Mara Licole is a talented knitwear designer with a keen eye for balance and thoughtful detail. The Endless Skein is delighted to have selected Mara's Solo Adventure Hat as the featured knit pattern for our  Winter 2024 Giving Project.

Mara spoke with us about how she transforms suffering into beauty through her work, and why she loves tinking. Read on!

Please tell us about how and why you learned to knit.

When I am going through a difficult time, I always try to distract myself away from anxiety and free-falling thoughts by doing things that encourage mindfulness. So, in 2014 when I was going through a particularly difficult time, I decided to make something. At first, I turned to crochet because I had been doing it on and off for about 14 years at that point. However, it just wasn’t distracting me enough. I didn’t like my materials and I didn’t like my project. The next day, I found the only knitting book I owned and decided to try a project from it. Before the night was over, I had put away the book in exchange for a beginner YouTube video where I was learning to cast on and do the knit stitch. I made about fifty 10-stitch swatches. Over and over I cast on. Over and over I completed 10 stitches across for about 20 rows. Then I ripped it back and started again. My tiny swatches were adorable and a tangible manifestation of my tendency to dive into new things with passion. I was obsessed and have been since. I am so happy I found knitting because – in a world that is often difficult, unfair, and unpredictable – knitting has served as a vehicle for me to express beauty, joy, and resilience.

How did you get started as a knitwear designer?

Almost as soon as I learned to knit, I started dreaming up things I could make. I discovered Ravelry and tried a few patterns before deciding that I wanted to learn to create the things I envisioned – MY perfect sweater, shawl, hat, etc. So, I don’t think I ever defined my exact transition from knitter to designer. I think all knitters eventually dabble in design when they modify patterns or even select materials to fit their needs. However, more to your question: I think I released my first pattern for sale in 2016. So maybe that is how I got started as a designer.

Do you have a favorite knitting technique?

Hmm…I don’t think I have just one favorite, but one of my favorite techniques is tinking. In case there are any newer knitters reading, tinking is when you undo your work by unknitting stitches one by one. I like tinking because it helped me learn to read stitches quicker and see exactly where mistakes happened. I also LOVE the provisional cast-on, Italian tubular cast-on, and tubular bind-off. These are my go-to techniques for sure!

From where do you tend to draw inspiration for your designs?

I don’t remember who, but I remember someone once pointed out that sadness, trauma, and tragedy are usually the best inspiration for artists. This is so true in my case. One of the hardest lessons I learned, as an adult, is that people don’t want to hear anything they consider negative. So, often as adults we must refrain from sharing that we are suffering or experiencing hardship. Otherwise, we risk being considered unprofessional, emotionally unintelligent, or immature. The consequence of not sharing the hardships is pinned up negative energy.

I think a lot of the hardships in my life culminated around 2013. Even though I’m known for being a good communicator, I was struggling to communicate with others about nearly everything because I knew I didn’t have a lot of positivity to share. I worried about all that pinned up negative energy releasing in the worst ways at the worst times. The safest way to express negatives like pain, grief, suffering, depression, etc. is to do so within an art form. So, when I design, I am usually starting from negative experiences and wanting to harness all the negative energy and emotions into tangible beauty, light, and optimism.

What’s currently on your needles?

I recently casted on a new sweater. I am really excited about it because I usually don’t wear sweaters any time of the year. Growing up they were always uncomfortable because they were itchy, suffocating, or just plain ugly. My sweaters usually came from thrift stores with limited options. However, I recently wanted to try to create my perfect sweater using materials, stitch patterns, and a silhouette that I adore.

If you could sit and knit anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Funny that you ask because I am a wanderlust and as such I was just thinking about where I wanted to “sit and knit” next. The answer changes frequently because I just want to travel the world. I am particularly obsessed with exploring Europe in full (laughs). So, perhaps Ireland? Yes, next I would love to see, explore, and knit in Ireland. I hear it is amazingly beautiful with the greenest grass, prettiest flowers, and historical architecture. More importantly, I hear that the people are amongst the kindest on earth. I need to go experience this for myself.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

It was such a pleasure to start this new year by talking to you about something I love. I am so happy to be part of your plan to support the Putnam Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center. Eliminating violence against women and children has been a core part of my advocacy through the years. So, thank you to the entire team at The Endless Skein! I am sending you and your customers my best wishes for 2024!

Be sure to follow Mara Licole on Instagram @maralicoleknits!

Now through March 31, 2024, your purchase of yarn at The Endless Skein to knit Mara's Solo Adventure hat will help support the Putnam Northern Westchester Women's Resource Center, a local nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential services and support to victims of violence and works to address the trauma of sexual abuse, domestic violence, interpersonal violence and advocate for gender equity in our community.

Start your Winter Giving project today!