On Tuesday I featured the I Love Jane Austen washcloth by Lisa Millan on my Jane Austen Knits post. I got talking to the lovely Lisa, and she agreed to an interview! Here is how we got on :)
How did you learn to knit?
Lisa - I took a class at Michaels. I just learned the basics... how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off. It was easy enough to do a few projects. Like easy scarves and dishcloths.
What got you into designing your own patterns?
Lisa - I started practicing using free dishcloth patterns with pictures in them. I had designed crochet graphs previously and thought knitting them would be fun. I had met a really nice knitter online who taught me how to read a graph in knits and purls. After that, I was hooked!
What inspires your designs?
Lisa - Everything! I get lots of requests and suggestions from people. At first I just started doing what appealed to me. As time went on, I tried to cover every category I could.
How long does it take you to design a washcloth?
Lisa - It depends. I've done some in as little as a few minutes. Some take much longer. I've had a few haunt me for awhile, because I am obsessed with getting every detail I can into the pattern. I want people to be able to really see the picture.
My favourite design of yours is the I Love Jane Austen washcloth, do you have a favourite?
Lisa - One of my favorites is the Sunflower pattern. It was one of the first ones that gave me a really hard time to get it the way I wanted.
Are washcloths your favourite things to knit?
Lisa - Well they were for a very long time. I knitted them compulsively for about 3-4 years. I think I burned out on them. So I've been knitting cowls and scarves lately. The repetitive, mindless knitting relaxes me.
Which knitted item that you've made are you most proud of, and why?
Lisa - I am equally proud of all my knitted projects, but the ones that please me the most are the ones that teach me a new technique, or give me a new favorite stitch.
If you could give us any piece of advice or a tip about knitting, what would it be?
Lisa - Don't give up if you can't figure out something right away. If you get frustrated, put it down for a little while, and then go back to it. If all else fails, there's always a YouTube video that will be able to show you what you're doing wrong. I've learned many things using the videos available there.
As well as this lovely interview, Lisa has offered to do a pattern giveaway for you all!! Ok, here is how it'll work:
Head on over to Lisa's awesome Ravelry pattern shop, Digknitty Designs, then leave a comment below telling us which pattern you'd love to win. Please also leave your ravelry username in the comment, or an email address I can reach you on! I will leave the give-away open until next Sunday, then using a random number generator I will pick a winner!
Details: One Entry per person
Opens: Sunday 24th February 2013 at 7am GMT (London, England time)
Closes: Sunday 2nd March 2013 at 12am GMT (London, England time)
Extra info:
Don't worry if you don't win, Lisa has several free patterns available on her shop!
Never Forget 911 Washcloth
Autism Awareness Washcloth
Be the Cure Washcloth
I Love You Rose Knit Washcloth
Thank You Rose
Witch's Hat & Broom Dishcloth
Recycle Knit Dishcloth
9 Patch Quilt Block Knit Dishcloth
Who Would Like a Leg? Dishcloth
Candy Apple Knit Washcloth
Drink with a Twist Dishcloth
Un-smelly Skunk Dishcloth
Imma Crochet Fan Poncho
How did you learn to knit?
 |
| I Heart Books by Lisa Milla ©DigknittyDesignr  Flickr |
What got you into designing your own patterns?
Lisa - I started practicing using free dishcloth patterns with pictures in them. I had designed crochet graphs previously and thought knitting them would be fun. I had met a really nice knitter online who taught me how to read a graph in knits and purls. After that, I was hooked!
What inspires your designs?
Lisa - Everything! I get lots of requests and suggestions from people. At first I just started doing what appealed to me. As time went on, I tried to cover every category I could.
How long does it take you to design a washcloth?
Lisa - It depends. I've done some in as little as a few minutes. Some take much longer. I've had a few haunt me for awhile, because I am obsessed with getting every detail I can into the pattern. I want people to be able to really see the picture.
My favourite design of yours is the I Love Jane Austen washcloth, do you have a favourite?
 |
| Sunflower Knit Dishcloth by Lisa Millan ©DigknittyDesignr Flickr |
Are washcloths your favourite things to knit?
Lisa - Well they were for a very long time. I knitted them compulsively for about 3-4 years. I think I burned out on them. So I've been knitting cowls and scarves lately. The repetitive, mindless knitting relaxes me.
Which knitted item that you've made are you most proud of, and why?
Lisa - I am equally proud of all my knitted projects, but the ones that please me the most are the ones that teach me a new technique, or give me a new favorite stitch.
If you could give us any piece of advice or a tip about knitting, what would it be?
Lisa - Don't give up if you can't figure out something right away. If you get frustrated, put it down for a little while, and then go back to it. If all else fails, there's always a YouTube video that will be able to show you what you're doing wrong. I've learned many things using the videos available there.
As well as this lovely interview, Lisa has offered to do a pattern giveaway for you all!! Ok, here is how it'll work:
Head on over to Lisa's awesome Ravelry pattern shop, Digknitty Designs, then leave a comment below telling us which pattern you'd love to win. Please also leave your ravelry username in the comment, or an email address I can reach you on! I will leave the give-away open until next Sunday, then using a random number generator I will pick a winner!
Details: One Entry per person
Opens: Sunday 24th February 2013 at 7am GMT (London, England time)
Closes: Sunday 2nd March 2013 at 12am GMT (London, England time)
Extra info:
Don't worry if you don't win, Lisa has several free patterns available on her shop!
Never Forget 911 Washcloth
Autism Awareness Washcloth
Be the Cure Washcloth
I Love You Rose Knit Washcloth
Thank You Rose
Witch's Hat & Broom Dishcloth
Recycle Knit Dishcloth
9 Patch Quilt Block Knit Dishcloth
Who Would Like a Leg? Dishcloth
Candy Apple Knit Washcloth
Drink with a Twist Dishcloth
Un-smelly Skunk Dishcloth
Imma Crochet Fan Poncho
I love Angel Kitty. thanks!
ReplyDeletegussek on Ravelry
I love to knit dishcloths. I like the 9 Patch Quilt Block Knit Dishcloth pattern. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteWow - tough decision because she has a lot of awesome patterns! I think my favorite is Tudor Rose (cnuland on Rav)
ReplyDelete