Be inspired with a collection of gorgeous new patterns from Annie's Publishing -- the Summer Love Collection. These knit and crochet patterns were created by several well-known designers, including frequent Red Heart contributor Lisa Gentry, and envisioned by Lead Designer Lena Skvagerson. The collection includes warm-weather accessories, tops, and sweaters that are perfect for summer. We asked Lena some questions about this beautiful collection. Red Heart: What inspired you to go with the beach theme? Lena Skvagerson: I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love beaches and the ocean. I am fortunate to be living on the Central coast of California for the past 9 years, and still not one day go by without me thinking about how I adore this place. When I was given the opportunity to develop the summer collection, I knew right away that the only place I could imagine shooting the collection would be here at my beaches. I want to share, not only my love for knitting and crocheting, but also my passion for where I live. RH: How does your creative process work? Do you come up with the ideas and then the contributors execute them? Or is it a collaboration, with you and the contributors creating ideas? LS: In the first planning phase I met in Texas with two of my experienced colleagues here at Annie's; Kara Gott Warner (editor of Creative Knitting magazine) and Connie Ellison (Crochet Product Development Director). We draw up the ideas of what pieces we needed for a cohesive collection. We shared our design ideas, went through different yarn collections and picked yarns and colors that felt right for the theme and our visions. I went home and started the creative process, and contacted some of our favorite designers, asking them to help us create some of the designs we had in mind. I gave them directions and sent yarn off to them, and we then worked back and forth. They all did a great job creating based on my wishes. RH: Which is your favorite project in the collection? LS: What a hard question -- it's like asking which one of my kids I love the most! I do love this collection and everything about it. Every single piece and how it turned out makes me proud. I look at one piece and think it's my absolute favorite, and then the next day I look close at another one and think that must be the best design I have ever made. One piece I am very proud of for sure is the Oceano Circle Vest that I created in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable yarn. A circular design includes so many exciting math calculations, and it's so much fun to see all numbers fall into place. I think it turned out so very beautiful. The way the colors blends and flows reminds me of the waves in the ocean, and it all ends with a dramatic border that symbolizes the surf breaking on the shore. The gorgeous is crocheted in the Unforgettable color Tidal -- isn't the color name perfect for this collection? Follow the collection on Instagram @AnniesSigantureDesigns and use the hashtags #anniessummerlovecollection and #anniessiganturedesigns to discuss the collection.
