This week I have a very special treat for ya'll! Amy of Madelinetosh has come to visit us and answered a short interview for all to enjoy.
1. Madelinetosh is such a pretty name. Where did it come from?
Madeline Tosh was my great grandmother. If you go to the Madelinetosh.com website, there is a cool bio about Madeline Tosh.
2. Why do you knit?
I knit because it is comforting and relaxing.
3. Do you have any hidden talents or super powers? These could of course be hidden knitting talents or superpowers.
I think my biggest talent is my innate ability to absorb everything around me. I see patterns and colors in everything.
4. If your house was on fire and you could grab only 3 things before leaving, what would they be?
IF… my house was on fire. I would grab all humans, my Pomeranian, and my knitting bag. Everything else is replaceable and hopefully insured??
5. Name one thing you miss about being a kid.
Lack of inhibition and the pure wonderment of new experiences.
6. What’s your worst knitting or dyeing disaster?
The worst disasters often lead to the best colorways. The best example of this is the color Tannehill.
7. How do you come up with the names of your dyed yarns?
Most of the color names come from classic books or movies that influenced me, such as, Marie Antoinette, by the uber talented Sophia Coppola and Jane Eyre, which I have read twice, Moorland anyone? I like all of the colors to have unique names.
8. If you could live and knit anywhere in the world, where would you knit and live?
If I could live anywhere it would probably be London. I lived there in college and have such beautiful memories of my stay . It would also allow me to wear my hand knits more often, but honestly…my heart is in the wide open spaces of Texas.
9. What is your current knitting or yarn dyeing fantasy?
I had to think about that, because I am so fortunate to be doing what I want and love, but I guess it would be to have a barn with 200 acres for my production line. Then I would like to source all of my yarn from small local farmers like I do now with Elsa Wool.
10. And last but not least, if you were to be drinking a cocktail while reading my blog, what would it be?
I would be drinking a gin and tonic with two lime wedges.
Thank you so very much for doing the interview, Amy. It was a treat to have you as our guest! Now, onto the giveaway...
Unfortunately, this time I didn't have any cute models to hold the yarn for me!!! I'm so sorry to disappoint... but I think the yarn did a good job modeling itself this week anyway. Don't ya think?! The beautiful skein of Madelinetosh DK (formerly known as Worsted) above is this week's giveaway. The luxurious colorway is called Fig, and how appropriately named. It is made up of beautiful tones of warm tantalizing browns with touches of deep luscious purple that is reminiscent of figs when ripe and fresh from the tree. Don't be fooled by its subtle shades, I think once this yarn is knit up it will be stunning.
This is the yarn that I have knit with from the Madelinetosh line, and I absolutely love it! I made the Milo Vest using this yarn and I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. The way the colors blend and unite together is truly amazing. I have yet to see any other yarn do this as well as Madelinetosh.
Please remember to mention YarnOnTheHouse if you decide to make a purchase with The Fiber Fix. Vanessa has a nice selection of Madelinetosh yarns in her online store to choose from.
I would like you to do the following if you would like to be entered into this week's giveaway:
1) Have an address in the US to ship the yarn to. If you have a friend or relative that has a US mailing address who is willing to be your shipping sponsor, that will work as well. I will send it to them and they can then forward it on to you.
2) Post a comment on this blog post by the end of Sunday, 3/21/2010, telling us what interview question you would ask. Give me some good ideas for some of the upcoming interviews I have scheduled. What do you want to know? I may end up using some of your questions in the future! If you can't think of anything, that's OK - just answer question #2 above instead and tell us why you knit.
3) Please post only one comment to give everyone a fair chance.
Again, I'll randomly pick the winner on Sunday and post the results on Monday along with the new giveaway, so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone.
Sincerely,
Ve
129 comments:
Nifty interview! I think some interesting questions for the future might ask about techniques they'd been (or are) currently afraid of or hate doing, and perhaps what their favorite FO is and why?
All of this Madelinetosh is gorgeous!
"If you could knit with one element from nature, say a cloud, snow, flower petals, what would it be?"
Another question might be your favorite place to knit?
I have never seen Madelinetosh yarn either, it sounds delicious.
Anne
I knit because it is the only crafy hobby I'm actually good at! I always wanted to be crafty but when I found knitting and could actually manage it, how could I stop?
An interview question i might ask would be is there anything you dislike about knitting?
What was the tipping point for their business that made them realize it was going to be a big success?
What is one thing they'd like to improve/change/add to get to the next level?
I knit because I'm addicted. I can't go a day without doing SOMETHING fiber related. Well, I can, but I get moody. :)
Love the Tosh!
Great interview. I think a great question to ask is "how do you come up with your color inspiration?"
Thanks for giving away yarn week after week!
What pattern/colorway from another designer/dyer do look at and think, "man I wish I had come up with that"?
Who is their favorite designer? What is their favorite finished object? What made them become a designer?
What are their fav inspirations for knitting?
That Fig is absolutely beautiful and would look great on my mother! Maybe I just figured out what to make her for Mama's Day!
Oooh, that Fig color is yummy!
I would ask what one thing about their business endeavor has turned out to be harder than they would have ever expected.
Oooh, that yarn is beautiful! My all time favorite question to ask knitters is how they got started knitting and what was their first knitting project. I love knitting because it keeps my hands busy and I enjoy watching a skien of yarn transform into a beautiful product. The act of creating something with my own two hands makes me feel good.
I would ask a knitting guest what he or she thinks is the most important thing to consider when planning a project as a gift for a good friend or relative, that is, someone they know well.
I think it would be fun to ask interviewees what the most unusual item is that has given them inspiration for a design/color/project, etc. I'm imagining answers like, "When I saw the door nob of an old farmhouse we toured, I just knew it would make a great sock pattern."
What pattern on your wish list is just calling out to be made next? Or is there a yarn that you just can't forget and are dying to use?
Christina H.
Who taught you how to knit and how old were you when you learned how to knit? I personally knit to keep my sanity among 4 small children (soon to be 5). Love the interview, love the yarn.
Other than the job you have now, what is your dream job?
I always love to hear how designers/dyers got their start and what inspires them.
I personally learned to knit as a kid but now I'm just totally addicted. I knit because I have to; knitting/crocheting/spinning/dyeing are my creative outlets, and without them I might kill people. :)
Jess
I follow you on Google/Blogger.
Jess
jessicacook17@hotmail.com
Beautiful yarn! I always wonder what their all time favorite project was that they have knitted.
Mary
I knit because I'm out of work and it allows me to create gifts for my family. They seem to enjoy the gifts and appreciate the time and love it took to create them.
Lovely interview, though you seemed to have scared her with the fire question.
Many of us knit for comfort. A fun question may be: "What's your favorite go to pattern/item when you need to knit during high stress times/when you need a last minute gift/when you just want to grab yarn from you stash and CO feeling like your reconnecting with an old friend?"
Well, I would ask: Where is your favorite knitting haven? Everyone has the perfect relaxing spot to knit! Amanda
I personally knit cause it's useful and relaxing, and it satisfies my urge to be *doing something* during my idle time.
For dyers, it might be interesting to know their favorite colorway of the ones they've come up with.
I might ask someone what yarn they have in their stash that they're saving for a special project - I feel like everyone must have one of these yarns, that seems so special, so perfect, that you've had it for a while because only the perfect project will be worthy of it.
The fig colourway is GORGEOUS!
Fig! Oh my, that's beautiful. I love all of the questions asked and posed here on the comments and can't think of a new one. But I knit to stay sane (as many do). Even just 10 minutes a day helps me chill out and think straight (I have two small ones under 4, so...yeah...) Thanks for the chance to win the yummy fig yarn!
My question: What has been your favorite knitting experience?
Love the yarn & I'm sure I'd find something fun to do with it.
That fig is so pretty!
How about "How many items are currently in your Ravelry queue?"
I knit because it is relaxing and comforting. It also allows for creative expression!
I also have an interview question.
What is one piece of advice you would give beginner knitters?
I'm always interesting in what creative things people do outside of the knitting world. Do they play an instrument? Paint? Sew? Write?
I knit because I love knitted things (although I don't keep many for myself). I also find it relaxing (sometimes) and challenging (many times). I love new challenges.
this yarn is gorgeous! i also have never seen madelinetosh yarn - it looks scrumptious! great interview :) i knit because it calms me - and i love seeing something grow on the needles from start to finish - such an amazing thing!
That yarn looks good, alright!
A question I would love to hear the answer to is what gave them the idea to go from a knitter to a yarn business? Was it a certain project, experiment, or something else?
I would love to ask a dyer what their favorite colorway (of their own yarn) is.
Fig is va va va voom gorgeous and would look lovely on my boyfriend. ;)
Interesting to learn more about the small "works" and where they come from. I knit because it lets me tune out all the other noise going on in life and really focus on something beautiful.
An interview question might be - What pattern have you loved so much you knit it twice?
So pretty!
What's your favorite way to showcase hand-dyed yarn?
I might ask about their favorite yarn, wool, bamboo, silk, etc?
Love that you do this every week, thanks so much ! :))
I've never used the Madelinetosh yarn but I will, if only because I love where the name came from!! (My next kitty will be named after my ggggrandmother "Polly Pickett" I love the history of it all!)
If I was interviewing a knitter, I would ask what their absolute favorite knitting pattern was. (I love the Wonderful Wallaby, it is in many sizes and you can knit many variations)
I loved the interview. I think you've nailed the questions. There fun and educational. Why do I knit - It's cheaper than therapy.
Beautiful yarn!
If you could only knit with one brand of yarn for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I can't think of a question, but I knit to keep myself sane! It calms and relaxes me. I love that I can just pick it up anytime and even find comfort if I can only knit a couple stitches.
Loving your blog. I knit to stay sane. It's something organized, yet creative - allowing for me to be as free-form or pattern following that I want.
As for interview questions, how about what their most satisfying knit was?
Lizbert
Interesting interview. I would ask what would they do if they couldn't knit? Love the Fig colorway!
What is the strangest yarn you have ever knit with?
I would ask: Who had the greatest impact on you becoming the knitter that you are today? I know for me it was a woman I met only a few times but left a lasting impression on me both spiritually as well as physically with the beautiful blanket that lays on my bed.
I would ask something like, "what is the favorite thing you like to make with your own yarn?"
I've never heard of Madelinetosh yarn until today. Looks like it feels like heaven!!
smileygirl on ravelry :)
How about "what knitted gift project was the hardest to give away?"
Hmmm...For an interview question, I think I would ask how being in the "yarn business" in reality stacks up against the fantasy practically all knitters have: to make a living having to do with yarniness--does turning it into work take away some of the fun/hobby aspect?
As far as answer to question 2? Easy one: I knit to get that meditative, "zone" feeling. In other words, so I don't kill people. LOL.
Hmmm...For an interview question, I think I would ask how being in the "yarn business" in reality stacks up against the fantasy practically all knitters have: to make a living having to do with yarniness--does turning it into work take away some of the fun/hobby aspect?
As far as answer to question 2? Easy one: I knit to get that meditative, "zone" feeling. In other words, so I don't kill people. LOL.
I knit because it gives me something to do almost anytime and place and it has brought me a community of people to share a craft and gossip with.
If you could only knit one item over and over, what would it be, or if everything you made had to be only one color what color would it be?
-kc
I knit for three main reasons: it is addictive, I find it relaxing, and I love giving away one of a kind handknits to people. There's really nothing better than that.
The yarn is beautiful! What a treat it would be to win!!
My question would be...is there a type of item which is your favorite to knit?
I knit because it is calming. And it is cheaper than therapy!!
I knit because I love the end products, and I love being able to tell everyone that asks where I got my fab hat/scarf etc. that I made it myself. I'd like to know if any of these long-time knitters are like me and feel compelled to have scarves and hats in every single color of the crayon box so you always have a set that matches whatever you are wearing. Because I feel that way. Truly.
I knit because I can't not knit. Its comforting, feels good and makes me happy.
I would probably ask what was the first item that person knitted and how it turned out. I'd also be interested in how they learned to knit or who taught them or gave them the idea to knit.
Like the interview and I'm looking forward to more.
Lovely yarn! I have personally not knitted from it yet, but would love to.
"What was your favorite 'woo-hoo!' moment - as in, you were trying something new and weren't sure if it was going to work, and it ended up working better than you'd ever dreamed?"
That yarn is wonderful
I loved the interview!!
one question I would as would be "What was your first experience knitting a big project and how did you feel about it?"
The foodie in me wants to know what snack do knitters like to have while they are knitting?
How about some figs? (har har har)
monkalicious on Rav
I knit because I find it calming (mostly). There are those high stress moments---First kitchnered toe, first lace pattern, etc. But I just put down my knitting until I've mustered up the courage and then I jump in. Hey, it's only knitting. I can always rip out and knit it again!
How about asking what someone's favorite or most often worn handknit is?
What kind of background noise (music, tv, radio, etc), if any, do you like to have?
I knit because I wanted something to occupy my hands at work and I love all the beautiful colored yarns I see.
I knit because it's a skill that I can see myself getting better and better at everyday - it's all very visual, and the proof is in the projects! I don't just love to succeed at it, I love to fail at it as well, because each failure is a step towards strengthening my skill. There really is no such thing as failure, in knitting; there are infinite do-overs!
Question for an interview: What finished object has given you the greated amount of pride/pleasure.
Why do I knit? Because I can imagine not doing it! I get incredibly antsy if I go more than a day or so without yarn flowing through my fingers!
Loved the interview. I guess I might ask some favorite techniques, or where they satrted with their knitting. The questions were great though!!
I have never seen Madelinetosh yarns, ooooh but I wanna!!
I have enjoyed the interviews, thus far. I would post two questions: If you were a skein of yarn what would you be? AND What is one knitting/crocheting technique/project that intimidates you? Thanks!
Question?
When you rae knitting and are not liking the result do you frog it our stay the course? What criteria do you use in making this decision?
Well a question I would like to know is: How do some of these folks like their yarn being called "snobby yarns"? I always get a kick out of that term, though I don't use it myself. I just think it's funny and almost judgemental in a way... I mean my yarn likes and dislikes have expanded and changed over time. I was like many and started out with the more affordable and forgiving yarns and then discovered things like Mal, MadTosh and other Indie type dyers... but I still have affordable yarns hanging around that are used... Okay, sorry for rambling... I had to ask a question because I still don't know the answer to #2 for myself! LOL
Oooh, that Fig colorway looks MAHVELOUS!! It appears to be very plush and soft yarn. I really enjoyed the interview and am heading over to her website next!
Kim in IA
I'd love to hear more about local-source yarn--those people need more free advertising!!! I'd also love to read an interview with someone who uses only natural/non-toxic dyes.
That colorway is beautiful!
Nice interview.
I'd ask what their favorite thing to knit is and why.
I think I would want to know what their favorite pattern is...
That yarn is gorgeous - and I've knit with it either...
nhsarab on ravelry
I knit because I need to. It calms me, lets me think, helps me relax, and lets me be creative.
Thanks for another great giveaway. Madelinetosh has been popping up all over the place, and I am excited to (at some point) see it in person.
I agree that I would love to hear more about what their favorite FO is - or pattern. Preferably inexpensive with a link? :) It is neat to 'hear' more from each knitting guru and realize that we all have more in common than we think!
Thanks for the great interview! I've never used Madelinetosh yarns, either, so I'm excited about the chance to win :)
I think a good future interview question might be "What's your favorite music to listen to while knitting?"
"If you were not a yarn artist, what would you be?"
"Many people knit as a hobby. Being a yarn artist is your day job, so what do you do when you need a break from yarn?"
And I knit because I love making things with my hands.
I knit because it makes me feel peaceful, happy and it is something of my own. I love having made something - and watching yarn turn into something.
I guess I would ask if you were a yarn what color would you be? I love this fig color!!!
awww, fig is fabulous and the interview was a ton of fun!! i am always curious where indie dyers and designers get their inspiration.
i would be thrilled to win this lovely yarn!! thanks!
xo,
erika
What a nice interview! Thanks!
I knit because 1) I can, and 2) handknit socks are becoming an adventure with no end in sight :)
I am another one of the knitters who has yet to see Madeline Tosh yarn "in person" - fingers crossed!
quinn on rav
I am anxious to get my hands on some MadelineTosh yarn. It looks so pretty.
I would ask about knitting projects, What came first, the selection of the pattern to knit or did the yarn inspire which project?
It's always neat to read about the designers and dyers and such -and Madelintosh is so so pretty! I just have to say - what a fun blog!!
Thanks again for hosting it!
I would ask...if dyers always start with the colors they love most? And how to they step outside of the box into ones that may not be _their_ favorite, but someone elses? (does that make sense?) I hope so!
I knit because I must.
:)
I'd ask what is the strangest thing they've ever consider crafting with. (for example, for me it is grass--I would love to knit with it!)
I think that I'd want to know what's your favorite item/pattern that you've knit with your yarn.
I knit because I love producing something, hopefully a lovely something. As a teacher, I rarely get to see the my students as adults years later, so its much more about the process than the product. With knitting I try to enjoy every stitch of the process, but the (giving away) the product is the reward.
I don't have a question for you, but I always enjoy the answer to the cocktail question : )
Wonderful interview! I love this colorway, by the way. Gorgeous.
Interview question: "what was the first thing you knit using a pattern? (specifically, what pattern if you remember the name of it.)"
-Dani
Maybe I should actually participate rather than just read along :)
Great interview questions and some really good suggested ones so far.
But I'll answer question 2-I knit for something to do. It's too difficult to read and watch TV at the same time, but if I'm knitting,then I feel like it's not time wasted. And if my hands are busy I can't flip the channels which drives my hubby nuts :)
Lovely!
I knit because its a creative challenge that yields something tangible and useful. And its good quiet fun after a long day.
Beautiful yarn!!!
I like knowing the basic things, like how long a person has been knitting, their favorite things to knit, do they write patterns (and if so, how to begin, etc), where inspiration comes from....
As someone who would like, one day, to make money doing what I love (knitting, sewing), I'd be interested to hear about the business side of it all. I'm not sure that's very interesting to everyone, though!
What led you to owning your own business? Did you just fall in to it? Did you plan for years? How did it come about?
My question would be, who taught you to knit, or how did you learn?
"Do you have any particular type of project that is your go to project?" "Do you ever knit in public, and if so, what do you like to knit in public?"
"Do you fantasize about knitting when you are doing something else?" "Have you knit up any strange or unusual things?"
Love the interview!
Awesome job, Ve!! Very interesting post. And of course, the yarn looks luscious!! Another question might be your fave weight yarn to knit with and why? Or what drew you to knitting?
"How did you get started in the knitting biz?"
what chocolates are recommended for consumption while knitting with madelinetosh yarn?
the fig yarn reminds me of chocolate. and now that thought has taken over my brain. :)
"What was your very first knitting project?"
Would be interesting to see if those who make a business out of yarn started off the same way I am now...
well i don't normally go for browns, but this skein looks wonderfully lustrous. for an interview i'd ask what their design process is like? do they like to use interesting techniques or advanced skills?
thanks!
atthebreakofnoon on rav
The yarn is beautiful. I am always amazed at the beautiful designs that knitters/designers come up with. I think it would be great to know how they start the design process.
great interview.
I would ask "what's at the top of your ravelry que?"
love the interview! lol, gin & tonic... good girl! smile
will have to think of some good q's, but why do i knit? Two reasons really, to help keep my wrist moving. I have bad carpal and it actually helps me. The main reason though, to keep my sanity!
i'd like to know how people design garments that are wearable and flattering. gracias :)
knitmit on ravelry
I like the interview with Amy. My question probably be how they got interested in knitting. I knit for relaxation & the pleasure of seeing the finished project.
Knittingdancer On Ravelry
my question would be "Do you have any good knitting tips?" and I knit to relax. sparky136 on Ralvery
I would ask "Have any tv/movie knits every inspired you?"
Madelinetosh looks great! I'll have to try it!
My question would be:
Do you have any other hobbies that compete with knitting and dyeing? If so, what are they?
Nice interview. The yarn is very lovely too! :)
What finished item are they most proud of? And I think we'd all love photos!
Love the fig colorway! Interview questions I might ask would be, For how long can you not knit before you feel compelled to knit? What's happening with you that tells you you're 'feeling compelled to knit' (aka: yarn withdrawal)? Do you ever knit while at a movie theater? What's your favorite product for washing knit wool? silk? What do you most like to knit for someone else?
knitella on ravelry
For some obsessive reason, I am always interested in the knitting speed of other knitter.
Well, one question could be, "What's your favorite knitting technique?" Or alternatively, "What was the last knitting technique you learned?"
Thanks so much!
Vickyknits on Ravelry
I would love to ask where she gets her inspirations for colors from. I always have a hard time choosing colors for projects and I love to know about the processes and ideas others have for that.
I always like to know from whom each knitter originally learned to knit. As my mother's sister recently said, "You never forget the person who taught you to knit." In my case, it was my mother; she learned from a neighbor, since my grandmother favored quilting and needlepoint over knitting. I love the chain of history behind each knitted piece.
I'd like to hear more about designers methods of dying fiber/yarn.
Madtosh is beautiful. Haven't knit with it yet but I've got a bit in my stash for a couple special projects.
I knit because it's meditative for me and, well, I'm addicted to feeling the yarn move through my fingers.
Wow, that yarn is beautiful!
I'm pretty new to knitting so I always want to ask the more experienced knitters -
1. Where did you learn to knit?
2. What are your suggestions for new knitters?
I knit because I can make beautiful things that are very practical and useful (how much more practical can you get than socks?).
I love the Fig colorway! I can't think of a question, but I knit because it's a way to be creative and carry your creation with you, on your feet or neck or body. :)
"How do you think knitting and fiber arts could save the world?"
Love the yarn! I'm going to answer the question. I knit to relieve stress, and bring joy to myself and those I knit for!!
Thank you
kristin.l.fitzgerald[at]gmail[dot]com
Wow-you've got some great questions already! I knit because it makes me happy and I find it relaxing-most of the time. ;)
A question not asked very frequently is: Where do you see knitting going in the future??
BTW - the fig color looks delish!
How do you break out of a creative block? What is it that gets the creative process going in a new direction when necessary? I always want to know how to start moving in another direction.
I love knitting because it puts me in a state of peace and happiness, and I'm serious here. Along with already planning the next yarn I'll use for my next project :)
I think that I have the same list of things to grab if my house were on fire. Humans, Hounds and my knitting of course. I'm not sure if my boyfriend would agree with my knitting, but hey, like she said "everything else is insured".
The yarn color is beautiful!
What a lovely colourway!
Here's my question... Lots of characters in books have been knitters. The Bennet sisters, the March sisters, Madame LaFarge, the Samurai (in general, I couldn't think of a Samurai in specific off the top of my head.)... If you were having a literary knit night, which characters would you invite?
I knit because I love the process of creating something new. I love the finished product, but I also love learning new things in each pattern I use.
I think a good interview question would be about favorite fibers and (if city laws didn't forbid it, time permitted, etc), which fiber-producing animal you would keep in your backyard. ...For me, perhaps a tossup between a sheep and an alpaca, though after meeting a lady who uses Samoyed fur, I must admit I am intrigued.
The best question related to knitting I've heard was asked of the Yarn Harlot - if you could knit only one more thing what would it be?
Ummm, I suppose what the one object or technique that they haven't attempted but really want to? A lifetime goal if you will.
That yarn looks luscious.
Question: What is your favorite thing to knit as a gift?
I knit because for me it is a zen thing. Definitely relaxing.
Sandie
zaftig2k at yahoo dot com
I'd like to know where the color inspirations come from. I see some really unique and beautiful combos that I would never have crossed my mind before.
I would ask "What knitting project are you currently working on and what color/base/brand are you using?"
gko4 - I knit because it is relaxing - plus it is so creative. I have never seen the Madelinetosh yarn before. It looks beautiful...Might be a good one to finally knit a pair of sox for myself. I seem to give everything I make away.
Post a Comment