Lena Skvagerson, Lead Designer of Annie’s Signature Designs, was our guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast. It was 
a wonderful visit to close out May with!
Lena grew up in Sweden, she was not taught to knit or crochet by her mom, but in school, everyone is taught sewing, knitting, crocheting as well as woodworking. At a point, when she was a teenager, there was mohair sweater trend and Lena says her mother wouldn’t knit the sweater, so she went with friends, got the yarn and made it herself. After that she was ‘just knitting’, without thought that this would be a career. She was working in a construction company’s office, taking pattern writing classes at night. A job was posted at DROPS that everyone told her she should apply for, and she was part of their team for 25 years!
Lena says she learned so much while she was there. Watching the company grow and step into internet and website, being contacted by Ravelry and stores all over Europe and then spreading into the US, first into California. This was especially exciting for Lena personally, as her father lives in California. As she continued to work for Drops, getting patterns published in magazines for them, developing relationships with publishers in the US, Annies asked her become the Lead Designer at Annie’s. She finds it exciting to work on the entire design, working with tech editors, playing with new yarns… She works with them remotely from her home in California (moved there ten years ago) as Annie’s is in Indiana.
A recent new thing for most of us is the Annie’s Signature Designs Lookbook, A Knit version or Crochet, that you can look through on your computer or other device, perhaps you find something you’d like to make, you can purchase the kit directly through the website, or just get the pattern, even through Ravelry so you have it in your library forever.
One of the designs that’s become a hit, is the Circle Vest. (Links to Ravelry) It’s crocheted with Red Heart Yarns Unforgettable, so it’s obtainable for everyone! Perfectly photographed at the beach in the Lookbook… Another beautiful garment is the Wanderlust Cardigan, knitted with a hoodie in Beroco Weekend, an Aran weight, so you can see that Annie’s works with many different yarn companies, and Lena says she appreciates the ‘work horse’ yarns that will be around for a long time and at lower prices, making it available to more crafters.
Lena has also been an expert on the Knit and Crochet Now show (have we heard so many wonderful stories from those folks lately?) for the seasons 6 & 7.
IF you missed getting to hear this LIVE, it is still available as an archived episode where it aired originally: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/05/31/lena-skvagerson-lead-designer-of-annies-signature-designs or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also behind the scenes video on Marly’s Facebook page.
Such an awesome interview! Gotta give Kena much summer love for giving us insight into her background!
The summer love look book is amazing. It is visually stunning and makes me want to knit and crochet everything! I loved listening and learning more about Lena!
Summer love! Love the idea of it. It was great to learn about Lena’s background and that she lives on the central coast. She’s fun to watch on Knit and Crochet Today.
Summer Love, Today’s Podcast was lovely and informative, I learned something new with his podcast as I did not know about this lovely designer so great to have been apart of this podcast
Lena has so many great designs. I would love to make one to enhance my own summer of love. I have to admit that I adore the Summer Slippers and Lace and Grace Tee. It was really great to learn her story.
Summer love? Yes, Summer love and Marly love are both for me. Great interview ladies…job well done.
All of the interviews are interesting and this is no exception. Designers have the best stories. Summer love reminds me of great music, a slower pace and the time to enjoy knitting that is fun.
This was a fun podcast to listen to. Marly’s Summer Love song distraction was cracking me up.
I loved listening to Lena! It was very interesting listening to her talk about her Swedish heritage and how it seems everyone either knits or crochets there. I just learned how to crochet last year and seem to have caught on quick- I wonder if it’s due to my Swedish heritage?! I would love – er summer love- to win the circle vest kit! Thanks!
Summer Love is not just a musical anymore. Another great podcast!!
My summer love is going to the beach! Lena’s Summer Love book looks beautiful! I really like the Chamisal Tee.
Thanks for another great show. The Summer Love collection looks really beautiful. It really got me ready for summer. I love the Lace & Grace Tee, the Ynez tunic, the Wanderlust cardigan and the Chamisal Tee. There are so many options! Thanks for having Lena on the show!
Love Drops and look forward to looking at Lena’s current work. Crochet is my summer love because it is so portable. Thanks again for a great podcast.
Casting on and making all the things is my summer love. I looked at the patterns in both crochet and knitting and they are fantabulous- so wonderful I needed a new word to do them justice!
The Summer Love collection of patterns is awesome. And I love the idea of look books!
I have had my eye on the Oceano circle vest. That speaks summer love at it’s finest to me!! Thanks for another great podcast!
Enjoyed listening to Lena and everything she is doing at Drops. Her Summer Love ” collection” is so refreshing & perfect for warmer weather.
Loved the Summer Love look book, I also enjoyed hearing Lena’s story
Loved hearing Lena’s story and her bravery in taking on such jobs and being a pioneer! Her Summer Love collection IS lovely! Perfect for summer! Great podcast!
What an interesting interview with the insights into the past and overseas. I just listened to the podcast and will be checking out the Summer Love book.
Beautiful designs & pictures in the Summer Love collection! I’m new to the podcast and enjoying the new & old ones both 🙂
LOVE the Summer Love collection and Marly’s rendition of Summer Love was awesome! Great podcast!
I’d never heard of a Look Book before this podcast and I’m so looking forward to finding a perfect project in this Summer Love collection!
The Summer Love Collection is beautiful. I cant wait to get started. Thanks for having a great guest, Marly!
This was a very informative interview, the Summer Love collection looks wonderful!
Ahh summer love, brings back so many memories…..
Summer love collection looks great. I especially loved the chamisal tee. Since i live in Texas, i appreciate all things knit from linen.