Diane Ugo (MrsUMakes) is a knitter, crocheter, designer, podcaster, and stitch marker maker. Her creations are so adorable and remarkably affordable, and can be found in her Etsy shop, MrsUMakes. Has your mouth ever watered while looking at stitch markers? Because thanks to Diane, that’s now happened to me. It was both enjoyable, and admittedly a bit confusing. Read my interview with Diane to learn more about her adorable kids, her knitting design advice, and to see her tasty stitch markers!
What inspired you to start knitting?
I learned how to knit when I was eight. A group of elderly women came to my school and taught us. We each made a square, which they joined together to make a large blanket and raffled off to raise money for charity. I learned to crochet after watching a colleague and YouTube videos. I was pregnant at the time and I thought it would be a quicker way to make blankets.
Has knitting gotten you through a difficult time in your life? If so, how did it help?
I am a stay at home mum of four children, including triplets. Crafting gave/gives me something productive to do. It has also allowed me to connect with others with the same interest, as none of my family or close friends knit.
What keeps you obsessed?
I have always liked being creative but was never really given an outlet when growing up. The ability to try new things and take an idea from my head and turn it into something physical keeps me coming back.
What’s your favorite project that you’re working on right now?
The main thing I’m working on at the moment is a test of a shawl I’ve designed for the yarn dyer, Third Vault Yarns, using mini skeins from one of their collections. It incorporates mosaic knitting, something I hadn’t heard of this time last year.
Pattern: Ijeoma Ruana Wrap by Diane Ugo [The back of this pattern slays me. I love it!]
What project are you most proud of? Why?
There are two. The first is the Ijeoma Ruana; this was the first large pattern I designed and has three different cable stitches. Writing up the pattern and having it tested was a big learning curve. The second is the Atlas sweater, by Jared Flood. I made three back to back, one for each of my boys. I plan to make the cardigan version for my daughter at some point too.
What’s the best knitting advice you have received?
A few years ago I attended a Christmas get-together with some other knitters. One of the other guests was a knitwear designer. I had just begun designing and she gave me information on where to go to get sizing guides and also encouraged me to not have too much of a plan in mind but to write the pattern as I go. I found this helped save time I’d lost by constantly changing things; it also helped with my creativity.
Follow Diane on Instagram here.
If you would like to be featured in the “Variegated Yarn Tales” column, please join the community and read our guidelines here!
0 Comments