Have you seen the Front Door Cardigan design inside the new Friends: The One With The Crochet book coming out this April?! It is SO cute!!
It all started with a drawing. About a year ago, I sent a cute little sketch of my idea for the Front Door Cardigan to my friend Briana Luppino who creates gorgeous hand-dyed yarns for her business ‘The Little Wolf Knits‘ in hopes that she could bring the colours to life for me. To say Briana crushed it is an understatement, her colours are absolutely perfect and working with her yarn was such a dreamy experience!
I had so much fun turning this sketch into the finished cardigan. My vision was something that was a little bit low-key so if you wore this out into the world someone might think it was just a really great cardigan and not know it was a Friends TV reference unless they were a fan! The cardigan is so comfy, and the pockets make it super functional. I can’t wait to get my sample back so that I can wear it everywhere!
Where to Purchase ‘Friends: The One With Crochet’ by Lee Sartori
The ‘Friends: The One With The Crochet’ Book is so special to my heart! You can read all about how it was created and learn more about our upcoming Virtual Book Tour Dates with all of the designers involved here >> https://www.cococrochetlee.com/friends-the-one-with-crochet-book/
The Pre-Order and Release Date
Before I introduce you to more of ‘Friends: The One With The Crochet’ by Lee Sartori, let me tell you about where you can purchase the book!
-The Pre-Order Campaign has officially begun, and when you purchase your pre-order through the publisher of this book, Insight Editions, you will receive a bonus pattern PDF sent to you as a free gift!
You can also purchase the book on Amazon here >>
The book officially releases on April 25th, 2023, so there is plenty of time to secure your copy with a pre-order.
Interviewing Yarn Dyer Briana Luppino
It was such a pleasure working with Briana from The Little Wolf Knits on my design for the Front Door Cardigan! The Little Wolf Knits yarn is absolutely perfect, and if you would like to order the exact yarn I used for this pattern, Briana has put together a pre-order for the yarn kits to go along with the book!
Shop the Front Door Cardigan Yarn Kit here >> SHOP THE KIT
Here is our interview for our Virtual Book Tour, but before you dive in, be sure to follow Briana on her social media on Instagram, and her Blog!
1). Can you tell me about how you became part of the Friends Crochet Book and any experiences/thoughts/feelings you had at joining the book?
I feel like I actually got invited into the Friends book by accident, or maybe just organically –
which is my favorite part. One of the best things about this yarny business I run is connecting
with people all across the world, learning and growing from and with them, and Lee was always
one of those people for me. Some time ago, I found myself inspired by Lee and the work that
she did and slid into her DMs to chat now and then. As time went on I found myself doing it
more and more and found that we shared views, but also were just able to have some cool
conversations about topics outside of “just yarn.” I’m not exactly sure what made Lee ask me for
yarn for a design, but I think I had congratulated her on a big follower count milestone (I do this
a lot, I think it’s really cool to see my friends doing big things), and told her if she ever needed
anything for a giveaway to let me know. Shortly after that, Lee had messaged to ask if I ever
watched Friends, and upon sharing my obsessions (and plans for an upcoming yarn and charm
club) she invited me to dye yarn for her new Friends book! We have a few different coversations
about options for colorways, bases, and design ideas, but I’m so glad we landed where we did.
2). What design did you create custom yarn for the book? Were you excited to take the job?
Oops – I think I spoke to this already a bit above, but: When Lee first asked me to provide yarn
support for the book, I don’t know which was more exciting – the fact that there was going to be
a Friends-inspired book, or that my yarn would be in it! I think at the time, I couldn’t really wrap
my head around my yarn being featured in a book (and I’m still not sure I will understand the full
extent of it), but being excited would be an understatement. I’m so proud of the entire book and how it
came together, and I’m just honored that someone trusted my art to be a part of that.
3). How did you approach your custom yarn dye work? Was there anything you found fun or
exciting about the crocheting process?
For all of my new colorway creations, I find that it’s easiest for me to find inspiration not only from
a feeling but from a photo. However, this one was a little different. After deciding on a design
inspired by the infamous Friends door (frame included) I knew what direction I had to go. It just
so happened that the Pantone color of the year was periwinkle, so I had been thinking that there
was a gap in my tonals I offer in the shop, and this color was the perfect option to fill it. It was
certainly nerve-wracking to try and create something that fit Lee’s design inspiration, but exciting
to see it come to life.
4). Are you a fan of the Friends TV Show? What are some of your favourite memories or
moments?
Could I BE more of a fan? Probably not. Growing up, my older sister was pretty obsessed with
the show and quotes it in almost every conversation. This means that as an unplanned bi-
product, I also became obsessed with the show and would find myself playing through every
episode as a source of comfort. I haven’t found myself turning it on as much as I used to now
that I’m out of graduate school, but I feel like another watch-through might be in order!
5). If you could make any other design from the book, which would you make first? Why?
I know you said any other design, but since I haven’t actually gotten to work this one up myself,
I really want to give it a try! I’m not as experienced of a crocheter as I am with knitting, but I was
thinking it would be a really fun gift to myself, or maybe even my sister!
6). Is there anything else you would like to add to your feature? Tips/advice/shout-outs etc.
I am so grateful to Lee for including me in this project and allowing me to dream about what it
might look like to take my yarn dyeing a bit more seriously.
Also wanted to share that kits for the Door Frame Cardigan are now available in the shop for
pre-order. If you place an order before March 19, your order will be dyed and shipped out early
April, so your yarn will arrive by the time your book does! After that point, yarn will be dyed to
order on a rolling basis.
Pattern Support
Because this book will be distributed and sold worldwide, the designers and Author of ‘Friends: The One With The Crochet’ will not be available for the high volume of pattern support questions related to each of the designs inside the book. If you have a pattern question, please do not contact the designers directly, but rather contact the Publishers at info@insighteditions.com – and they will be happy to help you. If needed, the Publishers will contact the designers directly on your behalf. Thank you for your understanding!
Thank you so much for your support of ‘Friends: The One With Crochet’ by Lee Sartori. I am so thrilled that this book is out there for you to enjoy! If you make anything, please tag me on Instagram at @coco.crochet.lee and use the hashtag #friendscrochetbook and #friendstheonewithcrochetbook so we can see your beautiful makes!
