Today we have Caitlin Hunter of Boyland Knitworks in our spotlight. She and her husband live in Oregon and have 3 boys that they raise on their farm in the forest. I know you’ll have fun getting to know a bit about her today.
Loopy: Hi Caitlin! Thanks for being in out spotlight today. How long have you been a knitter, and who taught you to knit?
Caitlin: Hi Loopy! I learned to knit when I was around 14. I taught myself from a book I found in our basement! I found the book along with some needles and yarn, all from the 70’s that had belonged to my mom.
Loopy: That was a great find for you! Who knew it would set you down a long and productive road. What is your favorite type of item to knit?
Caitlin: Sweaters!
Loopy: You sure have designed a lot of beautiful ones. What is the most challenging thing that you have knit to date?
Caitlin: Hmmm … probably my Teroldego shawl. It was only challenging because I get bored with shawls. It is challenging for me to not end them early and make them really small.
Loopy: That’s funny! When did you start designing, and what spurred that interest?
Caitlin: I started designing clothes when I was 3. I sewed clothes for my dolls from scraps from my mom’s sewing projects. I never stopped after that! I went to apparel design school to get professional training and have been working in the industry in some capacity ever since.
Loopy: I think you are the first person we’ve had in our spotlight that has been to apparel design school. That has to be really helpful in what you do. Do you have a favorite pattern that you have designed?
Caitlin: Nope! Whichever one is the current one I’m working on is my favorite.
Loopy: Well – so far MY favorite pattern of yours is your Tegna. Such a beautiful hemline. Do you do this business full-time, or on the side? And do you have other jobs outside of designing?
Caitlin: This is a full time business. It is harder now than usual due to COVID19 and no school or childcare! I love my job and could happily work 80 hours a week. Outside of designing, I raise our 3 boys and fun our homestead. We have chickens and grow a big garden.
Loopy: Gardens seem to be an extra good thing this year during the pandemic. And probably chicken-raising, too. Does anyone else in your family knit?
Caitlin: My mom does! She knits a lot of my designs for my sister, who is a nurse (yay, healthcare workers!) and doesn’t have time to knit.
Loopy: I second that – yay healthcare workers! Are there other hobbies you enjoy?
Caitlin: I love hiking, snowboarding, ice skating, gardening, drawing, painting and reading!
Loopy: I don’t know how you find time to do it all. What would be your favorite way to spend a day off?
Caitlin: Snowboarding with my family!
Loopy: Ok – last thing: Morning or night person, coffee or tea, English or Continental, solids or multicolors?
Caitlin: Both! Coffee! Both! Both!
Loopy: That must be how you get so much done – both morning and night and knitting both ways. 🙂
Caitlin is offering 20% of your choice of one of her patterns via her Ravelry pattern page. Code: LOOPY . This code is valid from 8/28-9/4.
Pick out a fun one, and then pop over to Loopy for some new yarn to go with it!
Have a great weekend –
Sheri
Love Caitlin; I made 4 of her designs so far , I’m still planning to make 3 more projects. Already got the patterns, now it’s just a keep on going thing . I’m redoing now the Soldotna crop ; it was too small for my daughter. But still I’m enjoying the color work
Thanks, Sheri and caitlin,
I was in the shop lay week picking out yarn for navelli.
Beth
Thank you so much for highlighting Caitlin Hunter!!! She is one of my favorite designers and I’ve knit several of her designs. Keep up the good work and stay safe!!
Thanks Sheri and Caitlin. I love Tegna-on my list for a fall knit and I just bought Gloam. Sheri I love learning about the designers. Thanks for this wonderful feature.
I have been wanting to knit Tegna for some time now, so that’s what I decided on. Thank you Caitlin and Sheri!
Beautiful, creative work.