Fiona Ellis
Toronto, ON Canada
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Books |
My first …a book of cable patterns and design philosophy…called Inspired Cable Knits will be launched in spring 2006 published by Potter Craft. see my web site www.fionaellisonline.com
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| Specialty |
I trained as a fashion designer and chose to specialize in knitwear. This background, and my on-going work for the fashion industry, influences my work for home knitting magazines and books a great deal. Consequently most of my work tends to be women’s wear based on up-coming fashion trends.
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| Contact Information: |
No mailing address is available...
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| Favorite Knitting Book |
I have very few knitting books, I prefer books on other textile mediums or fine art.
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| Favorite knitting reference |
Barbara Walker: A treasury of knitting patterns Vol I & II.
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| Favorite Cast-On |
Thumb method.
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| Favorite Knitting Tip |
Challenge yourself… always!
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| Biography |
I am a British trained knitwear designer and have been designing commercially since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Knitwear Design from DeMontfort University.
I began to knit at an early age after being taught by my grandmother. I loved to experiment, consequently my dolls were the best dressed in the neighbourhood, even if some of them were doomed to be fashion victims or ridiculed for their daring outfits.
My original designs are now sold to major fashion houses in New York, London & Paris for mass-market production and have been widely published through premier knitting magazines such as “Vogue Knitting International”’ “Interweave Knits” and “Knitter’s Magazine”. You can also find my patterns being carried by many leading yarn companies.
I have developed a unique program of lively and interactive workshops for knitters and textile artists, where I approach my teaching from a personal development and creativity standpoint, rather than being simply technique based.
My most exciting news is that I have completed work on my book: Inspired Cable Knits. It contains instructions for 20 all new cable patterns with the addition of written and visual materials reflecting my design philosophy. Through this unique combination I am seeking to throw light upon the creative process. It is published by Potter Craft.
My major strengths are an innate creative flair, a keen sense for developing trends and trend prediction, and also a unique talent for being able to communicate not only design ideas but also the principles of creativity.
Aside from my professional interest in fashion I enjoy watercolor painting, creative writing and I have been practicing yoga for over ten years.
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| What is your knitting mantra? |
“I wonder what would happen if….”
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| What inspires you? |
All artists and designers are influenced by a huge variety of sources and experiences. And it’s our job to reflect back to the world our view-point through our chosen (or current) medium. It is certainly true for me, so it’s very difficult to narrow it down. If you do wish to hear my specific influences I suggest you catch my presentation “The Knitter’s Muse” sometime.
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| Confess - when it comes to hiding your yarn, what are your secrets? |
I don’t normally have to hide my stash, but when moving to North America from the UK I was concerned how much it would cost to ship it all. As the price was determined by cubic capacity rather than weight I discovered that yarn makes a great packing material…so I landed in the USA with my whole stash and none of my dishes were broken
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| What is your idea of knitting heaven? |
Somewhere I have never visited before, with no deadline or project in mind, with lots of time to sketch and swatch
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| How many UFO's (Unfinished Objects)do you have going at once? |
One big one (made up of 20 smaller ones)…my second book as yet untitled.
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| My yarn stash equals the GNP (Gross National Product) of ... |
I don’t really keep a large stash as I like to have things on the move, coming in, and going out . I find that this kind of energetic flow prevents stagnation of mind and too many dust bunnies finding permanent homes
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| Whom would you like to see accept an Academy Award wearing your creation? |
Myself, accepting the ”Oscar” for best costume
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| What knitting commandment do you most like to break? |
All rules are made to be broken and bent, although I will always stop at a red light.
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| What frequently-asked knitting question do you hate to answer? |
“How long did it take you knit it”…why does it matter? I hate that time and money have become measures of success…what about beauty or what you have learned or how much fun it was?
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| What is your most dog-eared knitting reference? |
Barbara Walker: A Treasury of knitting patterns Vol II
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| When and how did you learn to knit? |
I was taught by my grandmother when I was around 5. I loved to make clothes for my dolls, who became the best dressed in the neigbourhood. Even if some of them were doomed to be fashion victims or ridiculed for their daring experiments.
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| What is the most unusual place you've ever knitted? |
I have no idea…I think anywhere is fair game as a knitting location so therefore nowhere is unusual.
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| How long can you last without knitting? |
I don’t know I’ve never really tried it
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| If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one yarn, book, or gizmo would you want along? |
A basic smooth wool yarn in many colors, whatever my latest fiction reading material is and my ipod (I’m not into knitting gizmos).
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| How many hours have you knitted non-stop - and why? |
I don’t count hours particularly (there never are enough) but I did complete a whole project for publication deadline during the Salt Lake Olympics. A jacket on 4 mm needles with fair isle fronts and back, sleeves in solid color (with turn back cuffs) and a hood… I worked on the plain stocking stitch work during the hockey games when I could watch the screen without having to look at the knitting. Amazingly my gauge wasn’t thrown off…he shoots he scores!!!!
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| What do you want your knitting epitaph to say? |
She inspired me to be more creative.
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| Who would you like to greet you in knitting heaven? |
My grandmother.
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