Indie designer of the week: Hannah Fettig

We got to chat with Hannah Fettig this week, the creative brains behind the Knitbot blog and Stashbot app. She talks to us here about developing “classic designs for the modern knitter.”

Hi Hannah! Tell us a little bit about yourself and Knitbot!

I live on the coast of southern Maine with my husband and two children. In 2008 I started a blog with the name Knitbot while I worked on my first book, Closely Knit. In 2009 when I started self publishing patterns it became my brand. Today I have published many individual patterns and books, hosted a podcast and developed an app, Stashbot.

What is the story behind your first knitting pattern?

My first knitting pattern was for The Fibre Company, which was originally based here in Portland, Maine. I had knit many, many sweaters and this first design cobbled together elements of patterns I had enjoyed knitting. It was featured in The Fibre Company booth at an industry trade show, a craft book editor saw it and the next thing I knew I had a book deal. I felt unqualified at first, the book was to contain 30 designs! But with encouragement and prodding from my editor, friends and family it happened.

That’s amazing – how would you describe your design style?

From the beginning I have striven to design pieces to be worn effortlessly on a daily basis. Simple designs with clean lines and drape make up my most popular pieces. The Knitbot tag line is “Classic Designs for the Modern Knitter”. I think the modern knitter is changing, but in the recent past simple designs in Stockinette stitch knit from the top down were pieces I found an audience for.

Which pattern is your most popular – what does the modern knitter love?

Featherweight Cardigan, which is the first pattern I self published. It remains my top seller! It’s a great first sweater, it’s highly wearable, and it serves as a great blank canvas for more advanced knitters.

What do you enjoy knitting for yourself?

I’m a sweater knitter, though every fall I knit myself a new hat and cowl for the season. Now that I have children, I also enjoy knitting for them!

What is your absolute must-have knitting accessory to keep knitting fun and easy?

A tapestry needle…I can fake anything else, a tapestry needle – not so much!

Which of your patterns would you recommend for a beginner, and which pattern for an experienced knitter looking for a challenge?

Featherweight Cardigan is really good for beginners. For a quicker knit, I’d recommend the Trail Jacket or the Effortless Cardigan. For a pullover I’d recommend the Lightweight Pullover. And for kids I’d recommend the Sock Yarn Sweater.

Do you have any plans afoot – what’s next for you, and for Knitbot?

I am working on a new book called Home & Away: Knits for Everyday Adventures. It features 5 previously released designs and 4 new ones. This is the first book I’ve published completely on my own and I am very excited to share it with everyone! It will feature articles based on popular knit.fm discussions, instructions written for both seamless and seamed versions of many of the sweaters plus beautiful photography.