Wool People

Posted by Jared Flood on

You may have noticed a cloak of silence shrouding BT in the last month. Summer is funny like that. For knitters it's a hard time that we ride out with hope for chillier temperatures, but behind the scenes it always becomes the most chaotic time of the year as we busy ourselves with big Fall surprises. This year we've got a lot of things up our sleeve; a few large-scale projects that have swirled us into their summer vortex.Thankfully, today we  are finally ready to release the first of our Fall concepts.

It’s been almost a year since the launch of SHELTER. I remember well all the planning, waiting, nerves, & excitement that accompanied the months leading up to that release – but probably most of all, how I couldn’t wait to get to designing with a yarn that really spoke to me. And as I began (and continue) my own creative work with the yarn, I found myself beginning to wonder what this wool might inspire in the hands of other Creatives whose work I have admired from afar. This simple curiousity became the basis for WOOL PEOPLE: a semi-annual design series curated by Brooklyn Tweed, the first installment of which we are happy to release just in time for high knitting season.

For this first collection of patterns, I sought out designers both near and far whose work – which comprises its own wonderful variety – I have long watched and admired. My plan: arm them with a healthy dose of wool and see what happens.

The process was so rewarding. We were able to work directly with each designer, discussing their ideas and sketches to construct a collection that we think will appeal to the sensibilities of our readers, and will welcome Fall in the best way knitters know how. The creative dialogue that is at the heart of this series has been invigorating - a welcome contrast to the virtual solitude I was in just a year ago! Our first group of Wool People has been a joy to work with. Some of their names you may recognize, others you may not, but in all cases I hope there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

We've put together a beautiful Look Book for this collection, highlighting all the designs with full color photographs, as well as providing readers with information about our Guest Designer Team. To get the best feel of the whole collection, we encourage you to take a look!

Each design in the collection is available now as a PDF download at Brooklyn Tweed or on Ravelry.

As the publishing world continues to change rapidly, designers are working differently. Having designed independently for some time now, I see the problems that designers face in this industry every day. We’ve worked hard to put together a model that compensates designers fairly (and gratefully!) for their work. Starting today, a portion of all proceeds from digital pattern sales will always go directly to the individual designer for the life of the pattern. In the spirit of collaboration, each designer also retains the rights to their own work. We plan to continue developing this model in future WP collections to best serve those people who have made this project possible.

It’s been a hot summer and we here at Brooklyn Tweed HQ are certainly daydreaming of Fall’s arrival. I hope some of the designs and photographs featured today inspire you to do the same (if you weren’t already!).

______________ Resources // The Wool People Volume 1 Look Book is viewable here. Pattern collection is available on BT here and also available on Ravelry here. All designs in this collection are knit with Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER, available here. 

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59 comments

  • See above comments, and do hold forth with your detailed experience and ideas.

    Many thanks for taking this enquiry seriously.

    Brian Oschwald on

  • I am interested in buying you book wool people vol 1 could you please tell me where I can buy one

    Beverly jemison on

  • How deep does your interest go?

    How are you unique in relation to British and Irish (even Canadian) design groups with similar interests?

    What has been the scope of your research: your historic and contemporary tweed references?

    What historic designs, patterns & proportions are you moving toward?

    How will you avoid compromise and banality?

    Brian Oschwald on

  • What beautiful pieces! You’re a fine writer and your love of fiber is certainly deep and true. I love “high knitting season” and I’m going to think about that when I pick up my wool.

    Pom Pom on

  • Absolutely fabulous. You have nailed wool and the wonderful handmade, rustic, stylish, practical, beautiful garments to be made from such a unparalleled natural fiber. Thank you

    Carrie on

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