Sharitt weaves her art with Willow Oak Knits

Katherine Sharitt remembers asking for a learn-to-knit kit when she was 16 years old. She now applies her imagination to create playful designs for Willow Oak Knits.

“I tried to teach myself unsuccessfully for many years,” Sharitt said. “Finally, a coworker sat next to me and taught me the basics when I first moved to Huntsville a few years ago. I was able to learn new techniques by myself after that.”

Is Sharitt an artist or a technician in her work? “I definitely consider myself an artist. Other knitters may be more technically skilled than I am, but what I lack in technique I make up for in creativity and innovation,” she said.

“Lots of people knit, but few design their own patterns,” Sharitt said.

Her knitted stuffed animals now are available at 16 Main Gallery. Sharitt designed, knitted, stuffed and hand sewed each animal. “Each animal is unique and one of a kind,” she said. She soon will add knitted Christmas ornaments.

Her favorite design is a commissioned work for a crow. “I didn’t know where to begin, but I love a challenge so I kept working on it,” Sharitt said. “I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out.”

In working on that commission, she had to push her limits and try new techniques. “From all of my patterns, the crow is the most true to life. It’s even close to actual size.”

She also is fond of her bunny pattern, her first animal design. “In all my designs, I try to impart a whimsical old-world feel, reminiscent of a hand-me-down toy of days gone by,” Sharitt said.

Her friends, family members and customer commissions inspire designs today. “I always love it when people commission an animal I’ve never done before because the challenge is so rewarding,” she said.

For more information, call 256-335-4165, send e-mail to willow.oak.knits@gmail.com, visit WillowOakKnits.wordpress.com or look for Katie Sharitt on Ravelry for downloadable patterns.