FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY: 

Free print available until September 2023

Lana Jois is a knit and crochet designer with an extensive portfolio. She is fascinated by technique, construction, the unusual, and the interesting. Her designs have been published in Interweave Knits, Knitty, Knitscene, and featured in yarn company collections, among others. Lana has also designed exclusive patterns for Eucalan over the years; A collaboration we’re proud of.

Today we’re sharing our interview with Lana. When you sign up for our newsletter you can download your copy of her new pattern for Eucalan, a Crochet Water Bottle Holder!

Q. Tell us about your knitting origin story.

A. My grandmother was an avid maker. She used to knit, crochet, sew, you name it. And although she didn’t directly teach me any of those, I must have gotten some of those genes. So when the opportunity to learn to knit arose in the form of a friendly colleague willing to teach me on a suitably long commute to work, I knew it was meant to be! She taught me the stockinette stitch and it wasn’t long before I discovered knitting on the internet and have since learned so much from the knitting community around the world.

Q. Do you have a favorite yarn or colorway?

A. When it comes to yarn, I’m like a child in a candy store (aren’t all knitters?!). I have been fortunate to work with a wide variety of yarns for my designs and get excited every single time I get to work with a new yarn. Some of my favorites are Yummy 2-ply from Miss Babs, Heather Alpaca and Maxima from Manos del Uruguay, Lascaux Fine from Ancient Arts Yarns and Merino Worsted from Louise Roberts Collection of Biscotte Yarns.

Q. Where do you find your design inspiration?

A. From shapes and textures around me. Especially architectural details and unusual formations in nature. I love to make an imprint of those in my head and then interpret them through knitting.

Q. What projects do you have in the works currently?

A. Mostly shawls. And a couple of interesting experiments!

Q. What do you like most about being a knitwear designer?

A. That I have such an interesting medium to express myself with. The entire process of design from concept to creation involves so many steps and details. I love how busy it keeps me yet how much of a calming effect it has on me.

Q. What is the hardest part of being a knitwear designer?

A. The long timelines involved. Finishing a single project can be so time consuming. You can finish sewing a garment in a day or two whereas knitting a garment can take up to a month. I really wish there was a way to do this faster.

Q. Do you have a favorite Eucalan scent?

A. Lavender.

Q. Do you have other creative hobbies?

A. I love to sew and I’m trying to do it more regularly. I love crochet and crochet design, too. And writing.

Q. What’s a technique you’d like to try?

A. Steeking! I haven’t done that yet.

Q. What else do you wish we had asked you?

A. I’m not sure about that. But I’m glad you didn’t ask me if I like weaving in ends. 😊

Again, thank you to Lana for taking the time to share your work with us! Connect with Lana on Instagram and see her designs on Ravelry.

Don’t forget you can download Lana’s Crochet Water Bottle Holder pattern for free when you sign up for the Eucalan newsletter!