READ FITTERKNITTER BLOG TO FIND OUT HOW!

I was recently given a copy of Fiber Gatherings by Joanne Seiff to review and thought I'd share my conversation with the author with you. (I’m also proud to be a contributor in this book!) If you'd like to purchase this book from Amazon, you can find a link on my website. 

Joanne, what was your inspiration for Fiber Gatherings?

• The original concept came from a conversation I had in June of 2006.  I heard briefly about a conversation between an agent and an editor about festivals and they suggested it might be a book idea for me, but I was really busy with freelance work at the time. In the fall of 2006, I had time to reflect on how much I loved fiber festivals and to consider writing about them. I realized I was inspired by the community of people and animals festivals brought together.  I started working on a book proposal. The book grew out of that period of reflection on our rich fiber arts community.

As part of your research, did you actually attend all those Fiber Gatherings? Do you have a favorite or does one gathering shine in one area more than another?

I did attend all those Fiber Gatherings! I even attended several others that aren’t in the book for one reason or another. As for festivals, I don’t choose favorites! They are all wonderful and fun events. I feel there’s truly no “top” festival. Sometimes smaller festivals are discounted as not being “as good as” a big one, and that’s a shame. They offer an intimate, relaxed venue with lots of time to actually make connections, learn things, and get right close up and personal with fiber, animals, and new friends.

Did you work closely with the photographer?
Every day — he’s my husband! He’s also a biology professor, so he had a special skill set when it came to capturing images of animals.

This book is so much more than a knitting pattern book. It's loaded with history, instructions for processing fiber, spinning, weaving, felting and more. Is there any one particular group of fiber enthusiasts the book will appeal to than others?

I hope not! I actually wrote this book to appeal to the whole fiber festival community. That includes the casual day trippers as well as the serious alpaca and rare sheep breeders. I think all of the fiber arts are valid and tried to include everything.

I was encouraged to make at least half of the projects knitting related, which I did. That was because publishers and booksellers like to have each book in a certain sales category, and that allowed it to be a “knitting book.” I think it’s also a spinning, felting, crochet, dyeing, shepherding and travel book, at the very least!

I know that you are an accomplished designer in your own right but for this book, you have invited other well-known designers to contribute. How did you find these designers?

With all the travelling, I just couldn’t manage 26 projects! Plus, I wanted designs that covered the diversity of the fiber arts community. I solicited designs directly from people whose work I respected. First, I connected with colleagues and friends all over the country and asked them to submit. Second, I posted a call for submissions to the Association of Knitwear Designers. In the end, it worked out just right.

With all the submissions, how did you decide which designs to include?

Most all the designs were chosen collaboratively. I said what I was looking for very specifically in my call for submissions, and the designers I contacted told me if they were interested and pitched an idea or two. We chose yarns together and solidified the projects. Since I started out with a very limited “call for submissions,” I didn’t have a hard time with an enormous number of submissions to wade through.

Who would most benefit from the patterns in the book? (beginner, intermediate, etc. comment)
Everybody! There is everything from easy to advanced in terms of pattern skill levels in the book. I did that on purpose. It isn’t a “learn to knit/crochet” book, but otherwise, it’s got every skill level covered.

You asked me to provide instructions and illustrations for a felted bag made from a recycled sweater. I felt very honored. What made you think of including an item like this in addition to the knitting and crochet patterns?
Well, as I mentioned, I didn’t see this as a knitting/crochet project book, but as a book about the whole fiber arts community… and that includes felting! I’m also an enormous fan of both bags AND recycling, so your project seemed absolutely appropriate! I should mention too that I’ve already heard tell of several people who rushed to their closets to find a sweater and start making their bag. Your project is a hit!

I understand you have another book in the works. Can we have a little hint as to what it is all about? When do you expect to have it published?

I’m so excited about “book #2!” It’s called Knit Green: 20 Projects and Ideas for Sustainability. It will be available for sale this fall, in September! This book includes more than 20 knitting projects that promote sustainability and a whole series of chapters that go through topics like biodiversity, recycling, organic labeling, buying local goods, fair trade/fair work and sustainable farming practice. Unlike Fiber Gathering, I did all the designing on my own this time. It was a real challenge, but such an enriching experience. I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to research and write this. While the projects are designed for knitters, the concepts apply to everybody who has an interest in fiber arts, from crochet to weaving to dyeing, and — on a larger scope — anyone who wears clothes!

 (I understand it’s already up on Amazon if you’d like to pre-order!) 

WIN A FREE COPY OF FIBER GATHERING!
Leave a comment on my blog (not via email) today.

I will randomly choose a lucky reader to win a

FREE copy of Fiber Gathering.

Comments must be left by midnight April 10, 2009 to be eligible to win!
You must leave an email address so I can get in touch with you.