We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Sandler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Hi Hannah, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I first learned how to knit on a whim. My mom signed up for a knitting class at our local yarn shop, and a few days before the class, she asked me if I’d like to come with her. I thought it might be fun to learn a new skill, so I agreed to go. I never considered the significance of that decision.

I remember walking into the shop, seeing the walls lined with color. Skeins of yarn stacked on top of one another in every conceivable color. I was captivated. And I was already thinking about all of the things I wanted to knit.

Once I had learned the basics, I became enthralled. I taught myself how to knit everything – socks, hats, sweaters, bags. I was excited by the ability to make my own clothes. I could pick the colors and textures, knit shapes that were flattering on me, adjust the size to fit me perfectly. I felt like I had acquired a super power.

The more I learned, the more ideas I had for my own designs. So I started exploring the interactions between color and texture and playing with stitch patterns that would eventually make their way into my patterns. I never realized what a monumental impact such a seemingly small decision could have on my life – that one class would be the seed for my business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Hannah Sandler and I’m the knitwear designer behind “sandmadeknits”. I design knitwear and develop patterns so that others can knit my designs.

In 2013, I joined my mom for a knitting class. From the moment I learned how to knit, it became an integral part of my life – I always had a basketful of projects and spent most of my spare time with knitting needles in my hands.

It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that I finally started to consider designing knitwear. I graduated from university in the winter of 2019 with a BFA in Directing for theater. I was about to begin working in my field when the pandemic brought everything to a halt. Suddenly, I had a very open schedule that I filled by knitting, and I started to explore my own ideas for patterns. While one career path might be on hold, it seemed the perfect time to dip my toes into another.

I started “sandmadeknits”. My first several designs were sock patterns. I started using Instagram to share my work, connecting with other knitters. I explored garment design and started collaborating with other designers and yarn dyers. And my business continues to evolve and grow. It’s been a really special journey, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with so many other knitters. There is no greater joy than seeing someone knit what you’ve designed.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The crafts and hobbies with which we choose to spend our time are crucial to our personal fulfillment. Sometimes they re-energize us, providing us with much needed rest, relaxation, and entertainment. Crucially, they allow us to express our creativity when we may not otherwise have the opportunity during our daily lives. And for many, our crafts and our hobbies play an integral role in improving or maintaining our mental health. We take great care in choosing how we spend our free time and where we allocate our resources. So when someone chooses to knit one of my patterns, I want them to have the best possible experience.

For this reason, I gravitate towards designs that provide knitters with creative agency, allowing them to curate their own color palettes and explore customizations to truly make their knitwear their own. I often choose deceptively simple stitch patterns and techniques that are soothing to knit even if the resulting fabric appears to have great complexity. It’s important to me that the process can be enjoyed as much as the end result.

Clothing is an important part of how we represent ourselves. We choose what we wear with care, making intentional choices about colors, textures, and shapes. My goal is to design knitwear that is functional, flattering, and wearable with a unique twist. I enjoy exploring new ways to create knit fabrics, playing with the interaction between color and texture. My hope is to design knitwear that is both full of personality and also classic and comfortable – the kind of clothing you want to wear over and over again.

It is especially important to me that my designs are timeless and that knitters will enjoy having them in their wardrobes for years. The longevity of garments is integral to resisting fast fashion and slowing down our environmental impact. When we make something with care, we want to protect it. When knitters discover a hole in one of their hand-knit pieces, they mend it. When a sweater pills, they use a comb to restore it. Knitters invest in materials and pour hours of their time into making something they know they will love. Subsequently, hand-knit pieces are less likely to be found in a landfill or traded in for the next big trend. I want to create designs that will be cared for and worn forever.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of my favorite aspects of knitwear design is getting to collaborate with yarn dyers. Together, we consider how this garment will fit into someone’s daily life. We choose the base yarn – of what material it is composed and the thickness as well. We explore the colors that will best serve the goal of the design. A statement piece might warrant a bolder, more saturated color palette, whereas a wardrobe staple calls for more muted, neutral tones, for example. The materials and colors we use tell a story. It’s incredibly fulfilling to work with other artists to bring a design to life in this way.

Equally rewarding is seeing knitters actually make and wear my designs. On Instagram, we have a wonderful knitting community, wherein knitters will share what they make, and I have the incredible opportunity to see knitters making and wearing my designs. Seeing their projects grow and the personal touches they add is always exciting. And I’m filled with an immeasurable amount of joy when I see that they wear and love what they’ve knit. That’s what makes this business so special.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sandmadeknits.com
• Instagram: @sandmadeknits

Image Credits
Hannah Sandler, Benjamin Sandler