Karie Westermann
Karie’s design work is characterised by delicate stitch patterns and elegant shapes
Denmark and now based in Scotland, Karie Westermann is an inspirational designer and writer who has won many fans thanks to her elegant, thoughtful lace and colourwork patterns. She has recently published her first book, This Thing of Paper.
Who inspired you to take up knitting?
“I was taught to knit and sew by my formidable great-grandmother Lilly, who brought up 18 children during the 1930s and 1940s in a cottage with no running water and no central heating system. She taught me that having the ability to make clothes gives you confidence in your ability to do many other things.
“I picked up knitting again when I fell very ill. I was stuck in bed for months – I could not read, watch TV or listen to the radio – and so we hit upon the idea of me knitting. I found that I had a knack for it, and before I knew what had happened, I was working for a yarn company!”
Do you have a favourite artist, writer, poet or musician who inspires you?
“David Bowie has influenced me for as long as I can remember. He kept pushing against boundaries, innovating, and asking questions. I look at Bowie and I know that creativity is boundless. It is possible to keep things fresh and you can draw inspiration from all sorts of things.”
Which designer has most inspired you?
“I’ve been very lucky to work with so many inspiring people over the years, and I’ve learned so much from everyone. Working with Susan Crawford was especially inspiring because what she does is incredibly difficult. Susan understands dress history and textiles in a way that very few other knitting designers do, and she uses this detailed knowledge in her work in a seemingly effortless way. Yet when you work with her, you learn just how much effort she puts into everything she does.”
Tell us about the colours, landscapes or architecture that inspires your work.
“As a Scandinavian, I’m a big fan of clean lines, and I can spend a lot of time thinking about the right shade of off-white! But there is also the whole Scandinavian love of storytelling, and using craft to tell those stories. I looked at an old photo album the other day and I had to laugh when I saw all the amazing jumpers kids were wearing to school when I was young. There is a lot of continuity to Scandinavian knitting: it is traditional, but it is a living and breathing tradition. It’s on the high street as much as it’s in a textile museum.”
What fibres do you love to work with?
“I like my yarns to tell a story – about where they are from, or who the dyer is. I prefer yarns that haven’t been processed beyond recognition; I’ve worked a lot with yarns from The Island Wool Company and Blacker Yarns for that reason. However, I also love Rowan Kidsilk Haze (so versatile and makes even the simplest pattern shine) and hand-dyed silk blends from dyers like DyeNinja and Travelknitter.”
Which design from your portfolio are you most proud of, or is most special to you?
“‘Incunabula’ from This Thing of Paper. I had a clear idea of what I wanted it to be like: a classic cardigan with small, clever details. We worked very hard on making the pattern accessible to people despite the many different details involved. It turned out even better than I had imagined.”
Are there any techniques, traditions or styles of knitting you’d like to explore?
“I haven’t done much with Estonian lace, and I know I want to play in that particular sandbox. The way they think about stitches and fabric is just so amazing.”