An Interview with Tanis Gray, Author of Capitol Knits and a Giveaway

Today I am really happy to have a special interview with Author/Designer/Editor and Mama to Callum Tanis Gray. 

Tanis Gray and her little sweetheart Callum

I met Tanis it seems years ago when she was the Yarn Editor at Soho Publishing - the umbrella to magazines Vogue Knitting and Knit Simple and the sadly departed Knit.1 (which Tanis co-edited). We developed one of those business/phone friendships which I am happy to say has continued due to the internet and both of us moving on professionally and personally. Tanis has been to one of my "Getting Stitched on the Farm" Retreats and since then, we have shared the woes and joys of book publishing, designing, and motherhood. Last spring Tanis and her husband Roger welcomed little Callum into their family and their lives have not been the same since. That's him in one of her handknits above.  Tanis and her family live in Washington, DC.


Last year, Tanis's book Knit Local was published by Sixth and Spring Books to rave reviews. This winter, she self-published her second book. Tanis is no stranger to having her work published. Her designs have been featured in gobs of books and magazines, many of them ending up on the covers. Today, Tanis is spending some time with all of us and she is sponsoring a Giveaway of her new book Capitol Knits.

Tanis' new book Capitol Knits

For all you locals, Webs is sponsoring a trunk show of Capitol Knits right now and through the next 2 weeks in their store. I have splashed photos of many of the projects from Tanis' Capitol Knits through this post. Check out Tanis' website here. You can listen to a podcast with Tanis here.


KN: Hi Tanis. Let's start with the age-old question most knitters want to know.....When and how did you learn to knit?

TG: My mom taught me when I was 8. She had always been a wonderful sewer and knitter but got busy with my brother and I and didn't have much time for it. She decided to get back into it and make me a sweater. I was absolutely enthralled with the process and would do any little thing I could to help, whether it was to wind her yarn, help her pick out buttons or just sit and watch. She taught me after finishing that little mohair cardigan for me and I've been addicted ever since.

KN: You know, my mom made me a little green mohair cardigan. She saved it and for awhile Julia wore it. Such nice knitting memories for us both! I know your mom has been rather influential in your creative life. She is a painter, isn't she? How has her work been an influence on your creative life?

TG:  Yes, my mom is a very talented painter and pastel artist. You can see her work at www.patriciamgray.com. My mom taught both children's and adult art classes and growing up I'd come to all her classes and "assist." Between going to class with her, volunteering at the local art centers, coming home from school every day to find her working in her studio and sitting there watching her while we rehashed our days to each other, or going on one of our many, many museum trips, she taught me to appreciate art, find beauty everywhere, understand and utilize color and respect other people's visions. Both she and my father were supportive of my going to art school, which changed my life.

KN: What is your best knitting tale.... either personal or professional? One of the most memorable things that has affected your knitting and real life simultaneously?

TG:  I went to RISD for college and freshman year is referred to as "foundation year." You cannot declare a major until you are a sophomore and everyone takes the same 4 classes, 3D, 2D, drawing and art history. For my final project in 3D at the end of the year, we had to create a "second skin for something." That was the only instruction given, so the concept could be wide open. I had really missed my knitting and anyone who knows about a RISD education knows that you work your butt off for 4 years and there's little time for anything but schoolwork and studying. I wished to somehow bring my knitting into this project and in the end decided to knit a "second skin for my hands," ie mittens. Holding fishing line, silver metal strips, silver wiring, cotton rope and twine together, I knit wearable mittens with copper cuffs.  Those were definitely my most memorable pair of mittens and I went through about 8 sets of DPNs knitting them! I got an A in that class and those mittens went on to win many sculpture awards. It married my love of art and my love of knitting.

KN: Wow, that is one great story. I love that you combined art and knitting. It is such a natural although many people don't think of it that way.
Tanis, you recently self-published a beautiful book called Capitol Knits! It is jam-packed with gorgeous sweaters and lots of accessories. What I really like is how all the sweaters and accessories are extremely wearable but stylish too. Congratulations! Great timing with the election coming up. I think you are very brave to self-publish considering you have come out of the corporate knitting/magazine world. What prompted you to do go off on your own and do it yourself?

TG: Thanks! We live in the heart of Washington, DC on Capitol Hill. It's an odd experience walking the dog and pushing a stroller passing senators, judges and important political figures on the street. This city is the beating heart of our nation and one of the most beautiful, historic places we have as a young country. I had just wrapped up my first book, Knit Local with Sixth & Spring, had a baby and REALLY wanted to do a small book where I had complete control. I wanted to do the photography, have final say on all decisions and see what I pictured in my head on a page in front of me. It was a giant leap of faith and I worked on it in fits and starts while my son slept, trying to challenge myself and see if I could do it. It was more or less my journals come to life in bound book form for all to see. I love history, plants, interesting facts, maps and knitting. I wanted to share that with other knitters.

 

KN: The book is very beautiful. You put so much of yourself in there. I love all the little drawings, the history of DC, the stories that are added. That is the kind of add-on that makes a book special but which unfortunately doesn't get into most knitting books done by large publishers. Are there any tips you would like to share with others about the process of self-publishing?

TG:  Have patience with yourself. When you're a one-woman show things take a lot longer than if you have a team behind you. There are many great things about working with a publisher, and there are also many great things about working on a book by yourself. They are both unique experiences, one not being better than the other, just different. I wanted to try both.

KN: I know about being a "one-woman show" - it's a tough gig, especially when you have high standards! What was the biggest learning curve you had in self-publishing Capitol Knits?

TG:  Finding the balance between my schedule, my model's, my husband's and my son's. I feel like I should have a degree in scheduling after getting a book done in 3 months with all those schedules!

KN: Wow - three months! That is phenomenal. You are amazing. Anything else really special in Capitol Knits that you would like to share with us?

TG: DC is a magical city. There are so many hidden gems and a wonderful sense of history and duty here. This book is my love letter to this city and I was inspired to do it after researching my family tree and being accepted into the DAR last year. There are write-ups about each location, facts, photos, history... I hope that if you haven't been to DC and you look over this book, you'll want to visit. There's a ton of writing in this book and I hope people take the time to read it. Also, the trunk show is currently at Webs in Northampton and has been traveling around the country. If you want your LYS to host it, let them know!

KN: Many readers here at "Getting Stitched on the Farm" are interested in things besides knitting. Tell us what else informs your design life? What else do you like to do that helps to keep you creating great knitting designs.

TG: With a dog and a baby I take 2, sometimes 3 walks a day. I like exploring the city and my neighborhood. There's so much inspiration here and most of the museums are free, so you can pop in for 30 minutes of inspiration or spend a few hours there. I wish all the museums in the world were free! I also like to bike with my family, am obsessed with jigsaw puzzles, watching sci-fi and when I get some free time (ha), sew.

KN: Jealous - all those museums for free! Nice. Now that you have been in Washington for 3 years, tell me what the secret is to knitting in the heat down there? 

TG: Ugh, the heat. Last summer was one of the worst summers on record. My son was born last April 2 months early with pnemonia. He spent the first month of his life in the NICU and we were instructed to not take him outside in anything over 90 degrees. That meant I spent 99% of my summer indoors in the air conditioning! Even though I've never been a fan of summer and the heat, I truly enjoy knitting all year round, no matter how hot it is! Keep the blinds closed, crank up the air conditioning and drink plenty of iced tea.

I want to thank Tanis for opening up her world to all of us. She has kindly donated a signed copy of Capitol Knits one of my lucky readers. Here's how to enter.....

Answer this question from Tanis in the Comments section. 

What is your favorite monument in DC?

Contest ends Sunday April 22nd at 11:59 p.m. US addresses only.
As always, please leave an easy way to get a hold of you - either blog, Ravelry id, or email address. Thanks for reading all! And thanks so much to Tanis for taking time out of her busy day and life.