When I needed peace in my head, I started knitting. After a few shawls, I was ready for colourwork. In colourwork and especially the combination of colourwork with texture, I found the language of my playground and field of research.

Now my head is full again. This time with designs and colour combinations I like to create and write down. Once that’s done, I add information about it to my website. After that, I add a pdf of the pattern to Ravelry and Etsy, in English and Dutch. Here you can buy a copy, if you like to.

Writing patterns in collaboration
Based on the books of Ann Budd (e.g. the knitters handy book of Top Down Sweaters), I worked with Pepe Veugelers, to bring it further into detail. We explored (for 10 adult sizes and 5 child sizes) how much wool is needed of every colour when I make stranded knits, what the consequences for the pattern are if I want shorter sleeves or a shorter (or longer) body, and - for example - how to adjust the pattern when I want the sleeves to have a different shape. We worked together intensively for more than 9 months to understand the mathematics of knitting and grading. I knitted, he did the math, and we worked together on reliable excel sheets that I could use when I want to write a pattern. I loved working together with Pepe, whose talent for and expierence with maths and Excel has provided me with the insights and practical excel sheets I need as a knitwear designer.  I am very happy with how this learning process turned out.

If you want to get a mail when a new design is added, leave your email address at my website: http://www.knittednaturedesigns.com.

If you like to follow the design process, follow Knitted Nature Designs on Facebook, too.

Because I worked as a colour and style specialist I can advise you about colour combinations and styles that will suit you, if you like.

This work gives me a lot of satisfaction, peace and relaxation. I feel at home in it.

Why
Why the name Knitted Nature Designs? Because nature comes first, when it comes to beauty.
And why I design modern colourwork? Because I like to create layers of colours and motifs that overlap, rather than horizontal bands of two colours, like in traditional Fair Isle colourwork.

3D-knitting
I also like to add texture. Layers of colour and texture together create a 3D effect I call 3D-knitting. An example of this is the Nefertiti capelet which I am wearing in the photo, and Embracing butterfly cardigan.

Who I am
My name is Claudia Hulshof and I live in Ede, the Netherlands, with my partner and dog. In the past I also worked as a personal stylist, and published a book (in Dutch) on clothing style called ‘Signalen’ (signals).