Ana Xamalo85

When and how did the idea to create your blog come about?

It arose out of necessity. The need to connect more with creative people who are as crazy as I am. The need to share the little I know and to be able to help each other. Because ultimately, it's a reciprocal learning process. I teach you something, and I learn more from you. Right now, I've neglected the blog a bit. Life happens, two kids, wanting to knit a lot... I started it because people were asking me for my patterns. That's when I'd write them down and share a bit about myself. You can find a little bit of everything in each post.

What do you like most about being a designer?

Through design, I discovered my creative streak. I'm passionate about it. Ideas pop into my head, and even if I have 3 projects on my needles, there's always room for one more, and I have to start it. I must start it. It's an obligation, otherwise, it eats me up inside. I didn't know I could find something that would fulfill me so much. But I enjoy every stitch so much that it has become my passion.

What inspires you when creating new products?

I like mixing stitches and colors. I don't really get inspiration from anything specific. Perhaps walking down the street and seeing what people around me are wearing, or simply going into a store and thinking, "How do they make that?" Inspiration is in the everyday. It comes without warning. I try not to repeat myself. I don't like making two identical things. I always modify something.

What's your next challenge?

To open up more. To move from the virtuality that social networks offer us to reality. It's something I force myself to do. If there's an event and I can, I try to go. I need that contact with people. To feel that we are not alone in this addiction we share. Many times, we knit at home, but going out and connecting with other people fills me up. I would love to encourage myself to give workshops. But I always have doubts like... "What do I have to teach?" "Would anyone sign up?" "Will they like it?" Perhaps that's one of the biggest challenges I have to overcome. To conquer my insecurities and fears.

An anecdote?

It's funny, but when I started with Instagram, I never thought that people were watching me. Let me explain. I know they see me, but I didn't know the impact it would create. I show the things I make, where I usually knit, and now sometimes I also show my family because they are the most beautiful thing I have, and I am proud of them. I didn't imagine that by showing these things, I would receive so much affection. It's true that I also follow people, but if by any chance I see them on the street and recognize them, I wouldn't dare to say anything to them. What has happened to me and I find incredible is that someone recognizes me and tells me that they follow me and that they like what I do. It seems amazing to me, and that's when I blush and they leave me speechless. The first time was in a hospital. Where better to spend dead hours knitting? One of the nurses stopped and told me; "Well, it must be true that you spend all day knitting. I follow you on social media." She left me speechless, and I couldn't say anything.

It has happened to me a few more times, like walking down the street and someone saying "hello xamalo" "I love what you do." This year, we decided to go to the Knit in Public Day at El Retiro (to get out of my comfort zone), and people approached me there to meet me and take photos, and I couldn't believe it. I still think I don't do anything special. Every creative person does wonders...