Ep. 164 features German knitwear designer Irina Heemann, who’s known for her creative diagonal constructions and her book “Stricken Ohne Naht.” This interview is a real treat and will definitely challenge what you think is possible in knitting! On top of that, we have two projects to share with you in Under Construction and Bring & Brag. We are also delighted to finally announce the launch of our yarn website artisanfibres.com where you can now view and purchase our Fruity Knitting Sport yarn range.
Stricken Ohne Naht (Seamless Knitting) - Irina Heemann
Irina Heemann is a German designer we met at the SYF last year, where she was teaching workshops on her incredibly innovative techniques. Irina studied fashion and during her master’s, she created a special knitting technique using short and long rows. She also wrote a book about this called Stricken ohne Naht (Seamless Knitting). Since filming our interview, Irina has published a second book called Stricken ohne Naht Duo with matching designs for mothers and their children.
Irina’s designs are inspired by diagonal constructions, so the fabric of her garments lies on the bias, giving them a gorgeous drape and flowing movement. To achieve this, she often works in triangular shapes.
Her construction ideas are truly amazing, sometimes she starts with just one stitch, knits the entire garment diagonally around the body, and finishes with a single stitch, all completely seamless.
Finding Irina Heemann
- Website: www.strickenohnenaht.com
- Instagram: @stricken_ohne_naht
- Books: Stricken Ohne Naht
- Book: Stricken Ohne Naht Duo
Patron Discount
We are also very happy to announce that Irina Heemann is offering Fruity Knitting Patrons a 30% discount off all her self published patterns on Ravelry. This is a very generous offer, so thanks a lot to Irina. Fruity Knitting Patrons can find all discount details here.
Support Fruity Knitting on Patreon
We believe Fruity Knitting makes a meaningful contribution to the world of knitting! Help us continue our work by supporting the show financially with a small monthly donation. Visit patreon.com/fruityknitting and sign up as a Hebridean, Merino or Shetland patron.
Thank you for your support!
Bring & Brag - Low Tide by Unwind Knitwear
I finished the beautiful Low Tide sweater by Unwind Knitwear using the colour Billabong from our Fruity Knitting Sport yarn range. Our yarn works well for the recommended stitch gauge of 23–24 sts per 10 cm, so it’s well suited for this design.
Fruity Knitting Sport - Launching our Yarns!
We have finally launched our yarn website artisanfibres.com! You can now view and order our Fruity Knitting Sport yarn range here:
The colours of our Fruity Knitting Sport range are inspired by our beautiful home, Australia. From the shimmering opals of Coober Pedy to the tranquil waters of a billabong, and the vivid hues of native plants, birds, and cherished childhood memories. Each shade shines on its own, yet blends beautifully with the others.
The blend of 90% Falklands Corriedale and 10% silk, spun in four plies, makes Fruity Knitting Sport a soft, smooth yarn with lovely stitch definition and drape.
Under Construction - Alcoves by Unwind Knitwear
Madeleine is still working on her Alcoves Sweater. It’s a gorgeous cabled sweater designed by Unwind Knitwear especially for our yarn range, Fruity Knitting Sport. Currently, it’s still in the test-knitting phase.
You start with German short-rows combined with the cabled pattern on the back piece and work it until the underarm. Then, you put the back on hold and pick up stitches along the cast-on edge to knit the two front pieces separately before they join together to create the front neckline. Rachel emphasizes that you should pick up your stitches within the cast-on stitches rather than between them. Otherwise, your cable pattern won’t perfectly line up across the shoulder seam!
What we are wearing
Andrea is wearing her Low Tide Sweater by Unwind Knitwear on the couch and her Tegna by Catlin Hunter during the interview. Madeleine is wearing Andrea’s Anne Boleyn by Alice Starmore on the couch.
Credits
- Charpentier: Chaconne for Soprano and Continuo: Sans frayeur dans ce bois, performed by Patricia Petibon, from the album Nouveau Monde – Baroque Arias and Songs, ℗ 2012 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin, Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
- J. S. Bach, The Well Tempered Klavier, Prelude No. 3 in C-Sharp major, BWV 848, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
