PROFILE: KATE ALINARI

Kate Alinari is spreading fun and cheer one stitch at a time!

How did you get started as a crochet designer?

I believe that crocheting and hand-making is funny, creative and rewarding, and it helps people become happier. I learnt crochet from my grandmother when I was six years old, and now I design happy patterns for crocheters.

Since 2012 I’ve been working as a freelance designer, collaborating with both yarn companies and magazines to create patterns. I’ve been featured by both Italian and UK publications, including Simply Crochet and Love Crochet. In 2017, my first Italian book went out, I Balocchi del Tipo Strano, which translates as ‘crochet games for little ones’.

Tell us a little about your popcorn blanket make? This popcorn power blanket could be a picnic blanket, a throw or a bed blanket. Wrap yourself in my colourful blanket on the sofa or enjoy it on a Sunday picnic with friends. I love colours as they make me feel happy and I enjoy crocheting with bright shades.

How did the design develop for the popcorn blanket? Can you talk us through the process? When I designed the popcorn blanket, in my mind I had rainbows, funny days outdoors and happiness. I started crocheting a swatch and naturally popcorn ‘popped’ up on my hook! I’ve always loved this stitch because it has such a fantastic texture and is so easy to make. Carrying yarn with the tapestry crochet method reinforces the blanket and makes it more durable. No one loves to weave in the ends, so I decided to leave them and use them as fringing. In my design process I always prioritise creating a beautiful piece that people will be inspired by, but also I want people have fun making my pattern so I keep this in mind, too.

What do you like most about the ColourLab yarn used in this blanket?

Rainbow colours are happy, give joy and help me remember how the world is beautiful because everyone is different – religion, gender and country don’t matter. I love the colourful shades of West Yorkshire Spinners’ ColourLab as it’s very bright and there’s no fading after washing – which is important for items like blankets. It’s 100% wool bred in the UK and hooks up beautifully. I enjoyed working with it.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

If you’re planning to come to Italy, let’s get in touch! I’ll be more than happy to offer you a coffee or a gelato in my studio in Prato, which is in the textile district close to Florence. Additionally, if you’d like to visit Florence I’ve just started Walking Wool, which is a Florence guided tour for yarn lovers – check us out on Airbnb or search Walking Wool.

You can find Kate online on Ravelry and Facebook (search Kate Alinari), on Instagram @katealinari, or Italian readers can keep up with her adventures on her blog at www.madebykate.me