Interview: Tania Richter
Tania Richter is a both an artist/illustrator and a designer. Her illustration style clearly influences her knitting design work.
How did you get started designing?
I mostly got into designing by accident. About a year ago I was playing around with the Cloud Dragon Scarf pattern and showed it to the Double Knitting group on Ravelry to see what people thought. Turns out there was a large number of people who really liked the pattern, so I decided to release it as a Mystery Knit-along. Everything grew from that!
What inspires your designs?
I’m really inspired by fantasy art and nature.
Which comes first – the yarn or the inspiration?
Typically, the inspiration. I get hit by an idea, sketch it out, and hunt down the perfect yarn to fit the idea. Sometimes the yarn decides it wants to be something else, so there can be some mixing and matching at times
What characteristics do you try to incorporate in your designs?
Unique motifs you can’t find on most knitted pieces. I try to think of designing as doing fiber-based pixel art.
What is your favourite type of item to design?
I love making scarves. They’re one of the best vehicles for showing off double-knit patterns.
Your desert island yarn? (if you could only knit with one yarn from now on which would it be?)
Malabrigo Finito.
What’s your “comfort knitting?”
Big squishy scarves.
Which is your most under-appreciated design?
The Winter’s Ward Double-Knit Dragon Cowl seemed to fall a little flat.
Which three GAL designs are top of your list to cast on?
Due to some time constraints, I only get to cast on Kate Hepell’s Through the Woods this GAL, but I also want to do Kimberly Golynskiy’s Debra Peacock Tail Shawl and Annie Watts’ Neck Kraken.
Continental or English?
A weird mix of both.
What’s the best thing about knitting?
Getting to wear the finished product!
What’s the one piece of advice you’d like to share with other knitters?
Never be afraid to try new techniques.
Any knitting/designing New Year’s resolutions?
Finish the Drachen Jaeger and Sekiryu sweater patterns, actually release a hat pattern.
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View all of Tania’s patterns here. Rise from the Ashes photo copyright Jessica Troy. Remaining photos copyright Tania Richter. 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!