An Interview with Leigh Radford

Leigh Radford is a knitwear designer who inspires knitters to expect the unexpected, to think outside the scarf, and to see the potential of knitting with more creativity. Described as a “knitting pioneer,” she’s the type of artist who rummages through thrift stores looking for secondhand materials for her projects, and she isn’t afraid to experiment with unusual materials. Leigh has a talent for seeing familiar objects in a new light, whether she’s turning an assortment of T-shirts into “yarn” to create a knitted rug, recycling vintage sweaters into creative totes, or playing with the possibilities of knitting and crocheting with just one skein. Leigh brings this same degree of creativity to her latest book, One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet (Interweave Press, April 2006). We caught up with Leigh at her home in Portland, Oregon, to talk about her exciting forthcoming book.

Q. It’s been said that a knitter can never have too much stash. How many yarns are in your stash and how do you organize them?

I couldn't even begin to determine how much yarn is in my stash. Let's just say I have a lot of yarn! As for organizing, I generally have things organized by fiber content . . . yarns of similar fiber are in the same drawer or basket. It's not a very tight system, sometimes things end up in the same basket because I like the color combination.

Q. Did those yarns inspire the projects in One Skein, or did you start with patterns in mind and search out the yarns?

A little of both. Certain yarns inspire an idea once you have swatched with it—revealing its texture and drape. Other times I have something particular in mind and swatch with several different yarns until the fabric suits the design.

Q. When did you first catch the knitting bug?

I started knitting and crocheting when I was about thirteen and have had a project on my needles ever since.

Q. When did you start crocheting and do you think crocheters use their stash differently?

I learned to crochet at the same time I learned to knit—when I was about thirteen. I remember making a lot of granny squares! I think anyone who loves fiber probably uses their stash in the same way. We have all this great leftover yarn in various amounts and colors and yet we just can't help but add to it the next time you see something you haven't worked with before.

Q. What is your favorite project from One Skein?

That's a hard choice . . . some of my favorite projects are the Ruffle Cravat, Asymmetrical Cable Hat, and the Cupcakes.