Jane Richmond - Journey: A Collaboration

JOURNEY

For all of you who have had to take the journey. May you stay strong and true.

Published in 2013 by MARIAN RAE PUBLICATIONS

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. For personal use only.

ISBN 978-0-9917289-1-6

Version 2

MARIAN RAE PUBLICATIONS

www.marianraepublications.com

ISLAND took Shannon and I on an incredible journey. Being my first book there were so many firsts. Publishing a book is like planning a wedding: it takes over your life for the better part of a year, the stress can be insurmountable, deadlines are rock solid and deal breaking, and by the end youve spent so much time so close to the project it can be hard to see it with fresh eyes. But when the whirlwind is over and you can finally breathe again, the end result is so rewarding and tangible you almost forget how much work it was

that is, until you do it again! With JOURNEY, Shannon and I have combined our design efforts to bring you a book that represents both of our aesthetics rolled into one. If you know us (personally or online) or follow our work, youll know that Shannon and I have very different personalities. Im the minimalist: My style is classic, I love white on white (on white!), I think simple is better, and my designs often reflect this. On the other hand, Shannon has so much flare, she loves bright colors and fun patterns, she loves to layer prints, and she is constantly pushing the envelope with her modern, fashion-forward pieces. And together, like yin and yang, we work incredibly well together. Somehow our differences play off of each other in a way that perpetuates great productivity, efficiency, and creativity.

The theme of this collaboration was born from a road trip storyboard that was the brainchild of our talented photographer, Nicholas Kupiak. I think it took on a deeper meaning for both Shannon and I as we started to ponder the kinds of journeys that people embark on. There is a journey that only you can take, the kind that leads you back to yourself. The journey can be in search of balance, change, adventure, peace, love, or acceptance. Its the path that takes you back when youve been led astray. The road is often winding with ups and downs, bumps and even backtracking. All of these things are what make us who we are and in the end we need to embrace it all as part of the journey.

The inspiration for my three pieces Climb, hiking socks; Spate, the fingerless mittens; and Inland, the tunic-length cardigan; was the need to be comfy and cozy. I wanted to design pieces that felt like comfort food on a damp and dreary day; pieces to live in. The kind of knitwear you would pack for that journey; pieces that would comfort you and prepare you for anything.

I really hope you enjoy this book and that it leaves you feeling confident about the JOURNEY youre on, the one you are ready to embark on, or the journey you took long ago that led you to where you are today.

jour.ney (jur-nee) : passage or progress from one stage to another

We all have a journey to make. One of self discovery, finding ourselves and the ability to fully embrace who we are. One of discovering inner strength, learning to love who we are, just as we are faults and all. One of learning to trust our instincts, inner voice, and true self. That journey is never ending. We are always changing, growing and experiencing new paths.

This book has been quite the journey for me. Ive stretched myself to learn new things, to think in new ways, and to trust my gut. Ive realized its okay to think differently and to see things in a unique way. I would never have been able to do that without Jane. Shes been my partner-in-crime in what has been for me a creative and personal journey of my own self-discovery. Janes been there with me every step of the way and I couldnt ask for a better friend in life. I wouldnt stay up so late at night for just anyone. Weve worked hard, all the while laughing, crying, finding balance in our health (we both have weird, strict diets and newfound addictions to health food and green smoothies), supporting each other and just plain going through lifes journey together this past year.

After Jane and I released ISLAND last fall, we knew we had to do another book. That journey was special and so is this onejust in a different way. This time we decided to produce a joint collection of patterns. Merging our design aesthetics has been so much fun. Its brought together what we feel is a special book.

We all are on a journey. Where our paths go may be different, but the thing that holds us all together is that we all take one path or another. The moral of the story is that we all need to believe in and love who we areboth in life and in our creative passions.

So indulgegrab some of that special yarn youve been holding onto, curl up with JOURNEY and reflect. Take some time to lose yourself in the images, the designs, the pathsand knit. Let go of the daily stresses and all the baggage we carry everyday. Just be you. Feel the yarn between your fingers, the calming movement of your needles clicking away, and just let golet us take youon a JOURNEY.

Happy knitting from my home to yours.