Spring Breeze Collection Knit 2017
Annie’s Signature Designs
With sand between my toes and the California sun warming my heart, I am excited to present the Spring Breeze Collection for Annie’s Signature Designs. I welcome you to this special presentation of my creative energy. Every element and nuance of this collection reflects my never-ending love for yarn and the needle arts. Back in September, I met up with my team of talented colleagues to begin the process of creating a spring collection of knitting and crochet patterns. We spent several creatively exciting days looking at the hot trends in fashion, yarn, fiber and colors. This beginning phase of the creation process is so exciting. As we start with a blank page and our combined vision, we can see how things start to take shape. Through my own experience and personal sense of style, I gather inspiration from all that I see around me. The exciting results are on-trend designs that are practical for everyday wear. I’ve worked extensively in the European and Scandinavian fashion markets and derive much of my knowledge from this time of my life. I intuitively know what will attract a wide audience of people with a variety of tastes and aesthetics. I can see how a collection of pieces can fit into a woman’s wardrobe that’s not fussy or complicated, but rather clean and minimal. The designs I envision are timeless, just like my own sense of style. I’m so attracted to the lifestyle of living on the coast (both in Sweden and California). I just love being at the beach. The sand, sea and sky draw me in. I’m fascinated with the details of the seashore, the shells, the grasses, even the rhythm of the tides. The shapes of starfish and sand dollars dance in my mind as they subtly influence details in my designs. The pastel spectrum of the morning sky is infinite with its amazing colors. The color palette I chose for this collection captures some of these delicate tones. Even on not-so-sunny days, the mysterious coastal fog produces a delicate light that kisses the textures of the beach, softening the colors. I’m often captivated by this misty spectacle. When it comes to the yarn selections we’ve chosen, natural fibers are always the easy choice because they provide the best quality. Throughout this Lookbook, you’ll see that we provide you with a variety of yarn choices that are carefully paired up with specific garments. Remember the first time you listened to a seashell? Please join me in a walk along the shore. Our footprints in the sand may wash away, but my passion woven into this Spring Breeze Collection will stay on-trend for years to come. Warm wishes,
Squared-Away Tee
Squared-Away Tee
Desert Sands Tee
Desert Sands Tee
Tanna Cardigan
Tanna Cardigan
Soul Sister Tunic
Soul Sister Tunic
Marbella Tee
Marbella Tee
Marbella Tee
Indigo Dream Top
Indigo Dream Top
Amadores Vest
Amadores Vest
Amadores Vest
La Cruz Top
La Cruz Top
Squared-Away Tee Design by Lena Skvagerson This ready-for-spring tee lets you put those yarn overs, increases and decreases to work! Knit with worsted-weight Berroco Elba.
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Desert Sands Tee Design by Jackie Daugherty The gently shifting colors reminiscent of desert sands and sky play across this simple-to-create tee, making it a great first lace project. Knit with sport-weight Plymouth Yarn Driftone.
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Tanna Cardigan Design by Lena Skvagerson Knit your go-to cardigan for spring. It features pockets, a hood and lovely openwork detail. Knit with sport-weight Plymouth Yarn Nettle Grove.
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Soul Sister Tunic Design by Melissa Leapman You’ll love knitting and wearing this free-spirited tunic. Made with supersoft thick-and-thin, cotton-blend yarn, its A-line silhouette will flatter most figures. Knit with chunky-weight King Cole Opium and light-weight King Cole Cottonsoft DK.
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Marbella Tee Design by Che Lam The delicate lace panels accentuate the feminine silhouette of this draped top and create a figure-flattering A-line shape. Knit with DK-weight Berroco Mixer.
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Indigo Dream Top Design by Kara Gott Warner Introduce supreme comfort and style into your wardrobe. This top is knit with a beautiful, cozy yarn collection that is perfect for spring. Knit with DK-weight Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.
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Amadores Vest Design by Lena Skvagerson Knit a completely unforgettable vest. The soft, roving texture will make garments and accessories look like they cost a fortune! Knit with worsted-weight Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable.
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La Cruz Top Design by Amy Gunderson This mostly openwork lace piece is quite breathable, and a smattering of cables keeps the knitting interesting. Knit with worsted-weight Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Alpaca Dance.
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Contributors Lena Skvagerson, Connie Ellison and Kara Gott Warner joined forces to create the Annie’s Signature Designs Spring Breeze Collection, 20+ captivating knit and crochet designs that symbolize passion and creativity in those who enjoy the crafts of knitting and crochet. About the Team: Lead Designer Lena Skvagerson drew from her years of experience in the European design markets to create many of the captivating designs in this collection; Connie Ellison provided more than 30 years of merchandising expertise; and Kara Gott Warner contributed her knowledge of online marketing and public relations.
Lena Skvagerson
Che Lam
Lena Skvagerson is the lead designer of Annie’s Signature Designs. You may know her as one of the experts on the Annie’s television show Knit and Crochet Now!, which airs on PBS. Lena passionately designs everything from exquisite knit shawls to adorable crochet booties. She draws her creativity from more than 25 years in the European knit and crochet design markets.
Che Lam is the creator behind the knit blog Handy Kitty. Once the in-house knitwear designer at Drops Design in Norway and now working as a freelancer, Che shares her design ideas, inspirations and tutorials on her blog. Her first book, Learn How to Knit with 50 Squares, was published in February 2016. Che is also a contributor to Annie’s magazine Creative Knitting.
Jackie Daugherty Jackie Daugherty, author, teacher, designer and editor of Crochet World, has been knitting and crocheting for over 50 years. She loves exploring new stitches and is always asking “what if” as she designs classics with an updated twist.
Kara Gott Warner Kara Gott Warner began her designing journey in the mid1990s in New York City’s Garment Center. In 2002, she embarked on a freelance career designing handknitting patterns and technical illustrations. In 2010, Kara became the executive editor of Creative Knitting magazine. She is also the host of the Power Purls podcast.
Melissa Leapman Melissa Leapman, a popular teacher and one of the most prolific American designers at work today, is the author of several best-selling knit and crochet books. Her most recent titles are Knitting the Perfect Fit and The Knit Stitch Pattern Handbook. Her next book, 6000+ Pullover Possibilities, launches in February 2017.
Amy Gunderson Amy Gunderson lives in North Carolina with her husband and their two ornery dogs. She is the creative director for Universal Yarn and does a variety of freelance knit and crochet work on the side. Amy also provides services for knit or crochet tech editing, schematics and custom knit or crochet charts. Other hobbies include motorcycle riding, playing violin and dog cuddling.
Scott Campbell Scott Campbell has made a career of photographing the fiber arts for over 30 years. He continuously searches for light that illuminates and reveals the subtleties woven into the creations that he photographs. He enjoys collaborating in the creative process with designers, stylists and graphic professionals.
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