Color, Yarn And Knit Design With Pamela Minniear

This interview with Pamela Minniear, an accomplished knit pattern designer and knitting teacher delved into her creative journey and love of yarn and color. Her unique perspective on yarn textures and colors combined with an eye for detailed embellishments like tassels and beads adds flair and style to her designs. Her brand is 'No Panic Knitting' and specializes in the beginning knitter, helping them to grow in skills and confidence while the more experienced will find the designs relaxing and approachable. 'No Panic Knitting' designs have been published in three volumes of The Sun and Fog Collection and by Blue Sky Fibers.

Pamela's eye-catching designs also also recently led to an interview by the Royal Bee Yarn Company. Her story is joyful, engaging and creative and you can read her responses below.

Can you tell us about your background and how you became a knitwear designer?

My background is not in art or design, but in public administration. I have a degree in Urban Studies and worked with the Federal level of government for 37 years. However, I?ve always had a love for color, fashion, and art, and learned how to knit and sew as a child. After retirement, I begin working in a local yarn shop in Danville, where I taught beginning knitting and worked in sales. That?s when I began my first steps as a knitwear designer. There were few designs available for the newer (beginner) knitter. I wanted patterns that my students could follow and gain confidence in their knitting development. So, I started designing my own.

How do you come up with new knit designs and patterns? What inspires you?

My goal is writing a knitting pattern that others can use to produce my knitwear designs. Inspiration comes from various sources. Often, it comes from the actual yarn itself ? the colors and textures of it, the feel of it. Sometimes my inspiration comes from wanting to play with or explore a knit stitch that I?ve seen on Ravelry (an online community site, and a yarn and pattern database for knitters and crocheters) or Instagram. Knit stitch dictionaries ? either hard copy or online always spark my interest. Sometimes I want to play with a certain shape for a design, such as an asymmetrical wrap, or a bandana-shaped cowl. Color always inspires me ? how I can design with it in an unexpected way or by combining unusual colors. Special people and places have inspired by designs.

How do you stay current and innovative in your craft?

Because I love to knit, I constantly look at and knit the work of other designers. I use online knitting databases and communities such as Ravelry, and Instagram (my feed is full of yarn and knitting stories and photos). I attend online and in person knitting conventions (such as Vogue Knitting Live and Stitches. I always browse current books and magazines (online and in print). Connecting with other designers is very important to me. We have ongoing meetings in person and virtually. I belong to a few knitting groups, and I have lots of pals in the knitting community that help me see new and interesting ways to create.

Can you discuss a particularly challenging project you?ve worked on and how you overcame
any obstacles?

My latest published design used The Royal Bee Yarn Company?s beautiful super fine merino ecofriendly yarn. They wanted 10 colors to be used and wanted to feature an unusual (not neutral) choice for the main color (a cranberry red). I wanted to include a 2-color bee stitch (which is a very simple brioche stitch) and I didn?t want it to be too intimidating for the newer knitter. And I wanted the design to be fun and lively. Now, this design required lots of swatching. And starting over. And having faith in my color choices. Color doesn?t scare me (you?d be surprised at how people are terrified of making what they think might be a ?bad? color choice). So, I combined all 10 colors using stripes, color blocking and textures ? and they worked. The dyer loved it, and I did, too.

Can you talk about a knit pattern or design that you are particularly proud of and why?

I?m very proud of my Louise Cowl. I designed it with my late mother-in-law in mind. She loved Irish sweaters and Celtic knitting stitches, especially one called a Blackberry stitch. I designed a cowl to honor her memory ? like a cozy hug around the neck. And the pattern was selected for
a professional collection.

Can you share with us your experience publishing your knitting patterns and designs?

Most of my designs are self-published and available on Ravelry or PayHip. Additionally, I have been lucky enough to have some of my knitting designs selected and published in a few professional collections. Having a thick skin is really important since you?re going to experience push back or rejection. A lot. But having said that I have had wonderful experiences working collaboratively with publishers. Answering a call for open submissions requires some flexibility in your design process and creativity. As a designer you are responding to a submission for a collection of knitted garments ? usually adhering to a theme or general guidelines as to what the publisher is looking for.

You say that you are a 'lover of all things yarn', can you discuss any techniques or materials
you?ve learned to incorporate into your work?

I learned a great deal about techniques and knitting materials when I worked in a local yarn shop. That?s where I just absolutely fell in love with yarn. All of it. The colors, the fibers, the feel of it. The sheer number and variety of options. In design, you must know and understand yarn characteristics. There are many plant, animal, and non-animal sources for yarn. Some will work for certain applications, and some won?t. I have my favorite yarn bases. I love working with merino yarn and who doesn?t love cashmere, but I wouldn?t knit a baby blanket out of yarn that is not machine washable and dryer friendly out of consideration to the user. The most unusual material I?ve knit with is paper and metallic thread. I love to incorporate beads and tassels in my designs.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a creative knit artist?

Knit, knit and knit some more. And don?t be afraid of ripping it all out and starting over. Just keep going ? keep at it even when it doesn?t seem as if it?s going well. And be nice to yourself. Don?t beat yourself up if the design is not working. Produce a lot and knit other?s designs. Make friends with like interests. Knitwear design is a lot like writing ? a solitary experience. But collaboration is always fun, and it keeps things interesting. Learn both the creative and the business end of designing. And decide what success will look like for you.

Pamela's patterns are available on Ravelry and on PayHip
Social media: You can reach Pamela via Instagram @nopanicknitting