© 2012 Bijou Basin Ranch

Kristin Omdahl and Bijou Basin just came out with a fantastic collection of both knit & crochet patterns, The Complements Collection, using the wonderful yak yarn from Bijou Basin.  Kristin took some time to answer some questions.

Stephannie:  Your new book is lovely!  I love that you were able to explore the Bijou Basin yarns in such depth! But, just like you’re not supposed to have a favorite child or pet (if you have multiple), I have to ask, do you have a favorite Bijou Basin yarn? Or just one you’re more likely to gravitate to? Why?

Kristin:  I don’t have a favorite BBR yarn, because I think they are all wonderful in different ways. I gravitate towards Bliss for the loft & incredibly soft hand that only gets softer with wear. And I’m drawn to making lace with the sock yarn because of the high yardage and high content of yak fiber.

Aster Cowl © 2012 Bijou Basin Ranch

And, on that note, what’s your favorite pattern overall? knit pattern? crochet pattern?

I have a few favorite patterns. I love the knit tiered cowl. It was a vision and it turned out even more cheerful than I anticipated. I love the Gladiolus Hat because I am amused by my sneaky insertion of x’s and o’s in a man’s hat. And of course I love the shawls! My love of crochet & knitting. But I could list each project in the book and tell you why I love each one…:)

I think it’s really neat that you interpreted some of the patterns in both crochet & knitting. What usually came first, the knit version or the crochet version? Why?

That certainly depends on the project, technique and construction style. For example, the tiered cowls: I knew it would be easy to design a tiered crochet cowl, so I experimented with the knit one first because it was a more challenging design idea. I needed it to be 3-dimensional and flower-like but also be simple to knit.

Gladiolus XOXO Hugs & Kisses Knit Hat & Wristlets © 2012 Bijou Basin Ranch

Anything you can share with us about future projects?

I have a new crochet book coming out in December, “The Finer Edge” and a new knitting book coming out a year later. I’m working on some jewelry design, too. And I have a Craftsy online class coming out very soon! Check my website for further details when it becomes available!!

Would you like to win your own copy?  Leave a comment below by May 28th, midnight PST, with your favorite pattern & why.

Visit the other tour stops!

5/1/2012          The Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird
5/2/2012          Yarn On The House
5/3/2012          Ellen Gormley
5/4/2012          Knitgrrl
5/7/2012          Go Knit in Your Hat
5/8/2012          Stolen Stitches
5/9/2012          Amy Shelton
5/10/2012        Crochet Dude  
5/11/2012         Wendy Bernard
5/14/2012        Annie Modesitt
5/15/2012         Robyn Chachula
5/16/2012        Simona Merchant-Dest
5/17/2012         Fresh Stitches
5/18/2012        The Sexy Knitter
5/21/2012         Stephannie Tallent
5/22/2012        Faina Goberstein
5/23/2012         Romi
5/24/2012         Laurie Wheeler
5/25/2012         Karrie Steinmetz
5/28/2012         Rebecca Velasquez
5/29/2012         Beth Casey
5/30/2012         Susan Post
5/31/2012         Vickie Howell