Potter Craft News interviews Annie Modesitt, author of Romantic Hand Knits

What’s your philosophy on the "romantic look"?

ANNIE: There is a certain cultural shorthand that implies that "romantic" means lots of lace, billowy skirts, low-cut bodices, and a little more leg than usual—sexy with an extra layer. But I think that, like everything deeply personal, romance has its own specific look for each person. Romance is not so much about being desirable to another as it is about reveling in and celebrating our own hearts’ desires.

In the introduction to Romantic Hand Knits, you say that romance is about dreams and hope, and how in knitting, as in romance, much of the joy is in the dream. How has knitting brought romance into your life?

ANNIE: Knitting allows me to enjoy my time, my imagination, and my mind more than I might without needles and yarn. When my mind is free—and powerful—the way it feels when I knit, then my soul soars a little and all of this adds a layer of joy to my life. Not to put too fine a point on it, this makes me love life, and love love, in a much deeper way, which in turn makes me more lovable. Nothing is more attractive than a quiet self confidence, which is what I get from knitting.

You say in Romantic Hand Knits that the garment that dresses the top of the body sets the tone for the rest of your ensemble—and that this is perfectly demonstrated in the piece you’ve named Ninotchka. Can you elaborate?

ANNIE: It’s hard to get away from the fact that the bust area—being the most important fit point on most women's bodies and also being so near to the face—can send very strong signals. Usually we want these to be good signals: "this is a woman in control of her life and her wardrobe," "I can trust what this woman tells me," or "I feel this person is sympathetic and kind."

In Ninotchka, the well-supported bust area adds strength and stability to the design, allowing feminine details like the lace below the bust line and the thin twisted-cord shoulder straps to relax and soften, not weaken, the message this piece sends. "Here's a woman confident in her femininity, but with a strong foundation."

To read the entire interview click here.