We have really enjoyed collaborating with Katie of Katie Degroff Knits over the past few months, and we thought it would be fun to do a little interview so we can all get to know her a bit better and learn about what inspires the making behind the maker!
We know that as makers, we find creativity through so many avenues, so let's ask Katie a few questions to learn what fuels her creativity not only as a knitter and a knitwear designer!
Q. When did you first learn to knit and who taught you?
I learned to knit 16 years ago from a very good friend that I worked with overnight at an emergency veterinary clinic. He taught me how to be the best at yarn snobbing right from the get-go and is also the reason I am together with my husband, so I have a lot to thank him for! My first project was a tiny scarf for my husband's dachshund and, then being me and doing everything the hardest way possible, I jumped right into a pair of socks.
Q. As you were learning to knit, what was your biggest challenge?
Following a pattern! I am terrible at following directions; I always want to take my own path. Whether it is a knitting pattern, or making a recipe, you name it, I am just awful at following what others say. I even find myself knitting a pattern that I wrote a while ago, and not following my own directions… I will find myself ripping and ripping and thinking, “Why didn’t I just do what I wrote!”
Q. How and when did you decide to design patterns?
I have a design background in Jewelry, specifically working with wire. My designs were featured in over a dozen magazines, including covers. I was very familiar with writing patterns and instructions. This design background, coupled with my history of being a terrible direction follower, made it much easier to create my own designs than to follow others. I would also stalk what everyone was saying about patterns, what they liked, didn’t like, and ways I could make things better.
Q. What are your sources of creative inspiration?
Everything! I will find myself walking through, say, the grocery store, and seeing something and taking a picture because I like the colors or the pattern. Sometimes, a dyer will post a grouping of yarn together and I have no idea what I will do with it yet, but I must have it! And the right idea will always come. I am a big fan of using good old paper and pen, so you will find pieces of paper with little sketches all over my house.
Q. How would you describe your design aesthetic?
In the beginning, I would grab the yarn and see where it took me. Now I find myself looking at the end product before even beginning. A struggle I have had, is not forcing a design. I may have a great idea, and it just may never work out, and that’s ok. I would like to be known for creating designs that are interesting not only in the process, but also very wearable. I find today that there are so many designs out there that you make, turn out gorgeous, and then you find yourself spending half an hour trying to get it to look like the picture while it's on, so wearable is key when I design something.
Q. What influences your color choices and pairings?
Trends play a big part, as there is so much inspiration to see where colors are already placed together. When I first got into knitting, I found the mini skein community, so I have roughly over a thousand minis. (I am probably low in my estimate, shhh, don’t tell my husband and yes, I have a mitered square blanket I started 14 years ago and its only half done). I will dump one of my mini bins and “play” to see what works, what doesn’t, and then go to my stash or dyers' websites to see where those combinations would best fit.
Don’t be afraid to ask! This is not really a secret, but don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something or be ashamed to look it up. Thanks to the internet and all those lovely people who take an extreme amount of time to record all the help and how-to videos out there, we have a world of knowledge at our fingertips.
Q. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not knitting and designing?
I homeschool our two girls (9 and 14), so that takes up most of my days; aside from that, I have supported my husband with all his Naval duties over the last 16 years we have been together. Eight moves, countless duty days, long nights, early mornings, underways, deployments, and the stress, I think has taken more than a few years off of all our lives. The end is near, and my husband is retiring this year, and to say we are all thrilled is an understatement.
On a personal level, I have always loved to read, and just about anything. You can find me almost every night with our doggies and my cat, reading or knitting. We took up hiking, and since buying our home I have a love/hate relationship with home renovations (does anyone want to come and finish sanding doors and painting them for me???).
Q: Where can we find you on the internet?
Instagram: sheltipap
Etsy: katiedegroffknits.etsy.com
Website: www.katiedegroffknits.com
Email: sheltipap1@gmail.com
Check out Katie's newest shawl design featuring our Legacy Sport!
Sample shown is knit in Legacy Sport in Kit 1
by Katie Degroff Knits
Beautifully Broken is a Sport Weight Shawl featuring simple stitch
patterns which mimic the ebb and flow of life. A classic triangle-shaped shawl, simple increases, easy-to-memorize repeats, all while combining three colors in Sport Weight makes for a quick project.
This shawl could easily be worked in a Worsted Weight yarn; just change your needle size to match your yarn (and have more yardage on hand). Beautifully Broken was inspired by the Goo Goo Dolls song, “All That You Are.”
Choose from TEN 3-color kits in three fabulous Sport weight bases!
With 15% off all pre-made kits!
(pattern included)
We hope you have enjoyed meeting the maker behind the designs, and we are looking forward to many more collaborations with Katie in the future!
Happy Making Friends!!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!