Kristi Zemas is a crafter who came to my attention during the ‘Design a Shawl for Stevie Nicks‘ competition that ran in 2014 – she tweeted me a photo of her design, and since then has been sending me pictures of her work! I thought it would be wonderful to share some of this with you, and asked her to tell me a little more about herself.
Kristi Zemas – Crafter Profile
My interview of Kristi Zemas took place at the beginning of 2016.
Where are you from?
I live in Fairfield, California – home to Jelly Belly and Anhuezer Busch’s West Coast plant. I was born an hour and a half south, in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View. I have lived in Virginia, Maryland and Missouri, but keep coming back to California.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have done all kinds of interesting stuff from nanny, pizza maker, Computer Operator, Assistant Financial Analyst, to CNA and custodian. I love to learn and have a Liberal Arts AA, an Accounting Certificate, had a CNA license and for a bit attended the Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Since discovering that I have Lupus and Fibro, I no longer work and have turned to my hobbies to fill my days.
Who taught to you crochet?
My Father’s Mother, Gee Gee, taught me on my sixth birthday – my birthday was 2 days before hers and we were visiting to celebrate our birthdays. I was an active child and she caught my attention by teaching me to make spiral worm bookmarks.
My Mom’s Mother, Mary, also added to some of my skills in the next few years and in order to learn how to read patterns, I went to a class at Sears when I was 12. I was the youngest to take it in Northern California.
When did you start designing your own patterns?
I have always created my own work, but my first pattern was in 2014 after Drew (my husband) encouraged me to write down the pattern for the Butterfly Shawl. It had been an entry into the Stevie Nicks/Talenthouse competition in September 2014 and placed 12th in the community vote. The response was incredible and people began asking for the pattern. Drew gave me just the right nudges to have the confidence to put it down and a CAL was run in October and November 2015. The pattern is now available for sale on Ravelry.
Where do you get your design inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from my surroundings, the birds, trees, butterfly and cruising the Internet admiring others artwork. I love going through pictures of vintage doilies and crochet patterns. With the openness of the Internet and being able to look at works from Japan, Russian, Europe, South America, Australia and the African continent to name a few, I have learned so many new stitches and concepts.
Do you have a favourite fibre to work with?
I use Riviera Crystal Thread from Mexico. A local Bridal shop brings it in and with 748 to 820 yards of polyester/acrylic thread in a ball and really awesome bright colours to choose from, it is great fun. This past year I expanded into wools as I also knit, and have begun creating my own knitted shawl patterns. Having discovered WEBS, I ordered my first lace weight wool and did the Butterfly Shawl pattern in an ash grey wool and entered it into Lambtown in Dixon and won first place with it. I want to explore more in wool and alpaca so recently my husband and I got some carders, a drop spindle, some wool and alpaca to see what spinning is all about.
I know you crochet a lot of shawls – do you work with any other types of garment?
Currently I have a skirt pattern and a set that includes a hat, scarf and wrap that can also be made into an afghan. I also knit shawls too.
Also Drew made a blanket for the World’s Biggest Christmas Stocking and I sent 15 more to go with it. Seeing the pictures of the stocking was really neat and it was fun looking for our blankets in it.
Do you do any other crafts or have any other hobbies?
Well that is quite the question, it is a long list too, embroidery, cross stitch, needle point, knit, wire work, beaded jewelry, paint on my car, leather tool, basic silver work (American Indian silver), mosaic stepping stones, stained glass, quilt, silk flower bouquets, Elizabethan Black Work, bobbin lace (up to 50 bobbins), and sew – everything from doll clothes, clowns, Raggedy Ann and Andy full dolls to Elizabethan Costuming, evening gowns, and Wedding gowns.
Do you have any big plans for 2016?
Turning 50, wow hubby too, we are 1966 babies, kind of cool, we got the pendant for the 50th Superbowl today. It is going to be held locally and it is really neat to see the 50 on everything.
More shawls of course, some long cardigans, a long vest and to tackle documenting my knitting next. And well spinning, and creating something from it, I hope. I joined an International Group of freeform crocheters and am excited to participate in their yearly creations that are used in coffee table books to raise monies for organisations like Doctors Without Borders.
I really like Kristi’s work – the Butterfly Shawl is beautiful – and if you would like to see more of her work and follow her, you can do so at the following places.
- Ravelry Store
- Craftsy Store
- Crochet Community
Thank you so much to Kristi Zemas for sharing with us!
If you are interested in sending me a profile of your own crafty work, or know someone who should, please do let me know!
Much love,
Corrie xx
