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!