We have recently had some staff changes here at the Knit Picks office. It took a few months to find just the right person, but we are happy to introduce. . .me!
I’m Daniel, and I am the new Administrative Assistant for Knit Picks. I’ll be around to do the fiddly, little things that no one else has the time (or inclination) for. In addition, I am the new Coordinator for our Independent Designer Partnership Program, so if you are one of our Independent Designers (or would like to be!) you’ll be working with me.
Knitting
I’ve been a knitter since I was 16, but off and on over the years. Only in the last few years have I found a regular knitting group and really started challenging myself and growing my skills. So, I’ve yet to make socks, and I’m currently working on my first ever sweater (in Knit Picks’ City Tweed).
Mostly I like lace, which came as a surprise. But colorwork drives me crazy, and simple stitch patterns don’t keep my attention (which results in many mistakes). Lace is a challenge and takes a certain level of engagement at all times. And it’s so pretty!
Not Knitting
A lot of my spare time not spent knitting goes to reading or cooking and baking. I probably follow more food blogs than I do knitting ones. (New knitting projects only come up every few weeks, if not months (I can be kind of slow. . .), but I need to make food every day!) I love to bake from scratch and knead dough by hand. A lot of my professional background is in bookselling, and I probably read at least a book a week. It would solve a lot of problems in my life if I could read and knit at the same time! I have managed it, but it was a very basic brioche stitch and a book that I was mostly skimming just to get through, so I’m not sure it really counts.
I’ve dabbled in different crafts: spinning, sewing, leatherworking, woodworking, papermaking, beading, welding and metalwork, gluing random things together (that’s a craft, right?). Whenever I see something neat, I have this unfortunate habit of thinking to myself, I could make that, and then actually trying to (with varying levels of success). Eventually, I would really love to learn to bind books by hand. One of my crafty pipedreams is handmaking bespoke books (the main other one being a fiber farm).
I’m very excited to be working at Knit Picks, though a bit surprised at how mellow everyone is. Not that it’s a bad thing! There’s plenty of enthusiasm and excitement in the office, it’s just a strange experience for me not to be the most introverted person around. Now it seems obvious that everyone would be so laidback and warm and welcoming, because yarn people are obviously the best people.
