Today's interview is with Keiko Kikuno, the designer behind Dolly, an elegant bell-sleeved sweater.
This design with its careful details allows the quality of the yarn to shine and showcases the drape and texture with a beautiful silhouette. Keiko tell us that this design is the result of exploring different associations related to her favorite song, keep reading to learn more!
amirisu: What was your inspiration for this design?
Keiko: When I heard that the theme of this issue was music, I first thought of my favorite song, "I will always love you" by Dolly Parton. In Japan, people may think of it as Whitney Houston's song (in fact, I thought so too), but the original was released in the 70's. I didn't particularly like the cover version, but I remember that when I heard Dolly Parton singing it, I was so moved that I almost burst into tears. I have loved this song ever since and listen to it whenever it pops up in my mind. One of the fashions that was popular at the time this song was released was flared pants, and I wondered if I could incorporate that element into a sweater, so I came up with the idea of making bell sleeves.
amirisu: What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the design process?
Keiko: I thought about how to find the right flare for the sleeves that would make the sweater, as well as the wearer, look beautiful.
amirisu: If you were to knit this design in another color, what would it be?
Keiko: Natural colors are nice, but I would like to knit this in mustard yellow.
amirisu: Is there any particular music you like to listen to while knitting? If not, what kind of music do you enjoy in general?
Keiko: I don't often listen to music while knitting, but lately I've been listening to Kidz Bop with my kids while driving.
Thank you, Keiko!