Maker Spotlight: Natalie Thomas of Detroit Knots
/I love that magical thing when the internet works for good and we get to connect - really connect with people we may otherwise never have known. The wonderful and talented Natalie of Detroit Knots is one of those people for me. I think our friendship story is a normal one in the modern age, but it is still incredibly special to me and it started online. Now she is one of my most treasured friends and design colleagues.
We first met many moons ago through Instagram when stumbled upon a picture of her and her little human in a dress she designed. Something about this just spoke to me and I said to myself: oh this woman.. I need to know her. That was it though - a fleeting moment of admiration and hoping we could some day connect over fiber.
I was BLOWN AWAY when, shortly after I happened upon that photo, Natalie applied to be one of my pattern testers.
In those unrelated but important singular events, the seeds of fiber friendship were planted.
When Natalie started her own designing, I could not be more thrilled to support this talented human. Bringing her designs to the Stitch & Hustle community is an honor.
Seriously - Our love for Natalie of Detroit Knots is all over this blog (See here, here, here. Oh, and here.)
So I thought with the launch of her latest design The Aplomb Peplum Top Free Crochet Pattern for the Stitch & Hustle community, we would give you all the chance to also get to know Natalie better with our Q&A…
Tell Us all about YOU?
My name is Natalie Thomas. I'm from Detroit, MI. My craft of choice is crochet, that includes Tunisian crochet. I can knit but I don't do it often.
Do you fiber for love and hobby or is this your J-O-B? Or a bit of both? Share a bit of your fiber journey with us.
It's a bit of both. I have a full-time non-fiber job. I also design and teach on a regular basis. I learned to crochet when I was about 5 years old. I didn't really get into it until I was an adult. I started designing after someone asked me for the pattern to something I designed. I've been designing for the last three years.
What is the most cherished thing you ever made for someone else? Who is truly knit/crochet worthy?
I don't usually make things for other people, but I made my husband a hat a few years ago. He prefers it over anything store bought and has kept up with it for years! I've tried offering him other hats but he just says "Where is MY hat?" It cracks me up.
What is the favorite thing you made for yourself?
I don't have a most favorite thing. I love everything that I make, otherwise I won't make it.
What was the inspiration for this design?
I wanted a top that was form fitting but not suffocating. I also wanted and interesting construction because I like my designs to be unique.
How did you like working with Cot-Lin from We Crochet? What drew you to it for the Aplomb Peplum Crochet Top Pattern?
“I really like the Cot-Lin. It's a sturdy yarn that can stand up to the copious amounts frogging that I do when designing. Even with that it stays soft which isn't really common in cotton yarns. I was drawn to it because of the linen content. Since this was going to be a summer design it needed to be a breathable fiber. Cotton and linen both get softer with wear and are perfect for warm weather.”
Which of your designs do you wear the most and why?
What I wear the most depends on the season. For summer I love to wear my Tunisian Desert Top. It's lacy without being too revealing. In the colder months I like to layer with shawls. I rotate between my Luna Fade and Despite Shawls. I'll wear my Comfort Tee a lot in the fall. The DK weight is perfect for a little extra warmth without getting overheated.
Of all of your designs, do you have one that turns out completely different than you originally planned?
All of my designs turn out completely different than I planned. That is part of my process. I start with an idea and then go where the yarn takes me. The yarn never wants to be what I plan. I always listen to the yarn. I always love it in the end. This is why I have no problem frogging in the process or even a complete project. Every time I learn more about structure, construction, drape and stitch placement. Designing and frogging is a constant learning process.
That’s all and thanks Natalie for sharing your designs with us! And you can keep up with Natalie here:
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/natalie-detroit-knots
https://www.instagram.com/detroitknots/
https://www.detroitknots.com
