| Interview - Sandi Prosser, Canadian Designer |
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| Written by Deborah Knight | |
 Sandi ProsserImagine a row of smiling, giggling seven year-old girls. With toes perfectly aligned, they snap to full attention with one hand at their side and the other raised in the traditional three-finger salute. On cue they earnestly recite the oath they have taken in order to be part of this illustrious organization."I promise to do my best to do my duty to God, the Queen and the country, to help other people every day, especially those at home." When little Sandi Cass was a Brownie in Burlington, ON, many years ago, she recited this promise at the beginning of every meeting. Like most Brownies, she hoped to someday become a Girl Guide, but until she was old enough to join the big girls she was busy having fun, learning about duty, and earning those badges that boasted her many achievements. One of the badges she proudly displayed on her uniform was earned when at the ripe old age of seven she taught other young Brownies to knit. Thus began a career in knitting and design that would last Sandi Prosser a lifetime. Recently, Knitch Magazine spoke to Sandi, now Sandi Prosser, about the hobby that became her vocation. Knitch: When did you first start creating with fibers? Sandi: I know that I started with corking into a thread spool, but no one can remember when I learned to knit. There was always yarn, needles and fabric around my house growing up. They were part of my “toys” and I played with them often. When I was seven, I taught my Brownie troop how to knit to earn a badge, so I must have learned long before then. I spent most of my time as a child doing sewing, knitting, embroidery and most needle arts. I was sewing my own clothes by the age of ten or eleven. I was ten when I knit my first cardigan during a family vacation. In my late teens, I would knit for people to earn extra money. Knitch: Is that when you decided to become a designer? Sandi: No, never had I thought of it. Knitting and sewing were just activities I liked to do.  Caption: This Cosmpolitan Cardigan by Sandi is in Vogue MagazineKnitch: So how did you end up in the field?Sandi: When it came time for university I decided to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Clothing, Textiles and Design. This further enhanced my interest in textiles. Upon graduation I really had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. I spent the first two years after graduating managing a yarn store and teaching the knitting classes. Eventually I became the Sewing Product Manager at Coats Patons, the large British needlecrafts company. Knitch: When did you begin your career as a designer of knitting patterns? Sandi: I was on maternity leave from Coats Patons and spent my free time working as one of their home knitters. One of the designers suggested I submit designs to a publishing company for one of their upcoming books. I did -- and one of my submissions was selected! Around that same time, Vogue Knitting got my name and asked me to do some knitting for them. Shortly after, I was designing for Vogue Knitting and Family Circle Easy Knitting, as well. Knitch: That's an impressive list of clients. Are there any others? Sandi: In the past I have worked for Knit ‘N Style, Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple, Knit 1, Family Circle Easy Knitting, Creative Knitting, Plymouth Yarns, Kertzer, Coats and Clark, and Nashua. Right now I design mainly for Knit’N Style, Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple, Verena, Naturally New Zealand, Filatura Di Crosa, Classic Elite and Plymouth Yarns.  Sandi's top made the cover of Knit 'n Style MagazineKnitch: Do you have a design philosophy? And, being Canadian, do you think there's anything uniquely "Canadian" about your designs?Sandi: Canada has a rich variety of cultures, so designs tend to be inspired from around the globe. We do, however, have four very distinct seasons and designs need to reflect the various climate changes we are subjected to. My designs, for the most part, are yarn and fiber driven. They are my inspiration and jumping off point – as I work swatches with various stitches and techniques, the yarn speaks to me and tells me what it wants to grow up to be. Knitch: Do you find that there are regional differences in what knitters want to create? Sandi: I think that the biggest regional differences in what knitters are interested in creating revolve around climate. What someone in Florida wishes to wear in January is very different from someone in a more northern part of the country. The fibers chosen also reflect these differences. Knitch: Do you have any idea how many patterns you've created throughout your career? Sandi: I have never honestly kept track. Someday I plan on making a portfolio of my work, but to date I just collect publications stacked in a corner with post-it notes. If I had to guess I would say well over 500, but I have a feeling it is much higher. Knitch: That's an enormous volume of work! With all those patterns you've created in the past, is there any single one that you're especially fond of? Sandi: There are too many to say that I have a favorite. But my favorite things to design are baby and toddler pieces. Knitch: Your patterns for children's wear show how much you enjoy creating them. The Child's Hooded Cardigan and Socks for Cast On magazine is terrific. The Fair Isle Cardigan for Knit Simple's Holiday 2010 issue was adorable, too. Sandi: Thank you. I also enjoy creating toys for kids...like the Not-So-Creepy Crawly.  A men's cabled pullover designed by Sandi, crafted in Berroco Ultra AlpacaKnitch: As a designer, you no doubt are constantly watching what's going on in the knitting industry. Have you noticed any changes in knitting in the past few years?Sandi: Yarns have changed and developed into more detail. Fiber combinations and yarn constructions used to create new yarns are developing rapidly. The biggest thing I've noticed is the increasing use of minority fibers such as llama and possum. I also think that fibers such as milk, corn, and soy et cetera will become more readily available at the consumer level as these fiber choices are making their way into the main stream. Knitch: So you're seeing a new range of fibers, many of which are promoted as being eco-friendly. Okay...we have to ask this because knitters are always interested to know where their designers get inspiration. Can you tell us who your favorite clothing designers are? Sandi: Of course. Every designer has features that are special to them and that make all of their pieces unique and admirable. I get inspiration from everyone! For example, I love Missoni for the patterning and use of colors. I think that Issey Miyake is phenomenal in shape and dimensional pieces. Knitch: If you weren't designing knitting patterns right now, what do you think you'd be doing? Sandi: I think that I would still be involved in the textile industry. It's in my blood. It is hard to say exactly what I would be doing, though. Maybe clothing or textile designs. I would be definitely in the fashion industry in some capacity. Many thanks to Sandi for taking time out of her busy schedule to speak to us. She's very busy right now creating new designs for Knit 'n Style magazine.
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