In the spotlight | yak

 

As some of you will have seen yesterday we launched a limited edition yarn and pattern kit Sumptuous Lantern Lights which pairs up The Uncommon Thread’s beautiful Sumptuous DK and the hat pattern Lantern Lights designed by Joji Locatelli. The kit brings together two world renowned designers and we think they are a match made in heaven.  Pattern designer Joji Locatelli produces innovative designs which favour classic silhouettes using intriguing construction techniques. She has worked with many many amazing yarn dyers and she has collaborated with other talented pattern designers.  Her designs are always a joy to knit and the finished product is timelessly wearable.  Joji has been kind enough to answer some of my questions for our feature In the Spotlight.

Please introduce yourself.

Hello Kate! I am Joji, a knitter and knitting pattern designer from Buenos Aires.

Joji locatelli

How did your career as a pattern designer begin?

I guess it started out of curiosity! I was working on a sweater that had no pattern (it was an idea I had on my mind for a long time) and thought ‘what if I write this down’?

What is your favourite type of thing to design?

Sweaters, always. It’s so much easier for me to come up with inspiration for a sweater than an accessory. I try to design things that are different in a way, and sometimes it feels like everything has already been done with shawls and scarves…

Designs by joji. Left to right, autumn blush, lemongrass, lantern lights, old romance
Designs by joji. Left to right, autumn blush, lemongrass, lantern lights, old romance

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Hmmm, street fashion, pinterest, yarns… Anything can bring a new idea!

You live in Argentina. Is there a big knitting scene there?

Well, there is! But not many people know Ravelry or the type of knitting we usually share there. Here knitters are more free, most of them won’t follow a pattern and will improvise their knitting projects, adjust them to the yarn they found (we don’t have a lot of variety)… Knitters here are really skilled in that way 🙂

Veera valimaki & joji locatelli
Veera valimaki & joji locatelli

Last summer you came to Brighton for the Unwind festival. Did you enjoy the festival and what was your favourite thing about Brighton?

The whole fetival was such a treat! The location was majestic. I had never been to Brighton before so I enjoyed sightseeing and walking around…
At the show, the people there were the jewel. I met so many friends I had been wanting to meet for ages… The classes and the marketplace were superbe too! I learned a lot at came back home with more yarn than I should have 😉

Thanks to Joji for sharing. You can find all of her designs on her Ravelry page.

Don’t forget the Sumptuous Lantern Lights Kit is a limited offer which will end on the 20th December or until stocks last. So make sure you head over and grab one today. And if you sign up to the YAK newsletter you will receive a code for free shipping!

All photos are copyright of Joji Locatelli.

Comments (2)

  1. Thanks Kate for my kit which I bought yesterday at Wind up. I got the ink blue colour way. A great partnership from Uncommon thread and Joji!

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