We have a feeling that Pam has been pretty busy since we last checked in with her! Between knitting, dyeing yarn, and designing patterns, there’s always something creative on her needles. Let’s take a look at what she’s been up to and what she has planned for the coming months!
Interview
It’s been almost a year since we last checked in—what have you been working on lately?
I have been eating, sleeping, breathing all things fibre. What has occupied my time the
most is speaking with a couple of guilds regarding colour theory and fibre arts. I have
spent a great deal of time researching and applying colour science to fibre. I am now
developing the lecture into a class to offer at the Mitten. When I’m not working on that?
I am knitting. Or thinking about knitting. Or dreaming about knitting. It is basically all
consuming.
Have you finished any big projects recently, or are you still adding to your WIP pile?
Well I took Finish-it-February to heart and completed four WIPs that have been on my
needles for...ahem...years. It included a Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli and a
laceweight Ochre Cardigan by Ambah O’Brien.
To balance that I’ve cast on a millionty projects including a new design I’m working on
for LYS day at the end of April and some new sweaters.
What’s currently on your needles? Any exciting cast-ons planned?
I’m still in finishing mode so I have an old Love Note that is near completion. My
favourite project right now though is Nordic Bloom by Caitlin Hunter which is part of our
amazing KAL. I’m loving it so much. I’m using the amazingly rustic Briggs and Little
Heritage paired with the colour lush Noro Ito. Thank you Gillian for an amazing colour
pairing! I do have two sweaters waiting in the wings to be cast on; Bronwyn by Melissa
Wehrle for Brooklyn Tweed and My Dear Sweater by Eunji Jang, both in different
colours of Heritage.
Have you found any new favorite yarns or patterns this year?
I think I have to say that Briggs and Little Heritage has won my heart. It is so rustic,
huge variety of colours, and amazing price point. For patterns, I had a great deal of fun
picking out scrappy patterns in preparation for our upcoming Scrappy KAL (details
coming!) and making a bundle on Ravelry. There are so many I want to try out but a
special mention goes to Rainbow Remnants by Amy Gunderson. It is really hard for me
to not cast on immediately but wait for our KAL.
What’s your go-to knitting or crafting snack?
Does coffee count? I almost always have a coffee on the go when I’m knitting.
Any fun knitting or fiber-related goals for the rest of the year?
So many things! I want to improve my spinning and work with my handspun. I want to
continue to finish old WIPs (so hard when I’m constantly inspired!). I’m working on
developing more classes to offer at the shop. Weaving! I need more weaving in my life.
How has your yarn dyeing journey been going? Any new colors or collections in the works?
I love dyeing yarn so much. I still have so very much to learn and I’m still finding my
voice as a dyer I would say. I’m constantly working on new colours (I get bored very
easily and want to try new things). Something new coming is a DK base that is 75%
superwash merino and 25% nylon. I wanted a base that could be used for garments or
for socks and I’m super excited! I’ve been waiting to be able to bring it in for some time.
Look for it at my anniversary trunk show in June at the Mitten.
What inspires your colorways? Do you have a favorite one you’ve created?
My colours come about through play mostly. I’m about to embark on an experiment of
creating a colour wheel from yarn using CYM and RYB and then using those to build a
cohesive colour palette. Right now my colours are much more random and just what I
wanted on a whim. I want to be more deliberate and intentional. Right now my
favourite colourway is from my Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail series,
and it is “Get Thee to a Nunnery”. It is a glazed colourway with soft pinks and purples.
I’m using it for my new design for LYS day.
Are there any techniques or styles you’d love to experiment with in your dyeing?
Most of my yarns are currently glazes and high immersion kettle dyeing. I’m going to
move into some low immersion techniques for the colour wheel development.
You’ve also been designing patterns—what has that process been like for you?
Well, designing is a challenge. I want to create new patterns but other designers keep
popping out things that I also want to knit! That means the biggest challenge for me in
this regard is time and balance. I do love the intricacies of designing and I want to
devote more time to it. In true neurodiverse fashion though, I have a half dozen
patterns that are about 80% complete. I really need to work on that!
Do you have a favorite pattern you’ve written so far?
I think my favourite pattern has to be the Sweetart Socks I designed for the Leo & Roxy
sock sets. Jolyn’s colours make my heart sing. Lucky Charms is vying for my favourite
colourway in L&R.
What’s your design process like—do you start with the yarn, a stitch pattern, or an idea in mind?
It seems to mostly start with a stitch pattern and then I find a yarn to match. I’m drawn
to both texture and colour. But then this weekend at a festival a dyer had a three yarn
combo that struck me and I started designing in my head that moment.
Any upcoming designs or collaborations we should be watching for?
I mentioned that design for LYS day, it is a fingering weight cowl that can be completed
with just one skein or one skein plus an accent mini. I will then be working on that three
yarn design. But I also have cowls, hats, and fingerless gloves that are so nearly
complete. So lots to come if I can get my act together!
And most importantly... did you ever do your Knit and Roll challenge?
My knit and roll was to use a festival purchase yarn. So I’m about to work on that with
the new design!
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