Knitch Magazine

She started off her career by winning a McCall’s pattern contest, and was immediately approached by other companies wanting her innovative designs. Today, she jets around the planet leading tours of knitters, and is considered one of the most imaginative knitting designers in the fashion world. Still not convinced you’d like to switch lives with the inimitable Nicky Epstein? Then how about this? She just launched a new pattern book using the gorgeous Aslan Trends yarns, is designing her own line of buttons, and has a perfectly supportive husband.Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it?

We were fortunate enough to meet with Nicky Epstein while she was in Columbus, OH attending the TNNA Conference. Having graduated from the Columbus College of Art & Design, she was in familiar territory.

Knitch: We’re headquartered just outside of Columbus so we’re going to consider you a hometown girl, if you don’t mind. Are you here often?

Nicky: I come to the TNNA in Columbus every year. Currently I live in New York City, but I have relatives in Lancaster and Dayton that I visit throughout the year.

Knitch: Is this where your career in knitting design started?

Nicky: I obtained a BFA in retail advertising/illustration and fine arts from Columbus College of Art & Design but fashion has always interested me. My mother and grandmother were creative and smart enough to teach me how to knit, so I pursued a career in knitting design after winning the McCall’s contest. Offers came in from knitwear magazines to develop patterns for them.

Knitch: What was the design that won the contest and launched your career?

Nicky: A short sleeve cotton pullover with a unicorn in the garden. Then McCall’s bought two motif sweaters with birds on them.

Knitch: Recently you worked with Aslan Trends, makers of superb quality yarns to produce the pattern book, Enchanting Collection. How did that collaborative effort come about?

Nicky: Angelo Fernandez, owner of Aslan Trends Yarns, wanted me to do some designs for him, and when I found out he was from my father’s hometown in Spain, how could I refuse? I enjoyed working with all his yarns, and I particularly enjoyed the uniqueness of Del Cerro. I’m working with their new Alpaca now and find it heavenly.

Knitch: Do you have a favorite pattern from Enchanting Collection?

Nicky: That’s like asking which child is my favorite. Maybe the Bewitching Hooded Scarf because it won the Paula Lishman Fur Contest. My advice is to knitters is to make them all! The Fascinating Belle Epoque and Captivating Cantebury Capelet can be fast knit gifts. The Magical 2-Way Capelet and Bewitching Hooded Scarf are made from blocks and craftfully constructed. They’re from my new book, Knitting Block by Block that will be released by Potter Craft in November 2010.

Knitch: We couldn’t help but notice the interesting buttons and clasps you used on some of the patterns in Enchanting Collection. Where did you get them?

Nicky: They’re from the line of buttons, clasps and shawl pins that I designed for JHB Buttons International. There are so many wonderful buttons on the market that I worked really hard to make them unique and knitter friendly, and we’ve been getting great public response.

Knitch: We understand you’re going to lead a tour to Argentina, the home of Aslan Trends. Can you tell us about that trip?

Nicky: It will be in November to Buenos Aires and Montevideo, Uruguay with lots of knitting, steaks, and tango. I’m very excited about it. We leave one day after we get back from the Vogue Knitting Tour of Italy.

Knitch: It must be fun for you to travel the world and see people wearing your designs.

Nicky: It’s very gratifying and always makes me smile. If I get the chance, I go up to them and say, “Where did you ever find such an enchanting design”? And then I have a chuckle.

Knitch: They must be shocked when you introduce yourself! We suspect that on your South American trip you’ll see a lot of ladies wearing garments from Enchanting Collection. Do you plan to work with Aslan Trends on future projects?

Nicky: I’d love to…they are lovely people with a lovely product.

Knitch: Obviously, you found great inspiration working with their yarns. What else do you think inspires knitters to pursue the craft?

Nicky: I think the beautiful yarns, colors, designs, magazines and books, along with the seventh avenue knit fashions world influence and inspire us to keep knitting. Knitting and knitting fashion continues to grow each year and I think it will continue.

Knitch: Okay…now a really personal question. We once read that your husband, Howard, reads lines of pattern and stitch instructions to you as you knit. Truth or urban legend?

Nicky: It’s true! He’s always encouraged me and is my most objective critic.

Knitch: Any advice on how other knitters can get their husbands to do the same?

Nicky: They can be convinced with home cooking…sex… or threats.

Knitch: Perhaps a combination of all three! You’ve got a successful career in knitting design, you enjoy interesting travel throughout the world, and you have a wonderfully supportive husband. You must be very satisfied with how your life has turned out.

Nicky: Yes. But my greatest satisfaction is when I see knitters or my students following my advice to expand their creativity, experiment and knit, knit, knit.

Nicky created this Friendship Slouch Hat pattern to help support the Gilda's Club of Twin Cities. Read more about Gilda's Club in this issue of KnitchMagazine.

LINKS -- PDF of pattern: http://www.needleworkunlimited.com/images/GildasHatPattern.pdf

Many thanks to Nicky for sharing her life with Knitch Magazine readers. For updates on Nicky’s activities, information about her tour to South America and details of her 2011 schedule, visit www.nickyepstein.com.