Kerry Graber, Kaia Petersen and Jann Hoppler founded BK Collective in 2013 to “share the designs we like to knit”; patterns developed by ourselves and our knitting friends. The friends began knitting together as the "Bullknitters" in the 1990's, a name inspired by a Gary Larson cartoon. Encouraged by fellow Bullknitters, we launched the pattern company and, Jorstad Creek, the partner yarn company, to take all that knitting to the next level! As an inside joke, we named the pattern company BK Collective. While the collective of designers enjoy a wry sense of humor, we're serious about our patterns. We love getting suggestions and enjoy interacting with the knitting community beyond our home, the Bullknitters of Olympia, Washington. You can find us on Ravelry and on Instagram @bkcollective_designs.
Meet Our Designers
BK Collective
Cecelia Campochiaro
Cecilia appeared on the knitting scene in 2015 with her debut book, Sequence Knitting. Knitting was a casual pastime until she had an "ah-ha" moment in 2010, and realized that interesting textured fabrics could be created by the simple repetition of a sequence of stitches. This idea evolved and led to her writing Sequence Knitting which is a reference book about this mindful approach to knitting. Her new book, Making Marls, is about color and working multiple strands together as one.
She lives in Silicon Valley, where for many years she developed specialized microscopes used in computer chip manufacturing. Textiles, photography and the arts have been a lifelong passion running in parallel with her technical life. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @ceceliacampochiaro.
Tanis Gray
Tanis is an award-winning author of 16 published knitting books and over 700 knitting patterns. She loves knitting and designing stranded colorwork the most, and lives with her family in Northern Virginia. An avid quilter and spoon carver, she loves all things craft and is happiest when she's making something. Find out more at www.tanisknits.com.
Erika Knight
Erika has published more than 20 books on knitting and crocheting and with her ‘simple’ ethos, Erika has a unique interpretation of craft: her mission is to simplify and communicate her insight and passion for knitting and crochet with accessible and enticing projects in order to inspire everyone to experiment and above all enjoy creating. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @knightkraft.
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Jean Chung
Jean Chung started knitting as a kid but it really became an addiction when she was in law school. Wherever she went, she had her project in her bag. Her first design was published in 2011 and loves creating designs that are easy, timeless, and meditative. She rebranded as Candy & Bagel in 2014, named after her Chihuahua and Formosan Mountain Dog, and sold inclusive sizing dancewear on Etsy. Now she is back to focusing on knitwear, while still practicing law full time in Southern California.
You can find her on Ravelry as Jean Chung and on Instagram @candyandbagel.
Jeanette Sloan
Jeanette Sloan is one of the knitting world's most accomplished designers. Along with many contributions to The Knitter and Knitting magazines, as well as her extensive Ravelry portfolio, she has recently co-edited a collection with Kate Davies, Warm Hands, a delectable collection of 15 designs for gloves, mitts, and mittens.
She has also been a powerful voice in the ongoing conversation about diversity in the knitting world from her 2018 article for Knitting magazine, "Black People Do Knit," to working tirelessly to create BIPOC in Fiber, a new website that celebrates a huge number of designers, yarn makers, and artists. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @jeanettesloan.
Kira Dulaney
Kira Dulaney is the designer behind K Designs, a line of original knitting and crochet patterns with a streamlined and eminently wearable aesthetic. Kira's designs include garments and accessories in a wide size range, featuring clean lines and intriguing details that are both interesting to make and easy to wear. Kira has been teaching knitting and crochet classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @kirakdesigns.
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Melissa Leapman
With over 1200 designs in print, Melissa Leapman is one of the most widely-published American knit and crochet designers at work today. She's worked with leading ready-to-wear design houses and is the author of several bestselling knit and crochet books including The Knit Stitch Pattern Handbook, Mastering Color Knitting, 6000+ Pullover Possibilities, Knitting the Perfect Fit, and Knitting Modular Shawls. She is a sought-out speaker and teacher at national and international yarn events such as Vogue Knitting Live and her popular annual knitting/crocheting cruises. Leapman lives in New York City. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @melissa.leapman.
Niree Noel
Niree Noel is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor who dabbles in knitwear design. She's big into gardening, classical piano, reading (and hoarding) books, natural fibers, sustainable fashion, cooking, and the New York Times crossword puzzle. You can find her @niree_knits on Instagram.
Photo by Sam Ortiz (@samortizphotos on Instagram)
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Roni Halloran
Roni is currently a Paris-based knitwear designer who is up and coming in the hand knitting world. After working a few years as a Sweater Designer for Michael Kors in NYC, she moved to Paris for grad school where she began work creating her KnitGirl line. She is an avid hand knitter and in her spare time and loves to play with natural dyes and new techniques. Her passion is bringing her fashion design experience to the everyday knitter. She loves playing with shapes and colors to create modern, fresh and wearable garments. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @ronihalloran.
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Trysten Molina (Dragon Hoard Designs)
Trysten is the dyer behind Dragon Hoard Yarn and creative mind behind Dragon Hoard Designs. She started Dragon Hoard Yarn five years ago, and began her love of knitwear design shortly thereafter. She now owns a studio in Utah where she dyes yarn full time with her husband, and two little co-workers, er, pups (Frenchies: Lulu & Odin). While dyeing yarn 12 hours a day, she listens to books on tape and gets inspired by stories of wonder and adventure. Many of her colorways and collections are inspired by books, fandoms, Autumn, fairies, and obscure gothic themes. Some of her favorite designs come from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina & A Court Of Thorns & Roses.
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Vanessa Smith
Vanessa began self-publishing designs in June 2010 and enjoys designing pullovers, cardigans, shawls, and other accessories that feature harmonious textures and thoughtfully curated details. All of her patterns have a modern chic appeal, and her sweaters are especially recognizable by their flattering silhouettes.
Vanessa takes pride in developing thorough, well-written, and beautifully presented patterns to create a pleasant knitting experience. As a result, experienced and novice knitters alike consistently find that her patterns are clear and easy to follow. Being a mostly self-taught knitter, Vanessa aims to inspire and empower other knitters to continue to build upon their skills and realize their ability to make show-stopping pieces of knitwear that they can proudly wear for years to come.
She and her husband Cody (who also happens to be her photographer!) live in Washington State. You can find her on Ravelry and on Instagram @vanessasmithdesigns.
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