In today's interview, we talk with Rachel Illsley, the designer who created the lovely round-yoke sweater with a soft and gentle feel, Walking on a Dream.
She gave us lots of music recommendations and since this is her first collaboration with amirisu, we asked her about how she got started knitting, too!
amirisu: What was your inspiration for this design?
Rachel: The inspiration for my design came from one of my favourite pieces of music, Walking on a Dream by Sophie Hutchings. It’s a beautifully atmospheric composition and well worth a listen! The stranded colourwork pattern is my interpretation of this music.
amirisu: What, if any, challenges did you encounter during the design process?
Rachel: The main challenge was working with two yarns with a slightly different weight. The finished result works beautifully but the different weights of yarn impacted the gauge for the stranded colourwork more than I had anticipated which made grading the design a little more challenging than normal.
amirisu: If you were to knit this design in another color, what would it be?Rachel: I already have my own sample knit up as I couldn’t resist having this design in my wardrobe! Mine uses a muted purple / mauve as the main colour with a blush pink as the contrast colour.
amiriau: How did you start your knitting journey?
Rachel: I started knitting regularly as a hobby in my mid-twenties – about fifteen years ago – having been taught to knit as a child by my grandma. After the birth of my second child I took a break from working as a teacher to be at home with my two young daughters. I quickly found that I missed the mental stimulation and so I started designing as a way to keep my brain active and challenged. In the five years since then my design work has become more successful and popular, something that I am deeply grateful for, as I find the work hugely fulfilling and enjoyable.
amirisu: Is there any particular music you like to listen to while knitting? If not, what kind of music do you enjoy in general?
Rachel: I listen to different types of music depending on what mood I’m in that particular day or how much of my concentration my knitting requires. Some of my go-to favourites are the works of Ludovico Einaudi, Alexis Ffrench and Ola Gjeilo. They all produce beautifully relaxing music that I find helps to boost my concentration and focus. I also find the work of Jacob Collier musically fascinating and I’m currently obsessed with the incredible vocalist Yebba.
Thank you, Rachel!