Craft-ish Episode 25: Knit & Crochet Now’s, Lena Skvagerson
A Conversation with Lena Skvagerson, Lead Designer for Annie’s Signature Collection.
This week Vickie talked with Lena Skvagerson, the Lead Designer for Annie’s Signature Designs and one of the experts on public television’s Knit and Crochet Now, hosted by Deborah Norville. During their conversation they talked about what she’s learned about the knitting & crochet industry over her triple decade career, whether or not perception of needle arts is different in her Native Sweden than in the United States, and what still excites her about producing collections to be made by the masses.
This episode is sponsored by:
Get 20% off ALL yarn and Addi Crochet Hooks at MakersMercantile.com!
Use code: VickieMakes Offer valid until 10/31/16
Lena with Creative Knitting’s Editor in Chief, Kara Got Warner
Show Notes:
Lena Skvagerson is the lead designer of Annie’s Signature Designs (www.anniessignaturedesigns.com). You may know her as one of the experts on the Annie’s television show, Knit and Crochet Now!, which airs on PBS and Create TV.
Cirocco Sweater from the Autumn Bliss Collection
Lena passionately designs everything from exquisite knit shawls to adorable crochet booties. She draws her creativity from more than 25 years in the European knit and crochet design markets.
Alamere Cardigan from the Autumn Bliss Collection.
ENTER TO WIN one of THREE, gorgeous kits designed by Lena for Annie’s Signature Designs: the Tuwa set, Sinistra Cowl, and Mukluk Booties . Simply post a comment letting us whether you prefer quicker and/or easier, or larger and/or complex projects. And, if you have a preference between knit or crochet, let us know that, too!
UPDATE: Winners are: Debra Milkman, Jennifer Purtee, and Katelyn M. You’ll be contacted for shipping info. Congrats!
L-R: Tuwa Set, Sinistra Cowl, Mukluk Booties
Lena Links:
Credits:
Produced by: Vickie Howell
Edited & Mixed by: Dave Campbell
Music Provided by: Explosions in the Sky
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33 Responses to “Craft-ish Episode 25: Knit & Crochet Now’s, Lena Skvagerson”
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I love knitting and crocheting equally. I can’t pick between the two! I love a quick project but also some large ones aren’t bad either. I like a fairly easy pattern as well!!😂
I would love to make the Sinistra Cowl! I think it is beautiful!
I prefer quicker and easier for knitting because I’m not that good…yet. 🙂 With crochet I don’t mind the bigger projects.
I like to knit more than I like to crochet at this point in my life. I prefer a mix of easy/complex and small/large projects…mixing it up keeps it fresh for me!
My skill set is in knitting, I just can’t seem to learn crochet enough to enjoy it. I’m an intermediate level knitter. But, I like working through a challenging pattern just as well as one that I can work up easily and quickly!
Love both knitting and crocheting, love all three so it’s very hard for me to pick. Can do most of the stitching in either. 🙂
I have been crocheting longer than knitting, but love both!! At this time I would love an easy crochet project. Thank you for being so generous! 🙂
I’m looking for my next main knitting project! I’d love to find a beautiful large, complex pattern to take on next.
I am just learning to knit, so easier, small projects give me confidence, without being overwhelming. As an experienced crocheter, though, I have multiple WIPs, both easy/complex and small/large projects, depending on how much time and attention I have at any given moment.
I like quick & easy projects in crochet.
I love your (Vickie) Craft-ish podcast, the Ask Me Monday streaming “thing”, the TV show you host (Knit and Crochet Daily), your books, etc. I first was introduced to Lena Skvagerson on the TV show. She demonstrated a knitted scarf pattern that used a ‘chunky’ yarn that had a lacy stitch, I enjoyed making my own scarf from that pattern. Now that fall has finally arrived I look forward to wearing it.
I, generally, prefer quicker, simpler patterns because I have not too much time to craft. But, that being said, I also like to stretch and learn new things (stitches, techniques, ‘n stuff). I waffle back and forth between knitting and crochet, although knitting left-handed presents it’s challenges; especially when translating a pattern when directional stitches are involved.
Of the three patterns shown here, I was immediately drawn to the Tuwa Set.
Thank you both for sharing your talents and passions for crafting! And a big thank you to Annie’s Signature Designs for the great “give-away”!
Just love the Sinistra cowl! It is so perfect and i just love the design of it!
Hi Vickie and Lena,
I enjoyed your conversation. I am a confident knitter who often falls into the habit of choosing projects that are at my level but don’t push me. This is the case right now as I am trying to get gifts made for the holidays. I find myself selecting fast and easy knits. I really like the sinistra cowl because color work is out of my comfort zone. Thanks!
I prefer to knit & I like a mix of quick & complex.
At this point in my life I prefer simpler/quick projects. I prefer knitting over crocheting.
I love both, knit and crochet. Overall I love working with yarn, is almost magic create something from a string, stich by stich. MY favorites projects are hats because they are like instant gratification 🙂 . I enjoy so much the public TV shows like “knit and crochet know ” and “knitting daily”. Thanks!
I’m enjoying your podcasts! You touch on so many details that I think about here in my studio but would never know who to discuss them with! Thanks for finding such interesting artists to interview.
I love to knit every day. I work on 3-4 projects at a time both easy and mindless (read and knit) and complicated. I would prefer either! Thank you for these podcasts!
I like to have one easy/mindless project going that I can pick up and work on here and there during the day while chasing 2 toddlers. Then I like something with a bit of challenge to work on when the kids are sleeping. 😉 I learned to crochet a few years ago and just recently picked up knitting. Love the Sinistra Cowl!
Most of the time I love to crochet quick projects, but every once in a while I do enjoy something more complex. I do love the instant gratification of a quick project though. 🙂
I am a knitter. I’ve tried crochet but can’t seem to get the knack. I like to have a couple project going at once, usually one that’s easy and somewhat mindless so I can zen out with it and one that is more complicated and makes me pay attention and think. That way I can work on whatever suits my mood. 🙂
I like quicker things. I need the instant gratification for my ADHD! I love how fast crochet is, but love the prettiness of knitting.
Knitting has always been my passion! Thank you for these podcasts and everything you do! Im so glad that these crafts are coming back. I was knitting before it was cool 🙂
I love smaller quick projects!!!! I knit and crochet so either is fine with me!!!
I like quick projects – instant gratification!
As a mom of 3, I gotta say I like the quicker, easier projects. I just don’t have as much time as I’d like for the bigger projects. As far as knitting vs. crochet, I honestly love both! 🙂
I’d love to knit the Sinistra Cowl since I haven’t done color work in a while and I love smaller projects like accessories that I can knit up quickly for family and friends.
I love to Knit 😊 been knitting for almost 16 years. I also love New patterns. I love doing color work ❤ already started knitting for Christmas….I’m so excited!!
I’m a knitter and I like bigger/more complicated projects the most but I love to do a couple of small/instant gratification projects in between the big ones!
I love knitting and I like to try something new and above my level of expertise. I also love to crochet, but my preference is knitting.
I enjoy both knitting and crocheting, but knitting best. And I love a challenge. Thanks for your podcasts and your Monday program
Quick and easy for kids things… or they outgrow them BEFORE you’ve finished the project. For adults, can be larger and more complex! Generally prefer to knit.
Thanks for sharing with us. Lena has beautiful designs and I enjoy watching her on knit and crochet now! I gravitate to crochet because it is quicker for me but I do enjoy knitting when I have time. Looking forward to the next episode.