Showing posts with label styled by Kristin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label styled by Kristin. Show all posts

A Knitting Wrapsody- Interview With Kristin Omdahl and a Giveaway!

by : MarinadeDesigns
Hello and Happy Tuesday everyone! We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kristin Omdahl about her beautiful new book, A Knitting Wrapsody, as the first stop on her Blog Book Tour! So exciting! Thank you Kristin for letting us be the first!

We've had this book in the shop for a few weeks and, so far, it's been a hit! Here's what she had to say about her new book:

1. JBW- Tell us a little bit about A Knitting Wrapsody.

KO- A Knitting Wrapsody is my debut knitting book. My vision for this book was to take inspiration from other crafts and apply it to knitted shawls, wraps, scarves and skirts. I took inspiration from crochet, weaving, embroidery, fishing, seashells, an oil painting, and more. I also wanted to create garments that can be worn in multiple ways. Most of the pieces in the collection can be worn in a variety of ways. My favorite surprise was that the Arcelia Wrap Skirt looks wonderful as a halter top. I can't wait to wear this top this summer!

2. JBW- What was the most challenging project for you in the book?


KO- The most challenging project in the book was the Sand Dollar Cape. Inspired by sand dollars at the beach, I thought it would be interesting to make a circular cape with overlapping ovals around the outer perimeter to easily weave a belt in and out to cinch the waist while keeping the "sleeves" wide and loose. It is a flattering
silhouette. The challenge is that I started this project at the neckband, and increased outward to the lower edge of the cape. Due to the fact that there is overlapping fabric, the yardage is quite large for this project. And, I was trying to create a fabric and a garment without knowing whether it would work, or even look nice, until it was finished. I was sweating bullets for over 1,800 yards! It wasn't until I bound off that I realized it was a success.


3. JBW- You are a big time crocheter- why did you switch to knitting?

KO- Actually, I taught myself to knit 1 month after teaching myself to crochet, 9 years ago while pregnant with my (now 8 year old) son. I have been publishing knit and crochet patterns for the last 6 years. I think because my first 2 books were crochet, the misconception is that I am only a crocheter. I actually like to do both every day. I work long hours, and think I use different muscles when knitting than crochet, so by switching crafts, my muscles get a break.

4. JBW- I love your DVD's. Is that an important element to the book? If so, why?


KO- For A Knitting Wrapsody, the DVD is a great value ad component of the book. There are some unusual techniques in the projects, and I thought it would be really helpful to offer my help, tips and tricks on the 1-hour DVD workshop to complement the patterns in the book. I love teaching and sharing my love of knitting and crochet with my customers. The DVD workshops are a great way for me to share my crafts more personally with my customers.

5. JBW- What's on your needles (or hook) now?

KO- Well, as far out as I work, I can't give you detailed information on my current projects, but I am working on a new crochet book, so lots of crochet swatches are in my office right now and yarn for a dozenor so projects. I am also working on 2 knit magazine projects -- bothlace -- and due to 2 different magazines for their Fall 2011 issues next week. If I had time to make something for myself right now, I would like to make a beach cover-up and beach tote bag, for this summer, in either hot pink or turquoise blue.

Thanks to all of you for stopping by reading about Kristin's new book today! Kristin has graciously given us a signed copy of her book to giveaway to one lucky reader! If you'd like a chance to win, please leave a comment in this post (one entry per person please) by midnight on Thursday and we will use a random number generator to select the winner! Check back here on Friday to find out who won!

Thank you again, Kristin, for letting us kick off your blog tour for A Knitting Wrapsody- it has been such a pleasure! For those of you interested in hearing more about A Knitting Wrapsody, don't forget to check in on the next several stops on Kristin's Blog Book Tour this week:

3/2- Tune into Knitting Daily TV at Knitting Daily.

3/3- Planet Purl Party Line Live Webchat with Kristin at Planet Purl.

3/4- Smokin' Hot Needles at http://yarnloopie.blogspot.com.

Kristin Omdahl designs knit and crochet garments and patterns under her label KRISTIN, and is the author of "A Knitting Wrapsody" (Interweave, January 2011), "Crochet So Fine" (Interweave, July 2010) and "Wrapped In Crochet" (Interweave, 2008). She appears in every episode of Knitting Daily TV on public television as the show's "Crochet Corner" expert, and she conducts seminars around the country on crochet and in her new DVD workshops, "Crochet Basics and Beyond with Kristin Omdahl" (Interweave 2011) and "Innovative Crochet: Motifs" (Interweave, 2009). Kristin's work has appeared in Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Vogue Knitting, plus books including "Crochet Gifts" (Interweave, 2009) and "Crochet Me" (Interweave, 2007). She enjoys knitting and crocheting in her orchid garden in sunny, Southwest Florida. Check out what's new with Kristin at www.StyledbyKristin.com
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Kristin Omdahl: Self-Taught Master Crocheter

by : Bethany



Hello there! We are excited to have Kristin Omdahl posting here at Jimmy Beans Wool! Not only is she an amazing designer, she's also a good friend! Please enjoy her post and free pattern below!


I taught myself to knit and crochet while living overseas and pregnant with my son 8 years ago. I made many baby layettes and blankets for him during my pregnancy. When he was born, I had an incredible desire to continue knitting and crocheting, but had to find a different outlet - he had more baby blankets than days of the week!

Because I didn’t have access to patterns back then, I had to design my own creations from the very beginning. It was such a blessing in hindsight, because I began my designing career without even knowing it! I submitted 2 designs to magazine publishers and yarn companies shortly thereafter and both were accepted (1 knitting and 1 crochet). Since then, I have published over 200 patterns, 2 crochet books (Wrapped In Crochet, Crochet So Fine), 1 knitting book (A Knitting Wrapsody), 3 DVD workshops and I’m just getting started!

One of the challenges I impose on myself during a new design is how to interpret a texture or beautiful object I find. I live in Southwest Florida and spend a lot of time outdoors, (running and fishing with my son), so my inspirational textures are often the tropical foliage of this area. Palm trees, orchids, waves, birds, alligators, and clouds are some of my muses, to name a few.

The Crochet Flower Shawl is an example of how I challenged myself to recreate a flower garden in a crochet lace shawl. I love the flower motif you see running down the center back of the shawl. I converted these pretty flowers into half-flowers to make a beautiful scalloped, floral border without compromising the flat edge of the side triangles. The shawl is crocheted in separate pieces. The side triangles are really easy and you will memorize the pattern quickly. The motifs are made individually and joined to the triangles’ edges. In the current season of Knitting Daily TV, I demonstrate how to make and assemble this shawl.

The Crochet Flower Shawl can be made with any laceweight yarn. Silk, bamboo, wool, alpaca, and cashmere would all be great choices. I chose a solid color for my project, but the construction of this project would complement a variegated yarn, too. With all the beautiful, hand dyed yarn options available, I think your choices are endless!

While gauge is not critical for this project, if you want your shawl to be close to the size of the sample in the pattern (60” x 25”) you should make a gauge swatch. However, to achieve the gauge of the pattern, please block your swatch. You can wet it down, stretch, pin and let dry. Or, you can steam it, stretch, pin and let dry. The dried measurement is your blocked measurement. Besides achieving gauge, this will also give you a good indication of how the finished fabric will look. If you are happy, continue. If you are not, adjust for a fabric you will love to wear!
Please enjoy this pattern with my compliments! Crochet Flower Shawl Free Pattern
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The above is a guest post from Kristin Omdahl. Kristin designs knit and crochet garments and patterns under her label KRISTIN, and is the author of A Knitting Wrapsody, Crochet so Fine and Wrapped In Crochet. She appears in every episode of Knitting Daily TV on public television as the show's "Crochet Corner" expert, and she conducts seminars around the country on crochet and in her new DVD workshops, "Crochet Basics and Beyond with Kristin Omdahl" and "Innovative Crochet: Motifs". Kristin's work has appeared in magazines such as Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Vogue Knitting, plus books including Crochet Gifts and Crochet Me. She enjoys knitting and crocheting in her orchid garden in sunny, Southwest Florida. Check out what's new with Kristin at www.StyledbyKristin.com.

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