Thanks Sue for taking the time to share with our readers a bit of your world!
1. What does your workspace/design/creative space look like?
I'd love the luxury of a knitting studio but I like that since knitting is so portable, I can be outside at a coffee shop or one of the lakes in the city to watching a movie from the BarcaLounger designing and knitting.
2. Do you save your mistakes/ or designs you don't love right away -or ditch them?
That all depends. Some things deserve ripping and some things though not quite right are kept for later reference.
3. What's on your "next to try" list?
I've been playing around with some charts from a tapestry Sue and I saw in Sweden on a trip in 2009. But I must admit that after writing our books, I'm still fine with knitting from someone else's pattern, letting someone have done all the thinking and all the hard work.
4. Do you ever work with recycled materials?
I have played with some of the recycled yarns from both Rowan and Berroco and I freely admit to being a fiber snob who knits mostly on "toothy" wool.
5. What music do you listen to when designing?
I don't know as I listen so much to music while designing. I'm a self admitted closet lover of 80's bad rock that doesn't work well many places other than the car.
6. How long does a design take you to create?
I've been known to agonize over a design for months and other things I know exactly how I want it and can cast on and knit without roadblocks, no changes or problems. I'm not sure what makes a design fit either situation.
7. How do you organize your supplies?
I should check out the concept of organization -ha ! I do carry a notebook around that I try to write notes in but that doesn't always happen.
8. What books/magazines do you read?
My theory is that knitters love good food, ( or bad depending on how you look at it ) good movies and good books. I read constantly-just finished the "Call the Midwife" series both reading and watching it. It's a wonderful account of midwifery in the slums of London in the late 50's. I'm also reading "Charlotte Grey" a story of a woman who searches for her MIA boyfriend by going undercover in France during WWII.
9. How would you describe your personal style?
I really come from a classically shaped and styled angle with my/our designs. I like elements of history and try to add them into a design.
10. How do you determine what a design is going to be made with?
some designs dictate what they need to be made of - a felted bag is made of feltable wool and. Bohus inspired cowl is made with a yarn with a percentage of angora. We are lucky to have worked with some yarn companies that are willing to send us free yarn to work with - that's a huge influence frankly.
11. Do you have a collection of anything?
I collect lots of things like sheep themed items, tatting shuttles, and books of all kinds.
12. How did your book come to be made?
The intros to our books really say how things started but really they started with my love of knitting I got from my mother and my friendship with Sue.
13. The all important question (from Ravelry) what is your favorite swear word?
I have used the f word way too often in my life not very pretty or original, yet often effective.
I always have such a good time reading a bit from other authors! Thanks Janine for sharing a bit of your world with our Craftside readers.
I am such a big fan of the deer image and this knit deer chart is so going on my "to-knit list"!
For the full mitten pattern and lots more great Swedish heirloom patterns grab yourself a copy of the Voyager Press book:
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Swedish Handknits is a collection of patterns for sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, headbands, and bags, all inspired by the historic textiles housed at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Institute was the first to host the successful Bohus knitting exhibit in America, so it's fitting that their world-class textile collection provides the inspiration for these designs.
Sue Flanders is co-author of Norwegian Handknits. Her knitwear designs have been published in many magazines and books over the years, including Knitting In Americaand Kids Knitting. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Janine Kosel is co-author of Norwegian Handknits. She has been knitting since her mother taught her as a young girl. She lives in Minneapolis, MN.