Knitwear Designer Interview and GIVEAWAY - Lindsay Lewchuk

I am really excited about this interview. Lindsay is a great designer and a very sweet person. She also graciously offered 3 pattern giveaways.

What I am going to do is open a thread in my Ravelry Group. You can post there and on the blog. I will draw 2 numbers from the Ravelry thread and 1 from the blog.

I won't keep you wait so here is the interview. Enjoy :)

1. How Did You Start Knitting?
   I first learned to knit as a small child from my Baba (grandmother dad’s side) and Nanny (great grandmother mom’s side). But it didn’t really stick. Yes, I did use it in multi-tasking challenges with my older sister - who could do more things at once: read a book, while listening to the radio, while watching TV, while doing sit-ups, while knitting. It always put me over the top since she couldn’t knit and anytime I beat my sister it was worth writing home about. However, as a craft I wasn’t really a fan. Looking back I realize it was due to the itch synthetic yarns and the fact my tension was so tight I actually broke needles when trying to do knit and purl stitches. Then when I was in the hospital for weeks on end without being able to watch TV, read books, or do anything except be a guinea pig jabbed with needles every 8 minutes all day long while doctors watched to see what happened, I convinced the doctors that knitting was benign enough not to interfere with the testing and they agreed. I was allowed knitting needles and 1 skein of organic cotton yarn. Without a pattern or anything I played around with the yarn for hours. I learned by trial and error about tension and the joy of whipping through a ball of yarn and turning into a finished object.
2. What is your inspiration for your designs?
   Living in the midst of serene mountains, I am inspired by God’s beautiful creation.
3. What is your design process like?
   Typically I design “on the needles.” However this is a rather inefficient way to make a living as it requires me to do each step twice. I.e. write the pattern on scrap then write it again on the computer. Knit the pattern while developing the pattern, then knit the pattern again for testing. This week I’m trying something brand new. Writing the pattern on the computer while I visualize the knitting. Then knitting from the directions I wrote to see if it turns out how I visualized. I’m rather excited! Hopefully cutting my pattern writing time in half will enable me to publish more of the ideas floating around the little grey cells.
4. Who are your favorite designers?
   With the Indie Designs GAL, I have recently met a wonderful bunch of indie designers. I’m knitting two projects now, a cowl for my mom from ravelrier Ninaknits (Nina Machlin) and a sweater for myself from ravelrier MindofWinter (Julia Trice).
5. What is your favorite thing to knit?
   I enjoy knitting cowls the most because I am a slow knitter and I get a sense of accomplishment in a weekend rather than a month. I also like intricate garments since I knit difficult cables and lace at the same pace as Stockinette.
6. What are you favorite needles and yarn and why?
   I love bamboo needles, but use plastic as a backup for yarns that tend to split. I use standard clover needles, but have been intrigued by ads of lovely hand turned hardwood needles. One day I’ll take the plunge and be able to compare. My favorite yarns are organic, natural, socially responsible, low impact dyed, natural dyed, cottons, silk, bamboo, milk, and soya.
7. If someone asked you how to be a designer what advice would you give?
   Make sure you do your due diligence on the business side of designing before starting. I suggest reading Alex Tinsley’s “So You Want to be a Knitwear Designer?” It is a cursory overview of all several aspects designers need to have knowledge of. There are lots of great books, blogs, and websites that talk about different aspects, but her book gives an overview of many different important topics. My second piece of advice is to create a polished finished pattern before publishing. Set up a budget for tech editing, layout, photography, and advertising. Have your pattern test knit by both experienced and inexperienced knitters so you are aware of the questions that may arise and can either address them before publication by altering your pattern (or pattern notes) or have resources lined up for when people ask questions (such as with unique stitch patterns).
8. Do you have a current WIPs?
   I do. With the Indie Designs GAL I’m knitting two of my fellow indie designers’ patterns, Ninetta’s Neckwear and Elia. I also have personally designed WIPs that I will be publishing in the future.
9. What do you enjoy most about designing?
   I love that it is actually therapy for my illness. It works several different areas of my brain that were damaged. Since the brain is also a muscle giving it a work out on a daily basis is great for healing. Designing combines mathematical, logical, and analytical skills while knitting activates creative and motor skills.
10. How has knitting changed your life?
    Given the negative future forecast by my doctors, knitting and designing has enabled me to work. I actually am a contributing member of society despite my illnesses. This was an unexpected and wonderful gift from the Lord! Each day I wake up with a purpose and a plan in anticipation of what new designs God gives.
    
    
    
    
    
    Now wasn't that fun getting to know Lindsay? Don't forget to comment and leave your Ravelry name. Check out my group Daisy Creations Designs.