Francoise Danoy is a knitwear designer, textile fiber artist, and creative business coach whose Māori heritage gives her work a unique perspective. The Endless Skein has selected Francoise's Wifty Top as the featured knitting pattern for our Spring 2023 Giving Project.

We spoke with Francoise about how her cultural background influences her work, what it means to be an Expert Generalist, and how she came up with the archetypes of the Fiber Muses. Keep reading to learn more about Francoise and her work!

We’d love to hear the story of how you learned to knit.

I learned how to knit in January 2014 as a New Year’s resolution to learn a new hobby. My mother, who had recently taken up knitting herself, taught me the basics. Inspired by the second Hunger Games movie, she wanted to make a chunky cowl/vest hybrid worn by the main character. My first project was a pink cowl knit in the round on chunky yarn, and I fell in love with knitting immediately. It was love at first stitch!

How did you get started designing knitwear? Which came first, the knitwear design or the textile art?

Knitwear design came first as it has been my career path for almost a decade. I started designing knitwear soon after I learned how to knit. While knitting my first project, I envisioned myself working on a cowl with traditional Māori motifs, which surprised me since I did not know the meaning of the motifs nor how to do colorwork. This inspired me to try it, and I have been designing knitwear ever since.

Please tell us about your textile art. What techniques do you use?

I recently discovered punch needle in the summer of 2022 after experiencing burnout from being a knitwear designer for almost a decade. I tried spinning and dyeing yarn but found that they were not mediums that allowed me to express myself and my cultural identity. I purchased a punch needle kit from a local yarn shop and found it fun and inspiring. It led me to incorporate weaving and embroidery into my work as well. I find these techniques fulfilling and enjoyable.

How do your unique background and cultural heritage inform your designs and textile art?

I draw inspiration from my personal experiences in reconnecting with my Māori heritage. I also get inspired by traditional Māori art such as tāniko (a form of weaving), whakairo (wood carving), kowhaiwhai (scroll patterns), and more. I enjoy learning how to translate patterns and designs from one medium to another.

What are the Fiber Muses?

The Fiber Muses are knitter archetypes that I developed in 2017. After asking my audience why they knit, their answers could be categorized into four: knitting as a form of self-care, self-expression, self-discovery, and selflessness. The Mystic, the Dreamer, the Seeker, and the Giver represent these categories, respectively. Many of my designs focus on one of these aspects to deepen the making experience.

Can you drop any hints about what’s on the horizon for you?

I am currently working on my punch needle portfolio and aiming to submit it to galleries, open calls, and grants to start my career as a textile artist. While slowing down on knitwear design, I plan to continue working on it but taking a break after publishing over 100 patterns. Additionally, I work part-time with other companies in various roles, such as recruiter, coordinator, content creator, strategist, and graphic designer, among others. I like to call myself an Expert Generalist ;-)

What’s currently on your needles?

I am working on a punch needle design for LYS Day in April featuring two fluffy alpacas for an LYS hosting a special Alpaca Petting Zoo. I am also working on a punch needle series called “Mana Wāhine” (Powerful Women), where I’ll be creating portraits of Māori women to practice my design and drawing skills.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for interviewing me! If you want to see more of my work, workshops, or updates, I recently updated my website to reflect the changes happening. Visit www.francoisedanoy.com.

Be sure to follow Francoise on Instagram @francoise.danoy!

Now through June 2023, your purchase of yarn at The Endless Skein to knit Francoise's Wifty Top -- or crochet Clarisabeth Lopez Rodriguez's Flower Child top -- will help support Knitted Knockers! Knitted Knockers is an organization that connects volunteer knitters and crocheters with breast cancer survivors to provide free handmade prosthetics.

Click here to get started with the Spring Giving Project!