Knitting Outside the Swatch and Giveaway

My brilliant friend Kristin Omdahl is at it again with another wonderful book.  Knitting Outside the Swatch: 40 Modern Motifs .  Just take a look at the cover, and you know she is using her super brain to take knitting where it hasn't been again.  The book has 40 motifs ranging from rectangles, hexagons  flowers and circles; and how to make them and join them seamlessly.  Best part is she makes it look easy.  I sat down with Kristin to pick her brain about the book.


1.  I love the concept of the book.  Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration behind it?

Thank you! So many crafts and textiles have modular, geometric join as you go pieces. Crochet motifs, quilting squares and assorted shapes, mosaic tile work, Moroccan tile work, just to name a few that I love! And I thought it was time for knitting to have join as you go motifs, as well. Knitting small pieces can be daunting, so to make this book friendly to people of all skill levels, I made some in rows, not rounds, for those not ready for double pointed needles, with project of a variety of skill levels, so there is room to grow as well. 

2.  A number of the motifs remind me of crochet motifs.  Did your crochet design influence any of the motifs, projects, or construction?

I was inspired by motifs in nature, tile work, crochet, quilting and all sorts of geometric textures that I love and admire.

3. Crocheting motifs together is incredibly common, I love how you show how to pick-up stitches and knit the motifs seamlessly.  It takes the back and forth nature of knitting and turns it on its head to create any shape imaginable.  For knitters not familiar with anything outside the box, what would you recommend they start with? 

The beauty of motifs for me is join as you go. It was very important to me to figure out how to join the motifs as you go, and I am proud that it works as beautifully as it does.

4.  I find inspiration for my designs in my everyday life.  Your designs are so imaginative and creative, do you also find inspiration from your everyday life?  And if so, I want to come along sometime!

Absolutely! I find inspiration EVERYWHERE. If you are a lover of geometry and texture, you can find inspiration in ANYTHING. Robyn, you are welcome in my home any time! I'd love to have you come for a visit! I find inspiration in anything from tile work to broken concrete sidewalks to leaves and trees, flowers, rippling water, anything... really :)

5.  What is coming up next?

I have another secret product from my Wrapture line coming soon. You are going to LOVE it!!!  It hasn't launched just yet but will be within the month. (I am so stinking excited now to see what she has cooked up!)

Interweave kindly gave a copy to giveaway to one of you lucky readers.  To enter, leave a comment (or email me) by Oct 30.  I will pick a winner randomly on Friday.  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you (email, twitter, facebook, ravelry, ect).  Good luck!