S3 E10: Creativity, Colourwork and 144 Squares with Annah O'Leary

What would you do if you were feeling anxious and needed a small, manageable project? If you're Annah O'Leary, apparently the answer is to design an enormous blanket made from 144 colourwork squares. Even though you've never finished a colourwork project before! Annah is the designer behind Needle & Feather and author of Knit an Heirloom Blanket. In this episode, we talk about how her extraordinary blanket began as a way of finding small moments of achievement, and how it grew into something she could never have imagined. We explore the joy of learning new knitting skills, the particular satisfaction of stranded colourwork, and why adults sometimes find it so difficult to give themselves permission to be beginners. Annah also shares the unexpected inspiration behind her designs, including her fascination with architecture and a lovely discovery in her grandfather's sketchbook. And we have a rather spirited discussion about creativity. I've always insisted that I'm not naturally creative, despite designing knitting patterns myself. Annah disagrees rather strongly, and she turns the tables on me to ask how someone who doesn't consider himself creative ever got started as a designer. We also talk about writing knitting patterns, creative confidence, the realities of turning knitting into a career, and the projects Annah hopes to explore next. A warm, funny and thoughtful conversation about knitting, learning, creative ambition and the joy of making things. FIND ANNAH / NEEDLE & FEATHER Instagram: https://instagram.com/needleandfeather Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/needle-and-feather Her book, Knit an Heirloom Blanket (including international ordering options): https://tr.ee/l0gGw1vie5 Colourwork e-course waitlist: https://www.waitlistcourse.com/needleandfeather_wl_org PATTERNS AND PROJECTS FROM THE EPISODE The Murmuration Neckerchief: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/murmuration-neckerchief Peace By Piece Blanket: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peace-by-piece-blanket Year By Piece 02 Blanket: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/year-by-piece-mkal-2025 My Triangle Spider's Web Shawl: https://cleevelyknits.com/products/triangle-spiders-web-shawl FIND ME Knitting patterns and more: https://cleevelyknits.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/cleevelyknits If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Yarn Library, and a rating or review would be hugely appreciated. It helps more knitters discover the podcast. Happy knitting!