© 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. Â 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: Â 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? Â Leave a comment below by May 28th, midnight PST, with your favorite pattern & why.
Visit the other tour stops!
5/1/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird
5/2/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Yarn On The House
5/3/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ellen Gormley
5/4/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Knitgrrl
5/7/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Go Knit in Your Hat
5/8/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stolen Stitches
5/9/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Amy Shelton
5/10/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Crochet Dude Â
5/11/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wendy Bernard
5/14/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Annie Modesitt
5/15/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Robyn Chachula
5/16/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Simona Merchant-Dest
5/17/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Fresh Stitches
5/18/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Sexy Knitter
5/21/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Stephannie Tallent
5/22/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Faina Goberstein
5/23/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Romi
5/24/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Laurie Wheeler
5/25/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Karrie Steinmetz
5/28/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rebecca Velasquez
5/29/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Beth Casey
5/30/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Susan Post
5/31/2012Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Vickie Howell