Warren knitting with friends at a cafe.
When talking to knitters I find it interesting to learn about that one person or event that influenced them most as a knitter. My first interview on KnitFun is with the person in my life that has been the most positive and influential to my love for knitting. If it weren’t for this person I do not think I would be the knitter I am today and I know that is true for many people in the knitting community. Whenever I have doubted myself Warren has always “rooted” for me when I started a new project and continued to be there when the knitting got tough, never complaining.
I met Warren Agee 6 years ago and at that time he owned the knitting shop “Marin Fibre Arts” in downtown San Rafael. One of my fondest memories is spending Sunday afternoons at the shop’s knitting table with other knitters, he was always so welcoming. Warren continues to be a source of inspiration with his love for fibre. As you will read from the interview not only is he a fantastic knitter, he designs garments, knit stitches, spins yarn and so much more.
How did you get started knitting and how long have you been knitting?
I’ve been knitting since about 1990 so that makes 22 years? Wow. My grandmother taught me crochet as a child but it wasn’t until we had to put her in a nursing home in 1990 that I decided to teach myself (from a small ‘Learn To Knit’ pamphlet published by Coats & Clark) to knit in order to relieve the stress. The instructions were for “American Style” knitting where you hold & throw the yarn with your right hand. I found this impossible to do since in crochet you hold the yarn with your left hand. As a result, I “invented” a style of knitting where you hold the yarn as you would when you crochet: with your left hand. Little did I know that I “invented’ Continental Knitting, a technique which has been around long before I was born.
Knitting through the ages has been a female dominated craft has this been difficult for you or is it an advantage?
A little of both. It’s easy to stand out and get attention, which may help me as I develop my design career. On the other hand, some people don’t take me seriously or initially assume I’m a beginner when they first meet me. They find it hard to believe that a guy can be an expert knitter. Is that sexist?
I know you are involved in many different aspects of knitting, how much time would you say you spend concentrating on knitting or knitting related subjects?
It changes. I consider myself first and foremost an artist, and knitting is but one medium I enjoy. Right now spinning is still new to me so I’m actually spending more time on spinning-related activities. I still try to knit every day, however.
Where do you get your inspiration for knitting including creating patterns, stitches and yarns?
Yarn drives my knitting. I see a yarn, I fall in love, and then I dream up something to make with it. Looking at patterns can sometimes give me ideas (a certain neckline for example). Once I figure out the project, then I go looking for stitch patterns. I almost NEVER knit from someone else’s pattern. I design my own. See Warren’s knitting blog The Stranded Knitter.
Warren Agee Design Gothic Vines Stole
What colors and yarns are you loving today?
I have become obsessed in yarns produced by small, independent dyers who are developing very subtle colorways. The Plucky Knitter, Sundara, Sweet Georgia Yarns, Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks, and of course Madelinetosh, to name a few.
What is your process when you begin a new project?
Once I have a general idea (eg. Sweater, vest, scarf, etc), I get to know the yarn by swatching. First comes stockinette stitch, then I play with other simple stitches to see how it looks (rib, seed). Then I pull out the stitch books and play. At some point the yarn will say “Yay, this stitch makes me happy!” Then I sketch the general shape of the garment. Lots of trial and error here. This is where I can often get stuck: designer’s block as it were. It may take me several days to figure out the stitch placement and exact shape of the garment. Then I start knitting and writing the pattern simultaneously.
Warren Agee Sweater Design
Do you think it’s easier for male knitters to create and do you think women and men think differently about knitting and creating?
I’m not sure if the creative process differs between the genders but it’s a fascinating question. I’ve encountered many, many women who were afraid to get creative and are afraid of success. Perhaps it stems from self-esteem issues deeply rooted in the inequality of the sexes? I’m not sure. On the other hand, almost every male knitter I know or have heard of is almost fearless in tackling complicated techniques. It’s an interesting subject!
Besides knitting do you have any other creative passions or outlets?
Spinning, photography (Seeing for the Second Time and Zenfolio), reading, writing, architecture, interior design, gardening, dreaming.
All of the items below are Warren originals
This blog post launches an exciting new section for the KnitFun blog, interviews of creative people. My vision is that each person interviewed will have some experience knitting or with fiber in some way. Please comment and let me know what you think. All ideas are appreciated.
love your interview.
Thanks Mary it was fun to do.
Great interview, and happy to see Warren featured here. I used to go to his store too, though not to the knitting circles. Love the designs of his you featured here.
I read in a knitting book published by Vogue that knitting seems to have originated from the Arabian Peninsula some 3,000 years ago. According to the book, all the knitting then was done by men who stood on stilts as they watched over their flock of sheep or goats. The women only gathered and spun the fiber. According to the same book, During the Tudor & Elizabethan age, “the golden age of knitting,” knitting was still a man’s domain, with boys having a lengthy apprenticeship in guilds. Of course, back in those days, knitting wasn’t considered to be a hobby, but a necessity 🙂
I did not know that a great addition to the blog post. Thanks for reading and commenting.