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Do you wear your own creations?
My little secret is that I rarely wear my own designs. There are maybe one or two designs a year that I really fall in love with and wear regularly. Different things speak to different people, and when all the elements magically come together – the yarn, the color, the stitch pattern, the fit – when that happens for me, that's the sweater I wear.
What is most challenging to your success as a designer?
Having to wear all the hats. I'm not just the designer, I'm the publisher, the shipping clerk, the ad department, you name it. If all I had to do was wake up each day and design, that would be great. I get lost in all the other details too easily and have to remind myself to get back to designing.
Any trick to get your design juices going when you get designer’s block?
I'll never win any awards for my housekeeping and I've noticed how the clutter can hamper my productivity and creativity. When it's time to produce a new collection, I start by cleaning out the clutter.
Are you most inspired by colors or texture?
Texture, definitely. I'm color challenged, but I love to swatch simple stitch patterns. The simpler the better because I don't like to think too much when I knit; there's enough thinking to be done in the design process and then again in writing up a pattern. I love it when I find a stitch pattern that looks complex, but is simple enough to memorize after a few rows.
Any prediction in trends for this coming fall in knitwear designs?
No predictions, but I do like the soft gathers and beautiful draping that I'm seeing in knits. Cables and Fair Isle used in unexpected ways keep popping up, too.
Any special tip or trick you can share with our readers?
Fit and good finishing is so important and you shouldn't be afraid to make adjustments. I've gotten into the habit of not weaving in ends until after I finish all the seaming. If I baste a sweater together and decide I'd like a deeper neck or slimmer fit at the upper arm, it's so much easier to make the adjustment if the ends haven't been woven in yet.
What’s your favorite Knit One, Crochet Too yarn?
I'm a fan of basic yarns, but in really luscious fibers. Temptation, Camelino and Ambrosia fit the bill in three different weights. I just used Temptation for the first time for a short coat and it's just gorgeous to work with. Good soft cottons are getting difficult to find and Cotonade is a favorite. One of my more popular patterns is Fitzroy, a lace cardigan done in Cotonade (pictured above).
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Prolific designer but self-described 'slow knitter,' Kim Dolce's design inspiration is all about texture and wearable garments.
Name: Kim Dolce
Age: 50
Location: Pensacola, Fla.
Real job: Just because I get to work in my pajamas doesn't mean this isn't a real job.
Website: www.dolcehandknits.com
How long knitting: I've been knitting since 1991, not counting all the false starts as a child.
How did you start your designing career?
When I finally re-taught myself to knit, it just really took hold of me. About the time I decided to try designing for magazines, TKGA was hosting a designer day with Lily Chin. It was the first time I attended any sort of knitting show and it was a wonderful experience. Lily was incredibly generous with her knowledge and experience and that gave me the added confidence I was looking for to submit that first design.
I designed an all-over cabled jacket that I sent to Knitter's. As thrilled as I was to learn my design had been accepted, it didn't compare to how it felt to see it on the cover. It was a great debut and I was hooked.
I cut my teeth freelancing and took what I learned and started Dolce Handknits a few years later.
(That first-published design, “Port Fairy,” was later republished in its original form, and is the cabled sweater pictured at right.)
What or who inspires you as a designer?
I love fashion and craft of all kinds, especially fiber-related crafts. I find endless inspiration in what others create.
How would you define your style?
Simple, wearable, relaxed. I want my sweaters to be the sort of thing you grab without a thought.
Do you knit all your samples yourself?
I wish I could, but I'm a very slow knitter. I'll knit a sample if it's going to be something I have to tweak every step of the way. Or if I have the time I'll knit something that's wildly easy just for fun.
How many design per year do you create?
I felt it was really important to have a good range of patterns when I started Dolce Handknits and I was doing eight designs per season or 16 a year. I do about half that now because I've been trying to focus more on other aspects of the business. If I ever get the hang of the business end of things, I hope I'll be able to get back to doing 12 or so new designs a year.
Do you gear your designs specifically toward a certain age group?
Many of my designs seem to have a wide appeal. I think really wearable clothes are ageless. There's a little black dress or a great pair of jeans and a white button-down shirt out there for everyone. I may be inspired by some recurring detail in current fashion, but I don't chase trends.
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