Getting to Know You #2: Angela Tong

Welcome back to Getting to Know You! Today I interviewed Angela Tong, who I had the pleasure of meeting at TNNA this year. I'd been drooling over Angela's Kouyou Shawl since the day it first came out, as well as being a huge fan of her hand-drawn knitting robot project bags on Etsy, so naturally I was pretty excited to meet her in person. When I decided to start doing a series on designers I admire, Angela was right at the top of the list.

Kouyou Shawl - isn't it gorgeous?

TSK: So, Angela. I’m already head over heels for your designs, and you’ve only published 5 so far! Your 5th pattern, Colfax, appeared on the pages of Knitscene Magazine. I LOVE that you've gone from Beginning Designer to Golden Girl overnight, because you totally deserve it. Please tell me you're going to keep designing - I for one, want to see more. What are your plans for upcoming designs, and where should we be looking for them?

AT: Yes, I'm definitely going to keep designing! I will be having more designs being published in print magazines, online magazines and books. I am very excited about the upcoming designs, which will include patterns in Knitscene, Petite Purls and the book, Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits.

Colfax Shawl, from Knitscene Fall 2011

TSK: I understand from your Ravelry profile that you are a former fine jewelry designer. Any plans to translate that expertise into knitwear? Knitted jewelry seems to be very trendy right now! Surely your experience in that area would give you a bit of an edge over competitors, too...

AT: Funny that you should ask. I have often thought about designing some knitted or crocheted jewelry. Since jewelry design was my career for so long, I wanted to take a step back from it. For now, I am enjoying designing knit wear. 

Knitting Robot & Knitting Ninja Project Bags from Angela's Etsy Shop

TSK: That is totally understandable. We're enjoying your knitwear design, too! Okay, last question. What’s the one book you’d recommend to beginning knitters that you feel will teach them everything they need to know?

AT: Oh, it’s hard to pick only one book since I love collecting books. But I would recommend Stitch ‘N Bitch: The Knitter’s Handbook by Debbie Stoller.

TSK: I love this answer! I am always recommending that very book to beginners. It totally changed the way I knit! I think one of the most important pieces of knowledge any knitter can have is an understanding of how stitches relate to each other in the work.

Mao, from Petite Purls Summer 2011

That wraps up this week's interview! Thanks for chatting with me, Angela! As a special thank you to my  readers, Angela is offering a FREE copy of my favorite pattern from her line, the Kouyou Shawl, to one lucky commenter. I'll announce the winner on Monday, August 22! Can't wait to see if you won? Angela is also offering $1.00 off her Kouyou or LaReine shawls with the coupon code, "sexyinterview" through Tuesday, August 30. Go buy one now and support this fabulous new designer!

Follow Angela's design career online through her blog, Ravelry, Twitter or Etsy.