As we round the bend towards the new year of our Pro-Verbial Club, I thought it would be fun to do a short interview with each of the designers.
My first interview is with Jenny Ansah, an Afro-Finnish designer, whose work I absolutely love because it is so warm and cozy. Growing up in Minnesota, I can empathize with the weather of Finland. Fall rolls around, and all I ever wanted to do was curl up in a big sweater and take a walk in the woods, remembering how just weeks before there was a canopy of rich, verdant green leaves. And now, in its place, the leaves changed color to yellow, red, and brown, dropping slowing from the trees, through the air, as snowflakes soon would. Though so much has changed over the decades, the simple need and desire to shift our clothing to keep warm continues.
- Kristine
~~~
5 Questions with Jenny
1. Your Ravelry profile says you are inspired by nature, as natural dyers we love this. What is your process of designing and how does nature inspire you?
Nature inspires me with its seasonal changes, colours and constructions. I usually start with a memory I have when having adventures in nature and what colours do I associate with them. From there I start to visualise the structure of a piece, then textures and after that choose a yarn to work with.
2. What is your favorite season?
2. What is your favorite season?
This is a tough one! But I would say autumn is my favourite because of the rich range of colours in foliage and beanie and sweater weather.
3. Where do you live? Does it have an impact on what and how you design?
I live in Helsinki, the capital city which is located in Southern Finland. My home city has a great impact on my design style: the people, urban but modern lifestyle infused with beautiful nature and sea shore. We have four very distinct seasons in Finland and especially the super long winter (almost 5 to 6 months) which makes you want to wear cosy and warm knitted items all the time.
4. What are 3 words that encapsulate your style?
Comfortable, textured with a twist (stitch).
5. When did you first learn to knit/who taught you to knit? If you taught yourself, how did you get inspired to learn?
I learned to knit from my grandmother who has a degree in textile and fibre arts. Later on in my university studies I wanted to be more mindful of what I wear so I started knitting again and sorted through Youtube tutorial videos with new techniques and knitted from other designers' patterns.
~~~
We are so excited to see what Jenny creates for the Pro-Verbial Club!
What we do know is that it will be delicious!
What we do know is that it will be delicious!
