Darlene Swaim, Indie Design Gift A-Long 2019 Interview
Contents
- 1 Darlene Swaim, Indie Design Gift A-Long 2019 Interview
- 1.1 How did you get into knitting/crochet and who taught you?
- 1.2 What made you want to start designing?
- 1.3 What’s you favourite part of the design process?
- 1.4 What inspires you?
- 1.5 Are you a full-time or part-time designer and how does that fit into your life?
- 1.6 Do you have a favourite thing to design and why?
- 1.7 Do you have much time to make things for yourself or for gifting?
- 1.8 If someone knitted or crocheted a gift item for you, what would you love the most?
- 1.9 Do you have a favourite yarn and why?
- 1.10 What’s your favourite of your own designs and what do you love about it?
- 1.11 Is there anything new you can tell us about or a recent design you’d like to chat about?
- 1.12 What’s your favourite colour?
- 1.13 Have you been a participating designer in the Indie Gift Along before and what do you love most about it?
- 1.14 Which Gift Along 2019 designers inspire you and why?
- 1.15 How do people get in touch with you or see more of your work?
Today we’re chatting to knitwear designer Darlene Swaim, aka lotuslady tell us a little about yourself please Darlene.
How did you get into knitting/crochet and who taught you?
My mother taught me how to knit when I was around 8 years old and I taught myself to crochet when I was 11.
What made you want to start designing?
When I was growing up I was influenced by my father always drawing/painting/welding/doing something artistic. My mother did some knitting and weaving. Making things was just a natural thing for me. My desire to design was inspired by my father – I wanted to create things that were my own design, not just someone else’s design. Dad’s work was original, I wanted my own original work.
What’s you favourite part of the design process?
I often design something specific for someone special in mind. I like coming up with a design that I know that person will enjoy. Then there are times that I have design because it just needs to be made, such as the dragon, phoenix and unicorn stockings. I enjoy that feeling I get when the lines come together to make the design just right.
What inspires you?
Caring. Connecting with someone, finding out what they enjoy.
Are you a full-time or part-time designer and how does that fit into your life?
I would say part-time because health issues determine how much energy I have and carpel tunnel determines how much time I can put into actual knitting.
Do you have a favourite thing to design and why?
I love to design stockings. I put the following statements on my stockings bundle page and it really says best how I feel about designing them – “I think of my stockings as an opportunity to make a piece of artwork that reflects a person’s personality. The stockings aren’t just decorations for the season, but decorations/art for the soul.”
Do you have much time to make things for yourself or for gifting?
I like keeping this in balance. I find that if I make time to make something for me, then I enjoy making things for others a whole lot more. I feel overwhelmed if I’m focusing on just making something for others. I have a grandbaby coming in January so I’ve been making things that my daughter requested, but I’ve made sure to balance it out with making a couple of things for myself as well.
If someone knitted or crocheted a gift item for you, what would you love the most?
I do love a good pair of fingerless mitts.
Do you have a favourite yarn and why?
When it comes to making my stocking designs I love to use the Cascade 220 yarn because it’s sturdy and the stockings hold their shape well after blocking. For making something for me, I love yarns with a little silk or cashmere in them.
What’s your favourite of your own designs and what do you love about it?
Oh, this is tough, but I really love the dragon stockings….because they’re dragons. LOL.
Is there anything new you can tell us about or a recent design you’d like to chat about?
I’m hoping to challenge myself in the new year to apply some of my designs to something other than a stocking…such as a bag or a pillow, to design something that can be used year round.
What’s your favourite colour?
Ooh, this one is tough to answer as well because I love playing with colors, but I tend to love purples the most.
Have you been a participating designer in the Indie Gift Along before and what do you love most about it?
Yes, this is my second year as a designer. I love how the main focus is on supporting each other as designers, not on our personal promotion. And there is a lot of support given to the participants as well such as sharing pattern suggestions, but also cheer leading their efforts.
Which Gift Along 2019 designers inspire you and why?
Sarah – Sarah’s designs because her gnomes are bringing joy to so many people.
You – your designs– because your patterns are joyful as well, and you work so hard to be supportive during the GAL.
How do people get in touch with you or see more of your work?
Facebook – Darlene Swaim
Instagram – darleneswaim – darleneswaim
Ravelry pattern store: My design store
Quick links to our shop
Austermann Yarns, Baby Yarns, Debbie Bliss Yarns, Lanas Stop Yarns, Araucania Yarns, Schoeller & Stahl Yarns, Felting Yarns, Noro Yarns, DK Yarns, 4ply Yarns, Aran Yarns, Fur Yarns, James C Brett Yarns, Lion Brand Yarns