Natasha Sills, Indie Design Gift A-Long 2019 Interview
Contents
- 1 Natasha Sills, 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 Natasha Sills of Gritty Knits, who is a crochet designer taking part in the Indie Design Gift A-Long.
Hi there! My name is Natasha and I am a pattern designer, knitter, crocheter, spinner, and I dye yarn & fiber for my business, Gritty Knits. I live with my husband and our dog in Houston, Texas, USA.
I have a ton of hobbies – I’m one of those people who feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the different crafts. Ideas for new patterns come at me faster than my hands can knit them, so I live in a constant deficit. Maybe I’ll catch up one day when I’m 100.
How did you get into knitting/crochet and who taught you?
My great-grandmother was a crocheter when I was young but I never expressed any interest in learning back then, which is something I regret. I learned to knit in my 20’s from a book – Stitch ‘n’ Bitch by Debbie Stoller. And I’m so glad I did. I had no idea at the time how it would completely take over my life.
What made you want to start designing?
Though I had come up with a few small things over the years, I feel I truly became a designer as a result of becoming a dyer. I was very surprised by the number of people who would come to my fiber festival booth, pick up a ball of yarn, and ask “What can you make with this?” I didn’t realize how many knitters and crocheters relied on samples for inspiration, and how much those samples on display would help my sales. Many of my early designs were made for the sole purpose of showcasing the yarn itself. Then over time as I had more ideas, the designs took on a life of their own. Lately, my thinking has switched from “What can I knit to make people buy this yarn?” to “What yarn should I use that will best fit the pattern I want to write?”
What’s you favourite part of the design process?
What inspires you?
Are you a full-time or part-time designer and how does that fit into your life?
Do you have a favourite thing to design and why?
Do you have much time to make things for yourself or for gifting?
If someone knitted or crocheted a gift item for you, what would you love the most?
Do you have a favourite yarn and why?
What’s your favourite of your own designs and what do you love about it?
Is there anything new you can tell us about or a recent design you’d like to chat about?
I recently caught the brioche bug, and I’m working on a big, squishy brioche shawl right now. I’ve shown a few hints on my instagram, but I think I may keep the overall shape a secret and release it as a mystery knit-along.
What’s your favourite colour?
I love bright, intense colors. Hot pink is probably my #1, followed by all the other fluorescents.
Have you been a participating designer in the Indie Gift Along before and what do you love most about it?
Which Gift Along 2019 designers inspire you and why?
Nina & the moderators! This event has grown to such a gargantuan size, and I know it must take hundreds of hours behind to scenes to organize. Between the KALs & CALs, the games, the questions and answers… this team has its hands full, and they handle it with grace. And still they manage to find time to do their design work. Amazing.
How do people get in touch with you or see more of your work?
Website: https://www.grittyknits.com/
Ravelry pattern store: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/natasha-sills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grittyknits/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grittyknits/yarn-+-fiber/
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