Natasha Sills Gritty Knits Interview Gift A-long 2019

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.

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?”

There’s no better feeling than the “a-ha” moment when you solve a difficult design problem. Gauge math, unusual construction, repeats that don’t divide evenly… Sometimes the solution comes after a good night’s sleep. Other times after I put the project down for a year, I pick it up again and suddenly everything that didn’t make sense before makes sense now. I am a problem solver by nature and that is such a satisfying accomplishment each time I work something out.

Seeing people who have knit my previous designs. It blows my mind to think how this thing that used to exist only in my head has now become a part of someone else’s life. It’s such a great feeling to know that the hard work I’ve put into this has paid off, and if I’m being honest, it’s an ego boost too! I am so thankful and flattered every single time someone chooses to make something I have designed. It makes me want to keep going.

Definitely part time. I would do it more if I could, but I have early-onset arthritis and a couple of other health issues. I never have the stamina to do as much as I want. Being my own boss is a way to have fun doing something I love while still being able to set my own deadlines, take time off when I need to, and try to make at least a little cash on the side.

I’m an accessories girl – shawls, hats, gloves, slippers. I have lived my whole life in Texas, and it is H-O-T here. I have very few opportunities to wear sweaters. I prefer to knit smaller items because they’re the only things that are useful to me. Plus the quicker I finish a project, the quicker I can publish. Cranking out several small things is more satisfying than one huge project that takes forever.

 

I knit new designs almost exclusively, with the occasional personal item made for myself. My gift knitting days are over. You want me to knit you something? Ha! No way… but I’ll teach you to knit.

SOCKS! I love sock yarn, and I love wearing socks, but for some reason I’ve never been much of a sock knitter.

I gravitate toward the wild and wacky. I almost always use my own yarn, but occasionally I’ll see something dyed by someone else that I can’t pass up. The last yarn I bought from another dyer was a colorway called The Special from Skein Cocaine. It’s every single color in the world somehow combined into one.

Stay Out of the Forest – It hangs on my shoulders just right without slipping off, the color is so wrong but somehow so right, and I’ve gotten compliments every time I’ve worn it.

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.

I love bright, intense colors. Hot pink is probably my #1, followed by all the other fluorescents.

This is my second year participating in the gift-along and I love it! Of course it’s nice to get a boost in sales, but my favorite part is definitely the camaraderie. It sounds a little cheesy, but it’s heartwarming to see the welcoming attitude of all the designers and participants in the forums. Everyone is so helpful and positive, and that is a very rare thing to find on the internet these days. Ravelry as a whole and this group in particular are refreshingly friendly.

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.