[Designer Focus] Nadya Stallings

Nadya sat down with us, so we could get to know her more! Read on, to get to know the designer behind this month’s Weeping Willow Shawl.

Tell us a bit more about yourself. Where do you live? Who do you live with? How did you end up there? Where are you from originally?

I live in NE Ohio with my husband, who brought me over here from Russia 22 years ago.

Who taught you to knit? And when did you start?

I was a smart but stubborn child, no one could teach me besides school teachers. I preferred learning by myself.

So, you can laugh, but the first knitting teacher for me was a TV set, although, my mother could do about any craft possible. The very first thing I learned from the TV was a Long Tail Cast On: it was fascinating, and I repeated it again and again. I was around 9 or 10 yo.

Do you have any kids? Pets?

I have a daughter and 2 grandchildren.

You have a note that your Ravelry group is open to both knitters and crocheters. I love that you’re inclusive! What made you add that note?

Since I share this group with my friend Lana Jois, and she has several crochet patterns published, it was announced that way.

I do crochet, too, and have made quite a few little things for my daughter when she was a little girl. Although I prefer knitting, especially for garment designs.

What made you want to do knitting design?

I remember looking through American knitting magazines and often thinking that I would like to find out how to get there with my designs too. I had no doubt I could do it.

That said, it was a natural evolution for me. Later I realized that I was designing for years (in sewing, too), although I thought this was simply a hobby.

While I’ve been knitting for years, I’ve never made anything completely following other designers’ patterns.

Even when I want to make a project from some of them, I would definitely change it in some way. 

Do you design full-time or part-time?

For the last few years this is full time.

What’s your favorite color?

If it is really necessary to pick one, it’s white. Although I never limit myself to just one.

I can tell what I avoid among the colors: neon (unless they are presented as tiny drops).

I am not very fond of variegated yarns and if I do use them, it’s only in a fragment of the design.

I don’t care for combining several earth tones. When used together, they tend to look just like mud.

Loving all colors, I am quite selective regarding the certain tones of them.

What is your favorite (other) things:

Do you have a design that you think people should give a little love?

Yes, I do. Salty Waves, Midnight Forest (I am really proud of designing those cables) and the Lilac Mist Scarf (which is quite unique and cheerful).

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere, really: nature, architecture, music, people, memories, literature, other designers’ work, other crafts.

Can you tell us about your signature style?

I doubt it has a specific name (yet), but I could give you a few details.

I have designed clothes with different constructions in different directions.

But I realize that when I work on the pattern, I want it to be pleasant not only in the photos, but also in real life, when it’s flowing along with the wearer’s body, when it moves, and I want it to last a long time.

Otherwise, I am open minded.

I do love experimenting with details. And I do LOVE pockets.

I avoid designing clothes with 0 or negative ease. Although, before I turned 22 or 23, I thought differently.

So, I would say: classic / contemporary mix.

What is your nemesis? The thing that makes you want to run and hide when you think about it.

Me? Seriously? No way! I am a tough lady.

I went through many things, great and not so much. And I just know: “If God is with us, then who is against us?”

What does your typical Nadya-day entail?

It begins with a very strong, very hot and sweet but small cup of coffee.

Then I check “what is going on in the world” as my husband says. I mean, in the crafters’ world, of course. Email check.

Then designing:  submissions, contracted projects (if I have any currently), and self-publishing in-between.

Sometimes I end my work day close to midnight.

Other than knitting and designing, do you have any other creative endeavors?

Sometimes I think I have too many things I want to do. I used to play and sing in a folk music group (I learnt music being a schoolgirl), I do love gardening, I like sewing. And another love of mine is watercolor painting. 

Do you have a stash? Or, once you buy it you make it up pretty quickly?

I do have a stash, and using it depends on many factors. I mostly use my stashed yarn for swatching or experimenting with new construction etc.

I don’t go wild with buying yarn, not just because I don’t have a lot of space to store it, but also because I am picky: I have to picture at least one project for which I can use the yarn that attracts me, before I buy it.

Several times in the past I got variegated yarn that looked so pleasant.

But it was hard to work texture or lace over it, and didn’t have something to pair it with. After that I am very careful. 

And, most importantly – where can we find you?

I’m often on my Instagram.

Thanks for sharing a bit more about you! It’s always fascinating to hear more about a designer’s life!