Interview
a lot more computer work than most
p e opl e t h i n k. It a l l s ou n d s ve r y b u s y,
but I am one of those people who is most
pro du c t ive wh e n t h e y h ave lo t s to d o.”Do you have any plans or goals for 2020
that you can share with us?
“Having had some family matters to
d e a l w it h l a s t ye a r, I a m s e e i n g 2 02 0
very much as a rebalancing year. I
want to improve the balance between
creating my own designs, and pattern
writing and sample knitting for other
people. I would like to do more
teaching, too, as I really enjoy it.
“As well as the new shawls I have
mentioned, I am relaunching some
of my favou r ite p at te r n s t h at we re
previously published in magazines.
I also have plans for a pattern collection
using mini-skeins or yarn leftovers -
I admit to having a mini-skein habit!
T h i s may t u r n i nto a n e-b o ok .”If you were stranded on a desert island,
what’s the one yarn and pattern book
you would choose to take with you?
“I would go for an unlimited supply of
a wool-rich 4ply yarn, because it is so
versatile – garments, shawls, socks- a s lon g a s I a m wa sh e d up w it h my
needle roll. And the Japanese Knitting
Stitch Bible by H itomi Sh i d a wou l d
give me lots of inspiration.”
What’s the best piece of knitting
advice you’ve received?
“Take it one stitch as a time. It is advice
I often pass on to other people when I
a m te a c h i n g, a n d i s ve r y u s e f u l wh e n I
a m work i n g w it h U K H a n d K n it t i n g a s
the Yarn Doctor. We help beginners at
big craft events and I do my very best
to help people with a range of technical
problems. Often, people just need a
l it t l e h e lp to t a ke t h i n g s s t itc h by s t itc h
to work out wh at t h e y n e e d to d o.”What are the best things about being
part of the knitting community?
“Being surrounded by creativity. From
the absolute beginners to experienced
knitters, everyone is thinking about
wh at c olou r s, s t itc h e s or p at te r n s to
use. I also love helping people build
t h e i r sk i l l s s o t h at t h e y h ave m ore
opportunities to exercise that
creativity. I gain great satisfaction
from someone having that ‘light bulb’
moment as they get the hang of a
new technique.”What’s on your needles today?
“Not too many things today: a cotton
top; a beanie and mitten set using yarn
from Irish Artisan Yarns named after
the part of Donegal our family house
was in; and a swatch for a shawl. Oh,
and a sock – there’s always a sock!”http://www.lapurplepenguin.com1 ‘Cobwebs in the Rain’ from
The Knitter 125 2 Bronagh
teaches techniques including
knitting with wire 3 ‘Héloïse’ is
a radial shawl design 4 She loves
to create vintage-style knits;
this is ‘Vervain’ from Issue 1371
‘Salmon Net’,
Bronagh’s first
shawl design3
2
4
The self-striping
‘Firebird’ shawl‘Lange’
is from
Issue 129The Knitter Issue 149