Maker of the Week #3 Sydney @Sydsknitss
Welcome to the third instalment of Maker of the Week! This week it’s Sydney from @sydknitts. Her projects are all super cute and the Good News Cardigan is currently at the top of my knits wish list! Enjoy the interview and make sure to follow @sydsknitss!
Hello! My name is Sydney Jessica and I am a twenty year old knitter from Southern California. I'm a junior at UCLA (go Bruins!) majoring in Jewish Studies and History, with plans to be a Professor of Holocaust History in my future!
My crafting journey first began in January 2019 when I was a freshman in college and was having difficulties meeting people with similar interests to my own. One day during work I was distributing posters and happened to come across an advertisement for Crochet Club and knew that I had to join, as I had always wanted to learn. I ended up meeting my two very close friends and learning a new hobby! Knitting has a very close place in my heart. When I first learned how to knit in early August of 2020 with the help of my neighbour, my mother found my late grandmother's old knitting patterns and I loved being able to connect to her in this way. I wish that she was able to teach me how to knit, but I feel like she has in a way!
Favourite kind of crafting?
My favourite craft by far is knitting! I love how you can make so much, from beanies to sweaters. Just the idea of hand-making something is such a lovely feeling, especially gifting it to another individual.
Biggest inspiration?
I would say that my biggest inspiration comes from my personal life: my family, who help me in all of my ventures!! With regards to knitting, my sister lets me know what's currently "in" and my mom helps with sewing in everything! It takes a village :)
Favourite all time project?
My favourite project of all time is my version of the Zipper Sweater by Petite Knit! This was my first time knitting with twisted stitch, Judy's Magic Cast On, and installing a working zipper!
Project you are most proud of?
I think the project that I am most proud of would be my Good News Cardigan, the first pattern that I ever released. From the early stages of casting on, to writing a pattern with different sizes, I learned so much!
Good News Cardigan
Projects on your to do list?
Currently I am working on writing and releasing my own patterns, but I do have a pocket cardigan somewhere on my to-do list! Keep your eyes out for it ;)
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting on their crafting adventure?
Don't give up! I know that it may seem daunting, and there are so many places to start, but I found that the knitting community is always there to help and support you! You may always message me with any questions – I had those same questions when I first started!
Why do you craft?
I love how knitting has truly given me that outlet to express myself and my feelings. Through knitting, I have learned how to manage my anxiety and spin and weave those feelings into something beautiful. I can't imagine what I would be doing without knitting!
Favourite accounts to follow?
I have so many recommendations! I love rachelesparz, Karas.knit.eng, RangerKnits, PetiteKnit, and so many more; they all have such beautiful and talented works!!
Your current project wish list consists of….
Way too many to count! I have Vicky's Vest on my to-do-list for sure – and I would love to continue with writing more patterns (my next pattern, the Amore tee, is in the process of being written).
No 1 yarn?
My favourite yarn company is Wool and the Gang, specifically their Feeling Good Yarn (it's my biggest temptation!). It's making me want to move to London just so I can get the yarn!
Quick fire round!
Knit vs crochet?
Knit always! I wish I could crochet though!
Man made vs natural fibre?
Love those natural fibres!!
Craft indoors vs outdoors?
Outdoors, by the pool or beach!
Chunky yarn vs finer yarn?
Ahh I go back and forth! Right now, thin yarn and 5mm needles only!
Tea vs coffee?
Tea for sure!
Lots of wips vs 1 wip?
You always need more than one wip! ;)
Colour vs neutrals?
I'm too scared to experiment with colours, so neutrals for now! Until someone requests colours haha!
Maker of the Week #1: Madeleine @knit.one.purl.one
The first instalment in the new series Maker of the Week! Meet Madeline from @knit.one.purl.one
Welcome to the new series here at Abbie Knits! Every week, a maker of the week will be featured with the aim of growing our community and celebrating all the lovely crafters who we share our cosy corner of the internet with.
The first maker of the week is Madeleine from @knit.one.purl.one who I’ve had the pleasure of following for some time and along with @maisie.knits, introduced me to the LAD Chunky Merino (for which I will be forever grateful!
I love everything she makes and her work encourages me to try different yarn weights and after seeing her cabled sweater she designed herself, I knew it was something I needed to learn!
Madeleine’s first knitting pattern The Oldenburg Sweater is being released to the world on 03.07.2021 so if you’re looking for a lovely and classic raglan sweater, this could be the perfect project for you! Enjoy getting to know Madeleine, and make sure to give her a follow @knit.one.purl.one ❤
The Oldenburg Sweater - designed by @knit.one.purl.one made with The RE:TREAT yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners.
Hi, I'm Madeleine a knitting obsessed human living in West London, but originally from Wiltshire. By day I'm an accountant, which funds my many evenings of knitting! When I'm not knitting I love to get outside in the countryside for walks, read a good book (oh how I wish I could read AND knit at the same time!) and explore new cities, countries and cultures.
How do you like to craft?
I've tried my hand at most fiber arts going: crochet, weaving, macramé, embroidery, needlepoint, cross stitch and punch needle, but knitting is the one that's really stuck with me since I picked up the needles. I just find it so relaxing once you get into the rhythm of it and love spending hours finding beautiful patterns to knit and deciding which yarn to make them with (I rarely seem to use the suggested one!)
Where did your knitting adventures begin?
Not counting a teddy bear sized scarf my grandma taught me to knit when I was much much younger, my first project was the chunky scarf from Lauren Aston Designs. I had been following her for a while on instagram, just in love with the chunky knits (and her!) and when she launched the beginners scarf kit in April 2018 I snapped one up and gave it a whirl. I was absolutely terrible to start with, it took me at least four attempts to cast on and my tension was all over the place. But I still have and wear the scarf and it just reminds me of how far I've come.
Where do you look for inspiration?
love following loads of different knitters on IG, everyone has such individual and cool styles and there's always elements of people's projects that I love and find inspiring. My most recent jumper was inspired by seeing blue and white striped knits everywhere. The only reason I designed my own pattern for it was because I had some blue yarn already in my stash, but couldn't find an existing pattern that I could use it on and wanted to make.
Favourite ever project?
Do I have to choose?! It's probably a tie between the Clotilde Jumper and the Christmas jumper. Both were challenging pieces where I learnt lots of new techniques. I'm never that scared to try new techniques with knitting as if it goes wrong, it's rarely the end of the world as you can just frog it back (painful but worth it).
Favourite yarn?
It has to be the LAD super chunky merino, it's just so soft and squishy. It was probably all I knitted with for a solid year when I first started, although it means I now have way too many chunky knit jumpers/cardigans (11 at last count), so don't use it as often now!
Favourite accounts?
There are so many, but some that pop to mind are:
@Hive_Kints - she was the one who inspired me to start my knitstagram page
@oshenknits - she has some gorgeous and super original chunky knit patterns
@knitsandbobsbyeve - a mixture of knits and crochets, she seems to be able to make any crochet requests she gets (which really makes me wish I was better at crochet)
@minimalistknitting - for when you feel that your addiction to yarn is getting out of control
Hope you enjoyed the first instalment of this series! If you would like to be featured, please get in touch at abbieknits@gmail.com
Happy crafting,
Abbie xo