Tops & Toes with Kara Gott Warner!
Win a copy of Tops and Toes!!! Read this interview with Kara to find out how!
I was recently given a copy of Tops and Toes by Kara Gott Warner to review and thought I'd share my conversation with the author with you.
Kara, what was your inspiration for Tops & Toes?
Hi Cindy, thanks for inviting me to your blog today. I thought Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat & Sock Knitters would be a timely book because I think so many knitters love the idea of a book that includes compact items such as hats and socks. There's so much excitement going around these days over sock knitting, and so many great sock books out there, but very few that offer both hats and socks in a very comprehensive way.
What do you think sets your book apart from other hats and socks books on the market?
I created this book with idea that this would be a "one-stop" resource for hat and sock knitters. I've included a very comprehensive Techniques section, covering all the bases from the basics of working on double-pointed needles to Magic Loop. I even included detailed sections on working short rows, and how to end your sock. My goal was to make this book as "user-friendly" as possible, to make it easy for knitters of any level to adapt one technique for another without feeling intimidated.
I know that you are an accomplished designer in your own right but for this book, you have invited other well-known designers to contribute. How did you find these designers?
I visit online groups such as Knit Design, Knit Publishing and The Association of Knitwear Designers (link). I also go to places like Knitty (link), as well as scan through books and magazines looking for designs I like, then I contact the designers directly. House of White Birches, which is a part of DRG Publications also has a vast database of designers that I rely on as well.
With all the submissions, how did you decide which designs to include?
Wow, this can be a tricky undertaking! I would say this is the hardest part of the process. I receive so many great design submissions, but the multi-designer books that I produce only allow for about 45 designs. Basically, I try to focus on the submissions that lend themselves best to the chosen theme. Secondly I look for a good cross-section of projects for every skill level. For the most part, my goal is to choose projects that are easy for new knitters, but I always like to include a few intermediate to advanced designs as well. As knitters, we all want a challenge, but we also like those easy projects too, and sometimes these can be the most fun to make!
Who would most benefit from the patterns in the book?
I think that beginners would definitely benefit the most, simply because this book offers a great introduction to techniques that can help take them to the next level. I also think that more advanced knitters would love to have this book as well, because you can always learn something new. No matter what your level, I think this is one of those books that you can always rely on when you're looking for that perfect gift!
As a graphic designer myself, I can't help but notice how nice and simple the format for the patterns are. The type is easy to read (large enough) and the patterns are broken down line by line - something you don't often see in knitting books.
My goal with Tops & Toes was to make sure the patterns are easy to navigate. Choosing just the right typeface and layout can make all the difference to help readability of a pattern. Then, the added challenge is to make sure that all of the pattern components (charts, schematics, etc.) fit into the layout in an aesthetically pleasing way as well.
Also, the organization of the book is unique. One would expect a section on hats and a section on socks, but also included a section on sets with matching socks and hats.
Cindy, that’s a great point. I think that we all love the idea of having the perfect hat to match our socks. Instead of the time consuming task of mixing and matching patterns, hoping to find just the right combination, I decided what better way to fix this dilemma, then by including a section for “Sets” all in one place! Also, as knitters, we’re all looking to make that special gift for someone, especially for babies and kids. Not only does this make a great impression, you can make them in half the time it takes to make a sweater.
I really like how each section is color coded so one can flip through the book and easily find a pattern.
I’m glad you noticed this design element Cindy. This offers an easy way to navigate through the book, but I also think it creates a unique touch. If you’re searching for a particular pattern or texture, I wanted to make it easy to quickly scan through the book to find it. To see it at your finger tips....literally!
Also the photography is incredible. A whole page is given to each hat or sock plus several other photos of the article so there's no question about what your hat or socks will look like when complete. You haven't hidden anything which is something I appreciate in a pattern.
The photography phase is so crucial. It's always important to make sure the projects are well-represented. Our goal is to capture the level of detail and craftsmanship in each photo, as well as photographing them in an artistic, and visually pleasing way. I chose to shoot many of the projects outdoors, against textured backgrounds such as wood, brick and stone. The Bobble Lace Beanie and the Walking Spiral Hat & Socks both represent the overall look and feel that I was after. We've also included "seamless photos." These kind of photos show the design on a white, almost "cut-out" background, creating and even clearer visual of what the finished piece will look like.
And there's a photo index! How unique!
Creative Knitting, also a part of DRG places a photo index in the back of each issue. I think it's ingenious! As a knitter myself, when I have a particular project in mind, it's so easy to flip to the back of the book, instead of going through page by page, which can become tedious at times.
Cindy's Notes: You can read Kara's blog at She Knits in the Loop and see many of her designs and patterns at igottknits.
Also, if you go to Kara's blog and comment about this interview, you will entered in a contest to win a FREE book.