Regular - Interviews

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Secret stash_LK Regular Template 22/02/2013 15:52 Page 3

Secrets MY STASH

Delving into the stash of Amy

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uthor of Knit to Flatter, Amy Herzog set upon a quest to empower fellow knitters with her knowledge of creating knits that flatter any body shape, first through her blog, then by workshops and now a well-

Herzog

anticipated book, which means us knitters across the pond can practice what she preaches. With her expensive taste in yarn we couldn't miss the opportunity to root around to see what gems she has stashed away.

I think the word for my stash is 'respectable'. compliment you can pay a yarn is to knit with I'm nowhere near SABLE (Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy) and it doesn't need its own room or anything like that, but it's not as though I'll never be caught without yarn either!

I have two bits of yarn I'm desperate to use but can't decide what for. First, some

lovely hand-spun silk from a dear old friend. It's so special, and I just haven't figured out any object that matches it for beauty and simplicity. I intended to do a stole with the second bit when my wonderful friend Danielle handspun it for me, but now I have a sweater idea that could use it as an accent.

Amy's top choice yarns in her stash

Handmaiden Lady Godiva is my super-luxe, sweater to-die-for yarn. We used it in the book, and everyone who tries on that sample gives a little gasp. I'm not kidding! www.purlescence.co.uk

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Berroco Vintage is an acrylicwool blend, but feels like wool and wears beautifully. It's just the best partner for a crisp fall day. www.fabricbuy.co.uk

and I keep a yarn inspiration bowl on the side of my desk to look at while I work, filled with the yummiest of my yarns.

TOP TIP

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Many of my designs originate from seeing a yarn in my stash. I'm a compulsive swatcher,

Swatch! Get to know the yarn, see what it wants to be. Try it in four different needle sizes, and really get a feel for how it behaves and looks. I keep a big bin of them and pin them up every now and again for inspiration.

There's no yarn in my stash that I can't see myself using. The highest

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it. And life's too short to keep yarn I don't love.

Knit to Flatter, RRP £15.99, published by Stewart Tabori & Chang, is available from 2 April 2013. Go to page 86 for a chance to win a copy.

I try to keep all of my designs fairly easy to modify. I tend to prefer

clean, simpler pieces. I have such luxe taste in yarn that I also try to make sure the design showcases the fibre – in most cases, the yarn we're knitting with is so much nicer than the material you can buy in the average shop. It seems a pity not to highlight the beautiful material. For more from Amy, visit www.amyherzogdesigns.com

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Sweet Georgia Merino Silk Fine is a lovely, smooth, fingeringsport weight yarn that makes a beautiful fabric at many gauges. www.aragonyarns.co.uk

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Quince and Co. Chickadee is a nice, soft-but-sturdy, 100% smooth wool sport weight. Unbelievably versatile, and I couldn't live without it. www.quinceandco.com

Brooklyn Tweed Shelter would be my last pick, because sometimes you just need tweed! And this is the crème de la crème. www.loopknittingshop.com

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BUSTER

Stash-buster Challenge 2013

www.lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk The idea of Linda Solaiman and Ana from lanadeana. blogspot.co.uk, 2013’s stash-buster challenge has 93 sign-ups so far. Head over to their blog to join in the fun. www.letsknit.co.uk 75


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