Erin's creativity is abundant, and can be seen everywhere in her style and home! She is the sock-maker extraordinaire, queen of collage walls, and a vital part of our Harmony team.
What role has creating played in your life?
"A pretty big role. I've always been a creator. It has gone from one thing to another to another and it's never just been one thing. If I don't create, I feel it mentally. I have to get something out."
What brings you inspiration?
Erin is inspired by a little bit of everything. She mentions food labels, color combos, movies, and people.
"I'm open to inspiration whenever. I feel like there is inspiration to be found in everything. There are definitely movies that have a certain vibe to them and afterwards I'm like, 'whoa, okay, I have to do something about this because it just sparks something.'"
She mentioned Moonrise Kingdom specifically as a movie that called her to create.
What is your favorite thing you've made?
"That's a hard one. Right now I'm in my sock area. Every time I make a pair of socks, I'm like, 'it's my new favorite pair of socks!' Sock making, when I figured it out was probably one of my favorite things that I unlocked the ability to do. I have a lot of fun making those."
We can verify— Erin's socks blow us away!
What are you working on right now?
"I am working on some pants and some socks. And then I have a striped sweater I want to get started because I finally decided on the pattern, so that's awesome."
She is going to be making the Tolsta Tee pattern with papaya and mustard colored yarn. For pants, she's working on a hack of the chanterelles.
What things do you have your eye on at Harmony?
"Everything. With the Kaffe stripes, I want to make either a mandarin collar shirt or the Spaghetti Western Juno Dress- something with a collar. I don't usually wear collars, so that's really weird that that's what I'm wanting. Also all the new knits that just dropped. I had my eye on them and I was waiting and now I'm like, I got to go buy one of each. I don't know if I'm going to make a tank top or like a shirt or a dress or shorts..."
What are your making rituals?
When Erin is knitting, she likes to watch something- currently she is watching the Great British Baking Show and Vampire Diaries. She likes to choose things that aren't too serious, so her knitting can be extra peaceful.
When she sews, she likes listening to books or podcasts. Currently she is listening to the podcast Maintenance Phase, and the ACOTAR book series.
Where do your creative roots lie?
Erin had strong creative role models in her family, specifically her grandma and her dad.
"My grandma did a lot of hand work and sewing. She used to make our doll clothes and our dresses. Unfortunately, I didn't ask her to teach me. I didn't want to know until it was too late. But I did see it all, so I think that instilled a little bit of that desire."
Erin and her dad were creative in very similar ways- drawn to dip a toe in many different creative pursuits. Her dad was a gardener, and that's something they would do together. He saw the creativity in her from a young age and encouraged her to explore it by investing in new creative hobbies for her to try out.
What are you excited for?
We interviewed Erin in the early Spring when she was looking forward to gardening.
"I'm excited to work on my garden with the changing of the season and get some color back there and hope that the grasshoppers don't ravage it again. I have hope that it won't be so bad this year. So we'll put some flowers out there and that'll be fun."
We have a garden update from Erin, and the results are thrilling- no grasshoppers in sight!
"My hollyhocks are past their prime, but were tall & glorious this summer. I planted them 2 falls ago from some seed pods my friend had given me. I was saving them for spring, but they started going moldy, so I planted them in fall hoping for the best. The following spring they bloomed & are still thriving. I took the time this year to harvest some seeds for gifts."
"We planted another rose bush this year. It’s a little crunchy right now because of the heat, but the color of the blooms almost have a glow to them. I can’t wait to see it get bigger next year."
"Just to be clear, I don’t really know what I’m doing when it comes to gardening. I just figure plants know what to do, let’s see what happens. I should probably be better at pruning & planning, but also, I like it a little wild & chaotic. I’m never striving for perfection in anything whether it gardening, sewing, knitting, etc…I’m doing these things for enjoyment. Allowing a little bit of chaos works for my brain. 😁"
