Woodland Knits by Stephanie Dosen - interview & giveaway

The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. 

WB Yeats

How true this is and if you've spent any time at all with the delectable miss d, either listening to her music, reading her blog, or knitting her patterns, you'll know as well as I do she's on a mission to open our eyes to her wonder-filled world in the enchanted forest.  If this is your first encounter with Stephanie, then you're in for a treat. Her first book, Woodland Knits, will put a smile on your face. It's inspired by the spirit of the woodland and faerie tales - a magical collection of quirky, amusing and beautiful knits.

Cover with Deer With Little Antlers Hat 

Holiday knitting is definitely on the horizon now, so first up on my needles will be Mr Fox Stole My Heart  - x4, for my four little grandchildren, each in a different colour to reflect their personalities. As well as the one for wee folk there's a larger version, both adorable.

Mr Fox Stole My Heart collar

Mr Fox Stole My Heart scarf

Stephanie has kindly agreed to join us for a chat today and has also donated a copy of her book to a lucky reader. If you'd like a chance to win, all you have to do is join in the conversation and leave a comment on this blog saying which is your favourite design and why. The draw will close at the witching hour on Wednesday, 2 October and the winner's name will be pulled out of the Midsummer Night's Dream hood the following day. However, if you can't wait, you can order your copy here.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Jean  Hello Stephanie and welcome to my bosky den in Wales where I’ve got faerie cakes, made with a secret recipe passed on to me in a dream - berries, angel crisps and some delicious flower nectar tea for us to share.

First thing to catch my eye about your book is the graphic design and how it reflects the contents perfectly. I love the woodland colours and how each design has its own magical leaf, fern or twig border. How much were you involved in this and how important do you think book design is in a pattern book?

Stephanie  Thank you! I was always afraid to put out a book of my designs because I didn’t want it to turn sterile.  A few publishers had approached me previously and I had to turn them down because they wouldn’t give me full artistic control.  I had previously learned in the record industry that when you give that up you are done for!  When Quadrille approached me they just seemed to “get” my vision right away. One of the first things they said was that they want to have little owls all around the book and make it woody and magical.  I was still nervous but I was on board!  I’m excited about how the book turned out.  It ended up being a real collaboration between artists.

Faerie Wings

Jean  You’ve used such a wide variety of gorgeous yarns, so which comes first, the yarn or the design? What are your fave fibres for attracting the attention of wee faerie folks on woodland walks?

Stephanie  I have to admit, it’s really hard for me to choose yarn!  I generally come up with a design and then feel the need to start right away. I will impulsively grab whatever is closest and get to work.  I’m usually too impatient to even go shopping for what I need!  That’s terrible isn’t it?  Good thing I keep my yarn stash positively loaded. I’m a sheep wool maniac. In general I love using wool in tweeds and heathers.  I want my work to look like a Welsh hillside went to Oz on the way to Narnia. 

Catching Butterflies mitts

Jean  If you were setting the mood for a catwalk show of your current collection, what would the story, music, food and colours be?

Stephanie  I think maybe we’d have a midsummer night’s eve setting. It would be twilight. The music would be crickets, forest noises, A little pan flute, jingle bells, owls, harp and branches breaking. We would come out of mist and prowl around a little bit. There would be a tea party and tiny feathers floating in the air.  The food would be nuts and berries and string cheese.  String cheese is fun to eat!

Wanderwillows

Jean  Do you have a muse? If you could chose one notable person from past or present to dress in your designs, who would it be?

Stephanie  Oooh, that’s a toughie. I really only design things because I want them.  I’ve tried to make things for other people but I always miss the mark!  I do work with a sweet little faery though.  She has a harvest dress and her pockets bursting full of ideas and acorns.  She has wild braids and helps me formulate all sorts of things.  My other muse is a grandmother. She sits in a rocking chair and helps me with technical aspects and staying calm.  Her energy is very grounded so I lean on her to keep me from buzzing right out of the ceiling when I get too excited or impatient. I suppose I am very impatient!

Woodland Hoodlet

Jean   Several years ago my son Felix introduced me to your music in your first album, A Lilyfor the Spectre, and I’m so looking forward to Snowbird, your upcoming CD, next spring .  I haven’t come across many people who share with me the twin passions of music and knitting. Can you say a little about any crossovers between the two?

Stephanie  Thank you! I’ve just received the masters for the record and I’m really excited about the way it sounds.  It took over 6 years to get the record to this point and I can’t wait for it to finally be out!  It is very woodsy itself and honest and ethereal.  It’s about animals and wishes and the theme of ghosts runs through it again.  I think music, poetry, painting, dance & design all work together to give us freedom from heaviness that life can sometimes become.  They are the feathers on the bird, the custard in the doughnut.  I’ve always liked the custard part the best.

Faerie Wings

Jean  Tell us a secret?

Stephanie  I obsessively arrange the books on my bookshelf according to height.

Thanks so much Stephanie and good luck to everyone in the draw!

All images © Tiffany Mumford

The drawing is now closed.