Ira Rott is a knitting and crochet designer living in Southern Ontario, Canada. Having had a passion for yarncrafts since childhood, she has managed to turn her passion into a fully-fledged career…

When did you learn to knit and crochet?
I began learning how to knit and crochet during middle school, and soon became passionate for the skills. It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly I finished my first project, as I have always been surrounded by yarn, needles and hooks! I still use a few crochet hooks that my grandma - who has always been my role model - passed on to me.

Has being from a creative family instilled you with a crafty gene?
Absolutely! Knitting and crochet have been passed on from generation to generation in our family. The crafts have become my passion. Since I was little, I’ve learned to work hard and be creative.

Did you always want to be a knitting or crochet designer?
In 1998 I graduated from a commercial college to be an accountant but unfortunately, I did not feel enough passion to pursue it as a career. In 2012, I worked as an inventory associate for a Canadian retail company and for a photo-editing company in Ukraine.

In 2002 I began designing knitted and crocheted garments after my daughter was born. She has been the greatest inspiration to me. I absolutely love my current job at IraRott Inc. and would not change anything in my history. However, if I had another chance I would definitely get a degree in fashion design!

How would you describe your design style?
My design aesthetic has evolved over the years. From 2004 to 2009 I mostly used cotton threads and fine yarns for women’s and children’s wear such as lace cardigans, dresses, skirts and shawls.

Since moving to Canada in 2008, many local yarn brands have inspired me to create new items, and with that my style has changed. I currently enjoy designing hats, rugs, children’s clothing and amigurumi animals. Most of my recent designs are inspired by animals and nature! You can search my patterns by category here.

What’s your favourite part of the design process?
Every step of pattern making is very special to me. I enjoy sketching, yarn shopping, calculating, drawing diagrams, taking and editing photos, then writing and testing patterns. My favourite part is seeing all the finished items that other knitters and crocheters have made from my designs… It is an absolute blessing!

Knitting or crochet: which is better?
I love to knit unique clothing for my family and myself – I think it is easier to take care of knitted items and they last longer.

Crochet however, gives me an opportunity to represent my designs in a more suitable way, so most of my patterns are for crocheters. Let’s say I love them equally, but I crochet more for my designs!

What are your favourite fibres to work with?
Any kind of yarn can inspire me to create something special, but the most useful yarns in my current inventory are worsted/medium weight acrylics as I think they work best for children’s garments in terms of wear. I also love to use crochet threads for dresses and skirts.

Tell us about your hopes for this year…
This year I plan to finish my portfolio page at IraRott.com by adding photos to a different category every month. I also hope to write many new patterns and update a few that I’ve previously designed. I would like to make my patterns available at local craft and book stores too.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?
As is the case for many business owners, I wish I had more time to spend with my family. Sometimes it is difficult to finish work that I had planned, and most of my working days are very long. However, by the end of the day it makes me happy to look back at what I have done and smile. I love my job!

IRA’S TOP 3 PATTERNS

1

Wedding Dress

2

Crocodile Hat

3

Elephant Rug

To browse Ira’s fantastic range of patterns and more, visit www.irarott.com