It’s here! Well almost here... my debut
book ‘Faux Taxidermy Knits’ is due for release on the 26th of
September - hurrah!
Faux Taxidermy Knits features 15 wild
knitting patterns split into two sections, wearables and habitat, inspired by
animals you’d love to have as trophies but without all that terrible hunting
business! Ranging from giant specimens, such as the big moose head and tiger
rug, to winter warmers, like the wolf headdress and fox scarf. There are even
some tiny projects you’ll be able to knit up in no time, like the lucky rabbit’s
foot and bear coasters.
So that’s a little bit of information about
the book, but what’s that? You want to hear more? Well you’re in for a treat as
the book’s going on tour! Thanks to Stitch Craft Create, I’ve got some amazing
bloggers who’ll be reviewing the book leading up its release. There will be
giveaways, knitting advice and tutorials, and some have even knitted up their
own versions of my patterns.
There’s so much to look forward to, I
thought I’d cast on by talking about the process of the book and a little about
myself.
The Backstory
For those who don’t know me, I started
knitting a few years ago whilst I was at university. I studied commercial photography
but always felt something was missing. I caught the bug from my sister who was
learning to knit one Christmas. Seeing how immersed she was in her work and the
sense of achievement she got from finishing each row, I couldn’t help but be
jealous. I was given a set of 4mm needles and some forest green yarn and started
learning. I would knit during all my lectures and tutorials. I started with
misshapen garter stitch headbands and holey scarves but with lots of practice
and some lessons from my friends and family, I got better and better and
eventually started designing my own pieces.
I wanted to incorporate my newfound crafty
skills into my photography work; my first project was actually all to do with
hunting. It was the beginning of my affair with knitted taxidermy and I made
several animal scarves, one of which inspired the fox knitting pattern in Faux
Taxidermy Knits.
I then went onto create ‘Wooly Head’, the
photo series featuring six women in knitted wigs. In January 2013 it worked its
way around the internet before being picked up by the national newspapers and
TV production companies. I made my debut on screen appearance on the Alan
Titchmarsh show; I’d hit the big time! I soon returned to the animal world
however, with a commission for faux animal heads for Boden’s A/W press day at
Somerset House.
In the following months, I was commissioned
to make animal heads for the amazing online children’s shop Molly Meg and
exclusive pieces for knitting magazines. The fox knitting pattern was my first
published design. I hadn’t really considered myself a pattern
designer until I saw my work on the printed page; I was so excited, I knew I
wanted to do more. After a few months of designing, an email popped up out of
the blue labeled ‘Content Opportunity’. It was to truly change my world…
The Book
Several phone calls and emails back and
forth resulted in a trip to Torquay for an exciting meeting with the
publishers, F+W Media, where the contract was signed. At the meeting we
discussed and laid out the projects, choosing each creature carefully from the
ideas I’d brought. Throughout all the planning I couldn’t believe what was
happening and I still have to pinch myself now and again to see if it’s real.
I couldn’t wait to get home and start
working, my head was swimming with possibilities. What weight of yarns should I
use, what fibers, what colours? I couldn’t help but enjoy my hours searching
the internet to find the perfect wools, I was like a child in a sweet shop! I
was so lucky enough receive yarn support from amazing companies such as Erika
Knight, Texere, Malabrigo and Brooklyn Tweed (just to name a few). I think the
yarn you choose to design a project really determines the outcome and with such
beautiful materials to work with I knew the patterns would be really special.
During a trip to the Knitting and Stitching
Show, once again indulging in new wools and needles, Mr Sincerely Louise (who
I’d dragged along with me) suggested that I should include my own hand dyed
wools in the book. We took some dyes and yarn home with us and after purchasing
a giant pot and some super precise science scales I began experimenting by
mixing the powders to create the perfect colours. I dyed three colours, two
Aran weights for the moose head and one DK for the crocodile bag. The range
will be available alongside the release of the book, so watch this space.
For my first book deadline I had four
pieces to make up, including the raccoon hat and tiny badger head. To my
delight the publishers loved them and I continued working on the other patterns
with great enthusiasm. I spent months developing patterns, knitting them up,
unraveling them and knitting them up again. I remember the look on Mr.
Sincerely Louise’s face after sheepishly telling him I’d pulled apart two days of
work on the tiger rug so I could knit it chunkier. Leading up to my final
deadline I worked harder than ever before in my life, my hands hurt and I was
in need of some serious sleep. I can assure you they is very little to watch on
TV at 4am.
After all the pieces and text had been sent
to my publishers, I had a little rest. I worked on some private commissions and
my knitting kits. However, I hadn’t finished with the book yet as I’d agreed to
photograph the pieces. By chance, a friend who works as an art director
contacted me whilst I was tearing my hair out planning what to do. He was in
the area and popped over for a cup of tea and quickly offered to help. We
worked together for the next few weeks, drawing up sketches for each shot and
visiting prop houses. The shoot took about three days, with a lot of assistance
from old and new friends and the results were amazing.
I believe this last year has been one of
the best and one of the hardest of my life. I’ve been given the opportunity to
achieve something that I’d only dreamed of since first picking up those 4mm needles.
The support I’ve received from my friends and family and my online followers
has been amazing and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them. I’d like to
thank everybody who’s helped and inspired me!
Signed copies of Faux Taxidermy Knits are
available to pre-order from the Sincerely Louise website in exclusive goodie
bags. Included in the cotton tote bag you’ll find the book, an exclusive bonus
pattern, everything you need for the fox knitting pattern and some badges.
I am very happy for you. The tiger rug is first on my list, well, maybe the moose head, or....
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather!! xx
DeleteIt is the most inspirational and wonderful book that I have seen in ages - I was sent a digital copy from Rosie Johns and can't wait to review it. My boys are dying for me to make something for them!!!
ReplyDeleteThe crocodile bag is just delightful. I will have to check out the blog hop.
ReplyDeletegood luck with the book.....delighted to be able to review it.
ReplyDeleteI have just funder your polar bear coaster....and I've just ordered your faux taxidermy knits from amazon. I was wondering could I please have your permission to hand knit some of your designs in order to sell them for a cancer charity I knitted for in Cardiff? If the answer is no, there's no problem....I'll have a lovely time knitting the items for myself and friends and family. It was just an idea and there is absolutely no obligation to agree. X thank you for your amazing designs!
ReplyDelete