We had a blast chatting with pattern designer Ambah O’Brien. Read on to learn more about Ambah, what she loves designing and how to get a free pattern from her!

Where are you from?

I live in a country town in Australia, about an hour from Melbourne.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live with my honey and our son in a vibrant artistic community. I love the good things in life; friends, family, fun! Cooking, gardening, nature, music, creativity.

What did you do before designing knitwear?

I worked as a Face and Body painter – painting people. Which was lots of fun, I got to teach and work throughout Australia and Internationally. Painting has long been a passion of mine, I love working with colour, which certainly shines through in my knitwear design.

How long have you been designing?

I designed my first pattern in January 2013.

Do you do this full time or part time?

I have been working full time on designing for the past year or so.

You’ve been doing a lot of beautiful work with gradients lately. Do you think it will become your signature? Or it’s just your current muse?

They have always held a fascination for me. I decided to focus exclusively on Gradient Yarn and create a Collection/Shawl Club for 2016 – Chroma Collection 2016. – an 8 pattern collection, with a new release every 2 months. It was initially going to be 7 and I found myself adding another – I find so much inspiration working with gradient yarns, I am sure there will be many more of these designs.

Perhaps another smaller collection in 2017. I am excited by the gorgeous yarns the Indie Dyers are producing and often these give rise to design inspiration. That said, I love to mix it up with solid colour designs and I’m quite fond of the beautiful speckled yarns dyers are coming up with at the moment.

Do you have a favorite color?

I always fall for mustard and green and love greys, but I am quite fond of all the colours.

Do you prefer one-color or striped?

No preference, I love both!

Texture or lace?

While I love texture, I would say lace is more of a focus for me. I love the geometric design elements lace can provide.

What’s your favorite fiber to work with?

Wool! By itself, blended with silk, or cashmere – or both.

You do a lot of shawls but you also have mitts, hats, jewelry and even a few garments. What’s your favorite thing to design?

I love to design the items I would wear, and while I do wear hats, mitts, garments etc., I wear shawls all the time. I love how they can add that special touch to a simple outfit, they are practical and also a statement. There are so many possibilities when it comes to designing a shawl.

What are a few of your designs to look at if someone is just getting introduced to you?

I think some of my most popular designs would be a good place to start; Lilli Pilli, Inara, Sea Dragon, Torquata, Yemaya and Oyster Shawl, are all quite different from each other and, I think, good examples of my design flavour.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

If people are interested in keeping up with me, sign up for the newsletter and you even get a free pattern.

knotions editor: Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your world! You have quite a collection of designs and it’s only been three and a half years!