Saturday Spotlight | Introducing Amanda Kaffka

51 Comments / Saturday Spotlight / By / February 10, 2018

Did you all think my Spotlight was broken? Lol know it has been a while since I have done a Saturday Spotlight. I am kicking it back into gear with my new boo Amanda Kaffka. She is the designer behind all the sweaters I have made lately and I am so happy she decided to chat with me.

1. Tell me your story. What is your name? Where do you create from?

Hi, my name is Amanda Kaffka. I am a knitwear designer from Vancouver, BC Canada. At an early age I remember going into yarn shops and being overwhelmed, in a good way, with all the colors and the smells. The shops represented so much possibility of what could be made from the hundreds of skeins on display. My mom would let me pick out one skein to purchase, and what a joy it was, picking out the most special one! I still get super excited going into yarn shops; yarn is one of my biggest inspirations! For me, creating is just a natural part of my day. I am always thinking of design, color, shapes and textures. I love fashion. I am obsessed with styling, clothes and looks. I am always observing new and old trends, streetwear and travelling is always a great way to get inspired. I like simple looks, easy to wear, comfortable and fashionable.

2. I totally get the yarn thing. What is your craft of choice? who taught you and how long have you been creating?

Knitting is my passion, and I enjoy crochet and needlepoint too. My mom taught me to knit when I was 6 years old on a pair of Arbutus tree twigs she made. I grew up in a super creative home; art and making was always a big part of my life. Knitting was an on-and-off hobby throughout elementary and high school. I went to Art college for 2 years and then studied Fashion Design at Ryerson University for 4 years in Toronto, ON Canada where I got my BA. After graduating I moved back to Vancouver and worked for 5 years at a travel image producing company creating online photo content. Wanting to get back into the fashion industry, I started a baby accessory company making fabric baby legwarmers, onesies, sleepers, blankets which was more inline with my schooling. My business partner and I ended up selling the company and I found myself working in my LYS. The experience I had as a child in the shops came rushing back and I knew I was in the right place!

3. I always wondered if I could work in a yarn shop. I love how that came full circle for you. You are a designer, how did that come about? What inspired you to write patterns?

The first day I started at my LYS, I picked out the most perfect skein of yarn which was Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca Melange in color 800 Cornflower. That night I designed my first pattern, Flower Headband and I was hooked. I joined Ravelry and posted my pattern, to my surprise and glee, people started purchasing it. I loved the rush of designing something, putting it out there and getting the positive response from fellow knitters! I haven’t stopped designing since!

4. That is so cool. What do you love most about designing?

Designing is like a puzzle! From what’s in my head to a final knitted object to writing out a coherent pattern, are all pieces of the puzzle; it’s a fabulous process which I enjoy. I really want to inspire people, whether they are a novice knitter or a pro. I design styles that I would wear, that have some unusual design feature and most importantly, I like to design patterns that are easy to read and enjoyable to follow; patterns that have just the right amount of technique to keep you interested, maybe learn something new, but enough chill knitting to give you a rhythmical knitting break.

5. I know this is probably like asking a parent do they have a favorite, but do you have a favorite pattern that you created?

I am particularly proud of my AFTERGLOW collection in the most recent book I self-published. It was the first time I designed bigger pieces, other than accessories. I really put a lot of thought into the concept of the book from how the pieces were knit, to how I styled them and how the photos would convey a mood. I am also pleased with my chunky collection. I got swept up in the big/bulky knitting trend and I really wanted to elevate it, making the knits more flattering and a bit more interesting than what was already out there. I believe I succeeded and I look forward to adding to the collection!

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6. Yes, I love Afterglow too! Do you still make designs by other designers?

These days I seem to have less and less time to knit or crochet other peoples designs; however, my vacation knitting projects are typically from other designers. It gives me a break to make someone else’s patterns and I usually choose a pattern that has a new skill I can learn from. It is also important to read how other designers write out their patterns; I learn a lot of what I like, don’t like, how I can improve my pattern writing skills and make my own style.

7. Do you have a favorite yarn to design with?

I love supporting the amazing local talent we have here on the West Coast! Vancouver seems to be a major hub of fabulous dyers and designers! SweetGeorgia Yarns is a favorite! I tend to gravitate to greys and soft pastels, SweetGeorgia Yarns makes me get out of my comfort zone sometimes, and design with colors I wouldn’t necessarily think of. Fibers I love: cashmere is #1, merino and mohair. Yarn is probably my greatest inspiration. My first book, The crafty Jackalope: Vol. 01 ~ YARN, was all about yarn and how it inspired the designs.

8. I love that you support the local talent. What advice would you give someone looking to design?

Making the distinction between being passionate about knitting and passionate about design is important. Once you start to become a serious designer, knitting for simple pleasure is practically non-existent. It is a lot of work, long hours and grinding. Being your own boss is a rollercoaster ride: major uncertainties, lots of investment, disappointments with amazing payoffs and moments. Luckily, this is a career you can ease into, trying it out before you commit 100%. I would always encourage new designers to put yourself out there and just start designing! Uploading to Ravelry and submit designs to magazines and publishers is a great way to get instant feedback from professionals and potential customers! You will know right away if this is a passion you can’t live without.

9. All of this and you have a book too, how did that happen?

I have two books currently out which I self-published: The Crafty Jackalope: Vol. 01 ~ YARN which is a 7-piece accessory collection using SweetGeorgia Yarns; and AFTERGLOW, a 7-piece collection of accessories and sweaters all using WATG yarn. After self-publishing single patterns for so long, designing for magazines like Vogue Knitting and Noro and being featured in books from Soho Publishing and Sixth&Spring Books, it was the natural progression in my design career to challenge myself, take full control and make a coherent collection in book form. I absolutely love the process from start to finish. It is a huge undertaking and I do everything myself from design, writing out the patterns, managing test knitters, testing the patterns myself multiple times, formatting the book, my husband takes the photos and I model. I do have an editor that double checks my work and makes sure I dot all my i’s and cross all my t’s, it’s a must have for any self-publisher! It is both hard work and super rewarding, I love the process.

10. Thank so much for sharing your story. How can my readers find you in this cyber world?

I am on ravelry as amandakaffka or the crafty jackalope. I run an online shop selling patterns, knit kits (yarn & patterns), notions and needles. www.thecraftyjackalope.com
I am also on Instagram as amandakaffka and Twitter and Facebook as craftyjackalope

Links
https://www.thecraftyjackalope.com/
https://www.thecraftyjackalope.com/blogs/the-inspiration-place
https://www.facebook.com/craftyjackalope/
https://www.instagram.com/amandakaffka/
https://www.ravelry.com/stores/the-crafty-jackalope-by-amanda-kaffka

Wasn’t that Awesome! It gets better! Amanda has a book for one of you guys. To enter just comment below “I want that Afterglow” and I will pick a winner next Saturday 2.17.18

Knit on my fiber friends….knit on

51 thoughts on “Saturday Spotlight | Introducing Amanda Kaffka”

  20. Jane

    I want that afterglow!
    I enjoyed the interview. I understand how much work is put into designing each pattern and getting the book together
    Love the patterns!
    Jane Conley

    Reply
  27. Corinds Ross

    Yes, I want the Afterglow!. I need to uncrease my knitting skills and that includes sweaters. I love the Peppercorn sweater on you. Orange us definitely your color!!

    Reply
  35. Jackie C

    I love her interview. Its great to hear how she learned to knit at such an early age and how creative her mother is. Making her own knitting needles from a tree branch! I love the sweaters you have knitted from her new book, most definitely I want that Afterglow:-)

    Reply
  38. Margaret van den Heuvel

    I want that “Afterglow”..loved this interview Amanda..a great insight into who you are and what you do.

    Reply
  44. Dody

    I already have your AFTER GLOW book. I bought it at KNIT CITY this fall I love every pattern in it. It was nice to meet you Amanda there. But sure I would live to have another book, one for home and one when I travel. Thanks please pick me.
    Dody

    Reply

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