I’m always interested in new up and coming designers, simple style, interesting stories, and those folks to watch for their future impact on fiber arts.  Some of you may already know Stephen West, but if you don’t he’s one to watch.  He’s a young designer who has a great blog, showcasing his designs and is quickly rising in popularity on Ravelry.  We caught up with Stephen to talk a little about his background, his work, and what’s next for him.  Check it out and check out his work!

Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started knitting and designing?

I started knitting in high school after a couple friends taught me, but my knitting looked as awkward as I felt doing it. Despite this rough first attempt, I was still interested, so I got a knitting book and learned all the basics. My first projects were acrylic scarves and hats until I went to college and found my LYS, Klose Knit in Urbana, IL. I discovered wool, alpaca, and other wonderful fibers and then there was no looking back. I brought projects with me everywhere and worked almost strictly from patterns for about a year. During that time I would often modify patterns to fit my taste and my 6′2 height. After modifying more and more patterns, it wasn’t too long before I started designing my own. By designing my own patterns, I can get exactly what I want or I end up with something completely different and weird, which may spark another design idea.

Shawls, shawls, and more shawls. They seem to be on everyone’s mind and you have some amazing shawl patterns in your line up. What is it about shawls that inspires your creative juices?

I love making them as much as I love wearing them. I particularly love smaller shawls that can be worn as scarves around the neck because they are easy to wear and they also look fun and stylish. Shawls as scarves or neck pieces are also quicker to make, often taking just one skein of sock yarn. Fingering weight yarn is one of my favorites because it drapes beautifully and the colors can be breath-taking. I don’t knit socks much, so shawls are another wonderful use for sock yarn. Shawls also have multiple functions. They can be wrapped around your neck, positioned several different ways, or draped over your shoulders. There are many different ways of constructing shawls. Most of mine start at the neck edge with just a few stitches and then gradually increase outwards. I love this method of construction because you quickly see progress and by the time rows become painfully long, you’re almost done. I am humbled by responses I receive from knitters who love my shawl designs. So, it is easy for me to develop shawl patterns when there is so much interest in them.

Where does your inspiration come from? Are their any designers out there today that are really inspiring you or you feel are on the cutting edge?

Sometimes my inspiration comes from images I come across or structures and objects in my environment, but mostly I am inspired by yarn, color, and the act of knitting. So, my designs often utilize simple stockinette and garter stitch, showcasing beautiful yarns. Simple, clear lines mixed with some interesting detail or shape appeal to me. I am always inspired by what other designers like Jared Flood, Ysolda Teague, Gudrun Johnston, and Kirsten Kapur come up with. I can tell that they are all passionate about knitting and I think their work has the ability to evoke a strong mood or emotion. All of them also take gorgeous photos, which is something I’d like to learn more about.

What’s up next for you?
A lot, actually. I am going to start working on a website soon and hopefully get my blog updated and going again. I’ve taught a few classes in my local area, but I am interested in expanding my class repertoire and traveling to different shops this year. I have been designing a lot of new patterns recently, which I am very excited about. Some of these new patterns will be part of a Westknits pattern collection that I’m planning to release later this year. I just started working with Deep South Fibers, who now distributes my patterns wholesale to yarn stores, which frees up more time for me to play with new design ideas. I’m also working on some knit art installations with Chicago-based fashion designer, Katrin Schnabl, These installations will be presented in Chicago and New York this spring.

Quick Facts:

On your iPod right now: Spring Awakening soundtrack. I can’t stop listening to it.

If you were a yarn what yarn would you be? Right now, I would be Malabrigo Twist because I can’t stop knitting with it.

Favorite place to knit: Outside in the shade

Current project on the needles: Farmer’s Market Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio, Chevalier Mittens by Mari Muinonen, Expedition by Todd Gocken, a new sweater design and scarf design.

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As many of you may know, we were lucky to host Leslie Scanlon of Mac & Me designs at the shop at the end of September.  One of the things we wanted to focus on when we bought the store was a celebration of local talents and fibers.  Leslie is from Newbury, MA and an amazing talent.  She joined us to talk a bit about her process and how she goes from inspiration to pattern.  It was a fantastic event and all who attended were so thrilled and inspired by her work and her words.  We know that many folks were not able to attend or only visit us online, so Leslie also agreed to do an interview for the blog as well.

Can you talk a bit about how Mac & Me got started?
I started out as just an ordinary obsessed knitter, as a young mom I would knit for Mac then started changing other people’s patterns. It didn’t take long for me to start getting my own ideas, the kids hats were my first creations. I also started to knit for yarn companies and other designers for the experience and to see how other people wrote patterns. As Mac grew so did my designs; things that I would like to see on her, on myself, then also my son. I started writing them down, then went to a few local stores and asked them to see if they would sell. A few tourists came to New England and bought them (you know how knitters are) they took them back to their local yarn stores and I started getting orders from far away lands like Michigan, Ohio and Texas. We then needed a brochure. Then we had a brochure so I had to keep designing…..It has been one decision and one store at a time.

What brings you inspiration?
YARN YARN YARN! Everything about it, color, texture, drape. I love the engineering and architecture of knitting and having a design in mind and figuring out how to express it.

How have your designs evolved over the years?
I have been told they have gotten more sophisticated. The ideas are clearer; what yarns to use, the construction and color. It has gotten easier to know when to stop, rather than throwing tons of embellishments, details, colors and techniques at a single garment I try to reduce it to its purest form, simplify. I think those are the garments you wear to death.

What are some of your favorite yarns to work with?
Blue Sky of course, Rowan’s KidSilk Haze is a problem (almost in need of an intervention) and I have been having a lot of fun with the small label hand dyed sock yarns, but not for socks!

What’s up next?
We are working on 2010 now, more kid’s items, woman’s sweaters and accessories, a beautiful men’s sweater in sport weight alpaca!

Quick facts:

Favorite book:
Just finished “The Help” and loved it!
On your music play list right now:
Classical
Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
Zauberball by Schoppel Wolle that I saw at Seed Stitch during my visit
If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
8 ply cashmere
Favorite place to knit:
In my office looking out at the tree tops.
Current project on the needles:
You’ll have to wait and see!

We carry many of Leslie’s fantastic patterns in the store and hope to have them up online soon.  If you haven’t knit one before, you should totally think about one for your next project.  There is really something in her pattern catalogue for everyone.  Thanks Leslie!

See more photos from the event at our Flickr Stream.

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Veronik Avery is a fantastic designer who has been inspired by classic fashion trends. She’s teamed up with Classic Elite to launch her first yarn line and it’s due into to Seed Stitch in a matter of days.  The new line is called Nordique by St. Denis and is 100% wool, knits at 24–28 sts/4 inches on a U.S. size 2.5 -6, making it a fingering to sport weight, with 150 yards per ball.  This yarn has a wonderful luster and hand-feel and I think it destined to become a classic.  Veronik was kind enough to give us a little insight into the product, her design inspiration, and what we might expect next.

How does it feel to launch your own yarn line?

Frightening and exciting at the same time – I have been working on this for over a year now and while I love having creative control over every aspect of the line, I’m also terrified about what kind of reception it will have.

I think we’re all becoming more and more conscious about where our products are manufactured. Can you talk about your decision to have your line produced in North America?

It just doesn’t make sense to me to have products manufactured abroad when we have the raw materials and the ability to do so right here. It’s also often difficult to know where exactly our products come from even when they are clearly labeled – for instance, it is perfectly legal to say that a product is produced in a particular country even if only the last step in manufacturing was completed there. It could have been spun in China from fleece imported from New Zealand, but the label will simply say ‘made in Italy as it was plied and balled there. Not to mention that a product with that much mileage should be more expensive – the fact that it isn’t adds another concern to the equation.

Can you give readers a little synopsis of the magazine to accompany your yarn?

The magazine’s goal is to inspire and educate as well as present patterns. I think many of us have heard references to being either a product knitter or a process knitter – well, I think many of us are a bit of both. So, while the yarn line is intended to be a real knitter’s material – durable, crisp yet soft enough to be worn next to the skin – the magazine aims to showcase what we love about this craft.

How have your designs evolved since you started designing?

That’s difficult to say because of the way that I work – I studied visual arts through my teenage years and for a while in university and that has had quite an impact on how I approach design. It isn’t so much an evolution, as each collection and each piece within that collection is treated as an unit rather than part of a whole. I don’t love one silhouette, technique or construction method above all others – it all boils down to what I’m doing at the moment.

What designers have inspired your work?

Pam Allen, Marc Jacobs, Stanley Kubrick , Claire McCardell, Janet Morton, Issey Miyake, Paul Smith, Sonya Rykiel, Meg Swansen, Vivienne Westwood, Frank Lloyd Wright, Elizabeth Zimmermann (to name a few).

What’s up next?

I’m working on the second issue right now and waiting for the spring yarn samples to arrive. I’m also working on fall of 2010 – since my yarn is spun to my specifications rather than picked from a selection, I have to determine what kind of fleece will be used and how it will be spun and that needs to happen far enough in advance so as to have samples in time to knit with.

QUICK FACTS:

On your iPod right now:
The The

Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
CEY silky alpaca lace

If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Nordique!

Favorite place to knit:
anywhere but in the sun.

Current project on the needles:
Many swatches for book 2!

The yarn and the magazine will be in the store within a matter of days and I can’t wait to get my hands on them. I’m looking for your feedback as well, but I’m guessing it will be positive.

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We have such an amazing staff at Seed Stitch.  One of the faces that you might not see on a daily basis, but who is an integral part of our team is Helene Driesen.  Anyone who has taken one of her classes or had her finish one of their garments know how amazing she is.  But for those of you who have not met her yet, we should we’d give you a bit of insight into Helene.

Who taught you to knit and when?

My mother taught me how to knit when I was about 5 and still living in the U.S.  When I was 6 we moved to the Netherlands, where I entered first grade and where knitting is part of the curriculum.  I initially did not take to it as our first project was a cotton diaper cover (??).  Imagine, hot sweaty fingers trying to knit cotton stitches across plastic needles.  I hated it and did not knit, other than at school.  I did enjoy other crafts such as needlepoint which I did more of till I was about 12, when I became intrigued with cables I watched my mother knit.  So I jumped right back in and made my youngest cousin a beautiful cabled cardigan.  I was hooked.

What draws you to knitting or what is it that you love about it?

There is no one thing that draws me to knitting … it has been such a part of my life for so long.  For a period (from my late teens and early twenties) I made pretty much all my own clothes.  Partly because I wanted them to be different and partly to fit me better than store bought clothes.  Now, it gives me balance in life.  It is my time … I get up at 5:30AM, have coffee and knit … it’s how I organize my day .. solve little life problems … charge the battery.  During the day, my knitting pretty much consists of knitting for the business.

I think everyone who has taken a class with you has been amazed by the breadth of your skill and work. But many may not know that you also do finishing and custom work for Seed Stitch Fine Yarn. Can you talk a little bit about how this process works?

This business has grown a lot in the past few years. There are several different aspects of the business that customers can take advantage of.  First — repair and restoration of knitted and crocheted garments and items.  I have done some pretty extensive restorations, for instance family heirloom afghans.  I also finish and assemble sweaters and projects for people, who either don’t want to bother with it or do not have the necessary experience.

This is a busy business for you, but you do more than just knitting and crochet. You sew as well right?

Yes, this is one aspect that I can’t wait to get back to … design and sewing of children’s clothing.  I still have some fabulous fabric I bought in Europe and some great designs to put one of a kind outfits together.  The sewing has been put on hold as I have been so busy with the knitting in recent years.

I understand that you participate in two shows leading up to Christmas. Can you tell us a little bit about these and what it takes to get ready for these?

I participate in two shows to support two local schools.  One were my son goes and one is the Waldorf school as I like their philosophy.  Right now I am gearing up with working on inventory which pretty much consists of mittens, thrummed and felted and also fingerless mittens which have been such a hit these last few years.  I probably will also make some bags.

What designers do you think are really hot right now?

At the moment I really like the designs Jared Flood is putting out there.  I am more of traditionalist and he adds a little flair to some traditional garments.  Also, I am a total sock fanatic and love what Cookie A is doing in that department.  Martin Storey has also long been a favorite of mine and when it comes to color who else but Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably … I love what they do with color and I love how they can get you excited with a few little skeins of yarn.

QUICKFACTS:

Favorite book:
I don’t really have a go to book … own too many to have a favorite.

On your iPod right now:
I do not own an Ipod, do not text, twitter, blog or have a Face book page.  Favorite CD at the moment is Raising Sand by Allison Krause and Robert Plant.  Love them together.

Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
Have some beautiful Noro Transition I am waiting to use.

If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Favorite yarn … no question … cashmere or a cashmere/silk blend in a rich dark chocolate color.

Favorite place to knit:
In the winter in front of the wood burning stove with a good cup of coffee and a really good piece of chocolate overlooking the lake (frozen, probably).  In the summer … on our front porch overlooking the lake with a good scotch (if it’s after 5PM).

Favorite spot on the North Shore:
No question .. our lake.

Current knitting project:
Several Cookie A socks, Hanne Falkenberg top, Lizard Ridge Afghan, cashmere lace shawl, top-down sweater with Noro, Rona (from Rowan #46), and several other stray projects.

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You may remember from one of my previous posts me raving about the products from Imperial Stock Ranch.  Well they are here!  I’m even more excited about them than I was at TNNA.  The kits from left to right: A kit that makes the fantastic bangle bracelets, an unbelievable hat that laces up the back with ribbon, and this super cool honeycomb scarf. They are so fabulous and each kit comes with it’s own little cow bell of sorts.  As you can imagine, Mazie loved hers!  I find the behind the scenes of where our products come from to be fascinating and especially with those from Imperial Stock Ranch.  Below is an interview with Jeanne Carver who is the owner of the ranch.  Fascinating and I really want to go visit now.

I was so excited to find your products at TNNA. I made a b-line for your booth to buy some and was even more excited to learn the story of the ranch.  Can you give readers a bit of history on Imperial Stock Ranch and why it’s so special?

It was 1871, and Richard Hinton dreamed of being a stockman.  He headed into the interior of  Oregon….high desert country, and filed a homestead claim on 160 acres.  With a vision and a lot of hard work, over the next 30 to 40 years, he persevered and built his Imperial Stock Ranch into the largest land and stock empire in Oregon, and one of the largest sheep ranches in America.   Today, the ranch headquarters is a National Historic District,with most of the early buildings still in use.  The Imperial Stock Ranch has nearly 140 years of continuous operation on the same landscape and utilizing many of the same facilities, producing sheep, cattle, grains and hay.  The ranch is family owned and operated.

One more interesting piece of history specific to the sheep……young Richard Hinton was visionary.  He conducted early experiments crossbreeding wool breeds with meat breeds of sheep, to produce an animal that would have great meat characteristics, and a superior fiber in the same animal. They are a true American breed, and considered the most useful sheep in the world.

Can you talk a little bit about the yarn and their manufacture?

Our primary yarns are woolen spun, to our custom request at a family owned and operated mill which utilizes an 1869 spinning mule. Mule spun yarns are the commercial equivalent to handspun. Because of the “draw and release,” they have a character that the more commercial frame spun yarns do not have.  The wool is processed without chemicals or extreme heat; it is not carbonized as most wool that is processed commercially.  We have been testing our micron for a number of years now, and selecting for that characteristic in replacing breeding stock.  We have a good quality 22 micron fiber that is well suited to outerwear. And….we have a wool that felts well for felted projects. We also have great pattern support and kits, as you know, to support our yarns.

How did you guys team up with Leigh Radford? The combination of your yarns with her designs is simply magic.

We are very committed to working within our region.  Since the beginning, we have only used Oregon designers…and in the beginning, only those from the central Oregon desert. The patterns/designs play a very important role in helping people new to our yarn, choose a project.  We had been interested in finding someone to work with us more consistently, and in researching the work of a number of designers, the pieces designed by Leigh were “speaking to me.”  Something about the colors, silhouettes and “spirit” in Leigh’s work drew me.  So we reached out….dreaming.  We were thrilled when she agreed to do some initial work for us.  Since then…..we’ve formed a stronger relationship and are excited about the ongoing work and collaboration.

One of the things I really liked about your line was the recent addition of fibers dyed from all natural dyes from the ranch.  Can you talk a little about what kinds of natural items are used for dyeing and how this process works?

Oregon is full of creative and spirited thinkers!  We love our coffee,microbrews, wines and local food!  It was another natural step to partner with a local dyeworks that is crazy about dyeing with all natural dyes.  2 of my favorites in our new offerings:  Cowboy Coffee……yes the residue from a great coffee house (our coffee at the ranch isn’t quite that good…but stout! for sure); and Oregon Merlot….you guessed it.

Can readers experience the ranch in person?

Yes, we do tours by appointment.  If you’re looking to make a vacation out of the visit, our daughter and son-in-law have a fantastic lodge and restaurant 20 minutes away on the Deschutes River…designated a national scenic river.  A fantastic fishery, the Deschutes is a destination for fly fishermen from all over the world. The lodge (Imperial River Company) has theme decorated rooms (Cattle Baron, Homestead Room, Railroad Room….) and the restaurant features beef and lamb from the Imperial Stock Ranch.  With a beautiful lobby with fireplace, outdoor firepit, outrageous patio, bar, conference room…no phones or TV in the rooms….it is truly a little paradise in the desert. That’s the best place to stay when coming to visit the ranch.  They also do guided whitewater rafting on the river.  The total package of the Imperial Stock Ranch and Imperial River Company is a fabulous experience for people with all interests.

What might we expect next from the Ranch?

Well….besides becoming part of the family, there will be more great new Leigh Radford designs coming in January.  At least one will be from the Tracie yarn…which is a terrific yarn, and not just suited for socks!  The yarn community may not know this, but the Imperial Stock Ranch has collaborated with regional textile artists in the design and production of fabrics and apparel for the past 8 years or so as well.  We have just completed 4 years selling through a national clothing retailer.  However, we have partnered in the past 8 months with a fabulous young fashion designer from Oregon (she was with us at TNNA in June!) who is not only talented but committed to leading a truly sustainable effort in the apparel industry.  We will launch the first/*Imperial Collection */as a headliner at Portland Fashion Week in October.  This line is being designed by Anna Cohen.  This will be great exposure for the yarn, as well as the apparel line. Anna serves as the Creative Director for the yarn line as well.

QUICK FACTS:
Favorite tunes at the ranch:
Anything by Ian Tyson!

Best ranch landscape color inspiration:
The new growth on the sage in spring……Spring Sage

Dog or horse’s name:
How do I choose????!!!! Katie…my shadow and number one helper.  Apache…my warhorse….no battle’s too tough.

Favorite book:
My husband’s:   Farmer’s Almanac

We hope to have these up online soon, but if you have to have one beforehand, just call the store to place an order.  They are beautiful!

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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.

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Updated on Auugst 11, 2008: Made in Brooklyn by Jared Flood now online and in stores. Enjoy!

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As you know we have some amazing talent at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn.  Michele Fandel Bonner is the longest running Seed Stitcher and a wealth of information and talent.  We thought we could all learn a bit more about Michele.  Here’s my interview with her.

Who taught you to knit and when?
I was taught to knit by Madame Talon in first grade in a French school in Switzerland. I thought it was very unfair that I had to knit and make shoe bags and sew handkerchief hems while the boys got to paint! I was told to get a dark yarn for the socks we were going to make. I showed up with bright yellow yarn. Those socks still fit!  I dropped knitting until I lived with a friend after college and she taught me again. I haven’t stopped since (except when I need to cross-craft due to knitting injury)

What draws you to knitting or what is it that you love about it?
Knitting became my salvation during a difficult 3 years span. We lost 5 loved ones and my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I couldn’t sleep much, so I knitted.  I knit socks for everyone. I couldn’t keep them safe but I could keep them warm. I love the meditative aspects of knitting. The way the gears in my mind un-mesh and spin freely while I knit. The repetitive movement of the stitches is so soothing that I have fallen asleep while knitting.

Some of our readers may know that you worked at a yarn shop in Europe, but others might not, can you tell us a little about this experience?
My husband is English and we moved to London in 1990 to be near his family. For 2 of the 3 1/2 years we lived in London, I worked for a yarn shop called Creativity. The store sold knitting yarns, needlepoint and cross stitch supplies. Creativity and Liberty’s were the two main yarn shops for London’s knitters.  My knitting improved tremendously in England as opportunities to knit were everywhere.  Most adult women knew how to knit but took the skill for granted. When I knit on the Tube, to-ing and fro-ing from work, people often commented “Oh, my Granny knits too!” I learned to spin on a goat farm in Scotland and visited a crofter on the Isle of Skye who produced the most beautiful hand dyed cashmere.

Tell us a little bit about your background?
I have always worked with my hands. I am happiest when my hands are in motion making something. I work with fibers and found objects. My house and garden are filled with my creations, most of which are not garments.  I studied Art Therapy in college and worked with emotionally disturbed teens for 5 years before working as an office manager for an interior design firm.  I have worked at SSFY since March of 2007 where I get to help people learn a skill I love, and has brought me great joy and satisfaction.

You have a great eye and interest in eco-friendly yarns and fibers.  What excites you about these?  What do you look for when choosing an interesting new yarn?
Being a tree-hugger from way back I am always looking for ways to use less and recycle more. I recycle cashmere yarn from thrift shop sweaters and use recycled materials in my art work so it’s a natural for me to try to find yarns that have a smaller impact on the environment.  I really like the un-dyed organic cottons that grow in colors developed years ago by Sally Fox. I also love the soft colors of plant derived wool dyes.  I try to buy fair trade yarns when I can.

QUICK FACTS:
Favorite book:
This month it’s “One Man’s Meat” by E.B. White and “Derek Jarman’s Garden”
On your iPod right now:
Jose Gonzalez, Antje Duvekot, Hildegard von Bingen, the Weepies and Baba Maal
Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
Jade Sapphire Blood Orange Cashmere
If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Something very soft with a strong core
Favorite place to knit:
Summer: On my back porch in my grandmother’s wicker rocker. Winter: In my chaise lounge by the wood stove
Favorite spot on the North Shore:
Robinson Farm Conservation Area in Marblehead
Current knitting project:
Habu Stainless Steel and Silk Jacket. It’s going to take a long while…….

Thanks Michele!  That was great.  Stay tuned for more interviews from Seed Stitchers and designers alike.

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