This is the first in our series of interviews with designers that have brought us popular projects that are on our free pattern site. Thought you might find it fun to know more about these wonderfully talented people that contribute so much to our yarn habits. Lorna Miser 1. You inspire us with your designs. What are your favorite types of projects to design? Wow, that's such an honor. Thank you! My favorite things to design are for babies and kids. I've always knit and crocheted for kids. Of course, that's even more fun now that my kids have kids! 2. What is usually going on around you as you design? When I'm designing I like a bright, cheery environment and I keep it quiet. (I want to get all those numbers right!) But when I'm swatching or stitching, I listen to country music or talk to friends. 3. How did you learn to knit and/or crochet? I learned to knit when I was 6 from both my mom Vera and my grandma Helen. It didn't really "stick" til my first baby was born. He's turning 30 this year! 4. Can you tell us anything special about this Cowl la Mode (LW3288) design that has been very popular on the Red Heart free pattern site? I used a reversible stitch for that pattern, knowing that it should look good from both sides. Cowls are excellent quick projects because they're so much shorter than a scarf! 5. Do you have a personal website or blog where crocheters or knitters can find out what you're all about? My website tells more about me and where I teach: www.lornamiserdesigns.com. You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LornaMiserDesigns 6. What would the people that recreate your designs be surprised to know about you? I'm very outgoing, fun and sometimes silly. I knit and crochet at concerts, coffee shops and even stranger places. And if you are in the Sacramento, CA area and you see a purple convertible '65 Mustang with a red head driving, that's me! Lacy Knit Collar Sweet Lady Bug Baby Set Monet's Garden Sweater Edie Eckman 1. You inspire us with your designs. What are your favorite types of projects to design? I like to design anything that involves a stitch pattern. There are so many stitch patterns out there and so many ways to arrange those basic stitches”whether it be knit and purl, or single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitch”to make cool fabrics. 2. What is usually going on around you as you design? I'm usually at home, sitting on a couch or at my desk, perhaps listening to an audiobook. 3. How did you learn to knit and/or crochet? I was lucky enough to have a grandmother who lived with us while I was growing up, and she taught me both knitting and crochet. I don't remember which I learned first, but I did very literally learn at her knee. However, almost everything I know beyond the basic skills was self-taught from books and patterns. 4. Can you tell us anything special about this Crochet Flower Headband (LW2254) design that has been very popular on the Red Heart free pattern site? This is an example of how simple, basic stiches like single crochet can be turned into something cute. The addition of a flower embellishment adds personality to a plain band, yet it's accessible to all skill levels. 5. Do you have a personal website or blog where crocheters or knitters can get to know you better? You can find me at www.edieeckman.com, as well as on Facebook (Edie Eckman), Twitter (@edieeckman) and Ravelry (edieeckman). 6. What would you like the people that recreate your designs to know about you? I love to teach, and I love see what others have done with my designs! Please share your photos with me on Facebook or Ravelry. Here are a few more Edie designs: Knit Headband with Crochet Flower Crochet Posey Purse Holey Moley Shawl P.S. We would like to wish both of these designers a Happy Mother's Day. Special wishes to Edie from her daughter, Meg, a member of our Red Heart staff.
