Interview: Laura Chau
Today’s Gift-A-Long interview is with Laura Chau. Laura began her designing career while working at a well-known yarn shop in Toronto, Ontario.
How did you get started designing?
I began working in a yarn shop not long after I started knitting seriously in university. I learned a lot while I was there and was inspired to design my own sweater when I couldn’t find the pattern for what I had in my head! That idea was my first self-published pattern, Lucy in the Sky.
What inspires your designs?
I mostly design things that fill a gap in my wardrobe. I do keep an eye out for interesting details and constructions in everything from current fashion to interior design and architecture.
Which comes first – the yarn or the inspiration?
It depends. When I worked in the LYS, I would see lots of different yarns and would try to come up with an idea to use it for. But these days I’m often asked to come up with the idea first and match it with a yarn later, or I’ll need to order yarn for an idea because I don’t have it in my stash!
What characteristics do you try to incorporate in your designs?
I always try to design items that are fun to knit and comfortable to wear. I like stitches that are easy to memorize, so you don’t always have to keep looking at the pattern.
What is your favourite type of item to design?
Definitely sweaters! I love wearing them, I love knitting them.
Your desert island yarn? (if you could only knit with one yarn from now on which would it be?)
Oooh that’s a tough one. I love Koigu.
What’s your “comfort knitting?”
Stockinette sweaters all the way!
Which three GAL designs are top of your list to cast on?
I don’t get to knit much by other people, but I love Light Trails by Suvi Simola and Krewe by Lee Meredith.
Continental or English?
Continental.
What’s the best thing about knitting?
I love that it’s a slow process that builds something bigger. Good metaphor for life, or something. On the practical side, I love that it can be ripped out and started again if you need to!
What’s the one piece of advice you’d like to share with other knitters?
Keep at it and enjoy the process. Don’t settle for making things you don’t like!
Any knitting/designing New Year’s resolutions?
I don’t make a lot of resolutions, but every year I want to be happier and more productive with my work than the year before!
—
View all of Laura’s patterns here. All photos are copyright Laura Chau. All images used by permission.
What is the Gift-A-Long? The GAL is a big knitting and crochet designer promotion with prizes and more than 5,000 people participating in a giant KAL/CAL. Come join the GAL group on Ravelry!