Knitting in public is something that, for most knitters, isn’t relegated to the month of June. We’ll knit at the dentist office, on the subway or really anywhere we’re standing still (or kinda still).

In our latest Knitter Profile, Christine tells us about one place she knits that threw us a little, but it seems like a good idea. Read on to learn more about Christine and find out a great place to catch up on some knitting.

JP: Hope you’re summer is going well. What do you knit this time of year?

My knitting is no different during this time of year than any other. I’m still knitting/designing hats, shawls and fingerless mitts right now!

JP: When do you enjoying knitting most?

I enjoy knitting anytime, anywhere! I take my knitting with me everywhere I go! That’s where my JP bags come in handy! I knit in the car (when my husband is driving that is), I knit at events, doctor’s offices, etc… I even knit while standing in line to ride rides at Universal Studios.

JP: How did you find out about JP?

I think I first found out about her back in 2008, possibly earlier. We had just moved to the SF Bay Area’s Silicon Valley and I was looking for a knitting group to join. I had Debbie Stoller’s SnB Nation book. So I chose the San Jose SnB group and decided to pay them a visit!

But they told me that their founder, Jordana Paige, was no longer attending. So it wasn’t until 2010 that I actually met her for the first time when I attended a trunk show at Bobbin’s Nest Studio.

Author Julie Turjoman of “Brave New Knits” fame was also there. Here’s a photo of Elizabeth, Jordana, Author Julie Turjoman, and myself. As you can see, I brought my blue knitter’s satchel along that day!

JP: What was your reaction?

When I found out that she was designing knitting bags, I got very excited! I’ve always been a “bag lady,” but a “knitting bag” is even better!!! I couldn’t wait to see what she had to offer! I’m now the proud owner of 5 JP bags!

JP: If you could eat or drink anything with no consequences, what would it be?

I would probably enjoy having desserts more often after a meal, which I normally don’t do.

 JP: What projects are you working on right now?

I have a triangular shawl design in progress…

JP: What’s the one knitting project you’ve always wanted to try but just haven’t gotten around to it, or you’re just a little intimidated by?

A sweater! I’ve made doggy sweaters and a doll sweater, but I just haven’t gotten around to knitting one for myself. I tend to stick to smaller items. I like the instant gratification! But I know once I find the perfect sweater that strikes my fancy, I will finally knit one for myself!

JP: Tell us about your bags. Which one is your favorite? 

Well, like I said, I have 5 JP bags. Two Satchels, one L.J. Kaelms, one Rio, and one Bella. The Satchel in Grape is my favorite! I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I haven’t knit a JP pattern yet. I really like the Royce and the Catalina though. If I can decide on which one, I’d love one of those to be my very first sweater!

JP: Do you have any favorite quotes or sayings?

“Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either.”
- Elizabeth Zimmermann

JP: Any advice for new knitters?

Never give up! Don’t let intimidation stop you! Anything is possible! I guess I should take my own advice and tackle that sweater!

JP: What’s the best (audio) book or podcast you’ve read or heard lately?

I’ve really been enjoying Alana Dakos and her Never Not Knitting podcast.

JP: What kind of music gets you in the crafty mood?

Upbeat, feel good music… Although I don’t need music to be in a crafty mood.

JP: Coffee or tea?

Both! I love my coffee in the morning and in the mid-afternoon. I’m a cream and sugar gal. I also enjoy some sweet iced tea with meals! And last but not least, a good Chai tea every now and then.

JP: What inspires you?

I find inspiration everywhere especially in nature! I love textures and a rustic feel. I’m also a big fan of stitch pattern books.

JP: How did you learn to knit? 

I took a free knitting 101 class at the library when I lived in Aurora, IL.  They taught me the basic garter stitch. I ran with it after that and have pretty much self-taught myself everything else since then!

JP: What was your first knitting project? How did it go?

A scarf! What else? In Lion Brand’s Wool Ease Thick’nQuick.  I guess most people think that’s the easiest project to start with. I still have that first scarf. It turned out lovely if I do say so myself. I gave it to my daughter and she loves it!

JP: It’s the zombie apocolypse. What’s your weapon of choice?

I’m wielding my knitting needles!

JP: What’s one of the strangest things you’ve put in your JP bag?

Well there’s some crumbled dried lavender buds in my bag right now. My kids gave them to me while we were out one day so I tossed them in the bag. It sure smells good!

JP: What’s the last movie you really enjoyed, whether you were knitting or not? 

I watched Benny & Joon again recently for the umpteenth time!

JP: What’s one of your favorite outdoor activities?

Hiking at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. This popular open space preserve offers abundant wildlife, a working farm, and 23 miles of trails.

JP: Do you have a favorite type of knitting project?

Not really. I love a good challenging stitch pattern on quiet evenings when I can concentrate. Otherwise I enjoy mindless knitting when I’m knitting in public.

JP: Do you do any other sorts of crafty stuff?

I’ve been trying my hand at using my sewing machine lately. I’d love to come up with a needle roll for my needles and a small project bag (that can both be carried inside my JP bags of course)!

JP: Do you prefer to knit alone or with friends? 

Both. I need to be alone when I’m designing, otherwise I get scatterbrained and end up frogging what I’ve done. But I do enjoy knitting something simple when I’m with friends. So long as I can chitchat and knit at the same time, It’s all good!

JP: If time and money were no object, what would you be doing instead of writing this email?

I’d be exploring castles in Scotland. I’ve been there a couple of times, and would love to go back. It’s in my blood!

JP: Where can we find you online?

You can find me on Ravelry, Etsy, and Twitter. I also have a website, am on Facebook, and sell patterns on Craftsy. And I also blog!

JP: Anything else you want to tell me?

Well, I have two beautiful children, Caitlin is 8 and Brandon is 6. I’m a knitting/crochet instructor at Beverly’s Fabric & Crafts store.

Reading and knitting are like therapy to me! Both help me to unwind after a busy and hectic day!

I’m originally from Oklahoma, but have traveled worldwide, and I now eat, sleep, knit and design from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I am proud to announce that I have partnered with Jimmy Beans Wool to fight heart disease in women! As a Stitch Red partner I will be donating a percentage of my gross profits from the sale of my Cables & Bobbles & Lace, Oh My! Hat Pattern.

Donations will go to Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) in support of The Heart Truth®, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

And last but not least I’m working on a knitting book at the moment. Details to come… so follow me for more info!

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Thanks so much for sharing your stories and photos Christine, and for sharing the great theme park knitting tips. That’ll be one thing we pack on our next trip to ride the roller coasters.

If you’d like to be featured in our knitter’s profile, we’d love to hear from you! Email or leave your info in the comments and we’ll make it happen! Don’t worry, you don’t have to submit photos of yourself if you’re not into that (but we do want to see your knitting and your bags for sure).