Designer Interview: Chloe Nightingale

May 14th, 2008 by Kiba | Posted in Crochet, Interviews |

Chloe Nightingale is the rock star behind the very popular Icelandic Turtleneck from Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution. Her designs have been featured in Interweave Crochet and at the Crochet Me website.

How long have you been crocheting?

Since 1998.

What motivated you to learn to crochet?

My college roommate came back from fall break with this awesome pink hat. Our exchange went something like this:
“Dang, that is a sweet hat. I want it.”
“You can’t have it.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I made it.”
“You MADE IT?! I want that hat.”
“Make one yourself. I’ll teach you.”
“Okay. Can we go to the store and get a hook and yarn right now?”
“No.”
Anyway, she had me buy a 3.50 mm steel hook and some worsted weigh yarn (not everyone’s ideal hook to yarn-weight ratio, but good for making thick winter hats) and did an excellent job of teaching me. She made everything — shaping, increasing, decreasing — seem really simple. Best of all, she taught me how to just wing it without needing a pattern.
I still want that hat.

What is your favorite of your published designs and why?

Does the Bobble Headband from my website (www.galvanic.co.uk) count? That’s my favourite because it’s easily adaptable and I can make it out of all the oddballs and leftover partial skeins of yarn in my stash. They work up quickly and make great last-minute presents. I have a bunch and I wear them all the time.

Otherwise, I guess my favourite published design is probably the Seafoam Vest (from Interweave Crochet, Spring 2007). I really liked that design and it’s something that suits a wide variety of figures.

What is your favorite fiber to work with?

Cotton. I love all kinds of cotton. I like the stitch definition. I like that it doesn’t stretch. I like that it’s a natural fibre. I like that it doesn’t set off people’s allergies. It’s versatile and washable and useful for garments as well as non-clothing projects.

Do you have a favorite crochet hook? If so, please describe it.

I don’t, actually — I don’t even have a favourite hook material, although I much prefer to work with hooks that don’t taper at the hook-bit (like the silvalume brand).

Please give us a quick overview of your design process, from idea to finished object.

I don’t think I have a very structured design process. I usually end up making something in one of the following ways:
- Object Envy: See something (in the store, in a mag, on the web, in a book, etc.) that I like. Become obsessed with said something and look at all sorts of variations (mostly on-line, but sometimes elsewhere). Think: Could I do a better, different, or more interesting job? Could I improve on the design? Would it be cheaper or easier to make one myself? Am I free this evening? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, make one.
- Crochet-on-demand: Someone says me they want me to crochet something. Discuss fibre and colour preferences. Crochet it. (This also applies when I am in need of something specific, like a bib or a rug. I discuss the fibre and colour preferences with myself.)
- Random Yarn Inspiration: I see a yarn (or whatever I can crochet with — raffia is loads of fun) and think “basket” or “headband” or “that would go great with this one earring I wanted to turn into a necklace” and then just go for it.
I guess I just make the item and go back and look at how I went about it if I need to make another one or write the pattern or make it in a different size. I’ve tried to train myself to write the pattern down as I go along, but I’m usually too focused on getting it finished.

Who are some of your favorite designers?

I don’t know if I have any specific favourite designers, but I find the best designs nowadays tend to come from Japanese crochet books. Most of my favourite designs are from books and magazines from the 1960s and 1970s. Those colours and styles and ideas just knock me over. (The kitschy brightly-coloured plastic hooks from that era are great, too.)

Thanks, Chloe!