Designer Jenise Reid on Knitting for a Great Fit

19JanApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

If I had plans to get 2015 off to a rip-roaring start, 2015 had other plans for me. The past ten days have seen my family dealing with a concussion (not mine), a corresponding trip to ER (all’s well), and four cases of full-blown flu (the real deal: high fevers, miserable chills, night sweats… it’s been just awful). The sicker we all got, the more it felt like everything was slowly grinding down to a complete standstill. And it would have, if it hadn’t been for the awesome SpaceCadet team, who stepped in and took over, keeping everything running at the studio, orders and club shipments going out, …and even collecting my family’s medications when we were just too sick to leave the house. I knew Amy, Jade, and Jill were seriously good folk, but I found out just how great they really are this past week.

One thing I haven’t been able to do while I’ve been sick is get to my computer, so I couldn’t share with you this great interview with Jenise Reid, the designer of the January Pullover, or answer your emails about the KAL. So instead of closing the January Pullover kits this past weekend as I’d planned, I’ve decided to extend sales of the kits until January 26 (click here), so that I have the chance to answer your questions and you can get to Jenise a little better.

An Interview with Designer Jenise Reid

Hi Jenise! Let’s start with an introduction: who you are and how long you’ve been knitting and designing.

Hi! I learned to learned to knit back when I was 18, and really wanted to make a little toque for my nephew. I was using a pretty fingering weight yarn, and was annoyed with how very long it took. I don’t think I picked up the needles again till a couple weeks later, but after a couple projects I was hooked. A couple years later I decided to try writing a pattern for one of the sweaters I had made, and before I knew it I was designing and writing patterns full time! That toque took me maybe 6 hours, and somehow I have come to the place where I consider 30 hours of knitting to be normal amount of time to spend knitting something. You could say I have embraced slow!

What inspires your designs? And which of your designs are your favourites?

Everything inspires me – it really just depends on the collection/design. In the case of January Pullover, early last year I decided I wanted to make a whole collection of sweaters, and I was going to make them exactly the way I wanted them. For me, that means skinny yarn, lots of stockinette, and precise shaping. Fit is important, curves are important, though they do make the pattern a little more complex. I am thankful to be releasing the collection myself – each pattern is on the long side to clearly explain what is going on, and if I sent them in to a print publication, they would either simplify the shaping (which makes them fit so perfectly), or over simplify the pattern and make it hard to use/understand.

I tend to love the one I am currently knitting the most, but Falling Leaves definitely has a special place in my heart as my first best-seller. It was the success of that blanket that convinced me that it could be worth while to give knit design a full time try as a business, so the fact that I am designing today is thanks to it!

Tell us about the January Pullover — what makes it special to you?

The fit. This is the first time I have used bust short row shaping in one of my patterns, and I am really impressed with how much it improved the way the sweater hangs. The pattern includes directions on bust shaping for everyone a “C” cup or above, or the short rows can be skipped. As my sister said when she first saw it, it almost looks store bought thanks to the fine yarn and crisp gauge. But when I compare the fit to any store bought sweater, it is obviously superior. You can’t buy knit sweaters with bust shaping!

I think a lot of the reason why handknit sweaters have such a bad reputation is due to the thought that a knitting pattern should take a minimal amount of pages and words. Yes, it is much easier to follow the pattern for a sweater that is just a rectangular box with sleeves stuck onto the sides. You can fit the whole pattern on one page. The trouble is (as a Home Ec teacher expressed it) “Ladies, we are not shaped like refrigerators!”

If you want your sweater to wrap neatly and smoothly around your curves, you need shaping, you need curves, and you need options. The pattern is longer, and a little harder to follow, but when it comes to a sweater that makes you look great, it is so worth it! I tried to make this pattern simple to adjust, and took a good deal of care on the larger end of the sizes. If that boxy sweater makes a size 2 look like a shapeless mass, there isn’t any hope for a size 26! January will still have a tidy drop sleeve, a shapely neckline, and will glide smoothly over those size 26 curves.

One of the reasons January is so flattering is due to the yarn — SpaceCadet Oriana. I have it in a tight gauge that gives it body, and it does a great job of smoothing over little lumps and bumps. The matte sheen to Oriana also helps with this – no shine to magnify wrinkles!

We created a custom colourway for the January Pullover — what is it that drew you to these colours for it? Do you think the sweater would work in any other colours?

Only recently did I decide I actually liked red again – I hadn’t worn anything red for years! This particular shade is just gorgeous, and goes well with everything from denim to charcoal to browns. I love the play between the maroon and rust tones as they fade between each other. I think January’s deep red gives it a calm air, ready to take on anything. For a more playful look, I think Feather would be delightful. For a flexible look that is easy to dress up or down, Dark Skies is the one!

Personally, when I try to pick a color, I tend to dig through my closet and pick out what I think I would wear with the sweater. If I can’t find anything I think would go well, I decide if I love the color enough that it would be worth it to go find and buy something just to match the sweater, or if I should consider a different color. Being more thoughtful about what colors will actually work with the clothes I *already* own has really increased how much I wear my handknits! I actually have a handful of sweaters I made but never wear just because they don’t match anything, and it really bugs me.

What do you enjoy about running a KAL for one of your designs? And what do you do to ensure your knitters have a great experience?

KALs are a highlight for me – I check in a couple times every day, and it is always a lot of fun to discuss color, yarn, techniques and fit. I don’t know many people who knit locally, and I love talking about it!

There are always those knitters who are not a standard size, and I love being able to give advice on how to work with the pattern to get a sweater that fits YOU perfectly! Besides that it is fun to help, I also consider the KALs to be educational for ME — being in touch with what kinds of questions knitters may have, and thinking though fit issues helps me to write a better pattern next time.

So, you live in British Columbia and I know you guys get a lot of snow. How deep is the snow outside your house at the moment?

This year has been a fabulous snow year – I love it! Two days before that photoshoot, we had the largest dump in 48 hrs since the 70’s, about 2 feet. That is my driveway at home – the plows were too busy on the main roads to get any side roads. I think everyone on our street who tried to get out got stuck, and so everyone was digging everyone else out.

I didn’t try to drive anything anywhere – walking was bad enough! (By the way, while I wouldn’t wear a short sleeved sweater out for a long time, January was warm enough to pop out of the house with a shovel for 15 minutes to help dig a car out). Since then, we have had yet another foot or so, but nothing like those two days!

I am such a fan of Jenise’s work and, if you were a part of her Sari Cari KAL last summer, I know you will be too. I’m delighted she chose SpaceCadet Oriana for this design and asked us to create these beautiful kits and, as I said, we’ll be keeping the kits available until January 26th to make up for lost time. Click here to grab yours and get in on the fun!

If you decide to take Jenise’s suggestion and try the January Pullover in either Feather or Dark Skies and order before the end of January 26th, we’ll make sure to dye your yarn in time for the KAL Cast On. Just let us know in the order notes during checkout and we’ll take care of it!

And speaking of lost time, I am on the mend at last but definitely still under the weather, so I’d be really grateful if you’d keep your fingers crossed that I shake this flu off quickly. And virtual cups of tea are allllways gratefully accepted anytime!

Some Truly Wonderful News

05AugApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

If you’ve been following SpaceCadet for a while, you’ll know about my friend Mel of Singlehanded Knits. She’s a designer, a podcaster, a good friend, and hands down one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever known. And I want to share something about her with you.

Now, what you may not have known is that Singlehanded Knits is so named because, several years ago, a coconut falling from its tree landed on Mel’s shoulder, causing serious nerve damage, and she lost the use the of her left arm. Though the circumstances sound almost ridiculous, the reality was devastating, and I know from our conversations, just how hard it was for her. I think many people in the same situation (including me) might have been tempted to just let everything stop. But Mel’s reaction was extraordinary and so inspiring — facing her challenges head on, she refused to be beaten. Instead, she adapted and raised her game — she learned to knit with one hand, she began designing, and she started a blog and her podcast, recorded on the beaches near her home on Kauai, which she called Singlehanded Knits. And the whole time, Mel continued to believe she would one day regain the use of her arm, and worked hard with doctors and physical therapists to make it happen.

This past weekend, she launched a brand-new podcast and a (stunning beautiful) blog. It’s called “With Mel”, and it’s her first step in the process of moving her online presence to a new domain. No longer will she be Singlehanded Knits. And the reason? Well, it’s in the photo below. Can you spot it?

Mel is using both of her arms. She’s using BOTH of her arms!

Now, that’s a small thing in the grand scheme of the world, and I know Mel still has a lot of hard work ahead of her to continue her healing. But it’s also huge. It’s HUGE! When I saw Mel move her left arm during her new podcast, I stopped dead in my tracks and squealed out loud. She can use her arm again!

And when there is an event of true joy like this, I think it’s worth celebrating, don’t you? So this whole post is about nothing more than sharing with you a small miracle, an amazing bit of news to bring a bit of light to your Tuesday morning.

Good morning, everyone. I hope you have a wonderful day!

PS — if you want to add your celebrations to mine, do send Mel your good wishes on her new blog. I know it’d mean the world to her. Aaaaaand that shawl she’s holding in the podcast image I showed you above? She’s doing something seriously cool and collaborative with it on the podcast. Go watch and join in!

Hana Hou Winners …and Gifts for Everyone Else!

19FebApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

We’ve been super busy lately developing some fab new colourways, but I wanted to quickly pull myself away from the dyepots to give you the news that I know a ton of you have been waiting for…

Last week I announced that Mel of Singlehanded Knits had generously given me seven copies of her gorgeous new pattern, Hana Hou (perfect for SpaceCadet Lyra!) to give away to seven lucky readers. So, without further ado, the winners aaaaare…

Andrea (SeCoWi13 on Ravelry)
Dianne (cdccj on Ravelry)
Grace (tully on Ravelry)
Laura (tastefldiversns on Ravelry)
Dawn (Knithemiptera on Ravlery)
Dvora (dvorag on Ravelry)
Robin (pookiemonk on Ravelry)

Congratulations! Mel will be sending each of you your pattern shortly.

So You Didn’t Win? No Worries!

Even if your name’s not up on there in that list, I’ve still got a couple of treats for you! But hurry, they’re for today only.

First, if you click here to join the SingleHanded Knits mailing list today, and Mel will give you $2 off your own copy of Hana Hou. Which is pretty fabulous, and gets you halfway to getting cast on!

And then, to get you the rest of the way to casting on, I’m giving you a coupon code for $5 off SpaceCadet Lyra — the perfect yarn for Hana Hou — which means your Hana Hou pattern is essentially free when you make it in SpaceCadet yarn!

We’ve got a ton of Lyra tied up and ready to dye, but you have to hurry — this is a spur-of-the-moment thing that I just thought of, so the code is good on orders placed today only. To get your $5 off, just click here to choose your colours, and enter the code LyraForHanaHou during check out, and the rest of your Hana Hou pattern will be on me!

New Colourways

And you know I said we’d been hard at work in the studio developing new colourways? It’s a really long process — first there’s the original colour idea, then the development of the recipe, then dyeing up test batches and checking quality, the photography and image editing, and then finally getting the new colouways up on the website.

But our new colours are slowly making their way into the shop, one by one — and I’ll be working on putting a few more of them in later this week and over the weekend. But for now, have a look for fabulous four new shades in Lyra. And, hey, leave a comment and let me know which is your favourite — I’d love to know!

The Yarn Alliance Opens in March

Are you signed up for the Yarn Alliance mailing list? Available to new subscribers only twice a year, the InterStellar Yarn Alliance — the SpaceCadet’s premiere yarn club, known for fabulous fingering yarns, gorgeous colourways, and awesome gifts — will be opening again in March for two weeks only. If you want to be the first to know when it does, click here and get on the Yarn Alliance mailing list!

The Gorgeous, Intricate Designs of Hunter Hammersen

08NovApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

One of the best things about my job is getting to meet our customers and to see what they create with SpaceCadet yarn. We’ll be getting to do just that next weekend at Indie Knit & Spin, and I am sooo looking forward to it.

And one of the other best parts of my job is collaborating with some really fabulous designers (really, sometimes I have to pinch myself when I look at the collection of designs that have been created for SpaceCadet yarn!). And I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to a designer whose work I think you’re going to love..

I had been a fan of Hunter Hammersen‘s stunning botanical knits for a long time before we met. You can see why, can’t you? I’m captivated by the intricacy in her stitch patterns and the delightful details of the construction. Each nature-inspired pattern seems more beautiful than the next.

So I’m afraid went all fan-girl on her when she came into our booth at a show and introduced herself. She handed me her card and, before she even had a chance to say her name, I practically shouted, “You’re Hunter! I LOVE your stuff!” Fortunately for me, she was all grins at that.

Turns out, she’s pretty keen on SpaceCadet too! And to my absolute delight, she’s used our yarn for the very first design in her brand-new book, Ne’er-Do-Well Knits, a delicious little collection of patterns that are both quick and intriguing — perfect for holiday gifts!

(And if you’re in the Yarn Alliance, you’re in for a treat! The parcels went out this week so, as tempting as these patterns are, you just sit tight until your parcel arrives, ok?)

And here’s something to really get excited about: right now, Hunter is running a super fun giveaway –a skein of SpaceCadet Astrid DK yarn in your choice of colours! All you have to do is go and leave a comment on her blog, telling her which SpaceCadet colourway you’d choose for your yarn, and you’re in. But hurry, because entries are open only until the end of today — and you don’t want to miss your chance!

A Collection of Patterns Designed for SpaceCadet Yarn

18OctApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

A designer got in touch with me the other day to share with me a new pattern she was developing in SpaceCadet yarn. I have to tell you, it thrills me down to the ground every time that happens. I absolutely love working with designers and seeing the amazing things they create with my colourways.

So after I finished squeeing over the news of this latest design, my mind began thinking over all the other fabulous patterns that have been created with SpaceCadet yarn… There have been some really spectacular designs. And then I realised, I should gather the whole collection in one easy place, shouldn’t I?

Yes, I bloomin’ well should!

And you know what? As I put them all together on one page, I was kind of blown away by them all over again.

They are all so different and yet each so beautiful in its own way. There are cardigans and jumpers, hats, gloves, scarves. And even one of the most stunning pieces I’ve ever seen: a stunning dress that is both knit and crocheted — and totally show-stopping.

I haven’t even got all the patterns up on the page yet — there are another dozen or so yet to go — but I have so enjoyed the process. I know I say it all the time, but it’s absolutely true: nothing thrills me more than seeing what people make with SpaceCadet yarn. I always have an inkling what the colourways will look like when they’re knitted or crocheted up, but it’s not until someone shares their project that I really know.

And to see them used in something completely new and original? Oh! Even though I had no part in the clever design work (or the all-important number crunching), I can’t help but be thrilled to know that my colours — what I saw in my head and laid down onto the yarn — ended up playing a part in creating something so stunning!

Happy dyer indeed.

Designers, want to work with SpaceCadet yarn? Click here for details of how we can support your new designs.

The Super-Coolest New Stuff from TNNA

05JulApril 14, 2015 By Stephanie

Soooo, did you catch my tweets from TNNA last week? I wanted to share with you guys all the fun of the National Needlearts Association’s annual summer tradeshow because it is absolutely the best knit-industry weekend of the year. The. Best. Weekend.

First, because we get to see all the new patterns, products, and trends that will shape the industry in the coming year. We were shopping for hand-made gifts for the Yarn Alliance and the SpaceMonster Club — and we found some amazing stuff! And second, because everybody that you’ve been wanting to connect with all year is there — every fabulous designer, every big name podcaster, every fantastic dyer — all in one place, hanging out and chatting and knitting in one place. Saturday night at the Hyatt’s bar is like the dream team of knit nights!

It’s always great to see friends like Laura Nelkin, Rebecca Velasquez, Andi Smith (whose new book, Big Foot Knits, has just been released by CoopPress), and the lovely Stacey Trock (do you know, she and I ended up staying up until 3am talking business and generating new ideas!). And so fabulous to finally meet up with long-time online friends like Ruth Garcia-Alcantud of Rock & Purl and Lindsey Stevens of Poetry in Yarn. We ran into the YarnOver Truck girls, who’d just won the TNNA Business Innovation award (and deservedly so!), Edie Eckman, Angela Tong, Meredith Tarasovich-Clark, and Caro Sheridan. We had a blast!

But listen, I want to show you some of the cool new stuff we saw! There were so many fantastic things to see that it was hard to choose, but here are two of my absolute favourites.

The Zoom Loom from Schacht

Oh my stars, this is soooooo addictive! Weaving on this little loom is quick and easy and I just can’t stop. Have you seen my Instagrams and tweets lately? I’ve been weaving Mini-Skeins into little woven squares non-stop ever since we got home!

Don’t you love them? I’m thinking of a scarf… a cowl… a blanket… or maybe an amazing jacket or cape. Wouldn’t it look incredible?

The Capsule from Go Knit

I’m so excited about these! Everyone loves their Go Knit pouches and now the same folks have hit it out the park again with two super-sleek sleeves to hold those littlest notions that are so easy to lose track of (darning needles, anyone?).

I love the crazy-bright colours,the faux crocodile fabric(!), and simple shape. And I’m not the only one — they’ve been getting press all over the place. Amy Singer of Knitty.com couldn’t resist tweeting them up right there from the show floor!

So you can see why I had such a great weekend, can’t you? There are still tons of stuff I haven’t shown you (keep your eyes open, club members!), and some really great collaborations with cool designers that I’m keeping mum about… but, hey, don’t you worry. You know all that good stuff will be heading your way soon!