Download a PDF version here. - Rowan

03 04and later the Universities of York and Newcastle. My work often took meto the U.S., where I spent long periods working in some wonderfulresearch libraries. On one of these trips to Philadelphia, I becamefascinated by how textiles were central to the lives of a group ofeighteenth-century women writers whose letters I was reading. As well asexchanging poems and essays, these women spun, sewed, knitted, andswapped patterns for lace collars and embroidery. It was their enthusiasmfor textiles that inspired me to start knitting again. From the moment Itook up my needles I found it immensely enabling to create garments thatdidn’t exist in the world of mainstream fashion, and I particularly enjoyedthe way that knitting connected me to a place or to a moment, allowingme to bring an idea to life in a very material way.In this respect, as in many others, I find that designing is very similar towriting, an activity which I also enjoy. Essentially, you are giving free-reinto your creativity, but there is a tremendous amount of hard work involvedas well. I feel that technical knowledge is just as important as artistry: in thesame way that its crucial to know about rhythm in order to write a goodpoem, I think its also desirable to have reasonable technical knowledge ofone’s craft in order to create a beautiful garment. For me, these things arehand in glove. I enjoy the nitty-gritty of figuring out a technicalconundrum, and the actual crafty process of making, just as much as anylightbulb moment of inspiration, and I think that the pleasure I find indesigning arises from this singular combination of creativity, process, anddiscipline.Designers are often asked the “where do you find your inspiration”question, which I find a little odd. I think that if you are someone whoenjoys texture, pattern and colour, then the world is constantly alive withinspiration, whether you are on the streets of Kyoto or out in the ScottishHighlands. Because I live in Scotland, and because I love to be outdoors,the colours of this landscape and the textile traditions that have shaped itare endlessly inspiring to me. But inspiration is everywhere, and I thinkthat a hat or a sweater can be an opportunity to celebrate many beautifulthings that are often overlooked, from pavements to vegetables. I also thinkthat, while its important to take yourself seriously, its also crucial to retaina sense of humour. That way you are able to recognise when an idea isprobably a bad one, such as the time I attempted to knit a sweater inspiredby the curious texture of a rhino’s behind.katedaviesdesigns.com01. Kate.02. Blaithin Cardigan.03. Funchal Moebius - inspired by the mosiac pavements of Madeira.04. Nepal Wrap from the FOLK collection.53