In today's Stitch Exchange, we have guest blogger, Emily Wessel of Tin Can Knits, telling us a bit about herself and her designs. She is visiting Verb in just a couple weeks. We adore her patterns and can't wait to meet her in person.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Back to the Bay - by Emily Wessel
I first came to San Francisco for an architecture student placement when I was 19, then returned for work on and off for a few years. The Bay Area is a very special place, and I have a lot of fond memories of my time there - so I can't wait to visit again (and overdose on Zachary's pizza). I am very excited to visit A Verb for Keeping Warm this October for a book signing / trunk show and Pop Blanket Class.
My architectural training gave me skills and inspirations for pattern design. I started publishing patterns in 2009, and in 2011 Alexa and I created Tin Can Knits and published our first book, 9 Months of Knitting, just after I moved to Edinburgh.
Our second book, Pacific Knits, is an ode to my west coast roots, and my most recent book, Handmade in the UK, was inspired by my move to Scotland. The beautiful stone buildings, medieval streets, and picturesque landscapes of my new home inspired this collection of lace garments and accessories, knit in artisan yarns by UK dyers.
I love lace...the myriad of patterns you can create with a few simple stitches is amazing. From crisp geometric lines to voluptuous organic motifs, lace is like painting within a piece of knitted fabric.
I strive to make designs that are simple, yet interesting to knit. My sweater designs often feature a lace element within a simple seamless garment. The lace is high-impact, but the projects are simple and non-fussy to knit and easy to adjust for fit.
At Tin Can Knits we size our designs from baby (0-6 months) to big (4XL), you can start by knitting an adorable baby sweater, and progress to a garment for yourself!
I also love bright and saturated colours! My Pop and Vivid blanket designs are quick-knitting squares in happy rainbows, perfect projects for a BART commute. Want to start one for yourself? Come along to the Pop Blanket Class (Saturday, Oct 12th 3:30 - 5:30pm) and learn all the techniques.
I look forward to visiting A Verb for Keeping Warm and shopping the (very exciting indeed) selection of artisan hand-dyed yarns!
Cheers ~ Emily
------------------------------------
One of my favorite things about my job is learning more about the people we work with and what drives their creative impetus. One of the big questions I have for Emily - will she allow me to introduce her to Little Star Pizza as a comparison to Zachary's Pizza?
We have just received a big shipment of Freia Fibers yarn which would be perfect for the Pop blanket. You know how we love our students! If you are a student in Emily's class, you receive 15% off this fabulous yarn. I'm dying to make one!
Hope to see you soon - and hope you are enjoying Autumn.
Kristine