Originally from St. Stephen, NB but now residing in Toronto, Michelle Porter is no stranger to the knitting universe. Michelle has worked in yarn shops, owned a yarn shop, worked for distributors like us here at Estelle Yarns, and now she focuses her time on her sensational design work.
Most recently published in Vogue Knitting Magazine and Knit Simple, Michelle has an astounding collection of designs on Ravelry and we could not be happier that sixteen of those are designs for Estelle Yarns!
Michelle managed to pry the knitting needles out her hands long enough to answer some questions for us.
How long have you been knitting?
I have been knitting since I was 6 years old. I spent so much time watching my Grandmother knit that I picked it up very quickly. She had found some simple items I could make without following a written pattern. I started with Christmas decorations (so many knitted bells!), then the square teddy bear. Once I could read, I jumped straight into vintage Barbie Doll patterns.
Who taught you to knit?
It was my maternal Grandmother, Evelyn Hewitt, who spent so many hours with me knitting. Although my paternal Grandmother, Pat Porter, also was a very proficient knitter, crocheter, embroiderer and quilter. She taught me how to embroider my jeans in the late 70’s!
When did you start designing your own patterns?
Once I had done a few different Barbie Doll outfits from written patterns, I thought I had got the hang of it and made up my own doll wardrobes. I could knit things from pictures, early on. I got a job in a yarn store in PEI (college days) and part of my job description was custom designs. Customers would bring in pictures or describe what they wanted and I either knit the item for them or wrote up a pattern for them to follow. I had studied basic pattern drafting for sewing at New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, then Commercial Design at Holland College in PEI, so I was confidant in my abilities to both design a pattern and knit items. But you have to remember this was before computers! Really! Everything was hand drawn and written.
Do you have a favourite designer?
I’ll answer that with Norah Gaughan. I’ve been a huge fan and got to take a class with her about 4 years ago. She has a great personality too! She didn’t make me feel bad about showing up Sunday morning for my class with the worst hangover ever.
Is there a designer who has inspired your work?
The first designer that inspired me was Virginia Lakin. If you are unfamiliar, look her up. Once you have gotten the hang of knitting a miniature fitted sheath dress with darts and gussets in glitter fingering yarn, you are ready. Also, I don’t know the names of the designers, but I LOVED knitting the patterns from the early PINGOUIN pattern books – very fashion forward.
What inspires your work?
Creating something that previously didn’t exist in order to fill a need (or want). I love figuring things out; looking at how the pieces need to fit together in order to make a 3-D shape or working with geometry and the poetry in the math (repeating patterns and sequences). Also, the characteristics of the knitted fabric – how does it feel to the touch, does it drape or is it elastic or stiff? What does it want to be?
Michelle’s love for different design characteristics is clear in her newest design for Estelle, the Sweet Breeze Stole. Lacy knitted stitches that resemble crochet are brilliantly combined in this gorgeous shawl. Knit with one ball of Magic Shawl, this pattern works equally well with our Rainbow Autumn.
What has your work as a designer changed in your life?
Knitting has always been a lifestyle for me. I have never-not been knitting. Helping others to achieve their knitting goals through better patterns has come naturally. Now with the internet and websites like Ravelry, every person who wants to access a pattern, can. If you can think it up… chances are a pattern exists. So, one has to ask, do I design to suit myself or do I try to appeal to the mass population? Basically, for me, I just try to make something I like, but differently than I have seen before.
What are your favourite types of items to knit?
I most love knitting glamorous, one of a kind tops (think: sequins, feathers, ribbon and fur). Not necessarily sweaters, but wearable fashion art. Unfortunately, I have never found the market for this… and I don’t have any fancy events to attend.
Speaking of glamourous, we think Michelle’s Confetti Lace Poncho is just that. Worked circularly from the neck down with one ball of our Rainbow Confetti, the shoulder panels feature attractive draw string fringes that adjust the shoulder length and form delicate ruching.
What is your current favourite colour?
I have always favoured orange! Yellow, lime green and flaming hot pink are good too.
Do you have a favourite weight of yarn to work with?
No favourite, but I do like knitting super bulky more than most people.
What is your preferred fibre?
The preferred fibre depends on the use. Generally, the more expensive and rarer, the more I like it. Natural animal fibres are the most enjoyable in my hands to knit, but I like to wear superwash merino.
What other hobbies do you have?
You might be (not) surprised to know that I also collect and restore vintage Barbie Dolls. I prefer the really shabby, played with ones who need a makeover rather than the mint NRFB. None in my collection would be worth top dollar. My oldest is only a 1961, #5.
Do you have a favourite technique or tip you would like to share with us?
Learn to read your stitches. Don’t just follow along blindly through the pattern but understand the mechanism behind each placement of the yarn. Understand what slants left or right and why. What makes bias, curves or gathers. Recognize and correct mistakes, be able to drop and unravel just one spot in the knitting and rework the stitches back up. Be able to count rows and know where you have left off. Once the light bulb turns on, and you can really see your knitting and understand your stitches, then it’s like a veil has been lifted. All the mysteries of the knitting universe are revealed, and you can make anything!
How did you come to design knitting patterns for Estelle Yarns?
Well it’s a long story… but basically, I have been in the yarn business for a long time, about 30 years. I worked in, and then owned a yarn store in Toronto years ago and first met Chris and John Peacock, as Estelle Yarns’ customer. Jump ahead, after a decade or two. I’d had quite a bit of experience as a freelance designer (I am nearing the 250th pattern on Ravelry) and we became reacquainted when I was looking for some extra work. It’s a great fit and I’m really happy working with Estelle Yarns.
We’re really happy to have Michelle on board as one of our designers as well! Her Finial Cardigan is one of our most downloaded patterns. A worsted weight top down cardi knit in Estelle Llama Natural Worsted, the combination of lace and cables makes for an interesting and engaging knit that works up quickly.
How do you connect to or are involved with the knitting community?
I’ve enjoyed being a bit of a knitting hermit for many years. Not many people know me. But now with Ravelry, Instagram, Facebook, ect… you post, or you don’t exist. So now I’m not as anonymous anymore. Also, it’s good to see other knitters – the person – and not just their work. I’ve belonged to the Toronto Knitter’s Guild practically since it started, many years ago. I do drop into my LYS for knit night from time to time. And I have gone to the KNIT EAST knitting festival in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.
All of Michelle’s patterns for Estelle Yarns can be found on our Free Patterns page. Download your free copy today and let Michelle’s creative mind take you on a new journey in your knitting!
Thank you, Michelle for taking the time to answer our questions and for providing us with endless inspiration.