Today, we bring you an interview with Boost Your Knitting designer Wendy D. Johnson. Wendy is a prolific knitter and designer who has a penchant for toe up socks — she’s written two books on the subject, Socks From the Toe Up and Toe-Up Socks for Everybody. Her Boost Your Knitting design, the Alcedo Socks, are a highly wearable and quick to knit pair of toe-up socks that teach this month’s featured technique, toe up sock gussets! Wendy was kind enough to answer some questions a few months ago about her design and what she loves about sock knitting!
Photo © Jesse Wild.
KR: I’m so excited for this month’s Boost Your Knitting design, your Alcedo Socks. I love knitting socks toe up and am looking forward to learning more about knitting them with gussets! You’ve literally written the book (well, several!) on toe-up socks – can you tell us a little bit about why you like them and the inspiration behind this particular design?
WDJ: Thank you – I am so happy and flattered to have been asked to be part of Boost your Knitting! I first got into knitting toe-up socks because I thought they would be good commuter projects. I take a train to work every day, and I wanted a project that I could complete with minimal finishing work. Toe-up socks were my perfect choice because the only finishing work that needs to be done is to weave in two yarn ends.
For Boost Your Knitting, I wanted to create a design that was easy to knit, but provided enough interest so that it would not be just boring stockinette. Knit in a heavier weight, they work up quickly. The pattern lends itself to a wide range of sizes, and works for both men and women.
KR: I know some knitters are a little put off by socks – either because they’ve had a bad experience or have been a little intimated to try knitting a pair. What advice do you have for people who think of themselves as non-sock knitters?
WDJ: Try one of my patterns! But seriously, my pattern for Boost Your Knitting is super easy to knit and does not have the traditional heel flap that frightens some would-be sock knitters. This heel is quick and easy to complete, and fits the foot very well. Another piece of advice I would give any new sock knitter – start out knitting a pair from a heavier weight of yarn. You will finish that much faster and you can better see what you are doing as you learn new techniques.
KR: You’ve got such a beautiful design back catalogue and it’s really varied! Can you talk a little bit about what keeps you coming back to socks and also what other techniques get you excited as a designer?
Wendy’s Trellis Tam. Photo © Wendy D. Johnson.
WDJ: As I mentioned, I started out with socks because I needed a portable project for my commute. One of the things I love about designing socks is that you have a limited canvas on which to work. I love the challenge of working up a design that works in a small space.
Other techniques that I love: lace knitting and stranded colorwork. I love knitting at a fine gauge and I love mixing colors together.
KR: You’ve also got a beautiful and very long running blog which showcases the really ambitious projects you’ve taken on over the years. What was the last new technique you learned, and/or what’s on your to-learn list this year?
WDJ: That’s a very tough question – I’ve been knitting for approximately forever: since I was 4 years old. Since I am now (mumble mumble) years old, that is a very long time. For years I just knit and purled, then I finally learned how to knit cables in 1975 and I cut my first steek in 1989, following the instructions in Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting. Most other techniques fall between those two dates. I cannot think of a knitting technique that I have not tried. I may not enjoy them all, but I try everything at least once!
Another recent colourwork pattern from Wendy — the Plaid Cowl. Photo © Wendy D. Johnson.
KR: For fun, I’ve been asking all the Boost Your Knitting designers about the one yarn, knitting book, and music that they would take with them if they were stranded on a desert island – care to share your picks?
WDJ: Another tough question! One yarn – do I get to have it in multiple colorways? If so, Jamieson & Smith Jumper Weight Shetland wool. That way I could knit Fair Isle to my heart’s content!
One book: I’ll pick Fishermen’s Sweaters by Alice Starmore – there is a lovely variety of designs in that book.
Music: early Roxy Music. (Can Bryan Ferry come along in person and sing his old hits to me? I’ll knit him a sweater.)
KR: Finally, what’s on your needles at the moment?
WDJ: Something I’ve been meaning to knit for TWENTY YEARS! Jade Starmore’s Beadwork Cardigan – the adult size. I’m knitting in Wendy Guernsey 5-ply in the “aran” colorway and wondering why it took me so long to get to this. (Note from Jen: We asked these questions a few months ago, and Wendy is now working on the amazing Yell Cardigan by Marie Wallin.)
Photo © Jesse Wild.
Thank you so much Wendy for chatting with us today! You can see what Wendy’s up to over on her blog, find her over 250 (!) designs on Ravelry, or catch her (and her amazing cat) on Instagram. And you can get your own copy of Boost Your Knitting in the online shop, as well as the Schoppel Wolle Admiral 6ply that the pattern calls for! Happy knitting!