Are you ready to sprinkle some extra love and appreciation onto the incredible women in your life? From cozy creations to fiber-filled delights, we've handpicked a selection of products that will have every fiber-loving mom swooning with delight this Mother’s Day! Whether she's a master knitter, a crochet queen, or simply adores the feel of luxurious yarn, our Beans have rounded up the perfect presents to make any mother figure in your life swoon and stitch!
Jimmy Beans Wool! With over 45 years of experience, Lena combines timeless elegance with modern trends in each piece. Join us as we explore Lena's approach to crafting meticulously designed pieces, from concept to final product, and discover the inspiration behind her designs that resonate with crafters worldwide!
Q: Can you share with us the creative roots that inspire your exclusive designs, and how do you infuse your personal style into each piece?
Lena: I
really like making things with my hands, and I've been doing it for a long
time, like 45 years! I pay attention to what people like and what's popular. I
get ideas from classic stuff and what's new and cool out in the fashion
industry, and combine with what I like to make and wear myself.
45 years of honing my craft have allowed me to intuitively understand what appeals to people, merging popular preferences with my unique perspective. I find inspiration in the world around me, whether it's the subtle elegance of nature or the refined details found in fashion and art.
When
I make my designs, I try to make them look a bit fancy but not too hard to do. I enjoy the challenge of making things
appear more intricate than they are.
My designs are a mix of classic and modern styles.
I want them to be both timeless and up-to-date. It's like putting together old
and new things to make something unique and special. I hope people who like
well-crafted and thoughtful designs will enjoy what I create.
Q: Designing exclusive pieces requires a meticulous process! Can you walk us through the journey from concept to the final product?
Lena: It all begins
with a spark of inspiration, and from there, I embark on a step-by-step journey
to bring the concept to life.
Idea
Generation: It all
starts with an idea that captivates me. I draw inspiration from various
sources, blending my experiences, preferences, and observations to create a
unique vision.
Test Samples: Before committing to a full design, I create small test samples to visualize how the concept translates into yarn and stitches. This phase allows me to make initial adjustments and fine-tune the details.
Rough Draft: Once satisfied with the concept, I move
on to crafting a rough draft of the pattern in one size. This initial pattern
serves as a foundation for the subsequent stages.
Stitching
the Piece: With the
pattern in hand, I meticulously stitch the piece, sometimes I get help from a
stitcher, paying close attention to every detail. This hands-on approach helps
me identify any adjustments or enhancements needed during the creation process.
Adding
Sizes: After completing
the first piece, when it’s a garment I expand the pattern to include multiple
sizes, ensuring inclusivity and a perfect fit for a diverse range of
individuals. This involves careful consideration of size charts and meticulous
adjustments.
Technical
Editing: To guarantee
the highest quality, I engage a skilled tech editor to thoroughly review the
pattern. This step ensures accuracy, clarity, and a seamless knitting or
crocheting experience for those who choose to recreate the design.
Photography: Capturing the essence of the piece is vital. The company I work for invest time in photographing the finished product, highlighting its unique features and overall aesthetic.
Pattern
Layout: The final step
involves enlisting professional assistance to lay out the pattern in our
designated template. This ensures clarity, readability, and a user-friendly
experience for fellow enthusiasts who engage with the design.
In essence,
each exclusive piece is a labor of love, meticulously crafted from concept to
final product. This comprehensive process is a testament to my commitment to
delivering high-quality, thoughtfully designed patterns that resonate with both
craftsmanship and creativity.
Q: How do you select the yarn, colors, and patterns that bring your vision to
life, and what challenges and triumphs do you encounter along the way?
Lena: Picking
the right yarn and colors for my designs is super important to make my creative
ideas come to life. It's like putting together a puzzle with many pieces,
considering what works well and looks good to the people who might use it.
Choosing
the yarn is a big part of my design. It could be a new yarn or one that people
already love. I think about how it feels, how soft it is, and if it's easy to
use. I also think about the price to make sure it's good quality but still
affordable.
I
really like neutral colors, and they're the starting point for many of my
designs. They're like a timeless and flexible canvas. To make things more
exciting, I add in bursts of colors based on what I think a lot of people will
like. I want the colors to be just right for both personal style and what many
people enjoy.
Designing
isn't always easy. One challenge is making sure the yarn I choose works well
with the design—looking good and being easy to use. It's like finding the
perfect balance between something fancy and something easy for everyone.
When
everything comes together, and my design turns out just like I imagined, it
feels great! Seeing people happy with what they make using my designs is the
best part. Even though there are challenges, overcoming them and having those
happy moments keeps me excited about creating new and easy-to-follow patterns.
Q: How do you balance creating timeless pieces while staying attuned to
evolving trends in the fiber arts world?
Lena: I
really like timeless designs that never go out of style. These classic pieces
are the
main focus of what I create. They're simple, elegant, and can be used
in many different ways.
At
the same time, I keep up with what's popular in the world of knitting and
crochet. This helps me add a modern touch to my designs. I want my creations to
feel current and exciting.
I
always think about the people who will use my patterns. I want everyone to find
something they like. Some people love classic styles, and others want the
latest trends. My goal is to have a collection that appeals to a wide range of
tastes.
Tutorial Focus:
Club Favorites:
Yarn Selection:
What can members look forward to?
Meet the Brains Behind Blanket Club: Lena Skvagerson
Lena at a Glance: Lena Skvagerson is more than just an in-house designer; she's a wealth of information about the fiber world. With years of experience and a passion for creating stunning blankets and accessories, Lena brings a unique blend of expertise, creativity, and a touch of magic to every project.
Q&A with Lena: A Glimpse into the Blanket Club Experience
A: I'm beyond excited to guide you through each monthly kit with detailed tutorial videos. We'll dive
into the pattern, and explore the stitches used, and I'll share tips and tricks along the way. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a knitting novice, I aim to make these tutorials accessible and enjoyable for everyone. From casting on to binding off, I'll be there every step of the way.
Q: Are there specific techniques or stitches you're particularly thrilled to teach?
A: Absolutely! I'll be showcasing every single stitch and technique used in the blanket projects. What gets me really excited are the new and interesting textures. Each month, we'll uncover stitches that not only elevate your skills but also add a touch of uniqueness to your finished masterpiece.
different shapes, blocks, and colors. It's a journey from simplicity to intricacy, resulting in a piece of art that may look complex but is accessible to all.
As for the Accessories in the club, get ready for a range of fun and on-trend pieces covering everything from heavy textures to colorwork and lace techniques.
Q: What excites you the most about the upcoming Blanket Club?
A: Being the new bean at Jimmy Beans, I'm thrilled about the opportunity to connect with long-time stitching friends and make new ones. The prospect of exploring vibrant yarns and colors, coupled with an active Facebook group for support and sharing, promises a fantastic experience for everyone.
Q: What can members look forward to?
A: We've got a few sneak peeks of the Accessory clubs!
But you can expect happy mail monthly, beautiful yarns, tutorial videos, and a vibrant Facebook community. Each finished project will be a badge of honor, showcasing your newfound skills.
Lena's Tips for Success:
- Check your gauge before diving into each new texture.
- For newcomers, warm up with sample blocks in scrap yarn.
- Experiment with different hook or needle sizes to achieve the perfect tension.
- Enjoy the process and feel free to personalize your project with favorite stitches.
Get ready for a year filled with creativity, camaraderie, and the joy of crafting alongside Lena Skvagerson. The 2024 Blanket Club promises to be a journey like no other, and Lena is here to guide you every stitch of the way!
Love crochet?? We do, too!
We love it so much that we've collaborated with our favorite designers to bring you a collection of 17 crochet pieces, all patterns are available for FREE.
We're so proud of the team we've assembled to bring this collection to life! Meet our designers below and dive into their captivating creations as we (finally!) unveil this eagerly awaited collection.
Meet Aurora Borealis by Maria Isabel
as the crack of dawn, when everything is quiet. Surrounded by the cold breeze and the freshness in the air with warm gleams of light. The beautiful quality of Malabrigo Dos Tierras with its amazing colors was the exact match for it. With its soft blend of merino wool and baby alpaca makes a cozy and super stylish garment.
That is how this hooded cowl has a mix of classic with liveliness, by integrating granny squares with textured stitches. A wonderful first opportunity to work with Jimmy Beans, which is exciting not only for the amazing yarn catalog they have but also for the chance to collaborate with an experienced and talented group of people within the yarn industry.
It’s also very important to me to make
the process as streamlined as possible, which is why the motifs are joined together with a simple slip stitch seam as you go, minimising the loose ends and finishing touches.
My goal was to make a cozy oversized sweater that would be as easy to make as it would be to wear. Trailblaze is made with Berroco Vintage Chunky – a classic washable workhorse yarn available in so many colors. One of my favorite colors (Sage 6199) was a perfect fit for the cohesive and really lovely color scheme of this whole crochet collection. It was an obvious choice for this sweater!
The boxy fit and hi/lo hems make it easy to throw on over any outfit, whether staying cozy at home or dressing up to go out. I can see myself just living in this all winter. I spent some time working on this sample while visiting family in Sweden over the summer, which makes this sweater even more special to me!