LAINE 17 | Here Comes the Sun

My First Design for LAINE 17

On 10 October 2022, the submission call for LAINE 17 was announced.

This was the brief they shared:

We are looking for modern, stylish garments and accessories that celebrate the abundance and lightness of summer through textures, fibres and colours.

As always, we are looking to feature a variety of techniques, constructions, textures and yarn weights. We also want you – as a designer – to bring your personality into the design and tell a story through stitches.

It was the first time I had ever decided to take part in a submission call like this. I had absolutely no idea how it worked or what the requirements were. But instead of thinking too much about the practicalities, I decided to let the creative process take over.

I came across a stitch pattern on YouTube and spent hours watching the same sequences over and over again until I finally understood how the pattern was constructed.

I then translated it into a chart and immediately fell in love with the look of it when I knitted my first swatch. I chose Double Sunday from Sandnes Garn, and there it was – my little swatch sitting on my desk.

So, what was the next step?

I needed to present my idea by sketching the design and incorporating the stitch pattern. This was the sketch I came up with…

But I also had to write about my idea and explain the design. How could I possibly do that without sending them the actual swatch?

I opened InDesign and did my very best to present and describe my design proposal in a way that would bring my idea to life.

I was spending Friday evening with two of my closest friends when the email from LAINE arrived. They wanted to include my design!

It may sound a little strange, but I was literally shaking all over with excitement. I could hardly believe it. This was actually one of my dreams – to have one of my designs featured in LAINE Magazine.

And so the next chapter began: knitting the design for the first time and developing the pattern.

LAINE had chosen the most beautiful colours: colour 4626 and colour 3819.

I wasn't allowed to share anything along the way – which is incredibly difficult when you're working on something that makes you so happy and excited!

The same applied when it was time for test knitting. I had to find test knitters who were willing to work on the design in complete secrecy, and Sandnes Garn generously sponsored the yarn for them.

There was a long wait, but also a wonderful collaboration with LAINE as we worked together to get the pattern ready for publication.

And now, the day has finally arrived! The day LAINE 17 is officially revealed and available to purchase.

My heart skipped a beat when I received the email from LAINE with the cover image… featuring my design.

The most beautiful photograph, one that speaks for itself – at least in my eyes