Episode 41 – Caitlin Hunter & Wovember

Caitlin Hunter is our interview guest in Episode 41 of the Fruity Knitting Podcast. Caitlin is a relatively new designer on the handknitting scene but brings both qualifications and experience as a professional textiles designer. She released her first knitting pattern in March 2016 but is already gaining recognition as an exciting designer. We get a taste of Russia from Elena, our guest on Knitters of the World, and Valerie Hobbs of Laughingstar Knits brings us her latest design in New Releases. We talk about Wovember, learn about reinforcing steeks, and catch some wildlife on beautiful Bressay, an island just west of mainland Shetland.

Caitlin Hunter – Interview

When people take up knitting it can be a window into learning to appreciate things that take time.

Caitlin Hunter has a degree in apparel design and manufacturing. She worked in manufacturing as a designer before making the transition to become an independent knitwear designer. In the interview she talks about the differences between the two environments, including the change from being one member in a larger team to being the front of a one-person business.

Caitlin’s training and experience show in her designs, which are individual and sophisticated. Her portfolio includes hats and a few scarves, but also a range of sweaters and the Ninilchik Swoncho, a combination between a sweater and a poncho. In addition to being stylish, Caitlin likes her designs to be practical. The Swoncho is loose and easy, but the sleeves keep it in place.

Caitlin works under the label Boyland Knitworks; she lives with her husband and three boys, and the collection of animals on their property also seems to be male, hence the name.  Caitlin is a native Alaskan but now lives in the forests of Oregon. She seems very much at home being active in the wilds, and this seems to drive her preference for wearable clothing.

50% Discount off the Wolfgang Toque by Caitlin Hunter – Boyland Knitworks

Caitlin Hunter and Boyland Knitworks are offering Fruity Knitting Patrons 50% off the newly released Wolfgang Toque. Find out more at our Patreon page. Offer ends 30 November.

Finding Caitlin Hunter and Boyland Knitworks

• boylandknitworks.com
• Ravelry
• Instagram

Asemors Kofte by Sidsel Hoivik

It’s time to cut the steeks! Sidsel recommends reinforcing the steeks with a sewing machine before cutting. Since Andrea hadn’t used this method before she thought she’d give it a go and  made a short film of her doing all the steps.

Finding Sidsel Hoivik

• sidselhoivik.com
• Ravelry
• Instagram

#FruitySteekedKal

Patron Discount – The Woolly Thistle – Jamieson & Smith Yarns

The Woolly Thistle is offering Fruity Knitting Patrons a 15% discount off the following Jamieson & Smith yarns to support our Fruity Steeked Kal. Find full details at the Fruity Knitting Podcast Patreon page. This offer ends 17 November.

• Jamieson & Smith 2-ply balls
• Jamieson & Smith Heritage
• Jamieson & Smith Supreme
• (Does not cover cones or other yarns.)

#ExtremeKnitting on Bressay

On our 2nd last day in Shetland we got to spend a wonderful morning exploring the island of Bressay. It was a stunning day with a bright blue sky and all the wild life came out to play!

Wovember

Wovember was created in 2011 by Kate Davies and Felicity Ford in response to their frustration with the misuse of the terms wool and woolen. Wool and related words have positive connotations for consumers, particularly around winter clothing, and so marketers use these words even when the garments being sold have little or even no wool content. Wovember is a grass-roots initiative to raise awareness of real wool via social media. Louise Scollay of the Knit British audio podcast has joined Felicity Ford in continuing the Wovember mission.

We mentioned an Instagram post by Emma Boyles, the woman behind UK yarn producer The Little Grey Sheep. In her post Emma pointed out that sheep farming plays an important role in protecting UK flora and fauna. You can also hear about the conservation grazing managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in Episode 10.

Finding Emma Boyles

• The Little Grey Sheep
• Instagram

Knitters of the World – Elena

Elena is our Russian guest for this episode. She has a great sense of humor and playfulness which comes out in her knitting projects.

Finding Elena

• Ravelry

Valerie Hobbs of Laughingstar Knits – Meadowbrook Cardigan – New Releases

Indie designer Valerie Hobbs shows us her lasted lace cardigan design – the Meadowbrook Cardigan. Valerie has been knitting for most of her life and has also sewn both as a hobby and professionally. Her designs under the label ‘Laughingstar Knits’are elegant, classical and well thought out.

Finding Valerie

• Ravelry
• Instagram

#FruityBriocheKal

The Simple Brioche Beanie pattern and a video tutorial are available free to Fruity Knitting Patrons.

Music Credits

• J. S. Bach, The Well Tempered Klavier, Prelude No. 3 in C-Sharp major, BWV 848
  performed by Kimiko Ishizaka, used under Creative Commons Attribution license
• Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major Eroica, Op. 55 – IV. Finale Allegro molto, Public Domain
• César Franck, Violin Sonata in A, I. Allegretto ben moderato, performed by Stefano Ligoratti, used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license
• Montana Skies, Tunnels, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license
• Maurice Ravel, Miroirs – III. Une barque sur l’ocean, performed by Robert Ewen Birchall, used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license
• Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky, SouvenirDeFlorence, Op. 70, 1 – AllegroModerato, performed by US Army Strings, Public Domain
• Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, Act I, No.3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Performer: European Archive, Public Domain