8.16.2011

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.


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.

33 comments:

  1. ooh, I love her project bags, those are adorable!! Great interview.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great interview! Now I have more shawls to add to my queue!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, another talented designer for me to follow. Gorgeous work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome interview! LOVE Angela Tong and look forward to future designs by her:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love Angela's work, she's come a long way so fast. Really impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for introducing us to another great designer! Love the work!

    Ravname: kellknit

    ReplyDelete
  7. Angela's patterns are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, I wish I was as talented!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the Kouyou shawl! Off to find her on Rav! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I want to play! Enter me to win, I wanna make that shawl!

    Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love all her patterns and would be thrilled to win Kouyou :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been following Angela's blog for quite a while now and her designs are great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. wonderful give-away! amyknit40 on rav

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've had my eye on Kouyou for a long time. It'd be great to win it. (Zabbers on Rav)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love her ninja project bag so cute! Thanks for the interview.

    lotsofhermies on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  16. her patterns are lovely! and the project bags are too fun!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you so much for sharing such a talent with us!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The shawls are absolutely gorgeous. I would love to make tham.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ooh, the shawl is lovely but I just can't get over the cuteness of the robot/ninja bags!!!!

    Jessecreations on rav

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for sharing the interview! Shes quite the designer!! :-)

    #WINNING!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Both of the shawls shown are beautiful. I would love to win the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the project bags! enter me please!

    sophia.komninou at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Kouyou Shawl is my favorite too! I love finding new designers!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mao is adorable! :D Would love to knit that.

    Not to mention the Kouyou shawl is gorgeous, and I like the look of these designs. Absolutely awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great interview, and hello?? Beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the Kouyou - and would love to win it...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great interview and such pretty designs :) I would love to win :)
    jani22 on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  28. I hadn't seen the Kouyou shawl pattern before - but now I have fav'ed it on Ravelry. When I need a pattern for a sport or worsted weight shawl I now know where to find one ♥
    And even better now that I know a little more about the designer ☺
    Thanks for the interview!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The knitting ninja wears her heart on her sleeve. Nice.
    What a beautiful shawl! I love the simple edging. Added to the queue.

    ReplyDelete
  30. what a lovely shawl! Very pretty! Thanks for a great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  31. nice interview, her patterns are beautiful!
    mysticmoon on rav

    ReplyDelete