Modern colourwork and 3D-knitting
When I needed peace in my head, I started knitting. After a few shawls, I was ready for colourwork. Why I call my type of colourwork modern colourwork? Because I like to create layers of colours and motifs that overlap, rather than horizontal bands of two colours, like in traditional Fair Isle knitting.
In especially the combination of colourwork with texture, I find the language of my playground and field of research. I call this type of knitting 3D-knitting, because layers of colourwork and texture together suggest depth in the garment. An example of this is the capelet which I am wearing in the photo.
Now my head is full again. This time with designs and colour combinations I like to create and write down. Once that's done, I add information about it to this website. After that, I add a pdf of the pattern to Ravelry and to Etsy, where you can buy a copy, if you like to.
Because I worked as a colour and style specialist I can also advise you about colour combinations and styles that will suit you, if you like. Ask me.
Why..
Why the name Knitted Nature Designs? Because nature comes first, when it comes to beauty.
Who I am
My name is Claudia Hulshof and I live in Ede, the Netherlands, with my partner Louis and dog Lily. I also worked as a personal stylist, and in 2015 I published a book (in Dutch) on clothing style called 'Signalen' (Signals).
Writing patterns in collaboration
Based on the books of Ann Budd (e.g. the knitters handy book of Top Down Sweaters), I worked with Pepe Veugelers, to bring it further into detail. We explored (for 10 adult sizes and 5 child sizes) how much wool is needed of every colour when I make stranded knits, what the consequences for the pattern are if I want shorter sleeves or a shorter (or longer) body, and - for example - how to adjust the pattern when I want the sleeves to have a different shape. We worked together intensively for more than 9 months to understand the mathematics of knitting and grading. I knitted, he did the math, and we worked together on reliable excel sheets that I could use when I want to write a pattern. I loved working together with Pepe, whose talent for and expierence with maths and Excel has provided me with the insights and practical excel sheets I need as a knitwear designer. I am very happy with how this learning process turned out.
Last but not least,
The photo of me was taken by Louis Duijser.