Today we're talking with Karel Chan, the designer of the compact cowl Aviate in Issue 25. Her design uses two different yarns and two different stitch patterns. When worked in similar colors like our tone-on-tone sample, this creates a chic, low contrast look that subtly highlights the different textures of each stitch pattern.
amirisu: What was your inspiration for this design?
Karel: I love playing with unexpected lines and angles while still preserving the stability and integrity of a given piece. With the theme "sculpture," I thought of the sharp lines of modern sculpted art and knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate that shaping into an elegant neckwear accessory.
amirisu: What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the design process?
Karel: The movement and gauge of the two textures used in the piece -- garter stitch and herringbone stitch -- are very different from each other! Determining the correct ratio of one fabric to the other, then finding an edging that would tie them together without detracting from the cohesiveness of the look as a whole, took some experimenting. Ultimately, the i-cord edging worked out beautifully.
amirisu: If you were to knit this design in another color, what would it be?
Karel: I love the look of a rich olive green and mustard together. Conversely, light colors with low contrast would create an entirely different dimensionality; something like cream and dusty pink.
amirisu: How did you start your knitting journey?
Karel: I taught myself how to knit from a book about 12 years ago. As much as digital resources have become the norm since then, I still really love pouring over illustrated printed tutorials and stitch pattern books to continue to deepen my skills and experience.
amirisu: Do you have a favorite museum or work of art? Please tell us a little about it.
Karel: I don't often go to museums, actually! I do have very fond memories of visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art when I was in college in the outer Philly area, with its famous Rocky movie steps and regal architecture. Aesthetically I tend to gravitate toward illustrative or ornate pieces, such as cut paper art and embroidery.
Thank you, Karel!