
details. I love to put an extra little something special into each design.
What's really funny to me is that people say they can recognize my designs, but
I don't necessarily see it!
3. What
makes a design work?
You
won't let me get away with “I just know it when I see it,” right? Ha! But
seriously.... I think a clothing design needs to be wearable and aesthetically
appealing. When you put it on, you should look in the mirror and feel great. It
should emphasize what you feel are your strong points and de-emphasize what you
feel are your weak points. The elements comprising the design need to play well
together and create synergy, and the finishing details need to create a
polished overall look. It can be an amazing design, but if it is finished
poorly, that's all I can ever see. Last, clothing designs need to look great on
a 3-dimensional body, instead of just looking great when laid flat.
4. What
is your process like; i.e. what steps do you follow to create a design?
This is
the toughest question that I am ever asked; it really varies! Though it always
starts with an inspiration. Often a special yarn will tell me what it wants to
be. Sometimes I will see an amazing sunset and think the clouds create a
gorgeous pattern. Sometimes I will see a building, painting or artwork and it
inspires me. Sometimes I see a piece of commercial clothing and find myself
picking it apart into elements I think work and ones I think don't work, and
before I know it, I have redesigned the whole thing. Sometimes I am looking
through my stitch dictionaries and imagine the stitches coming together to
create a piece.
After
that initial inspiration, I set about sketching on paper and engineering in my
head. I make notes about the structure of the piece, and work on making the
design pleasurable to knit. I think knitwear occupies an interesting space. It
is fashion, but it is also a hobby. Because of this, each piece must satisfy
the two important tests of looking great and being pleasurable to create. There
are actually a lot of designs I don't pursue because I think they are
needlessly difficult or confusing to knit compared to the end result. I try to
look at each piece in a holistic way. I ask myself if the yarn will be
wonderful to work with, and if the piece will be wearable for many seasons. If
I am designing a garment (sweater, skirt), I work on making it a flattering
shape for the body, and a yarn that will stand up to wear and still look great.
And I
swatch and block, swatch and block! I let my swatches sit around for days and
sometimes even hang them up with weights so I can tell how a larger piece might
act after being worn.
5. How
do you know when a design will be successful, or do you ever know?
To be
honest, I never really know. I am often surprised at the pieces that become
very successful. It used to lead to many sessions trying to puzzle out what the
magic was! In the end, I have just decided to please myself. Sometimes the
design becomes successful and sometimes not, but at least I know I've done my
best and am happy with the result.
6.
Which are some of your favorite designs - ones you're just in love with?
This
sounds like cheerleading, but I'm really happy with the designs in my new book!
I'm in love with Talus, Williwaw, and Salt Grass. I get a geeky joy out of the
fact that Salt Grass is basically a top down lace gansey; I even blocked it on
a woolly board! I also really love the Virginia City Cloche and Cowl. Other
pieces I love (not in the book): Red Freckles, Miswis, Madroña, and Fuchsia
Nouveau Petite shawls. And my Leyfi sweater. The one I wear most often, though,
is Trieste. It's a mohair and silk triangle that is almost always with me when
it's chilly out. I keep it balled up in my bag.
7.
Finally, what are you working on right now that has you excited?
I'm
working on an eBook subscription: 7 Small Shawls, Year 5. The theme this year
is asymmetry and I am having SO much fun delving into all the ways something
can be asymmetrical. Beyond the obvious, there are actually even some stitch
patterns that look symmetrical but are really asymmetrical in the way the
pattern is created, like Frost Flowers. The possibilities are endless! I'm also
working on some pieces for Bare Naked Wools that I'm really excited about.
Thank
you so much for having me as a guest!
Romi, it was great getting to know you better!
* * *
Book Review
Rosemary has created a book of cohesive lace designs that
incorporate some common lace motifs, but use them in new and unexpected ways. Romi starts her book with a
few basic rules. These include information on making and using a swatch, making
sure to use good yarn and needles, keeping your cast-ons and bind-offs loose,
ways to track your lace repeats, reading charts, reading your knitting, and blocking your piece when it's done.
Romi is famous for her gorgeous Lace
shawls, however, in this book she also includes sweaters and other accessories. As a
master of lace design, Rosemary does not disappoint.
A few of my favorite
designs that stand out - Talus Cardigan, a two color design using feather
and fan; Manzanita Tee (the cover photo) - a pretty top, with a flattering lace yoke; and Fallen Leaf,
an interesting shell with a graceful cowl neck. The skirt called Hope Valley, surprised
me, as I usually don't like knitted skirts; this one in a denim yarn looks
wearable and elegant. I also like the Aspen Gold Scarf and the Crystal Bay
shawl.. The Chinquapin wrap is worked in worsted weight yarn, with an interesting
fringe treatment.
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| Talus Cardigan |
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| Hope Valley |
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| Chinquapin Wrap |
The
intermediate to accomplished lace knitter will find items in this book to
challenge and excite them. It's a worthwhile investment for many hours of knitting
enjoyment.
Giveaway
You
can win this pattern collection! Comment here on the blog saying which of the
patterns is your favorite, in order to enter a giveaway for the book.
Please be sure that you sign up for my newsletter, if you haven’t already done
so, in order to be eligible to win (you can sign up in the upper right hand corner
of this blog).
Make sure you give me an email address or Ravelry ID, so I can reach you if
you win, and confirm you're signed up for the newsletter. The drawing will be on Nov. 7.
See you next time!
