Yarnista Files: Who inspires you?

Now that we’ve been doing this for a while, we’re getting to more meaty questions.

Trudy asks: Who inspires you?

(Did anyone else queue up “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey” in their heads? Uh… Sorry, not sorry.)

Arthella, ever the enthusiastic one when it comes to all things knitting, said, “The entire fiber community inspires me each and every day!”

I feel like the only thing that would make her comment happier is to add emojis of smileys with hearts popping out of their eyes next to it. But, for your sake, no.

In all seriousness, it’s a simple statement that’s completely true – at least for me. When I have a few minutes here and there, I will pop over to Ravelry and just check out the latest designs, the recently shared projects in my groups, what’s happening on my favorite boards, etc. But it’s really the people of Ravelry (that’d be you!) who are the draw there.

Ravelry Whats Hot

And working at the shop? Well. That is definitely the most inspiring of all. It’s here that I’ve met new friends, each inspiring in their own way, from colleagues to customers to designers. It’s here I learn about the latest favorite patterns, and, yes, I sometimes see struggles. But isn’t it inspiring to help someone succeed? Or to pass around a brand new FO and then plot one of your own? I just love it. You guys are the best! Group hug.

Here’s what Danielle and the rest of the yarnistas had to say:

Danielle

“Who inspires me? Olga! I don’t think she needs a last name, but if you don’t know, Olga Buraya-Kefelian. Her designs can be found here: http://olgajazzy.com/

“I have known her for far longer than almost anyone else in this industry. Her designs are unique, fashion forward, inventive, complicated or delightfully simple … I could go on. She is amazing. She challenges me to break out of my stockinette stitch obsession and try new things. Her attention to detail is impeccable and often I find myself asking “why is she making me do this in this pattern when it would be easier to do THIS?” And then I follow her instructions and realize that she has a reason, and the extra effort is well worth it.”

Jillian

"Yokes" by Kate Davies — “Yokes” by Kate Davies

“Lately, I’ve been on a major fair isle kick. I’ve found myself very inspired by Kate Davies. Her designs are challenging, but reading her blog about knitting has made them seem more approachable. Like, her in-depth tutorial on steeking (including her technique dubbed the “steek sandwich“) makes it seem like something I might be able to approach on my own (since I always seem to be working when we teach it at the shop ;)). Similarly, her designs are fun and modern and makes learning the technique more enjoyable.”

Katherine

“Is it sappy to say I’m inspired by our community? Because I totally am. Working in the shop, I see so many projects and combinations that I would never have thought of on my own. There are some truly great knitters coming through our doors, and it’s really exciting to see what everyone’s working on. It’s horrible from a queue-management perspective, but champagne problems, right?

“I’m also really inspired by the enthusiasm that new knitters bring to the fold. It’s awesome to see someone who just completed a class (or just watched a lot of YouTube tutorials) who’s excited to expand their skills beyond garter or stockinette rectangles. Whether someone’s knitting as a way to deal with stress or seeking a creative outlet or preparing for baby or simply for the pleasure of learning new skills, it doesn’t matter. It’s inspiring to see so many different takes on this craft. It makes me way more mindful of what I’m working on and definitely makes me want to make more. Thanks guys!”

Nicole

“I have to agree with Katherine on this one. I’m inspired by everyone around me. We are fortunate enough to work in an environment where we are constantly seeing new patterns, textures, and colors which sends my mind spinning in a million different directions. On top of that, we get to share in the enthusiasm of all the knitters and crocheters we meet daily, which is such a great reminder of why I got into stitching in the first place. It’s exciting! Whether its our customers or my fellow yarnistas (plus all the AMAZING designers who teach and shop with us regularly), I am always going home thinking of what I want to make next and how I can take it up a notch. I can’t even begin to count how many times I cast on a project because someone else at the shop clued me in on it. It’s awesome!

“From a design perspective, I do take a lot of inspiration from the whole umbrella of Brooklyn Tweed. The patterns are always so clean and pretty, with great attention to detail. Every time I work one of their patterns, I find myself learning something new. I have such a better sense of how the little details really add up to make a very impressive whole and I am never disappointed with the end result.”

Trudy

“There are so many inspiring knitters, but Barbara Walker is one of the most inspiring for me. Her research was amazing – she spent hours in the basement of the Library of Congress going through old books and magazines, transcribing old patterns, and developed her own original patterns; came up with the SSK decrease (I remember the slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over – it was ugly!); and she knit ALL the samples in her four books.

The so-called "February Baby Sweater," though officially it's the Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February), by Elizabeth Zimmermann. — The so-called “February Baby Sweater,” though officially it’s the Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February), by Elizabeth Zimmermann.

“Elizabeth Zimmermann and her daughter Meg Swansen both inspire me for their practical approach to knitting instructions and for their welcoming attitude.

“Kate Davies is a tremendous inspiration to me – for her knitting, her designs and her research, but most of all for the courage she demonstrated in the chronicling of her recovery after her stroke.

“And our customers continue to inspire me every day. I’d be hard pressed to pick just one.

“Knitting is a great craft that provides us with so many rich opportunities for creativity and inspiration.”

And maybe that’s partly why we all love it so much.