Welcome to our new column where we feature some of the great members of the Guild! For our second post, we're featuring a newer member, Alex Wolf! If you want to be featured in a future column (or have a member to suggest) reach out to Jess Dahlberg!

Name: Alex Wolf

Ravelry ID: alexw07

Instagram (if applicable): alexw07

Years Knitting: 5

Years in the Guild: Less than 1

• Who taught you to knit? Or, why did you learn to knit?

When I first moved to Minneapolis in 2012 and was trying to make friends I met a few people at a concert, who then invited me to come to their knitting group. I didn’t really have an interest in knitting, but I went anyway just to make some friends. After a couple of weeks I decided I’d give it a go and had them teach me the basics. I got hooked immediately and the group still meets every week.

• Are you a picker or a thrower?

I started as a thrower, but quickly switched to continental. I asked my friend to teach me in the middle of my 3rd or 4th project and you can see exactly when I switched because my tension changed so much.

• What are your favorite types of projects? (E.g., hats, baby items, blankets, socks, shawls, sweaters, etc.)

Definitely socks (toe-up or bust). I’m a fairly practical knitter and I figure one can never have too many socks. Plus they knit up quickly and I love playing around with new stitch and colorwork patterns.

• Do you knit mainly for yourself or for others? 

It’s a pretty even mix. Last year, as a stash busting effort, I made a bunch of projects for friends. They could request any small project, but I got to choose the yarn. I was expecting a lot of requests for hats and mittens, but they surprised me with some really unique ideas. It not only turned out to be a great way to use up a bunch of yarn, but learn some new techniques too. I usually knit a few things for Christmas presents every year too.

• Do you have multiple WIPs going on at one time, or are you project monogamous?

Since I’ve been working on small projects lately I’ve been mostly monogamous. Every once in a while if I’m working on something bigger I’ll have a second smaller project to work on out and about.

• What's a new skill or technique you're hoping to learn this year?

I recently came across a knitting machine at a thrift store and I’m excited to learn how to use it. I’ve had an idea for a sweater brewing that would be a little boring to knit by hand because it’s completely stockinette with some intarsia colorwork, but would be a quick project with the knitting machine!

• Any knitting goals for 2019?

Does getting a knitting related tattoo count as a knitting goal?

• Who is your favorite knitwear designer?

Elizabeth Zimmermann for sure. I absolutely adore how she approached and wrote about knitting and she will always be a source of inspiration for me.

• Do you have any favorite accounts to follow on IG?

mere_berry, wingandaprayerfarm, goodwitchknits, abolajiooo, su.krita, woollymammothfibres, carlenergy, alpenglowyarn, prideofmice, westlakeknits,

• It's the middle of winter, how many hand-knit items can you be found wearing? 

I’m a year-round biker, so I’ll definitely be wearing my balaclava (just fold up the bottom a couple times and it doubles as a regular winter hat, which is convenient) and some hand-knit gloves under a pair of (non-knit) mittens. There’s a good chance I’ll be wearing a hand-me-down sweater that my grandma originally knit for my dad.

• Next on your to watch/read/listen to list?

1. Watch: Adventure Time (I’m about halfway done with the series, but can’t wait to watch the rest).
2. Read: Currently looking for book recommendations so if you see me at a guild meeting feel free to give me some ideas.
3. Listen: the next episode of the podcast My Brother, My Brother, and Me.