We are over the moon excited to share with you our latest MFPP collection that just released, it’s from designer extraordinaire, Joanna Johnson, and she’s titled her eBook, Emma Knits. All the pieces in this collection are inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma and Joanna has done an amazing job of depicting this literary classic in the form of knits that are just as wearable and stylish today. 

If you have not had the pleasure to come across Joanna’s work before, she is the author of Phoebe's Sweater, Freddie's Blanket, Phoebe's Birthday, Sherlock Knits, Henry's Hat, and Little Women Knits. She is the founder of Slate Falls Press, which she and her husband operate together out of their home-based studios at the foot of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. They live in a cozy house full of books and yarn with their three children and their Great Pyrenees dog, Leo.

There is something for everyone in this collection:

Social Call is a dainty reticule, knit in Lace with just a tiny bit of charted colorwork in the round. Matchmaking Set is a hat and mittens pair, of course, worked in Rios. 

Walking to Town is a dream-worthy shawl knit in Silky Merino. 

Village Ball is your classic Regency era-style shawl, perfect for wearing crossed in the front and tied at your back waist, knit in one of my favorite yarns, Caprino. 

Farmer’s Girlfriend is a sock pattern knit in Sock.

Secret Engagement is a classic shrug/bolero and is a quick knit in Worsted (we think this is going to hop on our needles very soon!)

Like we said, there is something for everyone in this collection.

We had the opportunity to ask Joanna some questions about her collection and her knitting. Here’s what she had to say!

1:What is your favorite part of your design collection and why?

 I love how approachable these patterns are. I am always looking for new ways to make a pattern more user friendly and accessible to a variety of knitting abilities and interests. I found the inspiration in Emma to be very timely, as Regency-Era styles were focused on comfort and movement, which is very relevant today. So it was a great process to combine these traditional silhouettes with modern construction techniques and timeless materials.

2: What should knitters pay attention to when working these patterns? Do you have any tips or tricks that will make knitting them easier?

 I always encourage knitters to pay attention to their gauge swatch, not just the measurements, but also to the drape and style of the stitches. Especially for free flowing accessories like shawls, it is really important to make sure that you like the way the fabric feels in your swatch, and that it has the drape and form you are looking for. Also, a lot of these patterns are top-down which allows for trying on as you go, and lengthening or shortening the fit as desired, which makes it simple to customize your project to fit your body

3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?

 The most enjoyable part of this collection, in my opinion, is engaging with the literary inspiration for these designs. Listening to Emma on audiobook, watching your favorite version of Pride and Prejudice, exploring old and new Regency-inspired literature (Georgette Heyer, Death Comes to Pemberly, etc.), will add richness to your knitting experience.

4: What does your design process look like? 

I am a process knitter, so I always like to design something this I personally find enjoyable and fun to knit. I am also a busy mom of three and business owner, so I have a lot of distractions in my life and like my designs to be a refuge from the hustle and bustle of my everyday life. I start with lots of pattern sampling, swatching out different stitch motifs, until I find something that feels right in my hands. I like to borrow ideas from some of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe that I wear over and again, and add a new element that I wish to incorporate into the design. I do a lot of pausing and trying on as I go, and also love draping ideas on Betty (my dress form) in my studio.

5: What impact does chosen color palettes of this project have on you? Did you make design choices based on the color way names? 

While researching colors for this collection, I found an old watercolor illustration of interior design plans for a Regency home, and loved the color palette so much that I pulled all of the colors for Emma Knits from this illustration. I love the rich red, the subtle neutrals, and the earthy greens and how they all merged together.

6: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?

 The one thing I wish people knew about me as a designer is that I love seeing photos people send me of what they knit from my patterns! It is my favorite kind of email or ping when I see that someone chose to spend their time with one of my patterns; I consider it an honor!

7: What beverage are you most likely to have by your side while designing? 

Coffee. Always coffee!

We have to agree with her, coffee, always coffee!

You can find Emma Knits on Ravelry right here https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/emma-knits

Be sure to follow Joanna @joannajohnson on IG. 

Happy Knitting!