Fiona Langtry Re-Ve Design Co, Indie Design Gift A-Long 2019 Interview
Contents
- 1 Fiona Langtry Re-Ve Design Co, 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 a good friend of mine, Fiona Langtry of Re-Ve Design Co
Hi! I’m Fiona (known as “Fi”). I design crochet patterns for women, inspired by boho-chic styling. I love styles that are colourful, comfortable and stylish, and you’ll often find that I use a hook that is larger than what is suggested for the yarn!
How did you get into knitting/crochet and who taught you?
My 2 grandmothers were both wonderful knitters and crocheters, yet I don’t know exactly who taught me to knit. I remember my paternal Grandmother, Ruth, trying to teach me to crochet when I was around 10, but it really didn’t “take”. Knitting was my preference, and it stayed that way until I was in my 40s!
I help run a craft group attached to my church each week, and one of our ladies arrived, asking for help to crochet flowers for brooches. She showed us what to do and I took them home to continue making… and haven’t really stopped crocheting ever since!
What made you want to start designing?
Not so much “want”, but I never really loved following a pattern exactly! When I discovered that I had created a beanie that I liked to wear, I figured other people might like the pattern, so I wrote it down, got it Tech Edited, and published.
What’s you favourite part of the design process?
The responses from people when they successfully complete a project using one of my patterns!
If they’re also learning new stitches or techniques, they’ll often exclaim that they wish they’d learnt it 30 years ago (or something).
What inspires you?
The yarn. It is always the driving force towards a pattern. I will often start creating, without any real plan of the final result, but the YARN is the guide. Sometimes, it’s the way the colors work; sometimes, it’s the texture or just what I’m in the mood for.
Are you a full-time or part-time designer and how does that fit into your life?
I am a part-time worker, part-time mother & wife, and part-time designer.
Usually, if I’m crocheting (in the car, in my chair, in a waiting room, wherever), it’s a new design or a test make that’s on my hook… The beauty of crochet is that it’s so portable; but I’ll often have to start a NEW project for traveling with, if my main project has gotten too large.
Do you have a favourite thing to design and why?
Do you have much time to make things for yourself or for gifting?
For gifts, not really, either – most of my family have expressed a distaste for crocheted items.
If someone knitted or crocheted a gift item for you, what would you love the most?
Do you have a favourite yarn and why?
Hmmm, now that is really hard! It really depends on what I’m making!
I love using Malabrigo yarns, because they’re so smooth and never split. But Bendigo Woollen Mills’ cottons are amazing for their drape, colors and softness. I also love working with Crafty Housewife Yarns, Blackwattle Alpaca yarns, and almost anything I can get that is hand spun and/or hand dyed.
What’s your favourite of your own designs and what do you love about it?
The “Valley Beanie” ties with my “EasyFit Mitts” for first place – I love making both these designs, and I also wear them both!
Is there anything new you can tell us about or a recent design you’d like to chat about?
My most recent pattern release is Nessa’s Choice Mitts/Mittens.
Using chunky yarn, these are a really quick make, and the textures within them make them an interesting item to create, too! The pattern was named after a lady called Nessa, who chose a pair of these gloves from a stack of about 20 pairs that I took to a business meeting.
What’s your favourite colour?
For years, I said Burgundy, but it’s been moving more towards Teal nowadays!
Have you been a participating designer in the Indie Gift Along before and what do you love most about it?
This is my 2nd GAL. I only heard about the Gift-a-long last year, and jumped right in! I even earned an Opadoo making other peoples’ designs!
I love that it’s an open opportunity for hundreds of designers to collectively engage with crafters, get to know what people really like making, and also get to know the crafters themselves!
Which Gift Along 2019 designers inspire you and why?
Every designer in the Gift A Long deserves praise! I mean, to have twenty original designs is a major achievement! I am inspired by almost every other design I see; I can’t choose just one.
This year, I’m making a creepy pillow by Darleen Hopkins, a shawl by Margo Bauman… probably more that I haven’t found / chosen yet.
How do people get in touch with you or see more of your work?
Website: https://revedesignco.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/revedesignco
Ravelry pattern store: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/fiona-langtry
Instagram: https://instagram.com/revedesignco
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ReVeDesignCo/
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