Jen has been knitting for almost 20 years and designing patterns for over a decade. She has designed knit and crochet patterns for yarn companies and magazines and has self-published dozens of patterns. Jen is the author of 6 knitting books, including the best-selling book, Sock-Yarn Shawls. She loves to create beautiful, fun, and easy-to-follow knit & crochet patterns.
Jen dabbles in a wide variety of crafts, including cross stitch and sewing. You can follow her crafty adventures on Instagram: @jenlucasdesigns and @jenxstitcher.
Other places to find Angela Online: Ravelry, Instagram, and Her Website.
The Knitting Circle: When and how did you get started with knitting?
Jen Lucas: I started knitting after college, when a couple of my college friends gave me a How-to-Knit booklet along with some yarn and needles for my birthday. The booklet claimed you could learn to knit in one day. It took me a little longer than that to get the hang of it, but once I mastered the knit and purl, I was totally hooked.
TKC: What is your favorite thing to design and why?
JL: I tend to design what I love to knit and that’s shawls. You can make a shawl in any type of yarn with any stitch pattern. The possibilities of shawl design are endless.
TKC: What does your day look like as a knitwear designer and maker?
JL: What I love about this job is that every day is a little bit different. Some days I knit all day, some days I don’t touch yarn or needles at all. Most of the time I spend the mornings doing computer work and I knit in the afternoon.
TKC: What’s your favorite type of yarn? Why do you love it?
JL: I love merino blends. Give me a merino/cashmere/nylon yarn or a merino/silk yarn and I’m happy. I’ve also recently discovered a love of cotton/bamboo blends. I love the drape of that yarn – it’s perfect for shawls!
TKC: If you could only use one knitting technique for the rest of your life, what would it be?
JL: Only one? As much as I adore lace, I would pick garter stitch. It creates a such a squishy fabric, and you can use it to make anything.
TKC: What other crafts or hobbies do you enjoy?
JL: I enjoy crafting in general and I love trying new crafts. These days I’m really enjoying cross stitch and crochet. I’ve recently started sewing too and would love to give quilting a try.
TKC: Any quick tips/knitting hacks to share?
JL: If you are a new knitter, do not start with a scarf knit entirely in garter stitch. You’ll be bored after knitting about 10 to 12 inches. Try something small, like a dishcloth or cowl first. You’ll have mastered the basics in a small project without becoming bored!
I purchased “Knitted Earth Day Tote” pattern several years ago. I am on a cruise and left pages 3 and 4 of the pattern at home. If anyone could email them to “islandhugger@yahoo.com” I’d really appreciate it. I’m having trouble receiving emails from my other email address that begins “Kingbecci”, while on the ship. Thank you so much!!! Becci
My mom was a mastress knitter I am stuck
Hi Jen, I’m knitting your “It’s a Gnome” pattern and have a question. Where can I contact you?
Thank you for the tip!! Very useful. :)
Too funny! I see that my comment of today is following my comment of December 27, 2022. pj stitches!
So nice to meet you, Jen. I love your shawl patterns & have begun a collection of them. My Valentine's Day gift (to me) is a magnificent order of lace weight & fingering weight yarns from Bobbii in Copenhagen. I am awaiting its delivery shortly with knitting needles in hand. I was taught to knit at the age of seven & just keep adding to my knowledge of fiber arts. When I sign off as "pj stitches," it's because I do every day. A good day is one in which I put needle(s) to fiber in some way; I try to only have good days! Thank you for sharing your talent with "us out here;" I live in the middle of a 40-acre hay meadow 6 miles northwest from a small town in Missouri after growing up in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. pj stitches!
Hi! You are a whizz. Thank you for sharing with "us out here!" I've been knitting since 1957 and love it. I am a died in the wool (pun intended) fiber addict. A good day is defined as a day in which I put fiber to needles of some kind. I remain a happy camper on purpose! pj stitches! in sw Missouri where our water pipes were only frozen for 4 days. Thank goodness for mid-winter thaws! pj!
Hi there Jen, My name is Vida and I had learn how to knit when I was around 5-to 7years-old by my grandmother(my mothers -mom)and my aunt (my dads sister-in-law). But turn to crocheting instead around the same age as well too. And I stuck to that for must of the time as I could read those patterns alot easier to do. And now I want to relearn more about knitting. I have done alot of different crafts from knitting to crocheting ,to sewing to embroidery, to macramé, and other crafts. I have never learn how to knit socks and now want to relearn how to do knitted socks. Can you me out. Thanks
I would like to know pattern for your recent tutorial for a textured rib hat. I understand I may need to up grade my membership, and having trouble navigating the web site. I would like to know that the hat tutorial / pattern is available. A member posted her finished blue hat today June 5 th , saying that I was video last Thursday. Thanks I would love this to be my next project.
Hi I am looking for help with a pattern. How do I do that