For those of you in the loop, you already know of the Designer of the Month for April is Anna Wilkinson. And here is a bit of a more in depth look at the glamorous gal herself.
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Ginger Twist Studio: Thanks again Anna for taking part in the Designer of the Month programme at Ginger Twist Studio. Now for a few questions. How did you start knitting? Who taught you and what was your first project?
Anna Wilkinson: I
don’t remember the exact age that I first picked up a pair of knitting
needles and started to try, but I think the age I felt comfortable
knitting was around 6 or 7. My mother taught me and always encouraged me
with balls of fun yarn and patterns. I remember making a lot of scarves
and mittens for friends and I have a distant memory of a foul
brown/beige shapeless jumper in a thicky furry yarn....
GTS: And
going from that, how did you turn into a designer? Would you consider
this something you do for fun, or is it part of your career? Does it
link up to your ‘day job?’
AW: I
always really liked making things and I’m very fortunate that my
brothers and I were always encouraged to be creative by our parents so
it was never a huge decision to study knitwear or to try and make it my
career, it just happened really. I went to college to study fashion,
leaving quite an academic school, and then went on to Winchester School
of Art to study textiles and I then specialised in knitwear after my
first year. I do consider knitwear a huge part of my career now. I work
freelance in a few different areas but am lucky that knitting has become
central to my working life but it is also something that I do for fun. I
feel very fortunate to be able to work every day doing something that I
really love.
GTS: It seems to
me, particularly with you book Learn to Knit, Love to Knit, you take
inspiration from vintage styles. Do you have a favourite time period
with respect to fashion? And how would you classify your personal style?
AW: I
love looking to vintage garments for inspiration as they often feature
really lovely unique details that are so hard to find in modern fashion.
Vintage hand made knitwear in particular often seems much more
considered and carefully made. It’s hard to be too specific about a
particular time frame....I think anything from the 30’s to the 60’s/70’s
is likely to have me as a fan...I’m quite enjoying 70’s collars at the
moment and big Pucci style paisleys...but I will always love 40’s/50’s
silhouettes and neat shapes.
GTS: I
know it is probably like choosing between children, but do you have a
piece or 2 that you are super proud of designing and/or knitting?
AW: It
is quite difficult to say...From my book I would say that the
college-style cardi and the slip stitch cape were possibly my
favourites...though ask me next month and my answer could be different! I
think these two stand out as two garments in my book that took a while
to write the patterns for and then actually construct so they were
labours of love.
GTS: Any skills/techniques left to learn on your knitting or crafting bucket list?
AW: Yes!
Hundreds! I would love to be a much more technical knitter. I often
start making up my designs one way and a fellow knitter will point out a
much simpler way with a technique I’ve never tried before! But for this
year I think I’d really like to get better at knitting socks!
GTS: I notice you have a penchant for bright and fun colours. Do you have any other desiger trademarks?
AW: I’m
not sure...I think I’m definitely attracted to neat and simple garment
shapes but like to make the actual fabric interesting with colours or
textures...And I do like to have fun when designing and making. A
pattern has to be exciting enough to compel someone to really want to
buy yarn and make it. I love to feel excited by something that I’m
designing.
GTS: Would you like to publish more pattern books? What is your next step in the crafting world?
AW: Well
I’m extremely excited to say that I have just begun work on my second
book... It’s in very early stages at the moment so I shan’t divulge too
much now! I’ve also been working on some other knitting patterns that
will be available online shortly.
GTS: Any random tips for all the knitters and budding designers out there?
AW: Always write down/sketch ideas and have fun. You can knit
anything you have in your head (within reason...). The possibilities are
endless!
