Debbie Bliss' Road to A Knitting Empire
British Bliss Goes From Fabric Artist to Dominance In Knitting World
Jun 10, 2009
Bliss' somewhat improbable career in knits began with making soft sculptures of plants with leaves and flowers out of yarn. She was a confirmed machine knitter, until she decided to switch to designing hand knits for the fashion world. In an interview with this author for the Star-Ledger in 2007, she described her evolution and why there are more than 50 million knitters in the United States today.
Why Bliss Made the Switch to Hand Knitting
It was very difficult to earn a living. I had taken a textile course where you made coats out of crisp packets, arty stuff. I was unemployable for about three years. I did various jobs and it was humbling. I worked in a hospital as a cleaner. I’ll never get over how lucky I am to do what I do.
Bliss’ First Hand-Knit Garment
Talk about being hoisted by your own petard. I first went (to a knitwear magazine) and they wanted to commission a garment. I realized suddenly that they wanted to commission a hand-knit garment. I didn’t lie exactly. I was economical with the truth. I was very passionate about the artist Sonia Delaunay, who did these wonderful geometric shapes. So I designed a coat. I couldn’t do it on a machine so I went home to my mother and she reintroduced me to hand-knitting and fed me cups of tea and soup and I knitted this garment in about four days. I still have it, but the moths have gotten it. I couldn’t have come up with a worse idea — it had shaping, color work, everything that strikes fear in a knitter’s heart.
Bliss on Why Knitting Appeals to So Many People Now.
Some things just happen. I’m not sure why. I think when younger people see celebrities like Julia Roberts or Cameron Diaz knitting, it makes them think about knitting differently. Knitting is very much something that is not particularly hip. People can be very patronizing about it.
Also, young people are very aware of the whole global situation. They want to make sure things are ethically produced. Young people are questioning the provenance of certain garments. If they’re crafting something, they know where it’s begun. A few balls of yarn and some time and you’ve made something unique and original for a friend.
Bliss on Knitting with Friends
I think that’s why I have such a soft spot for American knitters. When I first came here 12 years ago, every knitter was in a knitting group. People were so warm and welcoming it helped me get rid of my fear (of speaking to groups of knitters). You have those bonds with people where you can tell someone not to get so wound up. You can feel the anxiety flowing through those needles. I like to remind people, ‘It’s not a competition. You need to enjoy this more.’
Bliss’ Favorite Yarn
I would have to say the cashmerino. The merino makes it easy to knit. Things come together well. Also, it’s not hugely expensive like pure cashmere. If people want to work on something special and soft, there’s the baby cashmerino. It’s the most successful yarn (Bliss recently introduced her Eco yarn, an aran-weight yarn made from responsibly produced organic cotton).
Bliss’ Basic Knitting Rule
Watch your tension (some call this gauge). When you knit, you make stitches tight or loose depending on how you handle your needles and yarn. Relax, and your knitting is supple and sensual. Get stressed and your work becomes stiff and dense.
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