

Ulmus by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker
What was the catalyst for publishing your first book?

Andrea’s Shawl by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuke. Knit in Blue Sky Alpacas Melange

Blue Sky Alpaca Melange 806 Salsa and 811 Bubblegum.

Blue Sky Alpaca Melange (L-R) 807 Dijon, 812 Blue Cheese, 803 Licorice
When I returned from my trip and told Gale about my conversations with Joanna it suddenly started to feel very doable. Finally, my good friend, Beverly Mazzarella, who owns a yarn store in New Jersey told me that she’d love to have a book with a group of my most popular designs, and thought that other people would feel the same way. Bev’s encouragement, and her idea of a book of my shawl patterns was the final piece that seemed to make everything fall into place. So I called Gale and said, “Let’s do it!”.

Nefertem by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker. Knit with Madelinetosh Sock

Madelineosh Sock (L-R) Coquette, Smoke Stack, Purple Basil
If people haven’t come across your designs before, how would you describe them in three words?

Roma Shawl by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker.

Eden Cottage Titus 4ply (L-R) Midnight, Steel, Oak, Hyssop.
From the images in the book, the photo shoot looks like it was a lot of fun! Can you tell us a little more about the look you wanted for the book and working with Gale Zucker?

Thalia by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker

Shalimar Breathless (L-R) Shrimp Kiss, Little Ms. Sunshine, Corfu
She immediately understood the feel I wanted for the photos, and started building on my ideas. My models also made a huge contribution to the overall feeling of the book. Ariana, Katrina, and Sofia were all amazing and didn’t bat an eyelash when they were asked to walk barefoot across razor sharp shells, or wear a vintage bathing suit while eating a popsicle in March. The series of shots of the books falling off Katrina’s head, crack me up every time I see them. That was totally spontaneous but she somehow managed to look adorable in every one of them.

Moulin Rouge by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker

The Uncommon Thread Tough Sock (L-R) Lust, Into Dust, Manuscipt
It must be almost impossible chose, but do you have a favourite pattern that features in the book?

Cladonia by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker

Madelinetosh Merino Light (L-R) Calligraphy, Curiosity

Madelinetosh Merino Light (L-R) Charcoal, Mica
I also adore Laight Street. There’s something about lace knit in heavier weight yarn that makes me very, very happy. It’s cozy and elegant all at once. Laight Street is a decadent shawl that you can wear to a special occasion, and trick everyone into thinking that you are a sophisticated jet-setter, while only you know that what you’ve actually got tossed around your shoulders is just this side of a cuddly blanket.

Laight Street by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography by Gale Zucker
You have free rein in Loop to chose some yarn for one of the shawls in ‘Shawl Book One’, what would you choose!?

Kismet Refuge, Larks Song

Vestry Street by Kirsten Kapur from Shawl Book One. Photography Gale Zuker
Then there are the two skeins of Eden Cottage Yarns Titus 4 ply in Charcoal and Coppice that would be sublime as an Ulmus or Cladonia.

Eden Cottage Titus 4ply (L-R) Charocal and Misty Woods
I almost wish you hadn’t asked this question, because now that you’ve got me thinking about it I really want to cast aside my current projects and start knitting with these outstanding yarns!
We know the feeling! Many Thanks to Kirsten for taking the time to answer our questions.
We also have a selection of Kirsten’s designs as single patterns, but if you love them as much as we do, you’ll certainly want to own the whole collection in Shawl Book One!
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Our Spring Workshops are filling up fast, but we still have space on our Beginners Crochet (a three week course 28th April, 5th & 12th May), our Fairisle Class (Saturday 25th April) Intermediate Sock Knitting (a three week course 2nd, 9th & 16th May) and a Sock Master Class (13th 20th and 27th June).
Click on any of the classes to find out more, or give us a call on 020 7288 1160 to book your place!
Happy Knitting!
What mind readers you lot at Loop are!
I have just ordered Shawl Book One from MagCloud and it is on its way, prompted by the Ravelry advert.
Now I shall have to begin selecting the yarns I will need from your lovely suggestions.
Glad to know you are going to create an anniversary book and can’t wait until September to see it. Hopefully you will create kits from it, perhaps in anniversary printed project bags??
Keep up the good work.
Kind regards,
Michele
Thanks for your lovely comment Michele! Glad you are looking forward to the new book- we have lots of things planned which are still being kept secret but we’ll be revealing things bit by bit, so keep your eye on the blog :)
Loop x