Today, I am pleased to have been able to interview Erica Heusser, and read until the end for a chance to win a free pattern! Without further ado, let's get to the interview!
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| Artifact Hat |
First, can you introduce yourself to someone who might not know you and your designs?
Hi! My name is Erica Heusser (Ravelry username ericamay), and I’ve been designing knitting patterns for a little over two years. I create original colorwork patterns, often incorporating natural imagery like animals and plants. I like to design around images and symbols that are meaningful to me, and hope that they resonate with other knitters as well!
How/when did you start designing?
Once I started knitting in 2014, I found that I couldn’t stop! In about a year and a half, I had knit through every pattern that I had saved in my queue. At that point, I started to think about creating my own.
My very first design was the Songbird Mittens, which I had initially considered to be more of an experiment than anything. I posted a photo of them online, and they received a bit of attention, so I went ahead and wrote up the pattern… I started designing for my own enjoyment and to challenge myself, and I’m thrilled to be able to share my patterns with others now too!
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| Songbird Mittens |
My favorite design will probably always be the Songbird Mittens- I remember the thrill of knitting up my own charts for the first time, and the excitement of publishing that first pattern. My Passerine Hat pattern remains the most popular one among knitters - which was a complete surprise to me!
This is your first GAL, right? What are you most looking forward to this GAL?
Yes, this is my first GAL! I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect with the participants as well as the other indie designers. From what I’ve read/heard, it sounds like a wonderful event and a great way for us to come together and support each other!
Are you planning on knitting along with us, or just being a designer?
I am planning to knit along with everyone. I haven’t decided what I’ll be knitting yet, but was excited to see how many designers are participating this year!
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| Passerine Hat |
Oh my, this is a tough question! I have so many favorites! If I had to choose just one, it would probably be Tosh Merino Light - primarily because I would love to have a wide variety of colorways to choose from. Finding just the right color (or colors) is so important to me!
How did you begin knitting?
When I was in grade school, my grandmom taught me to knit garter stitch. I put it aside shortly thereafter, and didn’t pick up my needles again until February of 2014. At that time, a good friend and colleague of mine (who is a knitter) inspired me to re-learn. I had a very demanding job, and found that knitting helped to ground me and take my mind off work in the evenings. A lot of my early projects were lace shawls because I loved the rhythms of lace knitting.
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| Wishmaker Mitts |
I take in everything; I’m constantly looking around for ideas, colors, concepts, etc. I usually start off with an image in mind, do some pencil sketches, and begin to draw up a colorwork chart on the computer. Lately I’ve been focusing mostly on fingerless mitts, because they provide such great little canvases for colorwork! Once the chart is complete, I’ll finalize my yarn choice and knit up a sample. Sometimes it takes multiple samples to really fine-tune the design and fit. The written pattern comes last!
What’s your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part of designing is the first time that I knit from a newly created chart. It’s so much fun to see the chart come to life! (I also love blocking - that’s one of my favorite parts of knitting in general!)
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| Honeylocust Loop |
I work with a tech editor, Katharine Seaman, who has been so thorough and helpful to me in my design process. I have also run test knits, but not for every pattern because many of them are based on the same template.
What was the most complicated pattern you have designed?
I don’t know that any of my patterns are more complicated than others. My Underwing Mitts have a slightly more detailed design, but I wouldn’t say that they are more difficult to knit than the others.
Where can I find you on the internet?
My username on Ravelry is ericamay.
You can find my patterns on Ravelry here: www.ravelry.com/designers/Erica-Heusser
I am also on Instagram as eheusserdesigns
Anything else you would like to add?
I started knitting as a solitary activity, and am beyond grateful for the unexpected benefit of the knitting community, both online and offline. It has been such a gift to make friends and connections with knitters all over the world. I’m thankful to those who have encouraged me throughout this process. And thank you for interviewing me! I feel honored to be included on your blog! :)
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Thank you so much Erica for agreeing to interview for my blog! If you have not seen Erica's designs before, head over to her designer profile, or within the next week, check out her giftalong bundle for the 25% sale!
GIVEAWAY
We have made it to the end of the interview, and it is now time for me to giveaway a pattern from Erica Heusser.
In order to be entered in the giveaway, please post below with the following items by November 26th at midnight PST:
- your ravelry name
- what you would like to see Erica design
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