Monday 6 August 2012

Kate Heppell/Knit Nerds

This week for Knit Nerds, I've managed to get the lovely Kate Heppell who is the editor of Knit Now magazine; Kate has been editing for just over a year but knitting for a good portion of her life. Here she is:



1.How long have you been knitting and who taught you?
I’ve been knitting since I was about 11. There was a project at school to knit a bear to send off to a charity somewhere, so we all had to learn. I was staying with my Nanny Sylvia (my mum’s mum) and Grandma Alice (Sylvia’s mum) at the time, and they take joint credit for the teaching. Grandma Alice should actually take most of the credit for the actual knitting too – I was very very slow so she had to finish my bear for me! After that, I dipped in and out of knitting for a few years but really got going properly when I was at uni, and I’ve not looked back since.

2.What is your favourite thing to knit?
This changes all the time. At the minute, I love stranded knits. I made Kate Davies’ Sheepheid at Christmas and that was so much fun. I’m slightly allergic to sheepy (as in, quite raw and still full of lanolin!) wool though, so that did get in the way of my enjoyment a bit.



3.Who is your biggest knitting inspiration?
I have a huge amount of respect for Woolly Wormhead. She’s a super-talented designer and also a fantastic human being. But when I grow up, I want to be Shannon Okey (of Knitgrrl/Co-op Press/all-round-awesomeness fame).

4.What is your favourite finished object of your own?
I’m really proud of my Batik (Kitman Figueroa), which I knit in some gorgeous Dream in Colour yarn that I picked up at iKnit London. I’m usually a bit of a slob with my knitting, but for this one I forced myself to rip back and fix any mistakes and I’m so glad that I did because it’s absolutely perfect. I loved it because it’s knit bottom-up, so you start with the long rows (when your enthusiasm is at its peak) and the rows keep getting shorter and shorter, faster and faster!
On the other hand, the FO which sees the most wear is probably my Everglade (Woolly Wormhead). It’s knit in Sirdar Escape DK which is completely indestructible, it’s worn and worn for years and is still perfect. I love the way the leaves gradually get smaller up to the crown, such a clever design – and it was part of one of Woolly’s Mystery KALs, so watching it grow without knowing how it would turn out was loads of fun.



5.What inspired you to become the Editor of Knit Now magazine?
I was in a relatively boring job in communications in the NHS when I was contacted by Practical Publishing and asked to send in my CV. I didn’t think I stood much of a chance, but I was really passionate about knitting, and writing – and pretty organised – so I gave it my best shot. Two telephone interviews and one (very long!) face-to-face interview later, and I was offered the job. That was just over a year ago now, and I’ve not looked back. I do have a lot of respect for some of the other magazines on the market, but I think there’s room for something younger and fresher.
I’ve never been much of a garment knitter myself, so the concept of Knit Now, being all about small, quick knits is perfect for me. Mostly because I’m a yarn snob and I can’t often afford a whole me-sized jumper in the yarns I want to knit with – but I can easily manage a shawl or a pair of socks. I also love that this job gives me the opportunity to promote up-and-coming designers and independent yarn producers.



6.If you could give 3 pieces of knitting advice, what would they be?
Find a knitting group that suits you. Honestly, it’ll be the best thing you’ll ever do.
Nothing is ever as difficult as you think it’s going to be. So many people are scared of lace, or cables, or colourwork and really, it’s all just a matter of taking it stitch by stitch and not rushing yourself.
Invest in good, well-written patterns. Particularly for beginners, a poorly-written pattern can be the thing that stands between you and your FO.


Kate is giving away a copy of the latest Knit Now magazine as well as some yummy yarn, to win these prizes all you have to do is leave a little comment - PLEASE PLEASE leave your ravelry name or email address so I can contact you for your details.
You can find Kate as kathleenalice on Ravelry.

V xo

33 comments:

  1. Great interview! :)

    (bigdamnhero on Ravelry)

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW, what a lovely insight into the lovely Kate - I love her magazine and her designs are inspired.

    (Woolgathering1 on Ravelry)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for a sweet introduction to this new-to-me magazine and its editor. I like the idea of a publication focused on small, quick knits.

    ReplyDelete
  4. brilliant interview :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great interview...love knitnow magazine - its laways full of great ideas and inspiration.


    ( wendywd on ravelry)

    ReplyDelete
  6. sneezycharmed on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to win a copy! Thanks so much for this awesome give-away. Gnomesbeatfaeries on ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's a great magazine- I've bought it from issue 1!

    Milliesmummy1

    ReplyDelete
  9. We don't get Knit Now in the US, so I would love to win a copy and get a chance to read it!

    sheilaokeefe on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really enjoyed this particular guest post, now I definitely have some new patterns to add to my queue. I really wish that we had Knit Now in the US. Someday maybe!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This was lovely to read, I'm a new fan of Knit Now and am always looking forward to the next issue.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been buying Knit Now since issue 1 too, and love how it is so much more modern than the other knitting magazines. Full of lovely yarns and projects. moaningminnie on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  13. Knitmish on Ravelry6 August 2012 at 18:54

    Very lovely interview, with some interesting personal knitting-related questions. Thank you for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great interview. I am also slightly allergic to lanolin - bummer eh? I do enjoy knit now - probably because I have yet to finish an adult garment!

    mirandamcd. On rav

    ReplyDelete
  15. When I grow up I want to edit a knitting magazine! This interview has given me a few tips.

    griffinpark

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great interview! I love Knit Now and I'm really happy I found you blog too!

    Kydel on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely interview, I end up buying this magazine every month after "cursing" Kate for doing yet another terrific set of patterns I can't resist! And her ravelry group is friendly too!
    SewIKnit2/Sue x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Knit Now has some seriously cute patterns. Love the behind-the-scene story.

    Oftengrumpy on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Such a nice interview, thank you for the giveaway! Ummrania on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  20. A terrific interview, Kate's enthusiasm for knitting shows and I can see why the publisher chose her. I'm not familiar with the mag, but love new things (and all yarn of course!) I'm RobinBrz on Rav. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Having known Kate for many years, she has always been my knitting inspiration. When I was taught to knit a few years ago when I was in hospital, her enthusiasm for the craft was what got me to stick with it and learn more. I was so excited when she got the Knit Now job as I knew she'd do an amazing job and the mag completely lived up to my expectations!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I really enjoy this magazine, and have even subscribed to it. I'm Stitched-Together on Ravelry.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'd love to read it, as I've never seen it in the US....Great interview..

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely to read more about Kate, I would love to win! Sezza on ravelry!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am pandabearofdoom on ravelry. This was a really cool interview to read. I'm not much of a garment knitter either. I prefer to make things that I can cast off as soon as I cast on.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I found it interesting that Kate had to knit in school. I've never heard of anything like that here in the USA!

    kjramstack at yahoo dot com
    (wolfcreeker on Rav)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great interview. We learned to knit in school too ;)
    Hege on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  28. Interesting interview! :) I wish we had to knit in school, that would be cool!

    atwistedstitcher on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lovely interview!

    winterlime on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  30. great interview!

    ReplyDelete