Welcome Candice of The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers

We’d like you to join us in welcoming Candice English, the brilliant creative behind The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers.  We are so overjoyed to now carry a selection of her yarns at the shop: Squish Fingering, Craggy Tweed DK, and Squish Worsted.  It’s been such a pleasure working with and getting to know Candice!  We hope you’ll find this wonderful post just as inspiring as we have…

 

Your story behind your brand is rooted in history.  How did you get started with fiber arts? What motivated you to start dyeing yarn?

My paternal grandmother did about every fiber art you can imagine, her craft room would put all of us to shame! I grew up doing a lot of cross stitching with her and I think the fiber arts was pretty embedded in me. It wasn’t until my early 20s when a friend taught me to knit, I was pregnant with my daughter and I became immediately obsessed. My Mom, sisters, and cousins are all extremely artistic – they can turn nothing into something beautiful. Whether it’s food, buckskin, wood, painting, beading, we all use an instinctual guide to our art. I knew almost nothing about dyeing yarn besides some plant dyeing I had experimented with, but woke up one day to find myself 30 something years old, working 60 hours a week in a corporate job, never seeing my kids, and my marriage kind of falling apart. I had this vision in my head how to put all of this creative energy I had pent up, and knew my color palette was fairly unique. So I dove head first into creating The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers. It was all out of place of desperation, cultural heritage, instinctual creativity, and a passion for knitting and yarn!

Your yarns are beautiful!  Can you tell us a little more about Squish Fingering, Squish Worsted and Craggy Tweed?

Thank you! Squish Fingering and Squish Worsted are great workhorse yarns. They will basically do just about anything you ask of them. I love them for gift knitting, because they are easy to care for. Craggy Tweed is one of my favorite yarns to knit with, the little tweedy neps are so fun to work up.

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Which patterns do you recommend for these yarns?

There are just so many to choose from these days! My current favorite in my closet and in my queue are Caitlin Hunter’s Ninilchik Swoncho for the Craggy Tweed. I wear that sweater at least three times a week, and I think everyone needs a swoncho! I also have some Squish Fingering stashed away for Caitlin’s Marittimo, it is going to be my Spring time knit! I am also dying to cast on the Nightshift Shawl by Andrea Mowry with some Squish Worsted. Too much to knit, so little time!

When you’re not dyeing, creating and being all around stellar at running your business, what are some of your other passions and/or hobbies?  Knit, crochet, weave or all of the above?

Knitting of course, I still like to cross stitch once in a while and weaving is so relaxing. I am an avid reader and try to get up to the Mountains as much as I can to hike and explore! It’s my happy place.

We’re always looking for pattern inspiration, what’s currently on your needles or in your queue?

Right now I am currently working on the Rug Sweater by Junko Okamoto, not in FDF yarns but I think it’s important that I do some selfish knitting! Also, I’m desperate to knit everything in the new Winter issue of Pom Pom!

Favorite thing to listen to/do while you work and/or knit?

I typically watch TV shows and movies when I am knitting and I have been watching a lot of oldies lately. I think it must be the weather! John Wayne and the Cowboys is my current favorite, Lonesome Dove is another classic I watch every December. I just watched Urban Cowboy for the first time last weekend, now I want to take some two-step lessons! And while working, I typically don’t have a lot of background noise, boring but effective for me to stay focused.

It looks like you’ve had quite the busy last year (we love your studio space!), what’s in store for FDF for next year? 

2018 was such a crazy whirlwind! We have a lot of fun events planned in 2019, our upcoming ones are VKL NYC, Stitches West, another trip to the East Coast in May, and our retreat in June. I am also super excited about some upcoming collaborations in 2019 with my near and dear fiber friends, stay tuned!

We can’t wait for your upcoming announcements!  It’s always such fun and so inspiring to follow along with you on IG – always gorgeous shots of your yarn, projects, and Montana!  Where can our readers find you online?

Thank you! We are so excited to be apart of the Monarch Knitting community!

Instagram @thefarmersdaughterfibers and our website, www.thefarmersdaughterfibers.com

Welcome Marie Greene

We’ve had a crush on Marie Greene’s sweater designs for quite some time; her style is classic yet modern with a focus on everyday wear, which we just love!  So it is with great excitement that we will be hosting her this month at Monarch for two sweater workshops.  Along with her visit, she has designed a special pattern just for us and has graciously taken the time to share a bit about herself…

How did you get started knitting/into fiber arts?

My grandmother taught me to knit when I was about 10 years old and I took to it immediately. I’d always been a crafty kid and loved embroidery and sewing, as well, so I’ve pretty much been a fiber artist as long as I can remember.

What led you to Olive Knits/designing full time?

Prior to pattern design I was a hospital finance project manager (and occasional freelance writer).  I started moonlighting at a yarn shop just to support my hobby, and customers started asking about my sweaters. I’d designed them for myself and had never really written anything down, but was intrigued by the prospect of turning them into patterns. Before I knew it I had a willing team of testers that helped me hit the ground running.

Your sweater designs are so lovely!  Where do you draw inspiration from or what inspires you the most?

I love classic, timeless style with modern features. I draw inspiration from my home near the Oregon coast, from my travels around the world and especially from architecture. I love clean, crisp lines and strategic details that showcase texture. Most of all, I design garments I really want to wear and that work in my wardrobe.

When you’re not traveling and teaching around the world, what are some of your other hobbies/interests?

I love to cook. If I’m really stressed, I’ll lock myself away in the kitchen with a glass of wine and some good music and just chop, simmer and whisk away an evening. Time alone in the kitchen, especially if I don’t have to hurry, is the most soothing thing in the world – it’s serious zen.  I also love learning new things and am constantly on a mission to improve my French speaking skills (I’m really rusty).

What’s your most favorite fibers and colors with which to knit?

Lately I’m on a dusty pink kick, but in general I’m obsessed with grey, yellow and rusty oranges. I’ve loved orange and yellow since I was a child, so it’s really nothing new for me. But as I’ve grown up I lean toward sophisticated versions of these colors.

Current WIPs, FOs or any sneak peeks into what’s next for Olive Knits?

I’ve just finished writing my first book (Seamless Knit Sweaters in 2 Weeks), and have already embarked on book two with my publisher, so right now being an author is consuming the bulk of my time and energy.  That said, I’m working on several new indie projects, including a series of fundamental sweaters for the capsule wardrobe. But I always have twenty designs percolating in my head, and it’s just a matter of needing more hours in the day so I can design and knit them all.

We love taking peeks into people’s knitting & notion bags!  What’s in your notion bag? Or which bags do you like to use?

I love ALL THE BAGS. I think I was born a bag lady. My project bags house everything from extra hair ties to Starbucks instant coffee packets to extra pairs of earrings. You’ll also find ear plugs, ear buds, a Tuft lotion bar (Bay & Olive scent), lipstick, a notebook, Excedrin and and an extra phone charger. (Can you tell I travel a lot?) And of course there are at least two knitting projects and all the useful knitting tidbits I may or may not need.

Favorite thing to listen to/do while you knit … podcast/book/movie/show/etc?

I love to binge listen (or watch) true crime documentaries, Chef’s Table or Food Network Chopped.

You’ve taught countless workshops and classes, do you have any favorites?

I think my favorite class is The Pick-Up Artist. It’s actually quite demanding to teach because it’s so hands-on, but the content is incredibly unique and students always leave SO excited about the new ideas. I think all of my classes are terrific, but that one is just extra special. Ironically, it’s probably the hardest one to teach, too, because there’s so much one-on-one time, but the results are worth it.

Congratulations on your upcoming book!  We bet you’re just so excited!  Any sneak peeks? Where can our readers find details?

Thank you! I’m excited, too. It’s actually already available for preorder: Seamless Knit Sweaters in 2 Weeks

Many thanks to Marie Greene for indulging us on our blog!  We cannot wait for her visit this month.  If you didn’t get a chance to sign-up for her workshops, let us know so we can bring her back next year!  And now for our something fun…

 

 

Welcome Cecelia Campochiaro

We got to chat with the wonderful Cecelia Campochiaro, the designer behind our September projects, the Corrugated Shawl and the Parallelogram Scarf.  She’s also the creator and author of Sequence Knitting: Simple Methods for Creating Complex Reversible Fabrics, a brilliant book that “introduces a radical and simple approach for creating amazing fabrics by working a sequence of stitches over and over again.”  We first met Cecelia while she was touring and teaching with her book and we’re now so pleased to host her here on our blog…

How did you start knitting? Have there been any particularly inspiring instructors along the way?

I learned to knit as a child, but didn’t really knit in earnest until around the year 2000. The most inspiring knitting instruction was surely Elizabeth Zimmerman and her books, especially Knitting Without Tears. It has been a privilege to work with Meg, Cully, Michelle at Schoolhouse Press, who distribute Sequence Knitting. I also took a workshop from Catherine Lowe in the early 2000s which was an amazing time of ahas and learning about what knitting really means.

How did your interest in Sequence Knitting begin, and how has it evolved?

When I was traveling a lot for work and wanted easy knitting, I made Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s One Row Handspun Scarf. It’s a 1-row pattern that repeats a simple sequence of stitches, but the fabric was surprising and beautiful. After that I just started experimenting to see what would happen…

We know your day job is in the tech industry, please tell us about your work and how it might have influenced your love of Sequence Knitting?  

I worked most of my career on microscopes used to inspect computer chips. It was really interesting and involved many different aspects of engineering and science, including the use of algorithms to both control the microscopes and also to interpret the results. I almost called Sequence Knitting “algorithmic knitting” because an algorithm is just a rule, and sequence knitting is about following a rule to make a fabric.

When you’re not working and knitting, what are some of your other passions/hobbies?

Travel, food, photography – there are so many joys to pursue.

Your Instagram account is filled with some amazing travel photographs, is there any place that has inspired you and your knitting?  

I’m not sure if a place has inspired me, but some people I have met on my travel have inspired me a lot. Two notables are Britt-Marie Christoffersson and her incredible geometric fabrics, Marianne Isager and how she uses inspirations randing from African textiles to manhole covers…

What are some of your favorite knitting tools that fill your notions bag?

I really like having sets of the same needles so I can optimize my gauge without changing anything else about the needle except its size. Interchangeable sets are nice, but just having a complete set of 24-inch non-interchangeables is really nice.

What’s currently on your needles and what have been some of your most enjoyable projects?

I’m making a scarf with a beautiful breed-specific yarn from Daughter of a Shepherd. I like projects that play with color or have strong graphic qualities. Colormill is the first pattern I published and I still love that piece and the memory of making it.

Are there any hints about what might lie ahead for you? Perhaps a new book in the works?

I retired from high tech at the end of May and I am focused on the next book, which is all about making marls. It has that element of color play, and I hope I have more to say this coming winter.

Wonderful!  Thanks for being a guest on our blog, Cecelia!  Follow along with her at her website, SequenceKnitting.com.

P.S. Just for fun…

 

 

Welcome Elizabeth Doherty

It’s no secret that our next guest happens to be one of our favorite knitwear designers.  Elizabeth Doherty’s patterns are classic yet modern, tailored, and just so much fun knit.  We’ve had the privilege to get to know her over the years as she has taught several classes at our shop, and we are so glad to now call her a dear friend.  We’re grateful she was able to join us here on our blog…

How did you get started knitting and what led to Blue Bee Studio?

I started knitting a few years after college when I was living in Brooklyn. I had been sewing for a long time, making my own tailored garments, and really enjoyed relatively complex patterns that resulted in clean simple designs. When a local yarn shop owner taught me to knit, I looked at the available knitting patterns, but couldn’t find any designs for sweaters that spoke to me. With a little advice, I was able to transfer from sewing what I knew about the kinds shapes needed to create a garment, and for years I just designed the sweaters I wanted to wear. It wasn’t until I discovered Ravelry that I became aware that there was a whole world of knitting patterns out there, and by then there were ones I wanted to knit!

What’s your favorite part about being a knitwear designer?

I love swatching for new designs. It is a process that captures all of the excitement of a cast-on while exploring new shapes, textures, colors, and so on. I really like all parts of the design process, and even find grading a pattern to be very satisfying. I love creating a comprehensive spreadsheet in Excel and seeing how all of the elements are going to work in different sizes.

Your pieces are timeless yet fresh.  We simply admire your designs and overall aesthetic.  Where do you draw your inspiration from or what brings out this style?

While I like to design things that look current, I try to find shapes that will flatter a wide range of body shapes and sizes. I want everyone to feel good in their clothes. When you feel good, you look good—so fit is critical.

My design process is pretty organic. There are so many choices made in the course of a design. When I’m knitting on the current project I often find myself mentally reviewing the roads NOT taken, and coming up with other design ideas that I want to explore.

My desk is covered in quick post-it note sketches that may take years to fully develop into a finished design. For example, the sketch for Bodie was attached to my computer screen for two years before I found the right combination of yarn and stitch patterns to take it further.

When you’re not Re-imagining Set in Sleeves… what are some of your other hobbies/interests?

I love road biking, hiking and paddling my kayak. Each of those activities is meditative in its own way, helping to quiet the constant hum of my mind—but also giving me time for mental knitting, where I am often able to solve design issues.

You have quite the library of designs.  Do you have a favorite or two or maybe one you love to knit again and again?

The design I find myself wearing constantly these days is Helvetica. I’d love to knit myself another Donner, and I could knit Lineate a hundred times and still find it fun!

L to R: Donner, Helvetica, Lineate

 

Current WIPs, FOs, or sneak peeks of future projects?
Right now I am over the moon about my two new designs in Shibui Reed, Westerly and
Westbound. I am loving how quickly these knit up, and one can’t ever have too many linen tees for summer. Both designs share a beautiful self-finished V-neck, yet offer different hem and sleeve options. The elegant braid across the shoulders creates the simplest back neck finish ever—I’m very excited about this detail!

Westerly

Westbound

 

Everyone already knows just how much we love your Bee Bins!  Everything fits so nicely inside, including notion bags. Speaking of… what’s in your notion bag?

Many types of measuring devices and a lot of crochet hooks. I don’t really crochet, but they are infinitely useful. And hair ties!!

You’ve taught countless sweater and linen workshops which we value so much!  What’s in store for Blue Bee Studios in the upcoming season?

This August, I’m super excited to be hosting a knitting and hiking retreat—and it’s practically in my own backyard! This intensive sweater-fitting workshop, called The Muslin Sweater, will be held at the historic Sugar Bowl Lodge in the Northern Sierra. Over five days, participants will learn how to make a perfectly fitted top-down set-in sleeve sweater with asymmetrical armhole shaping. When we aren’t taking measurements, customizing the shaping in the pattern, and knitting, we’ll be out enjoying the beauty of my beloved mountains.

 

Just for fun…

It’s always such fun and so inspiring to follow along with you on social media. Where can our readers find you?

I’m most active on Instagram, where you can find me as bluebeestudio, and you can subscribe to my newsletter at bluebeestudio.com.

Many thanks to Elizabeth for such fun Q&A!  It was such a treat to get some sneak peeks of her two new patterns, Westbound and Westerly, launching the first week of July.  Be sure to follow her on Instagram for those details.

Welcome Brooke Sinnes

When Brooke Sinnes from the beautiful Napa Valley region, came into our shop a few years ago, we were so happy to meet her and her stunning hand-dyed yarns!  We became instant fans.  Naturally dyed, Brooke’s commitment to using locally sourced wool and fibers along with plants from Northern California are what make her yarns truly special.  We’re so lucky to have such talent within driving distance from our shop!  And extremely fortunate that Brooke is teaching her wonderful Natural Dyeing Workshop at Monarch.  We thought it would be a great opportunity to get to know the maker behind her gorgeous brand, Sincere Sheep…

How did you get started with fiber arts? Your story behind Sincere Sheep is so inspiring.  What motivated you to start dyeing yarn?

Initially I taught myself how to knit and crochet when I was about 12 years old.  I kept it up through high school and at some point I must have said to my dad that I was interested in learning how to weave.  The summer between high school and college I lived with my dad in Kansas City, Missouri and he noticed that the Kansas City Art Institute had an intro weaving class so I signed up.  When I graduated college and moved back to Berkeley, California I wanted to keep weaving and found classes at the Richmond Art Center. From there I got interested in spinning and went looking for classes.  The woman who taught me to spin was also teaching natural dye classes so I learned how to do that as well.

It was through the discussions that happened in those classes that Sincere Sheep was born.  During that time I moved up to St. Helena and was exposed more to the wine industry. Also during that time the Slow Food movement was really gaining steam and I realized that concepts used to market wine and valued in food, such as terroir and local, could be applied to fiber and natural dyes.  Additionally, at that time, American wool prices were really low. Many small sheep farmers in Sonoma County were choosing to compost, store, or even throw away their wool rather than buy the postage required to send their wool to the local wool pool. The price being paid was so low that it wasn’t worth it.  Through my connections made in my spinning and dyeing classes I was able to purchase wool from local farmers and then I would send it to be processed at Yolo Wool Mill that was located just outside Davis. When the yarn and roving came back to me I naturally dyed it and then put the farm name and the sheep’s name on the label. Now, 15 years on, our primary focus remains single-source, breed-specific and custom-made yarns and fibers. The name of the ranch, location and breed is still identified on our label when it is traceable. We offer a diverse selection of custom made products from relationships with California and US wool growers, and small businesses. We buy our products from producers and companies who follow high standards and work in a sustainable way to support the local economy.

Your colors are beautiful!  We love that you source local plants to dye your yarn, what are some of your favorites to dye with?

For my business, because I dye such a large volume, I don’t generally use foraged dyes though I do use some when teaching and for personal experiments.  Locally fennel, Queen Anne’s lace, eucalyptus, and California pepper tree are all abundant and give nice yellows and even oranges, in the case of eucalyptus.  I would love to partner with a local farmer to be able to use locally grown dyes in my work. Right now I have a small dye garden where I grow marigolds, weld, coreopsis, indigo, queen Anne’s lace, calendula, Navajo tea, Hopi sunflowers, artichokes, and madder.  For Sincere Sheep I primarily use extracts since they are more efficient.

When you’re not dyeing, teaching and being an all around rock-star at running your business, what are some of your other passions and/or hobbies? Knit, crochet, weave or all of the above?

Even though knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning etc. have to do with my business I still consider them my hobbies and would love to spend more time doing them!  I really enjoy sewing and all forms of embroidery. Some of my non-textile interests are reading, seeing movies, and gardening. I love to play cards and board games too!

We’re always looking for pattern inspiration, what’s currently on your needles or in your queue?

What isn’t on my needles?!? I am trying to knuckle down and finish some projects before starting anything new.  Right now I am finishing a sample of the Veronika Cardigan by Shannon Cook in Cormo Worsted and the Wildberry Shawl by Annie Rowden and Andrea Mowry in Cormo Sport.  I’m teaching some knitting classes at my local shop in Napa so I will be casting on for a second Bousta Beanie (pattern by Gudrun Johnston) for my stranded knitting class, a Lambda Shawl (pattern by Julia Farwell-Clay) for a class on provisional cast on and short rows, and a Metronome Shawl (pattern by Julia Farwell-Clay) for a class on intarsia.

Wonderful!  We’re so excited to host you this month!  What’s in store for Sincere Sheep this year?  We love sharing events!

My next show is Black Sheep Gathering in Albany, OR at the end of June.  I’m also teaching a series of dye classes at my home studio this summer. This fall I will be a vendor at California Wool and Fiber Festival in Boonville, CA and Lambtown in Dixon, CA. Also in the fall we will open sign ups for our Made Here! 2019 yarn club.

That sounds like a great year ahead!  It’s always such fun and so inspiring to follow along with you on IG + your blog.  Where can our readers find you?

I’m on Instagram as SincereSheep and that is definitely my primary social media outlet.  I’m also on Facebook and Twitter but less regularly. My newsletter subscribers always get the new news first!

So great getting to know more about you, Brooke!  Thanks for indulging all of us – always such a treat! 

Welcome Britt-Marie

Whenever Britt-Marie Brehmer calls us to schedule a visit to show off new yarns, we jump at the chance.  Representing various brands within the fiber industry, Britt-Marie’s expertise and love of textiles helps us to select some great new yarns for the shop.  Much like her aesthetic, she brings a classic yet fresh approach.  We especially love it when she shares current yarns and samples from Shibui Knits!  Along with that, she hosts Shibui Mix parties and has worked besides Sandy Barnes of Shibui in our Stitches West booth.
It’s always so much fun having her in the shop!  We’ve been so fortunate to get to know her over the past couple of years as a yarn rep, and to now call her a dear friend.

Tell us a little about how you got started with fiber arts and becoming a yarn rep?

I can remember my first knitting experience as a 3rd grader in Sweden, growing up with fibers in every corner, but not until now do I realize what a gift this was. I never thought I would be in sales, but I have realized that I’m not really selling, I’m sharing my love of yarn and all that comes with it. The people, the fibers, the knitting and all that other fun it brings.

What’s a day in the life look like for a yarn rep?

Well, I wake up and the first thing (even before coffee) I think about is…what do I knit today??? I knit a lot of samples to better understand the yarns I’m representing, so a lot of time is spent on picking projects for specific yarns. This is also happening when I’m not on the road visiting my stores. I’m so fortunate to be in this business, I really enjoy being with people that share my loved of fibers!

We just love your aesthetic!  What influences your effortlessly chic and sophisticated style?

I believe in “less is more”, even in knitting I apply this to my work. There is so many beautiful yarns available today, and I want the design and the fiber to be happily married.

Knit, crochet or both?  What’s your favorite thing to do while knitting/crocheting?

I have to say knitting, and I love doing this while watching my favorite show on Netflix, having morning coffee with my husband on the patio, or just hanging out with my family. I also need to say that I have not missed one episode of Espace Tricot and Kammebornia podcasts.

What are some of your other passions and/or hobbies?

I love cooking for family and friends, baking bread, and gardening. I have also lately enjoyed taking upholstery classes. One of these days you will see me with chickens, goats and a little barn somewhere in the wine country.

We’re always looking for pattern inspiration, what’s currently on your needles or in your queue?

I will very soon be casting on for Calyx by Elizabeth Doherty using Reed+Twig together, and in my queue I have Thea Colman’s Stillhouse Vest. I’m also planning to make another Cirrus by Nancy O’Connell in Pebble+Cima, it’s such a great piece!!!

What’s in your notion’s bag?  Or what’s your favorite way to carry your projects/notions?

Right now my favorite project bag is from Blue Bee Studio. It’s super cute and handy.

 

It’s always so fun having you in the shop for Shibui Mix parties.  What are some of your favorite Shibui mixes and patterns?

I’m a big fan of Pebble mixed with Cima, Silk Cloud or Lunar. Twig is also one I really like, the drape of this yarn is fabulous. I love them all, so it’s hard to pick favorites.

Now for a bit of fun…

Britt-Marie, thank you so much for being a guest on our blog!  We look forward to hosting you in the shop this month.  

*Dear reader, if you’d like to join Britt-Marie at the shop, we will be hosting her on Saturday, May 19th.  We hope to see you there!*