Wednesday, May 23, 2012

California Revival Knits Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Thank you for entering our California Revival Knits Giveaway!  Our winner is Jennifer Conway (moonshh on Ravelry).  Jennifer email me at Sandrasingh@sandrasingh.com to claim your prize!
 
Hello & Welcome to Sandrasingh.com and the 10th stop on the California Revival Knits blog tour!  Around here May is an exciting month, its Sandrasingh.com's 7 year anniversary, and to make it even more special I've added the beautiful work of Stephannie Tallent to my website and have been invited to be a part this tour.  Published by Cooperative Press California Revival Knits is Stephannie's very first book, I remember months back when she contacted me about carrying it, I took one look at the photographs and the moment I laid my eyes on the Peacock Cowl pattern I immediately said "Yes!" 

Peacock Cowl
Stephannie's eye for composition and color is amazing and her appreciation and respect for other artisans' work is well documented.  As she walks us through the historic Adamson House, a preserved California Revival house in Malibu, she brings it to life for you with her descriptions and tributes to it in knitting.

I thought it would be interesting to learn more about Stephannie, and what inspires her to create these beautiful works of art.  Besides giving us a PDF copy of California Revival Knits to giveaway to one lucky reader Stephannie has also taken a moment to share her bio and answer these interview questions for us.      

Stephannie Tallent in the Tiles pullover
Meet Stephannie Tallent: Stephannie lives in Hermosa Beach, California, with husband Dave, dog Rigel and Tonkinese cats Meggie, Obi and Cali.  Her first book, California Revival Knits,  was published this year by Cooperative Press.  She also tech edits.  When she’s not designing, knitting, tech editing or working as a veterinarian, she gardens (native plants and vegetables), hikes, and beachcombs. She blogs at www.sunsetcat.com. Find her on Ravelry as Stephcat.
 
Every knitwear artist has an interesting story about how they began designing.  Please tell us about yourself and what got you interested in knitting and designing knitwear.
 I’ve been knitting on and off since I was in junior high.  I actually learned how to crochet first.  I’ve always liked to make things.  I started knitting again seriously in the early 2000s – not that I necessarily got caught up in the whole ‘knitting is the new yoga’ thing – my knitting seemed to go in 10 year cycles.  But this time it stuck.
I threw myself into designing (and tech editing) when my veterinary work dropped off.  It keeps me crazy busy.  Knitting is work now; for better or worse, I can’t think of the last time I knitted something that wasn’t a swatch, a design, or for a class sample.  I love it, though. 
I also love learning about many of the non-knitting things too, like Indesign, layout, indie publishing sorts of things.  I will admit I’ve picked up more than I ever really wanted to learn about website design.

What is your design philosophy?
Attention to detail.  I want mirrored increases and decreases, fine details, waist shaping, short row shoulder shaping.  I want to create something beautiful, but wearable; something that is fun and interesting to knit, but not overdesigned.  I’m still learning, of course! 

Who or what inspires you the most in your design process?
I find inspiration in so many different things.  I’m inspired by architecture, history, literature, natural history, places I’ve been, stylistic motifs…and of course stitch patterns, techniques, and the yarn itself.
I really like creating and working with moodboards.  I also like having a theme, or even just a working title, for a pattern.  Those things tend to help me focus and clarify what I want to create, what I want to evoke.

What direction do you see yourself heading in as a designer?
Well, I’m already well into work on book two, which is another collection of patterns – but with a totally different inspiration. 
I’m also doing patterns for Dragonfly Fibers, for the Malabrigo Freelance Pattern Project, for the Cooperative Press/Indigo Dragonfly sock & mitten club…um, I’m sure there’s something else in there as well that I’m forgetting.
I’m also curating a collection of patterns inspired by Hitchcock films.  Although I got a taste of editing (as opposed to tech editing) when I worked for Knitcircus – Jaala including the tech editors in on the acceptance process – this is my first time doing it on my own.
I do want to start teaching nationally.  
How have the advances in technology and the internet helped you (or hindered) you as a knitwear designer?
I can honestly say that, without the advent of Ravelry, and the ease of self publishing, I don’t think I’d’ve even considered this path.  Knit Picks started up their IDP about the same time I started designing, and the folks there were incredibly supportive, so that was a great outlet as well.

Stephannie thank you very much for giving us these insights into who you are, your designs and thought processes! 

Now discover this lovely book for yourself!


Peacock Mitts

Peacock Stole

Stairsteps Tam
Stairsteps Tam
Wrought Iron Cardi
Wrought Iron Socks
Wrought Iron Tam
Wrought Iron Mitts
Fringe Socks
Undersea Garden Cowl
Quatrefoil Mitts
Catalina Star Pillow
Stephannie and Cooperative Press are letting me giveaway an eBook copy of California Revival Knits to one lucky winner.  Leave a comment under this post telling me which pattern is your favorite and why.  The winner will be announced on May 31st.

Thank you for sharing this blog tour with me and participating in our giveaway!

56 comments:

Fleur said...

The peacock stole is my personal favorite! I think this is a very good name, since the peacock is rather a fine but special animal. And I prefer shawls to be rectangular instead of triangular, lace or no lace. Yep, it is definitely a great pattern!

knitterlydesigns said...

I love them all and the colorwork projects look like something I could tackle. I really love the Undersea Garden Cowl.

knitterlydesigns on Ravelry

Beth W. said...

I love the Wrought Iron Socks...I'm completely on a sock kick right now and they look like so much fun! Thanks! yhime407 on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

The Stairsteps Tam makes me want to make myself learn colorwork. 4throse on Ravelry.

Sheila said...

I really like the wrought iron cardigan.

Unknown said...

Oh my what a beautiful book, so many patterns that make your motuh water ! I love the peacock stole and gloves. But, seriously all of the patterns are so wonderful !

Rebecca said...

I love the Wrought Iron Tam. Cables and slouchy hats are a winning combo for me!

Carolyn & Reese said...

I love the peacock cowl and gloves. The color composition is just wonderful! All of the patterns look fabulous.

Anonymous said...

oh wow how do i choose they are all stunning, but i love the colorwork projects, i can see me wearing the gloves and the iron work oh just all of the patterns :0)
woolytanis on raverlry

glongley said...

It's hard to pick one pattern, they are all beautiful! I'm like to knit lace things and socks. So I love her lace patterns.

Rose said...

What a fabulous book. Thank you for the interview and giveaway. I would love to make the peacock stole. I really love the dainty look of the pattern and am happy to see a rectangular shawl as I don't wear the triangular shawls very well at all.

Anonymous said...

I really love the wrought iron cardi, I just love knitting cables, also fringe socks and undersea garden cowl, peacock stole is yummy, it is a close call which pattern I would pick first.

Lesliepop said...

Definitely the Peacock Cowl-- I live in California, and the botanical gardens near my home is known for its peacocks!

ritainalaska said...

absolutely love the wrought iron sox! would love to have the pattern!

Chelsea W said...

I love the undersea garden cowl because it looks so feminine and pretty. I love the look of all of their patterns!

chappy said...

I love the Wrought Iron Cardi – looks very comfortable and stylish. Also, like the colorway. Looks like it would be very fun to knit!

Chappy
http://stores.ebay.com/CHAPPYS-FIBER-ARTS-AND-CRAFTS
ravelry id ~ chappy

Heavenly Princess said...

Oh my, falling in love with almost every design here. I especially love the peacock stole...but all those wrought iron designs are amazing too. Wow, I'd love to win this book!

Jordan Elizabeth
Http://heavenlyprincess.wordpress.com

Elizabeth said...

I love both the Stairsteps mitts and the Wrought Iron mitts. The Wrought Iron mitts look delicate yet cozy while I absolutely love the colors in the Stairstep mitts. I'd love to tackle both!

czsknits said...

Definitely the tile pullover! Love it.

Rachel said...

I love the Undersea Garden Cowl, it'd be perfect for autumn and spring when a chunky knit would be too warm.

LittleMischief on Ravelry

Rachelle said...

I love the peacock mitts; I have a thing for peacocks which is probably why I love them
sewsable on Rav

affiknity said...

It is so difficult to pick one, but Wrought Iron cardi and Peacock mitts are on my to-knit list.

G.K. Green said...

Thanks for the giveaway! The Peacock Mitts are my favorite, though it's difficult to choose just one ... I was fortunate enough to see the designer's sample earlier this year; if anything, they are even more gorgeous in hand than in the photo!

G.K. Green / gkgreen on Ravelry / g_k_green@hotmail.com

stashmuffin said...

Mmmm... I think I'm going for the wrought iron collection. Maybe the mitts? They are all so lovely!

Donnell said...

I'd have to say the Tiles Cardigan and the Wrought Iron socks really sing to me because they're not something I would be able or likely to knit, but I'd love to get good enough to try some day.

Ricki said...

beautful colorwork....I have to knit the tam!!

Carol Martin said...

Oh, there's so many that I love : the peacock cowl,the peacock stole, the wrought iron tam and the undersea garden cowl.

Roberta said...

Wow, what an awesome collection. I love the wrought iron collection, undersea garden cowl .. And all things peacock. Looking forward to knitting!!

azwoolgirl said...

What a gorgeous collection of designs by Stephannie! I love the Stairsteps Mitts and want to learn to do colorwork this year.
Ravelry ID: peacefullyknittng

LA Bourgeois said...

What a beautiful collection! The Wrought Iron pieces are definitely my favorite.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I like the Wrought Iron beret and mitts set because of the cables.

Dutchgirl63 said...

I could never pick just one! So I would have to say all three of the Wrought Iron set are gorgeous.

Pam MacKenzie said...

I love the peacock cowl on the cover. It's worth the price of the whole book!

Anne said...

The Fringe Socks are wonderful! As are all the patterns in this book! I would really cherish this book.

Diana C said...

I love the wrought iron patterns, (all of them!), but my favorite is probably the mitts.

NiteOwl said...

I love the peacock and wrought iron patterns but if I had to chose just one, it would be the peacock mitts. I love the detail and esp the tiny buttons along the side. Beautiful!

Jennifer Conway said...

I love the wrought iron pieces and could see myself planning to make the whole set, though I think if I had to pick one thing it would be the socks, since they would be so doable so quickly with yarn I have on hand, and I can imagine the pattern would possibly do well with more variegated yarn, too. I also like the peacock cowl, especially as I haven't noticed any colorwork cowls lately, and I could see this being very striking all in jewel tones, with black as the MC? moonshh on Ravelry>

Kenyetta said...

I like the Wrought Iron socks, reminds me of the wrought iron screen doors in the Bronx

Melody said...

I love the Wrought Iron Socks!! I love socks that are not "plain" and these are beautiful! I love making socks and I would love to have these in my collection!!

Anonymous said...

I like both the Wrought Iron Socks and mitts as they make me think of the Game of Thrones books which I am currently hooked on reading:)

rosebob on ravelry

Hannah said...

The Peacock Cowl is my favorite! Beautiful colorwork throughout the whole collection though!

Judi A. said...

I like several of the patterns, but like the "Wrought Iron Mitts" the best.They are the prettiest I've seen in awhile.

VeganCraftastic said...

I think the wrought iron mitts are my fave, they're so detailed!

-kala on Ravelry

Silvina said...

All patterns are lovely!!! I Especially love Stairsteps Tam, I'm all for colorwork this year!!! :)

Silvinasi at ravelry

leslie said...

I love all the patterns! The Wrought Iron Cardi is my favorite because it's beautiful, top-down, and seamless.

purplepenguin said...

I absolutely love the top called Tiles! It is lovely, and it is sized enough for me, a "plush" woman! Thank you for thta!

Unknown said...

I love the wrought iron cardi. It's perfect for me.

mysticmoon said...

The Tiles Pullover is pretty!

mamayaga said...

My fav is Peacock Stole.

Anonymous said...

The w.i. Cardi for me!!
Biddy05. Rav

Tish Sentell said...

The wrought Iron socks are my favorite. I love to make socks, and the cables are lovely.

Anonymous said...

I love the Peacock Mitts. They have a wonderful old world feel to them with the buttons down the side

DebraEmanon said...

Love the Fringe socks.

Anonymous said...

I love the Tiles pullover and the fact that it looks comfortable. It would work well for casual and dressier occasions.

Laurel said...

I love the wrought Iron socks. I love very patterned socks. :)

mary contrarie said...

Peacock Cowl is so beautiful! I would love to try it!