Interview with Jared Flood - Anticipating Made in Brooklyn

Many of you may know Jared Flood from his blog, Brooklyn Tweed, or you may know him from his amazing designs that have been featured in publications like Vogue Knitting.  If you don’t know his work you simply must get to know it.  His designs are elegant and timeless and we’re about to see even more from this talented designer as he teams up with Classic Elite for his first book. A Yarn Tale was lucky enough to get an interview with Jared in advance of Made in Brooklyn’s publication, which is expected out soon.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
That’s a tough question to pin down — design inspirations are very unexpected and can come from the most odd and varied places — traditional knitting of Scandinavia, finland and japan are all solid inspirations for sure - the urban landscape too is totally fascinating and inspiring, both in texture and light in this environment, as well as the styles and attitudes of all the people you invariably come across every day. With so much activity, it’s hard to go too long with out something interesting gnawing at your imagination.

As you know, we’ve seen an increase in the 20-30 something set picking up needles and learning the craft. How do you think this rising demographic is affecting the art of knitting?
I’m inspired by this group because it seems that there is a genuine desire and hunger towards technique and mastery. I feel strongly about the benefits of traditional handknitting techniques and am fascinated by how we can bring those into a contemporary context. I think a good percentage of the 20-30 somethings, especially those who are ‘plugged in’ to the online community have a desire or at least an appreciation for ways in which they can become more well-rounded craftspeople. The internet is wonderful in that way as well - it connects people doing similar things and raises the overall level of creativity and challenge that goes along with any discipline - and knitting definitely falls into that category.

How did you get hooked up with Classic Elite for your first book?
Pam Allen, the artistic director for the company is a friend of mine and the book idea was an organic idea that we formed through various conversations about the current state of publishing models/independent designers, etc. The model for the book is unique in that the sharing of rights and benefits with both yarn company and designer are very balanced. Our intention was to come up with a collection of designs that was accessible to both the online savvy knitter and the LYS shopper alike. The patterns will also be available as single online downloads, which to me is important so that the designs can outlast whatever printing limitations may occur in the future. It’s been a great process - one forged on mutual respect which feels very good.

What can we expect to see from Made in Brooklyn?
This was a great project for me because I was given complete creative freedom — a 9 month period and access to an amazing array of yarns from CE. You can expect a nice variety of projects from garments to lace to accessories. When designing I think a lot about the process of handknitting and how designs can best utilize the unique strengths within our field. I hope knitters find these patterns to be rewarding experiences - intuitive and interesting while still giving a wearable result. I really enjoyed knitting all of them!

There is one hat from the book that I fell in love with while out at TNNA –simple garter stitch combined with a beautiful decrease and fascinating construction. Can you tell us a little bit about this hat and what inspired the design?
Yes - Quincy. The hat is really a fun knit and deceptively simple. I was thinking about ways of putting a twist into a simple piece of knitting to make something unexpected and versatile. The interesting thing about this hat is that the look totally changes depending on how you wear it - twist in the front, back or on the side all have different looks. But either way, it definitely has a little attitude, which I like.

The hat is knit as a flat rectangle of garter with built-in I-Cord along both edges. When it reaches sufficient length, put a half twist in the fabric and graft it together. From there you pick up sts along one I-Cord and close up the top. Super simple, but really entertaining!

QUICK FACTS
Favorite book:
The answer to this question changes all the time. Right now I’m reading “The Gift” by Louis Hyde and am completely inspired by it — so that one’s right up there currently.
On your iPod right now:
I’m on a bit of a Sam Amidon kick right now. Bon Iver and Sun Kil Moon are also currently in regular rotation.
Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
2 bags of J&S Shetland Aran in a light heathery grey, waiting to become a lace blanket.
If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
A Woolen-Spun 2-ply!
Who taught you to knit?
Originally my mother, as a child. But for the most part I’m self-taught — in college I was taken by a sudden desire to learn the craft and just went for it.
Favorite place to knit:
My apartment - to music and documentaries.

Stay tuned for updates on when Jared’s book arrives in stores.  We hope we’ll be able to have him visit us at SSFY on one of his trips to our area.