Designer Interview: Amy O’Neill Houck
Amy O’Neill Houck’s designs have been published in books like Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution, as well as magazines such as Crochet Today and Interweave Crochet. She also self-publishes patterns through lulu.com. Amy blogs at The Hook and I. Right now I’m (still) working on her wrap mini-skirt from the Crochet Me book. It’s great fun and I can’t wait to wear it!
How long have you been crocheting?
I’ve been crocheting since I was about eight years old. My “Sitto” (maternal grandmother) always had hook in hand, and she began by teaching me to make hats. I made hats for years–silly hats, crazy red heart hats.
What motivated you to learn to crochet?
My grandmother’s zig-zag scrap afghan.
What is your favorite of your published designs and why?
In print, love the mod mini dress that I published in Crochet Today Sept/Oct ‘07–I was inspired by Austin Powers1! It was the first times I designed in crochet with short rows, and it was really fun to make. Of course, I self-publish patterns as well, and my current favorite is my Half Crazy Sweater–a sweater made entirely from rectangles in a victorian-inspired stitch.
What is your favorite fiber to work with?
Oh, that’s very hard. I have lots of favorites–I love to work with small sustainably produced yarns–and companies that think about their impact on the environment, the animals, and their local economies. Of course, I love to work with things that are soft and squishy, and I’m partial to tonal, semi-solid hand-dyed yarns.
Do you have a favorite crochet hook? If so, please describe it.
I like a nickel-plated hook with a plastic handle big enough to support my rubber pencil grips. I have sensitive wrists and I can’t crochet with aluminum hooks for some reason–they seem to “vibrate” at a frequency that hurts my hands. I do love wood and even plastic hooks too. Really, it’s the combination of yarn and hook that has to be just perfect, and I might change hooks a couple of times before deciding.
Please give us a quick overview of your design process, from idea to finished object.
I start in two ways–either with an idea or a yarn. If I start with an idea (it could have been inspired by an outfit I see on the street, or a color or architecture, or nature) for a garment, I’ll sketch, then pick a yarn, and swatch, finding the right stitch pattern. If I start with a yarn, then I swatch first and decide on the perfect stitch and hook, then I’ll use the swatch as inspiration for the shape of the garment.
Who are some of your favorite designers?
I have tons of favorite crochet and knit designers, and since this is such a small community, I’ve gotten to know most of them which is really wonderful. I love Robyn Chachula and Dora Ohrenstein, Drew Embrosky, Eunny Jang, Stefanie Japel and many, many more. I’m also often inspired by amazing crochet and knit writers from decades ago Judith Copeland, Barbara Walker, Elizabeth Zimmerman.
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