Meet the Designers: Lindsay Lewchuk — One-Skein Wonders® for Babies

To celebrate the arrival of One-Skein Wonders® for Babies, edited by Judith Durant, we’re talking to some of the talented people who helped make this book a rich library of patterns for babies, new moms, and the knitters who love them. Today, meet designer Lindsay Lewchuk.

Lindsay and her Great Dane, Puddles. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Lewchuk

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How long have you been a knitter and designer?

Currently, I reside in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with my Great Dane, Puddles, and my parents. I’ve been knitting for fifteen years and designing for just as long. I launched my full-time pattern design business in 2011.

How did you learn to knit?

During a long hospitalization in my teenage years, I sought knitting out as an enjoyable distraction from the daily drudgery of medical tests. Having learned some basic knitting skills as a young girl from my talented Baba and very creative great grandmother, I decided to again try my hand at this craft. Knitting quickly became a passion as I knit, then frogged, organic cotton yarn, trying out different stitch combinations and methods on a voyage of discovery.

Tell us about the inspiration for your project in the book, and any special details that went into the design.

Ruffle Bumpkin was inspired by the ruffles on a bikini I wore as a toddler! In addition to the ruffles, the piece is worked top-down and, to minimize finishing, the waist band uses a self-hemming cast on. You can find a video demonstration of the technique on my blog.

Ruffle Bumpkin, designed by Lindsay Lewchuk. Photo © Geneve Hoffman Photography, excerpted from One-Skein Wonders® for Babies. All rights reserved.

Is there anything you especially love about knitting, or designing, for babies?

The cuteness factor! I’m a huge supporter of the fact that knitted items are useful and functional works of art. Not only does the knitter benefit from the joy of the creative process, the recipient benefits from a useful and stunning object.

Apart from knitting, what keeps you busy and fulfilled these days?

Puddles and I spend a lot of time cross-country skiing through the woods in winter and hiking when there isn’t enough snow. My spiritual life as a Christian and knitting are passions that keep me fulfilled and help keep me healthy, connected, and engaged.

Solar Flare Circular Shawl, designed by Lindsay Lewchuk. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Lewchuk.

There are so many gorgeous fibers available to knitters these days. What are your favorite yarns in your stash?

I absolutely love organic cotton and bamboo yarn! I thoroughly enjoy working with each fiber independently, as I did with Ruffle Bumpkin, which uses Classic Elite Yarns Seedling organic cotton. But when blended together, wow, is it ever a treat! I particularly love the organic cotton and bamboo from The Unique Sheep and Three Irish Girls. Each of those indie dyers has great eco-conscious initiatives in addition to the wonderful fiber and colors.

Find more from Lindsay on her website, Ravelry, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and more!