I got to interview Lesley Anne Robinson, knitgraffiti on Ravelry
What is your design process?
My design process can be different for every single design! I usually start out with a sketch, or the yarn and a sketch, to get a general idea of the construction or shape that I want to achieve. If I am designing a sweater, I will start swatching with the yarn I want to use and the stitch patterns, to get my gauge. If I am designing a shawl, sometimes I will just cast on my shawl and see how I like it! Most of the time, my shawls start with very few stitches, so it’s easy to get an idea of my gauge and if I like the yarns together. I am a total “write the pattern as I go” type of designer! It’s very rare for me to write out the entire pattern and then knit it, and if I do that, I usually end up changing something along the way!
What influences your style?
So many things!! Nature, fashion, but most of all, COLOR! I have always been drawn to color and bright patterns, and I think it reflects in my yarn stash and my designs. I am constantly looking at the fashion world to see the trends and styles, and I think it influences my design work totally! I think it’s important for me to see the trends, see what is modern and classic, but I also stay true to myself and what I love. Sometimes that means going vintage and looking back at previous decades to draw style and inspiration! I am very inspired by the Art Deco era, fashion, art, and styling. I just think it’s so timeless.
What about designing and producing patterns are you most adept at, what parts are you most fond of, and what parts are challenging?
Most adept: Creating interesting stitch patterns or shawl shapes that I dream of in my mind, and bring them to life!!
Most fond of: Choosing color combinations!! This is what I LIVE for and could spend all day doing!
Most challenging: Computer time – I know it’s a necessary part of my business, and I embrace it. But days I spend primarily on the computer, writing patterns, charting them out, answering emails, etc. Those are the harder days for me. I try to balance them out by rewarding myself with a little knitting or R&D time.
What do you find most important in photography?
For me, it’s continuity! Out of sheer convenience, I started taking my photos in my own small studio with my light mint wall as a background. I am my own photographer, and use a tripod to take most of my photos! I have tried several times to do a photo shoot at a different location, and I just never like the photos for my work. I want my work to SHINE and really POP, so the blank wall really helps with that.
Indie Giftalong – What have you learned from the promotion?
This is such an amazingly organized knit-a-long!! I love being a part of it, and it has helped in the marketing of my business! I love the community that the organizers have created, and I also love supporting other indie designers.
Does anything intimidate you in knitting or crochet?
I went to art school for my Bachelor Degree, and there we were constantly challenged to think outside the box and try new things! For this reason, I love trying new techniques, even if they are a challenge for me. I will admit tho, before I had ever knit a sweater, I was a little intimidated by short rows! I took a Craftsy class taught by Carol Feller, and now I love them!! There are so many amazing resources out there, whether it’s a Local Yarn Shop, YouTube, or Craftsy, there is a way to learn so many new techniques and get help if you’re feeling intimidated.
