Tops & Toes!

Today I am getting interviewed by Jennifer Tallapaneni of Pieknits about my work in the book, "Tops & Toes"!

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JT: Hi Sarah! Thanks for having me over to your blog. It's so nice to get to learn a little more about great designs! I've always thought your pieces are really cute.

SW: Welcome, Jennifer, and thanks so much! Glad to have you here.

JT: So this was your first book correct? How did it feel to get published? Did you enjoy working with DRG?

SW: Yes, this was my first time being published in a paper & ink book! It is an incredible feeling, holding this book in my hands and seeing my name right there like a real designer! Working with DRG was a very happy experience and something I would definitely do again if given the opportunity!

Diamond Swirl Socks - queue them up!

JT: I saw that you have three designs in this book (Daisy Rib Buttoned Leg Warmers, Diamond Swirl Socks, and Zany Zigzag socks - congrats!). My question is how did you find time, or manage your time to work all three at once?

SW: Wow! Well, I was very excited to have all three of my proposals accepted for the book. As it turns out, I wound up having to knit these projects in a frantic hurry while in the middle of a cross-country move! I was literally working my Diamond Swirl Socks (above) in the car while driving from Florida to Kansas City! I guess it's just a classic case of doing what you have to do to get the job done. But really: is any of us going to complain about having to knit? I think not! :)

JT: Do you have some quick thoughts on the different yarns you used?

SW: I particularly liked working with the Happy Feet (Zany Zigzag Socks) and Jitterbug (Diamond Swirl Socks). These are both great yarns; the Happy Feet is super soft and squishy and is also one of the most affordable sock yarns on the market! The Colinette Jitterbug has amazing yardage - there was enough in one skein to make the large size pair of socks, with even a wee bit left over! The Burly Spun by Brown Sheep was a great choice for legwarmers since it has the insulating properties of wool and knits up quickly since it is such a thick yarn!

Zany Zigzag Socks - queue them up!

JT: I LOVE your Buttoned Leg Warmers (they are going in my queue)! Where did you come up with the concept for those?

SW: Thanks so much! Actually, my dear Seester had the idea of doing a legwarmer that buttons up, because she was walking to work at the time and disliked having to remove her shoes to take her legwarmers on and off! I loved the idea and asked her if she would mind if I designed something using that concept, and she very unselfishly said I could (thanks, Seester)! I absolutely love how they turned out and couldn't be any happier!

Daisy Rib Buttoned Legwarmers - queue them up!

JT: Do you have plans for any more books in your future? What things would you like to tackle next in your design career?

SW: Well, you can look forward to seeing more of my work in this spring's issue of Knitty! I also have a piece due out in an upcoming issue of Yarn Forward. As far as goals, I would absolutely love to see something that I knit in a movie (though that might be considered more of a fantasy, really!) and hope to have my own book deal in the next five years!

That's it for this time, folks! Thanks to Jennifer for stopping by and asking such provocative questions! I hope you all enjoyed the interview! Remember to stop by her blog tomorrow, February 22nd, to find out more about her work in the book!

Till next time,
Sarah