There are some knitters I just can’t stop stalking online, and LauraPNW is one of these! What is she knitting now? What combinations of beautiful yarns and patterns is she putting together? Her beautiful knits and stunning photography make me drool every time, I want to run for my needles and dive through the stash!
I have been watching Laura’s work for years, and she has also done a lot of test-knitting for us, so I was very pleased when she agreed to let us share some of her beautiful work with you.
I’m sure it will inspire you as much as it does me. Laura has kindly answered a few of my questions about her knitting and photography too.
A knitter in the Pacific Northwest
Where do you live (you do such beautiful photography! such great backdrops!)? I live in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula, in a small town called Sequim, WA. On clear days I can look to the north and see Victoria, Canada. I grew up in the Seattle area, and married into Sequim, and I love it. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I don’t think I will ever leave (plus I have a cool job as a biology teacher at the high school here).
Have you been knitting long? I learned to knit about twenty years ago (I was in college). I knit a lot more now than I used to because I appreciate the process a lot more. When I first started it was more about making funky things for all my friends.
You knit many beautiful things for your children – can you tell me about how you pick patterns for them, and how you feel about knitting for them? I love knitting for my 10 year old son more than anyone because he loves his sweaters so much. He literally wears hand knit sweaters everyday to school, and it makes me so happy that I just keep on knitting for him. When he makes requests, it is hard for me to refuse, plus he loves bright fun colors. Soon he will be out of kids sizes and I am excited to have a lot more designs to chose for him. My 4 yo daughter doesn’t appreciate her hand knits as much, but she is smaller and there are so many cute girl things that I find I just knit for her because it is fun, and not because she will necessarily appreciate them.
You said your husband taught you everything you know about photography – could you elaborate? My husband minored in photography in college so when I got my first DSLR he had to show me how to use it and what cool things I could do with it. He has given me different lenses and props for gifts (though I find a pretty much just stick to a 50mm lens at all times). I still have a lot to learn when it comes to photography, but I am happy to keep learning. All of the photos of me are taken by my husband, and I take most of the photos of the kids.
What’s on your to-knit list? Any techniques or big projects you’re planning to tackle? I don’t think I plan my knits too much. I like to decide spur of the moment what to knit and go for it, but sometimes I dream about projects (Celestarium was one of those that I drooled over for a long time before actually attempting it, and it turned out to be quite easy).
I really, really want to knit North Shore (and I am not just saying that because it is a tck pattern!) I love the ocean, trees and mountains because it looks like home, but I don’t like doing colorwork. All those balls of yarn sort of stress me out. I made a little one a few years ago and it turned out all right, and I keep practicing my colorwork, so I think I am about ready to knit myself one.
What yarns are you coveting these days? I seem to have a lot of Colour Adventures, Madelinetosh, Malabrigo, and a growing collection of Sweet Georgia. I think I choose my yarns based on color more than anything else, so although I am drawn to certain dyers, I think I could love any wool.
What a knitter!
Please don’t get the wrong impression – Laura is not on the Tin Can Knits staff! She doesn’t knit exclusively our patterns, you must check out her projects page to browse all the other fabulous projects she has knit – it’s truly inspiring!
Are you ready for Edinburgh Yarn Festival?
We’re launching a new design at EYF this year! And we’re having a giveaway: if you’re one of the first 25 to stop by the booth on Friday or Saturday, you’ll get your copy free!
Tin Can Knits is booth M9 (in the concourse, next to the coffee bar, across from Brooklyn Tweed!). Come by and see the new Mad Colour and Heart On My Sleeve designs. I’m always happy to sign books and chat about your projects, and the booth is shared again this year with Rainbow Heirloom, so there’ll be some scrumptious yarn to pet too!
Knits on display at EYF:
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March 5, 2017 @ 3:14 pm
Wow! So impressed Laura! Beautiful and creative knits! My grandson loves his emarald green (he calls it guacamole) and wears it so much! Thanks! You might inspire me to go back to knitting!
February 28, 2017 @ 2:14 pm
Laura from Sequim . . what a talent! Thanks for giving her space on your blog, totally inspiring. I can really related to her desire to knit Northshore . . it’s all I can do to not cast on right NOW. (ahem, there are just six or seven other WIPs to finish first). But I can pick out colors from my stash . . and maybe swatch a bit . .
February 28, 2017 @ 12:33 pm
Great patterns and beautiful colored yarn. Where can you find these patterns?
On Tue, Feb 28, 2017 at 10:50 AM, Tin Can Knits wrote:
> Emily Wessel posted: “There are some knitters I just can’t stop stalking > online, and LauraPNW is one of these! What is she knitting now? What > combinations of beautiful yarns and patterns is she putting together? Her > beautiful knits and stunning photography make me drool every ” >
March 1, 2017 @ 9:55 am
Hi Teresa – check the Tin Can Knits website: http://www.tincanknits.com
February 28, 2017 @ 11:35 am
Wow, loved everyone of Laura’s projects. Enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing.