PROFILE: LISA RICHARDSON
Yorkshire-based designer Lisa Richardson draws upon the stunning surrounding countryside as she comes up with her latest crochet creations…
It’s hard not to feel just a little bit envious when crocheter and knitter Lisa Richardson describes her home and surroundings. Living on an old farm, she has the Yorkshire countryside right on her doorstep – and her location understandably has an effect on her work.
“If I’m not working I’m outside,” she admits, “either walking, biking, running off road in the countryside or I’m working on the land that we have. Planting trees, starting a kitchen garden, looking after my chickens and bees. This heavily influences me and my work, not in a sought after way but just in the fact that I am absorbing all of those beautiful senses every day.”
With the current coronavirus situation, Lisa’s been grateful that she’s still been able to easily access the great outdoors. “I’m really lucky to be able to have a decent wander just by staying home. Even if I just go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea my chickens somehow know and jump on the windowsill and start knocking at the glass for a quick chat. Design-wise I work from home quite a bit anyway so have a studio space that I can work in so it feels normal in that respect, it’s just always hard to call a halt to the working day.”
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Lisa juggles time spent in the office with her work as lead designer at Rowan Yarns with her home studio where she tackles her freelance work. “My studio is an upstairs room in our home. I have windows on two sides so great views and I can see the weather coming in up the valley on stormy days. I tend to come in here first thing in the morning and do any emails and admin from my own website or pack up some kits for the post with a cup of tea, before going down for breakfast. That way I can drop off anything at the post office before going in to the Rowan office. I try and keep some swatches for the evenings so that I can do those downstairs and spend some time with my partner.” Besides crochet and knitting Lisa practises several other crafts, such as upholstery. “I also sew quite a bit – embroidery and clothing – and I’m missing my sewing machine at the moment as I lent it to my mum before we went into social distancing!”
The studio isn’t the only place Lisa likes to crochet. “If I know that I’m going to have to
really concentrate and I’ll be working out the mathematics of a pattern at the same time then I stay in my studio at my desk, as there’s less distractions. If it’s a straightforward swatch then I’ll find myself a comfy chair at an open window and watch the world go by.”
Having been designing at Rowan for around 18 years, Lisa has her creative process all worked out. As far as colours go it’s a simple method: “I play with the colours and start knitting [or crocheting] with them. Colours always look slightly different when they are placed next to another colour so you need to see how they harmonise in the design that you are working on.” Sometimes Lisa will make a sketch too: “it depends on what I’m working on,” she explains. “If it’s a new yarn that I haven’t used before the first step for me is to play with them see how different stitches look, does it drape better with a lacier stitch and so on. I’ll then work on a moodboard or sketching design ideas. If it’s a yarn I know and I’ve worked with it a lot I’ll work in the opposite way. Moodboard and sketching and then to working swatches.”
As for yarns Lisa has a couple of go-to ones. “Rowan felted tweed is great for crochet and is one of my all-time favourite yarns. I also love using Rowan Summerlite for crochet because it still keeps a beautiful drape.”
CREATIVE RETREATS
When she’s not working on her own designs Lisa is often busy running workshops. “Most of the workshops I do have a creative element, creating moodboards or choosing colours, rather than being just technique driven. Most years I have also held a week-long residential retreat in Italy; I’ve always really enjoyed these as it’s great way to really get to know a group.”
Unfortunately the workshops Lisa had organised for this year have had to be put on hold. “I was so excited as one of them was to be held just up the hill from me in the most gorgeous venue, with far-reaching views across the valley and the village of Slaithwaite,” she says. But she has plans for temporary alternative options: “I’m hoping to do a couple of free mini workshops online and then see if I feel that any of my main workshops could be held in the same way, without losing the intimacy that you get on a day or half day workshop in a beautiful venue.”
When not running a workshop, Lisa finds that usually there’s plenty on elsewhere in the local area for stitchers. “The craft scene is huge near where I live,” she enthuses.
“Wild about Wool organise pop-up yarn markets and have regular knit and natter events. There is also Globe Arts which offers all sorts of art and craft workshops for adults and children.” For now Lisa is able to keep up with other crocheters online.
“I love seeing how Constance from @cleocmc puts her outfits together – she will knit or crochet a garment and also sew the dress to match. I also like @katgoldin for the mix of farmyard, veg and some yarn thrown in too.”
“Planting trees, starting a kitchen garden, looking after my chickens and bees. This heavily influences me and my work”
STILL HOOKED
So with all the many crafts Lisa enjoys and a love of knitting to match her love of crochet, what is it about crochet in particular which makes it special to her? “If I’m making something for myself it tends to be crochet,” she confesses, “and it’s because I can get distracted, put it down and not worry that I’m going to drop stitches. I can also travel with it for much the same reason; I tend to knit on straight needles which aren’t so portable (I’ve broken far too many).”
“I’m currently working on a crochet baby blanket with a friend; we are both doing motifs and at some point we will get together to put those motifs together and pass the blanket to our friend’s baby.” Written by Lucy Evans