color by kristin

Posted on Posted in book reviews/events, designing, interviews

as you read this today, david and i are driving east toward the berkshires, where i will be deposited in williamstown, MA for the knitter’s review retreat weekend.

since i can’t be home to write, i prepared another book review for you to read while i travel. i thought it appropriate that the author and designer of today’s new book is kristin nicholas, a designer i have long admired. her farm and life in western massachusetts set the stage for the subject of her new book,
Color By Kristin: How to Design Your Own Beautiful Knits.

and what better time of year to focus on color, when, for most of us, the landscape has turned to a more subtle, neutral palette. we knitters are so very lucky to possess a talent which enables us to create our own color landscapes within our private lives and our community. for those of you who’d like to explore designing in color, or want to try color knitting, this book is a great place to start.

in her latest publication, kristin guides the knitting reader first through an autobiographical timeline revealing the development of her design style and the techniques she uses to draw inspiration from her surroundings. she follows up with several lessons about applying color techniques in knitting and design.

for those who are not familiar with the work of kristin nicholas, this book provides a beautiful window into her long and richly-textured career as a designer and illustrator. her complex combinations of color, stitch pattern, and embellishments have been featured in mainstream publications for over two decades; she has also produced numerous books in several different disciplines of the needle arts and maintains an active blog on which she chronicles her daily life. her charming and original home is a magical kingdom; hers is truly a life of artistry.

in addition to guidance on design, kristin’s new book includes a generous selection of color knitting projects, ranging from basic to complex, with embellishments and without. many are garments, but there are plenty of household accessories included as well.

i feel especially lucky and grateful that kristin offered to answer a few interview questions for us today—let’s turn the “microphone” over to her now!

kristin, tell us about your favorite part of putting this book together; was it developing the projects, the autobiography, the illustrations, or choosing the yarns?

There are so many layers to a book—different processes. I’m sure most knitters don’t think about it when they are holding a book. They just think, “oh yeah, it’s a book.” It takes at least 2 years for me to do a book. That’s a long time in a designer’s life. I started this one just after I finished Kristin Knits but in actuality, it had been percolating for over fifteen years. Soho, the publisher of Color by Kristin “got” what I wanted to present. I have known Trisha Malcom, the Publisher at Soho, for over 15 years. She trusted my judgment and style and just let me go and do what I wanted after she accepted the initial Book Proposal. The Art Director, Diane Lamphron, also understood the presentation I was looking for, my concepts and what I am all about.

Back to your question . . . I think the most enjoyable and my favorite part of doing this book was actually the days of photography. I had a specific vision rattling around in my head for Color By Kristin and Soho was willing to go along with it (just so you know, it doesn’t always go this way). I wanted to photograph the projects here at our farmhouse and on our hill. I wanted to show the knitted projects inside my house with my colorful painted walls in the background. They all go together so nicely. John Gruen, the photographer, is a friend of mine and we have worked together many times here photographing my house for various magazines. He also photographed my Kids Embroidery book. I was ecstatic that Diane Lamphron, Soho’s Art Director, hired him to do all the location photography. John has such a lovely eye for light and I think he really captured the projects and the scenes here at our farm beautifully. The whole team was a lot of fun to work with—Diane, John, his Photo Assistant, Julie the Stylist—it was a great two exhausting days but we got the look I had envisioned!

(Oh, and I didn’t do the illustrations—they are illustrations that Soho owns. I have illustrated many of my books but not this time!)

(readers, descriptions and ordering information for all of the above-mentioned books and more can be seen on kristin’s book page)

in writing your autobiographical sections, what new insights did you take away from examining the timeline of your evolution as a designer? did any of it surprise you, such as a newly-remembered influence?

Ohhhh, you like that part, do you?
(yes, very much; especially the 70s photos—i think i have some just like that!)
We wanted to put a personal slant on the book and Diane (the AD) asked me to see if I could find any old pictures of myself. I looked and looked and couldn’t find any. Then one day, I stumbled up a box in the attic, opened it up and there was my life before I left for college in a box! Wow. Talk about flashbacks!
The thing I realized after writing the Introduction which is called A Life in Color is that I have been working on this book all my life. Color by Kristin is about mixing patterns and color together. It started doing that when I learned to sew when I was nine years old and I haven’t looked back! I’m still doing the same thing I did then only now it is with yarn and knitting and all kinds of other designing. And that is pretty neat to think about.

as a designer, a lot of my own work fulfills me in a purely imaginative (and very important) way, while in reality, the pieces i tend to use or wear the most are the more tailored and practical ones.
what kinds of knits would you say you would use or wear the most? which projects satisfy your “fantasy self”?

Oh, you should see my wardrobe!! I live on a sheep farm and I can’t get out the door and into the car without getting some bit of brown stuff on me! Whether it is mud or muck or dogs jumping up and down. I have a really boring wardrobe because it is functional—lots of brown, black, navy, khaki. I’m wearing the same handknit sweaters that I made 20 years ago—that is the ones that were oversized and I can still fit into.

There are lots of accessories in this book and that’s where I tend to be colorful in my wardrobe. I wear colorful scarves, hats and mittens. But truth be told, I have barely any Kristin-made pieces because they all tend to migrate to publishers and magazines. I never have time to knit for myself—I’m always on some kind of deadline.
As for my “fantasy self” I have no clue—I don’t have time to think about that! We have a sheep farm and sell our lamb meat frozen direct to the public and to restaurants so whenever I’m not working on a book or magazine project, I’m juggling one of the balls bouncing around here on our farm.

since many knitspot readers have a big interest in lace, which has quite a different weight and texture from the more solid color work that you present, can you draw a few correlations between these seemingly disparate types of knitting that might give lace knitters a better understanding of the allure of color work?

I have knit lace in my day and I know why people like to do it. Lace knitters like to follow a charted pattern and watch it develop before their eyes. For me it is the same thing with colorwork—following a chart and watching the colorful pattern build up slowly on my needles. Fair Isle knitting is incredibly addicting—just like lace!

One reason I think lace knitters (or cable knitters too) like to work in those techniques is they are afraid of combining colors together themselves. They like the security of picking one color and buying enough for a project. And that is fine.

I know it can be scary to knit with many colors. I frequently see the terror in knitters’ eyes when I teach classes. Color By Kristin has a lot of instruction for learning about working with color. What all knitters have to realize is there is a learning curve to every technique. Everyone starts working on a basic sock or scarf and then they continually add skills as their knitting knowledge progresses. That is the same way it is with working with color. You get better with every project you try!

I suggest knitters start with a small colorful project to get their feet wet. If they make several little different projects each in a different colorway they will feel more confident with their color-aptitude! And it is really SO MUCH FUN!

(don’t you just love her?? hee-hee!)

is there a project you’d like to create some day that is so fantastical, you are still building up the courage to try it?

I have tons of swatches hanging around here in various bags from over 25 years of designing. I want to sew them altogether and make a blanket or two. I think that would be great. But I guess I need a deadline to do it and I also might need a hand or two with the sewing! The swatches are all different sizes so it would be like a giant jigsaw puzzle to get it all to fit together!

kristen, thank you so much for participating in this blog tour and gracing us with an interview. i’m sure i can speak for everyone reading this in wishing you the BEST of luck with your new book and a happy holiday season to you and your family!

we have been speaking today with designer kristin nicholas about her new book, Color By Kristin: How to Design Your Own Beautiful Knits, published by sixth&spring books, new york.

once again, the publisher has generously offered to send a copy of kristin’s new book to one lucky reader. if you’d like to be added to a drawing for a copy of color by kristin, please leave a comment by sunday, november 22nd at 9 pm, telling me you’d like a copy. we’ll announce the winner next week.

155 thoughts on “color by kristin

  1. Yes, I have found lace knitting to be a fun new challenge (I have Anne’s Rivolo on my needles at present), and yes, I am shy about trying color. But Kristen’s comment about color knitting being a similar thrill gets me excited about trying it on what I’d like to do for my next project: mittens a la Kristen!

  2. Hi Anne,
    Here’s wishing you good travels.

    I am one person that is rather intimidated by the idea of combining colours. I would love to see Kristen’s book in person.

    All the best,
    Dawn

  3. Kristin makes one want to knit every color and shade that exsists!

    I just returned from the Berkshires…enjoy your stay…it is beautiful.

  4. Thank you for the review. I hadn’t “met” Kristen yet, and found the interview very interesting.

    Have fun in the Berkshires. It’s a lovely place to visit!

  5. Loved the review of the book. I have had the pleasure of meeting Kristin and she is full of energy. Her color work is inspirational and their lamb stew meat is yummy! Welcome to Williamstown!

  6. Enticing interview. I’m finishing up my first colorwork sweater and was surprised by how much fun I had. Not a social knit – I must count aloud, but I loved how the design grew. Very similar to cross stitching.
    I hope your drive was relaxing and productive. Happy Thursday!

  7. I have long admired Kristen’s bold colour sense. Though I adore colour and spend a lot of time exploring (in spinning, knitting and quilting), I am still hesitant in trying some of the wonderful bold and even unusual combinations she tries…and they all work!!!

    Great interview — many thanks, Anne

  8. I would love to have a copy! I’m totally addicted to color, and I’ve had a hankering to do some fair isle for a while.

  9. I’d love a copy of Kristin’s book – all the colorwork I’ve tried so far has been simple, limited to only 2 colors…but I definitely want to try more!

    Anne – I’m looking forward to meeting you at Trumpet Hill in Albany after turkey day. Safe travels! 🙂

  10. Anne-
    Safe travels and I hope there’s great weather for some lovely walks in the Berkshires! I’d LOVE a copy of Kristin’s book. Thanks for the review!!!

    cheers!

  11. Have a great trip and a wonderful holiday! Thanks for the great review. I’d love to win a copy.

  12. I too am afraid of combining colouring in my knitting and would love to be inspired by Kristen’s book. People think I wear lots of bright colours but in fact I just manage to fool them by wearing a lot of red.

  13. I would love a copy of Kristen’s book. I have been knitting for about 3 years now and am about to take the leap into the world of color knitting.

  14. I love the look of this book. thanks for the interview and the pictures. Enjoy WIlliamstown. It is a lovely area. If you want a different look at the Berkshires, check out North Adams. Mass Moca is a hmmmmm interesting modern art museum located in an old factory. We stayed at the hotel across the street. It was made made from former mill workers homes.(called the Porches).
    I would love to be entered in your drawing:)

  15. I’ve never seen Kristin’s designs before. They’re beautiful…thanks for sharing!

    It’s so fun how the intricate details in colorwork really do make a piece. It is a lot like lace, really, isn’t it?

  16. Since I’ve always wanted to “attempt” to try color in my knitting this book might be the inspiration I need. Please add me to the drawing.

  17. Thanks for the illuminating interview. I’m very timid about color and would love a copy of Kristin’s book to give me more confidence.

  18. What an interesting, sorta scary book! haha Some of the color combinations in the pillow covers are amazing! South American weaving also has some interesting color combinations but nothing like what is in the book! Would love a copy!

    Enjoy the knitting retreat!

  19. Just last year I tried my first color work and it’s so much fun! It’s so interesting to watch the pattern develop as you knit. Thanks for an awesome review! This would be a great book to add to a knitters library.

  20. Anne,
    I’ve been in the mood to do some colorwork all fall. I’d love to see Kristen’s book.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your mom.
    Anne Marie

  21. Pick me please!
    (Sorry for delurking only when I might get a prize, but I read and enjoy your blog every day.)

  22. I would love the book. My fears are not of the mixtures of color but of the process of changing colors while knitting. It’s time to learn!

  23. I love Kristin’s designs and am ready to delve into my first colorwork project. This book would be a great way to do it!

  24. Kristin’s blog, book and knitting are fabulous, I would love a copy of her book. She is very inspirational!

  25. I’d Love a copy of this book; it looks wonderful. Have a great trip and can’t wait to see what you’ve made along the way

  26. Thank you for this wonderful review Anne. I would love to be added to the drawing for the book. These colors are so warm and rich. Happy and safe travels to you and David.

  27. Two of my favorite knitter/designer/writers in one blog post! Sure, I’d like a chance to win Kristin’s book. My daughter is named Kristen, so I think I should win! 🙂

  28. Thank you for giving us some wonderful insights into Kristen’s design process. I read her blog faithfully, and so enjoy her photography and tales of farm life (esp. during lambing season!). Her color sense is so wonderful. I would love a copy of her book.

  29. What a great interview, and how fun to see it this morning while you are on the road. Those oversize pillows have my fingers just itching to learn Fair Isle. Kristin was absolutely right about the reason I stick to single color projects. I’m looking forward to reading this book and seeing what she has to say about learning to combine various colors.

    Have a great trip!

  30. Reading your review and seeing those color images just makes me giddy! That foot stool, those darling little girls in sweaters, those pillows! Can’t you just see those pillows on top of your Rhinebeck blanket? Wow! Hours and hours of reading, re-reading and conjuring pleasure. Clearly I would like to be in the drawing please. I’m also adding this one to my Christmas wish list–what an essential reference tool. Thanks for turning my attention to the book more fully Anne.

  31. Thank you for the book review…now I want a copy! *chuckling* I think my library knows me as the knitting and baking lady with the 30 childrens’ books in every bag. I’m going to go poke around and see if I can put myself on the waiting list for that book. The photos you showed were wonderful, some great kids stuff that is whimsical, and not garrish. The throw pillows really got my eye…never really thought of them as something to knit.

    Enjoy your vacation and your travels!

  32. Enjoyed reading the review of Kristen’s new book. I would love to be the lucky person to get the free copy!

  33. That does look like a great book! I have yet to do fair isle knitting. all those colors scare me. I’m afraid I will end up in a big tangled mess! I’ve done at most 3 colors in stripes, lol. I’m not sure if I’m coordinated enough to do more than that. 🙂

  34. Such a great interview! I have been reading Kristin’s blog for years now and have found it so inspirational and it really feeds my spirit! Onward with colour

  35. Anne, I envy you with your travels to Mass. in the Fall, I know the colors are so beautiful, along with the crisp Autumn breezes..such wonderful sweater weather,,
    I have just read your wonderful review of ‘Kristin’s new book…it is so very inspiring..Myself I love Fair isle…Enjoy your trip..

  36. I would love a copy of Kristin’s new book. I read every word of her blog. It makes me feel happy, as my husband and I spent the first five years of our marriage in the Brattleboro, VT, area just over the border from Kristin’s hill.

  37. Just wanted to say that I LOVE Kirsten’s blog… I read hers as regularly as I do yours. (which is to say every time you all post)
    But don’t enter me in the drawing because I already have a copy. And it IS a great book! I want so bad to make so many of the sweaters and things in the book… even though it’s not my clothing style at all. I think I will have to make a pillow or two and that ottoman though. And the jacket. And maybe a hat or…

  38. I adore Kristen’s designs (and have knitted several of her Classic Elite patterns) so please please please enter me in the drawing!!

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