Featured in amirisu Issue 26, published in 2023.
Eleven amazing designers from all over the world participated in amirisu Issue 26. Our first designer interview from issue 26 is with Inese, who designed the lace shawl Baltika. When we first saw Baltika we couldn't help but swoon over the perfect color combination, delicate lace pattern, and balance of lightness and size. Keep reading to hear what she has to say!
amirisu: What was your inspiration for this design?
Inese: The design was inspired by the vast expanse of the Baltic Sea. From serene summer waters with the light dazzling at the top of the surface, to wide, strong and powerful waves, with white lace of crashing water, which in Latvian folklore has been described as the sea stallions lead by the Sun maiden. I believe lace is one of the most beautiful textures to convey the movement of the water and the subtlety of the everchanging outlines of the waves.
The sea has been a continuous inspiration to me throughout the years and its colours, water and sounds never cease to introduce new creative ideas for the designs.
The other challenge was to create a main body lace pattern that has not only eyelets but also a visible texture to convey the movement of the sea.
amirisu: What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the design process?
Inese: For this design the biggest challenge was to find the yarn and colourways to convey the mood and waters of the Baltic Sea. Along the coast of Latvia, it is deep blue transitioning into a foggy blue with a heavy tint of grey during overcast days, crushing into subdued white seafoam along the shore. I found the complexity of Isager Highland wool in colours Sky and Sand was a great match for the design.
amirisu: If you were to knit this design in another color, what would it be?
Inese: I think the design would look great in medium brown, sandy tones for MC and soft off-white for the lace part of the edging, reminiscent of sand dunes and white waves of a seashore.
I also can see it worked in a light grey body and a dark grey lace section.
amirisu: How do you like to spend time in the summer? What do you like to knit or make in warmer months?
Inese: I love warm weather, so summer is a time when I try to be outside as much as possible – hiking through the forest trails, biking with the family or just spending time watching the water at the lake or seaside. I love the sound of waves and can walk along the seashore for hours.
I like working with finer weight yarns, and knitting with laceweight yarn in summer feels great. However, I do not knit as much in summer as during other seasons because I spend more time outside, but I am not a social knitter, so I never take my knitting with me.
Thank you, Inese!