What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the design process?
I challenge myself to be inventive when designing. I spend a significant amount of time in the ideation phase where I test techniques and aesthetic options. For this design, I challenged myself to describe a landscape’s topographical features with post-applied tuck embroidery, creating a dramatic texture reminiscent of rolling hills.
If you were to knit this design in another color, what would it be?
I am drawn to both moody, subtle palettes and high contrast values with pops of color. If I were to knit this again, I would use black, white and a high impact neon, a color scheme in sharp contrast to the original version.
How did you start your knitting journey?
My path to becoming a knitwear designer has been indirect. In college, my degree focused on photography and crafts, and I worked for 13 years as a footwear designer and developer. Knittng became an important part of my artistic practice 22 years ago when I started working at a knit shop and began developing and fine tuning my skills. I moved into designing my own patterns as a way of expanding my studio practice and making my own rules.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
I consistently set new goals for myself, mainly centered around my studio practice, taking on new challenges and expanding my fitness routine. Since these things happen year-round, I tend not to make New Year’s resolutions.
What are your favourite gardens or parks?
I spend a lot of time admiring the weather worn, uncultivated and unpopulated woods and coastline of Maine. In contrast, I love the order, comfort and protective quality of glass conservatories. The New York Botanical Garden and Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, OH are two of my favorites.