How does your making fit into your diving career? Do you take your stitching along with you when you compete?

I haven't actually done a competition since I started knitting, but I will for sure take it with me when I go to the Olympics and knit between my dives. I find it to be a great form of mindfulness and a way of escaping the competition for a while.

What is the reaction you usually get when people see you stitching?

They usually don't believe that I have made the things that I have and I don't think people are used to seeing many young people stitching in the same way they might see older people do it.

How do you carve out time in your busy life for knitting and crochet?

I'm usually making something between training sessions, on my lunch break, or once my son is in bed and asleep.

Since becoming a father have you loved making things for your son?

I love making things for my son, as they are much faster than making for adults! Not sure he is as much of a fan though!

You have a pattern published on lovecrafts.com. Can you tell us the story of that sweater?

I had a lot of leftover colourful yarn and started to make something from it, and I was writing down what I was doing at each stage. I then wrote it up into a proper pattern and now sell it in order to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

What is your favorite project you've ever made?

That changes each time I make something, but if I had to choose something, I was so chuffed with my Mum's scarf, as it was the first thing I ever made.

Do you have any techniques, tools are yarns that are your favourites right now?

I am always experimenting with new yarns, new weights, new needles etc. I am not good at yarn subbing and being confident in the amount of yarn I need if I am using something different to the pattern, but I like to try!

Do you have any advice for makers who are just starting out?

Be patient, if it feels really hard at first, you'll get the hang of it!

Patterns in Review, Fall Themed Suit

Not Your Average Granny Square

Lena Skvagerson

When I say the following two words, what does it bring to mind? Granny Squares. Do you think fondly of your time learning to crochet from your dear Granny Gran Gran, making these adorable squares that you can basically construct anything out of? (Think of them as the replicators of yarn.) Or does it make you smell that musty old blanket that was on the basement couch when you were growing up? Perhaps a faint smell of wet dog and microwave french fries? Or maybe it reminds of you of going through your Auntie's stuff before that big garage sale, and the smell of mothballs and cigarettes assault's your nose...

Whatever your association, there are some fabulous new suits this season featuring granny squares fabricated from yarn, as well as the images of granny squares printed as textiles. Granny Gran Gran would be so impressed with where crochet has gone since she was a little fledgling. Gone are the days of shamefully hiding your crochet tuxedo, as yarn has taken a step into the bougie spotlight, as the craft of fame and prosperity.

Take for instance this beautiful seventies fall themed granny square suit. This ensemble includes a jacket, slacks, and a tie, all matching in this fabulous granny square pattern. Did I hear Grany Gran Gran swoon from the grave? Yes, I did. Orange, yellow and brown come together to create the hellish nightmare couch from your dreams... No wait, they actually come together in a beatiful way in this crisp autumn suit straight out your mom's glory days. Think woodstock and hippies meet FASHION!! (Read More...)