Indie Designer Giftalong 2014 Series: Interview with Alex Tinsley

Today I am happy to be hosting an interview with the one and only Alex Tinsley of Dull Roar. I am so happy to be getting this interview with you.

I found Alex through the GAL last year, and have enjoyed watching her designs come further in the last year. I am really impressed with her design ability.

Alex Tinsley (alextinsley):

How and when did you start designing?
 When I first learned to knit, I never used other people's patterns much- I just kind of got the basic idea and dove in. Which means my early hats were formless blobs with randomly-distributed decreases, haha. Eventually I did do a bit more research, and began selling FOs on etsy. Soon I noticed that other people were selling patterns as well, and thought "hey, I could do that!" That was around about 2007, maybe?


Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?
Sometimes an idea pops into my head fully formed, but a lot of times I'll take a stitch or design element that I'm interested in playing with and build a pattern around it. Sometimes that'll spark a whole host of other ideas (which are scribbled down in a variety of places.) At this point I've got enough vague-scribbled-ideas to last me at least a few years, haha.

 

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley 

(HowlCat by Alex Tinsley)

How do you like returning for the second year of the giftalong?
Whew boy! The planning this year has been intense. Last year we were really flying by the seat of our pants and scrambling to put it together last minute (because it was the first year, and the idea had only just been suggested.) This year we started earlier and are working with a lot more structure, which is definitely a good thing, but getting structures put in place that will keep most people happy is tricky.

What did you accomplish in the giftalong last year?
I actually didn't manage to knit a single gift last year! I was too busy doing mod stuff and designer stuff, haha. Though I did buy a lot of patterns that I hope to get to someday (I dream of taking a long vacation and just knitting other people's patterns. Ahhhhh.) A lot of people knit hats for gifts since they're quick and wintery, so I got to see a lot of my patterns made for knitters' friends and family, which is really fun to see.


What do you want to accomplish this year as a return designer?
As long as the event goes off without any major catastrophes, I'll be happy. I am mostly handling prize coordination this year, which means my job is pretty much over until it's time to hand out prizes - I can sit back and watch the fun :-)

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Pisky by Alex Tinsley)

Are you just going to be a designer in the Giftalong, or are you also going to be a knitter?
I do sometimes knit a gift or two, but most of my knitting time is taken up with "work knitting" so usually they are just fast and plain :-/ I'm sure I'll hoard more patterns though, for that dream vacation.

Do you knit for yourself majority of the time, or do you spend knitting time for others?
The vast majority of my knitting is for pattern writing. I do keep the samples though, and I do wear them even though I should probably keep them in pristine condition for trunk shows (hats don't wear out too fast, luckily, especially when you're rotating between a bunch of them.)

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Vahl Hat by Alex Tinsley)

If you could only knit with one yarn, what yarn would you choose and why?
Probably Malabrigo Merino Worsted. It's my long time favorite- soft, pretty colors, a nice solid worsted weight, very forgiving for colorwork but still looks good in cables and textured stitches. (I also like similar "singles" yarns from other companies, like Madelinetosh. Guess I just like singles!)

Do you spend money more locally or on the internet when buying yarn?
I love to shop in LYSes, though sadly there aren't many in my immediate area. I tend to visit them whenever I'm on vacation, and pick up a few skeins. If I need something very specific, I'll order it. At this point, my stash is totally out of control anyway, though.

English or Continental?
Continental

 Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Rimple by Alex Tinsley)

What is the best advice you have either given or received in knitting?
When I was first learning, my Aunt told me to never set my knitting down in the middle of the row, or it would mess the tension up. At this point I can get away with it and keep the tension steady, but for a long time that was a really important rule for me ;-)

When did you learn to knit?
My mother attempted to teach me a few times throughout my childhood (she knit a lot as a kid, though she doesn't do it very often now) but it never stuck until high school, when I wanted to join the newly-formed knitting club, so I sat down with a copy of Melanie Falick's "Kids Knitting: and taught myself. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was fairly young, but I pretty much just made super long chains, haha.

What is your most un-appreciated design of yours?
Hmm... one that I really liked, but which never found much traction, was Vahl. I keep meaning to re-use the brim treatment on another hat.

Photo Courtesy of Alex Tinsley

(Bermondsey Shawlette by Alex Tinsley)

Who is your best knitting/designing role-model?
Oh gosh, I don't even know! My peers inspire me everyday. Some have great business sense and marketing ideas, some have beautiful knits, some have fantastic sense of style. There's something you can learn from just about everyone, and I'm so lucky to be a part of a really wonderful supportive community (which I know doesn't exist in every industry!)

I have enjoyed hosting this interview, it has been a huge pleasure. Thank you again, Alex. I hope you guys have enjoyed it as well. Happy Crafting!

Contest:
Now that you have heard from the amazing Alex Tinsley, she would love to give away one copy of any of her patterns in her Ravelry Store. Please comment on this blog post, and tell me what pattern of hers you would like to knit and what yarn you would use. One comment per person. The winner will be chosen next Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Contacting Alex:
Ravelry: alextinsley
Her Ravelry Store: Dull Roar
GAL Sale Bundle: 3493

You can contact me:
Ravelry: Punkin97