This month, I’m especially excited to interview Alexa and Emily of Tin Can Knits. I’m part of several knitting groups on Facebook, and I can’t tell you how many times someone posts a question looking for a clear, straight-forward pattern for a sweater or a hat or anything at all. Almost invariably, someone responds with a suggestion for a pattern from Tin Can Knits.

Now, that doesn’t mean they only make simple patterns–not by a long shot. They also have beautiful colorwork patterns and so much more.

Before we start, though, I just have to mention something else. I always include photos (with permission of course) of the patterns from each designer I interview. This month not only did I love the patterns themselves, but I was absolutely captivated by the beautiful photography, and I hope you will be too! Most of the photos came from their recent trip to Iceland.

I’ve never interviewed two business partners before. Alexa and Emily, why don’t you each answer the questions you like, and feel free to give two answers to a question if you like. Just let us know who is speaking when you answer.

My questions will be in black, and Emily’s and Alexa’s answers will be in purple.

I’ll start where I always do. How did you learn to knit?

Alexa – I decided one day when I was in high school that it would be the day I learned to knit. My mum was always very supportive of my crafting endeavors, so she got me a few needles (they were plastic DPN’s so I put rubber bands on the ends), some yarn, and a stitchionary from the 1970’s. It didn’t really teach you HOW to knit, so I throw my yarn with my left hand, which is a little odd.

Carla: What led you from there to designing your own patterns?

Alexa – With my stitchionary I started right away by designing, rather than by following a pattern. I would knit long 6’ scarves and sew them together to create (admittedly hideous) blankets.

Carla: Alexa and Emily are both Canadian by birth, but Emily now lives in Scotland with her family while Alexa lives in Canada with hers. Did you two know each other in real life when you started collaborating?

Emily – We did! The very first time I met Alexa, she was teaching a colourwork class while we both worked at our LYS in Vancouver. When we decided to write our first book, I move to Vancouver Island, a ferry ride away, and when we wrote our second book I moved to Scotland. We have always been long-distance partners!

Carla: How do you manage collaborating across an ocean?

Emily – it’s funny, we don’t really even think about it much. We have almost always been long distance so it’s the only way we know. The biggest challenge is time rather than space. We are eight hours apart. Luckily, Alexa is a night owl so we can meet during her evening and my morning.

Carla: How does the division of labor work between you? Do you both design patterns? Does one of you do most of the design work and the other take care of other aspects of your work?

Alexa – we both just hustle! There isn’t really much of a division, we both do a bit of everything. Our designs were quite separate when we first started together, but over the years we have become even more collaborative. A swatch of Emily’s might inspire a sweater. A sketch might go from one of us to the other, etc.

Carla: Where do you find inspiration for your new designs?

Emily – The shower. Just kidding, they really come from everywhere, but I always joke that my best ideas come in the shower, and Alexa is the same way. I am always inspired by architecture and nature, patterns observed as I walk down the street or sit at the coffee shop.

Carla: I feel the same way. I thought I was the only one who did her best thinking in the shower!

You recently took a trip together with your families to Iceland to photograph your knit creations in a wonderful, dramatic background. First of all, I love that your families are a part of your work and that you were able to go together for such a fantastic voyage. Your families are beautiful! Can you tell us about your trip?

Alexa – It was amazing! Sixteen days with the family driving around the inspirational landscapes of Iceland. It was amazing how much the terrain would change from one hour to the next. We had a chance to explore Reykjavik (including a wonderful evening with Helene Magnussen), see the black beaches of Vik, the Blue Lagoon, the Iceberg lagoon, steam vents, sperm whales, and puffins! Emily and I did some furious car knitting to finish up sweaters as we went and whenever the right background came up we popped sweaters on the kids and took some pictures!

Carla: That sounds wonderful! Do you have a favorite weight of yarn to work with and a favorite yarn fiber?

Alexa – I love knitting with worsted, but my next sweater is definitely going to be in fingering weight, rounding out my wardrobe. We both love working with natural fibers, wool being the favourite!

Carla: What is your own personal favorite design that you have made so far?

Alexa – I think Cartography is my favourite thing. I loved knitting it (twice) and I think I’ll knit it again. It’s simple, just 2 colours at a time, but to great effect and with about a million possibilities!

Carla: By my count you two have EIGHT different books in print currently and available as ebooks too. Is that correct? How did you come up with the themes for each book?

Alexa – Each one is a little different. Most of our books have a variety of types of things (some cables, some colourwork, some lace etc.) with a loose theme of place, experience, or even babies. We do have some books with a knitterly theme, Mad Colour is all about the use of colour in knitting, Handmade in the UK is all lace, and Strange Brew is dedicated to colourwork. 

Carla: Where can we go to find your awesome patterns?

You can find all of our patterns on our website, tincanknits.com or on Ravelry! If you are looking for print books, check your LYS.

Carla: What’s next for Tin Can Knits?

Without divulging too much we have a trip planned for the spring, and we may have some cable heavy plans for the future.