Meet Faïza Mebazaa
Designing knitwear is always an adventure for Faïza, who loves to experiment with colour, texture and shape to create contemporary yety wearable projects
THE KNITTED creations of designer Faïza Mebazaa of HandSoOn Knits are a kaleidoscope of colour and texture, modern shapes and fascinating constructions. As well as selling her patterns through Ravelry.com, Faïza has had her ‘Kupka’ shawl featured in Laine’s iconic 52 Weeks of Shawls book. To celebrate Faïza’s first pattern for The Knitter, we chatted with her about her design background and her love of colour.
When did you learn to knit, and who taught you?
“My beloved grandmother, who raised me in the South of France until the age of nine, taught me the knitting basics. She enjoyed knitting, and was devastated when arthritis deprived her of that joy. She chose her yarn from a thick Bergère de France catalogue, which had pages and pages of little sample fringes that I adored.”
Can you remember the first original piece of knitwear you ever created?
“I’ve always tweaked patterns to make them my own, but my first true creation was the ‘Rumors of Snow’ stole, for which I designed the intricate cable pattern (and thought I’d invented two-coloured cables!).”
Can you tell us how you got started as a knitwear designer?
“Professionally I started in advertising, then worked for TV channels as a graphic designer. I have also published several cookbooks as an author and food stylist. I’ve always drawn, sewn, knitted, crocheted, sculpted… and I hardly ever wear anything that is not handmade. Discovering Ravelry was a game changer for me, and knitting took over. My knitting skills skyrocketed. I felt like a kid in a candy store, swooning over indie yarns and modern patterns. The next step was to start publishing my own designs, which was a big leap out of my comfort zone. I started with accessories, then upgraded to garments (pun intended, as grading is quite a brain teaser!).”
How would you describe your design style?
“I favour slightly unusual proportions and interesting constructions, but not to the point of extravagance or fussiness. I have a penchant for loose-fitting sweaters with polished finishing details. My favourite playgrounds are colour and texture. I love to play with the infinite array of knit stitch patterns, lace and cables, and I’m absolutely crazy about combining colours. I try not to repeat myself, and to offer something entirely novel in each new design.”
Do you have a favourite design from your portfolio, or one that is most special to you?
“Each one of them was quite an adventure, but I’m particularly proud of my ‘MonTee’ cropped tee as it was my first foray into the joys of grading garments!”
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
“I cannot identify direct sources of inspiration, and my creative process remains somehow mysterious to me.