This is Vala: Designer of the Month Interview

GTS had the lucky chance to snag an interview with the current Designer of the Month, Vala. And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few photos of pieces she has made for the shop.

Rusty House Socks, Design & Photo by Vala

Peach Collar, Design & Photo by Vala

Winter Heather Fair Isle by Vala

Ginger Twist Studio: How old were you when you started knitting? And how was it that you started and who taught you?

Vala: At around the age of Nine and I was taught by my Grandmother. I remember vividly she was working on a fair-isle jumper and concentrating hard on it, and because I kept interrupting her she asked me if I would like to learn to knit. I guess to keep me quiet.

GTS: What is your favourite type and/or colours of yarn/wool?

Vala: Any type of pure wool, it just works perfect every time. At the moment any type of rich blue is a favourite

GTS: When did you get into designing and how?

Vala: My Friends Russell and Julie had just opened a bookshop called Analogue Books in Edinburgh, I had this idea that I could sell a product through their shop, I had made for myself a pair of wrist-warmers that had small beads knitted in to them. So I made a few pairs and my Partner Iain designed an illustrated box to pack them in, I reckon Analogue sold around a hundred pair, and that led me to having at some point around 5 other outlets for them, it also led to Iain becoming involved in illustration.

GTS: What is your favourite thing to design, and where do you get your inspiration?

Vala: I really enjoy fair-isle knitting and I try to keep my designs pretty simple. I'm inspired by lots of things, the big two would be films and books.

GTS: So you knit, crochet, and teach both skills. What else do you enjoy doing?

Vala: I'm also one half of the design team The Lindstrom Effect, so I'm always kept busy with that, other things are just the usual stuff, TV, films, music, books.

GTS: Would you say your photographer's eye influences what you like to knit?

Vala: Yeah but in an indirect way I suppose, photography has made me be a very visual person, I get excited by all sorts of things that I suppose a lot of people skip past, the other night I paused a tv show to look at a sculpture on the mantle-piece behind the actors. It just struck me as a bit of an unusual shape, and that's it, filed away in the old grey cells.

GTS: What are on your needles now, and what is the next project you have planned?

Vala: I just finished a baby cardigan and I think I'll make myself a jumper next, I've got lots of lovely grey wool that would work perfectly. Maybe some influence from that Sculpture I saw on Tv will sneak in too.

Rachel Coopey: Sock Goddess

Now my kittens, it is time for a closer look at Ginger Twist Studio's Designer of the Month: Rachel Coopey. 

GTS: When did you start knitting? 
Rachel Coopey: My grandma taught me when I was little, she would cast on for me and I would sit at her feet and churn out garter stitch. When I was about 16 I wanted to start knitting again, I got a refresher lesson from my mum and knitted an extremely long scarf.

GTS: When and how did this sock obsession start? 
RC: I fell in love with sock yarn before I fell in love with socks! I love the colours and the feel of sock yarn, I love that you can get a luxury blend without breaking the bank. Once I had acquired a few skeins I thought I'd give sock knitting a go. At that point I was knitting things to see if I could - I was more interested in the process than the end product, once I had a finished pair of socks that changed. There's nothing like wearing hand knitted socks, I never looked back!

GTS: Where do you gain your inspiration for pattern writing? 
RC: Everywhere! I take photos of buildings and patterns, even tyre tracks in muddy puddles! I carry a notebook, I have one by my bed, I scribble on the backs of envelopes and anything else I can get my hands on!

GTS: What is your favourite heel type, and do you like top down or toe up best? 
RC:I really like the way a cuff down sock with a heel flap, I find it much easier to get this type of sock to fit me. Occasionally I'll do something else or experiment but I always go back to it in the end.

GTS: What socks out of this most current collection are you most proud of just love? (I know, it is probably like picking your fav child) 
RC: I think it's Dawlish, I love the yarn, the colour and the pattern work well together

GTS: Any advice for budding sock knitters? 
RC: Knit your socks at a tight gauge and with some negative ease (smaller than your foot so they stretch to fit), you want your socks to wear well and last a long time!

GTS: And your most recent book is really lovely! What is next in the life of Rachel Coopey? 
RC: I'm working on a few things! My next big project is a collection of accessories (not socks!) and then there will be another sock book - I can't stay away from them for long!


Rachel's latest book, CoopKnits Socks, includes 10 fun and interesting sock designs along with a online download code. This is available in hard copy at Ginger Twist Studio for £15, where there is also an abundance of hand dyed sock wool. My personal favourite design, like Rachel, is Dawlish. I've now started on the second sock in Ginger's hand Dyed Delight 4ply in Gorblimey (delicious grellow).  Rachel's instruction is clear and her charts are marvelous. The book is also chalk full of lovely and inspiring socky photos. Which is your favourite?

Lucy Hague: Designer of the Month

August is upon us, and the Edinburgh Festival is quickly approaching! Exciting times ahead. August also sees Ginger Twist Studio's first Designer of the Month. And the results are...(drum roll please)...Lucy Hague!  I've known this lovely lady for about a year now, and boy can she do some neat things with her needles and imagination!

Lovely Lucy

Growing up in the Orkney's, knitting is in Lucy's blood. Starting out knitting clothes for her Barbie dolls, she has now been designing since 2010 and gained a large following. She has been featured in Knitty, Knit Now, and now Pom Pom Quarterly. Cables and lace are her specialty. If this is not enough for ye, Lucy also plays in two traditional Scottish bands.

Ms. Hague's advice to budding designers and new knitters: DO A SWATCH! 

Ginger Twist Studio's window display features 3 of Lucy's shawls:Firiel (left), Hildina (middle), and Averin (right).

It should also be noted that the mitts I'm wearing in the photo are my rendition of the first pattern she ever designed: Hands of Blue. In this shade, don't they just scream 'mermaid?!'

And if you have been keeping up with the blog, you know that I've also been working on Lucy's cabled shawl: Taliesin. I'm working on the border now, and am quite determined. It shall be on display in the shop soon, that is a promise. 

As far as her future knitty plans go, Lucy would like to publish her own book; a collection of themed shawls. If you are interested in keeping up with Lucy's activities, sign up for her newsletter!


Lucy's shawls and patterns are now available in Ginger Twist Studio!

Prep

Ginger Twist Studio has been open just over a month, and there are loads of fun and exciting plans to be revealed. As a knitter and general crafter, I am always planning ahead. If I want a hand made jumper to wear this Autumn, I need to give myself time to actually make it. 

August is quickly approaching, in which Ginger Twist Studio will be featuring a local designer. You may have already figured out just who that will be...but I won't spoil the surprise for those of you who don't know. Official announcement to come soon!

For this purpose I am working on a gorgeous cable shawl that is certainly not for the faint of heart! 

 












Done in the King Cole 4ply, the cables blossom and grow like the branches of a tree. I'm now working on the last chart that is the border. I may just manage to finish in the week I have left!

I've also just gotten a very small selection of Cascade's Baby Alpaca Chunky, in which I have written up a for a beginner cowl deemed Lavender Seeds. 

This pattern (free with alpaca purchase) only took 1 skein of the alpaca and is super soft and luxurious.

Calling all Twisters! Show your stuff! We need photos of pieces you are proud of for Ginger's Cork Board of Fame. 

It would be nice if it is made out of wool from the shop, but not a strict requirement. :) 

Email your submissions to gingertwiststudio@gmail.com