We were lucky enough to collaborate with Rachael Reese of September Knits for our newest seasonal offering, Spring Equinox 2021. I've admired Rachael's work for awhile and we've collaborated before- but this one was extra fun! Rachael is a beautiful person, inside and out and if you haven't already checked out her work you absolutely should. I had a chance to speak with her about her process, what inspires her and a few other things we wanted to know!

RD: Tell us about how you got started designing and what inspires you? 

RR: As a child, I was taught by my incredible maternal Grandmother how to sew, knit, and crochet. From early on, I was making up my own design ideas. I didn’t really know about knitting patterns until my late 20’s. Prior to that my friends and I would make-up/design our own accessories.

I began September Knits after a lot of family loss and turmoil. It was something that I could do for myself, separate from raising my kids, it was my thing, my time. When I set out to grade my first pattern (Hyla Sweater), I experienced a certain kind of happiness that I had not felt in quite awhile. Over time, our family is continuing to heal and grow and so is September Knits.

RD: What’s your favorite handmade piece to style and how do you like to wear it?

RR: I really love my Hyla & Fay Sweaters and wear them often. They are both slightly cropped and lightweight. I wear them over jeans, under overalls, over dresses…with sweatpants. I also wear my Seabold Cowl like literally every day in every outfit from late September to April. It was the first Seabold design sample and I never wove in the ends and I freaking love it. It is warm, soft, and a little tattered-just like me.

RD: Where do you live and how does it influence your work? 

RR: I live on Bainbridge Island, which is the original land of the Suquamish People.  This Island was turned over to the federal government in the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855. We are learning more about the history of the Suquamish People and their land that we are settlers on. We have so much to learn. The picture included here with me standing near water and beautiful trees is called Port Blakely. This was a Winter Village site of the Suquamish. This place is so beautiful it literally takes my breath away. The owls, deer, otters, seals and other wildlife that gather in this place make it even more magical. The beauty and nature of this place influences me deeply. I am not sure how it comes out or how to describe the influence of it in my design work, but my surroundings are not separate from my design process. I design while walking and sitting on these coast lines.  The other picture included of me knitting my friend Melissa’s (@homebodyfibers) beautiful coaster design is located near Rolling Bay, which was a Summer Village site for the Suquamish.

RD: Salty or Sweet?

RR: Salty all the way

RD: When you're not knitting or designing, what are you doing? What other hobbies do you have?

RR: As for other hobbies, I recently started spinning and weaving. Working in the community pottery studio is becoming a new love…possibly an obsession as well. I am not sure if it is the Virgo in me or not, but I LOVE working with clay and glazes. My whole body just wants to do pottery at all times.

RD: Would you rather...
Knit with one base for the rest of your life? OR
Knit with the same color forever?

RR: Knit with one base for the rest of my life.

Thank you Rachael for playing along! Please make sure you visit her website here and check out our Spring Equinox Kit in the shop here.