The January 2020 KnitCrate is superb on many levels and exemplifies why I enjoy working with them so much. To think that we had any part of it all coming together is just an extra bonus to the awesomeness. There are two excellent cowl designs featuring beautiful yarn and wonderful pops of color. Read on for the story and here what design Vincent of Visuvio’s Crafts has to say about his design.

One of the great things about Stitch Up Events is the community of creativity it fosters. Last year at Stitch Up Chicago our sponsor KnitCrate joined us and got to meet Louis Boria of Brooklyn Boy Knits. Vincent of Visuvio’s Crafts, one of my fiber pals and a designer I greatly admire also attended and the magic began. I knew that this was the start of something special. Some time later as KnitCrate was formulating the new year of designs for 2020, I had an opportunity to help turn that magical meeting into a design collaboration for their January 2020 KnitCrate.

I love how Vincent hit on that very theme of fiber events fostering community in his approach to the cowl design. He said: “My crochet intarsia design is inspired by the journey to meet other makers. The Inbound Cowl mimics the geometric motif similar to the lines on an airport tarmac or highway lanes that guide us in the direction of shining as a huge creative force. It’s super customizable and can be worked up as either a cowl or infinity scarf.”

The cowl can be made using the skeins that come in the KnitCrate and for the adventurous among us, you get the chance to order extra yarn and can make a full infinity scarf.

As someone who designs in both knit and crochet I know there are times when a design speaks specifically to a single medium and is tough to translate to both. I also know there are times when an inspiration can speak clearly to both mediums. I asked Vincent how he found that process.

He said: “Funnily enough, I didn’t even have to translate a knit design to a crochet version. Louis and myself simply creatively vibed on the same crafty wavelength and brought to life two designs that lean on each other like brothers on two sides of a mirror. Of course we spoke of our design brainstorming plans, and how the two skeins could work with each other, but this is one of those real life examples of “great creative minds thinking alike!” And I couldn’t be any more excited with the results!”

And I couldn’t agree more. The results are simply fantastic and I know you will love this kick off to 2020 with KnitCrate. And next time you are at a fiber event be open to what magic may ensure. You never know what collaborations and creativity it can all lead to! It is my sincere honor to have even been a small part of this one.