This is a design that I began in Spring of 2020. It was knitted in the early days of the pandemic when many, including myself, thought we’d be back to “normal” by the Summer. At the time, I was inspired by Spring colors and a hopeful fresh beginning...and now almost one year later I have those same thoughts. The design itself is a reflection of my love of color, a long-time admiration of mosaic knitting, and a more recent infatuation of textural Japanese knitting stitches.

Q. What’s the significance of the name?

I’ve become a little obsessed with names of small towns in Alabama AND Michigan.

Sometimes (Not Always😂) a name pops up that just makes sense. “Union” is a small town located in both states...but also the word “union” is about melding, joining, and coming together. Seems fitting to me.

Q. So many beautiful kits! What are your personal favorite(s)?

I had the luxury of getting to swatch several color combos...and I want to make EVERY ONE! The kit containing Pinky Swear with Hotsy Totsy, Feather Dusters and Sockeye is in my queue! Then there’s Miss Manners with Wax Poetic and Barely Birch....not to mention Enchantment, Ogre, Gilded Age...both of those have Wintry Mix as a neutral and I’m having a hard time making my final decision. I need to take a class on speed knitting!

Q: Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share that are useful in your making?

Color plays a large role in my process, and my iPad goes hand in hand as a part of this.  Lately I’ve been using the Plucky Knitter App to help me create different color combos. I use the “favorites” section of the App to create my own color pairings. I have the ability to ❤️ a color and it shows up in a list that I can later edit or make adjustments to. If you want to see how two colors look next to each other, or need to see subtle differences between two close colors, then this is a fabulous tool.

Q: What’s on your needles for Winter knitting?

I took a few weeks away from A.Opie Designs for pleasure knitting....I made “Sweater No. 11” by My Favorite Things Knitwear...and currently on my needles is the gorgeous “Pressed Flowers” by Amy Christoffers. I’m using Terra DK and it is stunning.  Must. Finish. This. ASAP so I can wear it! 

Never fear...I’m also in the design cave with so many fun ideas for 2021. Behind me right now...on a table in my office...are quite a few color combos laid out in several different Plucky bases...all designated for various designs in the works. They are calling my name...waiting patiently for me to dive in. I can’t wait to share them!

Q: And we’re guessing you’ve also been up to some wonderful Winter baking…and cooking? 

I have joined the party and discovered hot chocolate bombs! (Look ‘em up on social media.) I ordered the chocolate molds....plus some VERY awesome sprinkles to make them fancy! This is all thanks to Instagram for gently suggesting these items in my feed....hmmmm...do I say thank you, or should I be concerned that they know me so well?

But, It needs to be said...they are so much fun to make and give away. My friends’ children are on a constant sugar high. Oof....sorry about that.