Heather Zoppetti and her new book Unexpected Cables

Heather Zoppetti and her new book, Unexpected Cables, was the topic of today’s episode of Yarn Thing. She spoke with us about Stitch Sprouts before…. but before we get into that:

Heather began knitting in college with her room mate, from books without a Yarn Store’s support, but it became an obsession. Naturally. She continued while pursuing her profession, changing the patterns while completing her projects, she realized she could create a whole sweater design of her own, and REALIZED she was thinking about knitting at work, spending so much time knitting outside of work that really she didn’t want to be anywhere else. She and her husband discussed it and she quit to begin designing full-time.

Heather began Stitch Sprouts as a way to help herself and others get designs into shops. She’s added yarn also, and finds that although she’s spending a lot of time on it, it’s not really work anymore.

Yellowstone was her first yarn line, which is a 80% wool, 20% silk blend sport weight available in 9 colors. Heather says she wanted a autumn color palette that really looked good together. Crater Lake was the second yarn line added, is 100% Superwash merino wool in a bulky weight, the colors are a more winter theme.

As if she wasn’t busy enough, Heather Zoppetti has written a book, Unexpected Cables, which is published through Interweave. Although she admits lace is is preferred knitting technique, she finds cables are MAGIC! She enjoys that simply rearranging stitches makes a wonderful new texture. With planning and forethought, she begins her designs with an initial shape, then considers how the cable panel fits and flows in the piece.

We spent time with a lot of the patterns, today, the Leola Scarf (links to view in Ravelry) a sideways-knit shawlette (created in her Stitch Sprouts Yellowstone, show in Reese Creek colorway, which is a pretty light blue) has a wonderful but subtle texture with short rows ruffles. Warwick Tam, is tiny cables over reverse stockinette which is so delicate and would be a graceful crown to any proud wearer. Rheems Pullover Heather admits is her favorite in the book, with open neckline that should be worn over a cami with delicate texturing again that’s not obviously cable. Lorna’s Laces really makes it a comfortable sweater with the fiber content of Sportmate. Penryn Pullover (in Ravelry, this is the MOST favorited, btw) is completely seamless, Heather wanted to create an exploding cable for the focus. That would be so fun! Holtwood Vest should satisfy lovers of the asymmetrical designs. Talmage Pullover, with the pretty cabled lace all over pattern, the turned stockinette stitch goes from daytime to evening easily. Stevens Vest is reminiscent of Heather’s earlier popular design Dahlia Cardigan with the added reversible cables to make it wearable! Rapho Socks, knee sock with twisted stitches, cables and lace, with calf gusset are delicious works of art. Conoy Tunic is made with two rectangles, minus shaping so that it can be worn dressed up with a skirt or down with jeans, or as a beach cover-up! Names she picked from her local area around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

There is also a DVD or Video Download to go with this from Interweave titled Knit Unexpected Cables. In it Heather helps with all kinds of cables and techniques that should help with all the loveliness we’ve discussed today.

Heather Zoppetti can be followed in various places, of course her websites: Stitch Sprouts mentioned before, and Heather Zoppetti Designs. In Ravelry, she has a designer page, and HZ group, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

If you wish to hear the previous visit Heather Zoppetti made to Yarn Thing, follow this link. This was March of last year, so about a year and a half ago or so, probably about the time she did Everyday Lace. If you missed getting to hear today’s episode live, it can be found at this link as an archived episode:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/11/17/heather-zoppetti-and-her-new-book-unexpected-cables or in iTunes.

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